Gone - Twilight

4

Bella Swan sits on the couch of her Dad's living room, deep in thought. It was Saturday and he was out fishing so she had the whole place to herself. She was thinking about her engagement to Edward and Victoria trying to kill her and her talk with Jacob. But above all, she couldn't stop thinking about her long lost best friend. She looked down at the bracelet that Layla gave her for her birthday. She still felt guilty about not being there for her when she lost her parents, or when they tried to put her into foster care against her will. She could still hear her screams and cries sometimes.

Today was Layla's nineteenth birthday, and Bella wanted nothing more than to see her friend again. She wanted to hug her, to know she was okay, to apologize to her, to see how she has been all this time. But Layla disappeared without a trace, and eventually the police gave up on finding her. Bella still had hope that she would see her again, but after so long she started to doubt she would.

If only she knew that Layla wasn't the girl she used to be.

Bella felt a presence behind her, and looked over her shoulder to see her fiance. Edward smiled at her and she smiled back. He went to the couch and sat down next to her. "Is something wrong?" he asked her.

"No, why?"

"You seem deep in thought." he noted. Bella sighed and looked down.

"Today just isn't really a happy day." she told him.

"Why?"

"Today is my friends birthday." she explained

Edward looked confused. "Why is that sad?"

"Because she isn't here. I haven't seen her in a long time, in fact."

Edward looked more puzzled. "Do you want to talk about it."

Bella kind of wanted to refuse, but then she realized she kept it to herself for so long and it wouldn't hurt if Edward knew the story.

She looked at him and said "Okay, I'll tell you. I guess it would be nice to finally tell someone." Edward silently beckoned her to continue.

Bella looked down and began her sad story. "I never told anyone this, but when I was nine, I had a friend. Her name was Layla Shaw and she was my best friend. We did everything together. We were almost like sisters. Her mom and Renee were friends too. We were inseparable. She was so energetic and she always managed to make me smile." Bella smiled at a memory of her and Layla playing on the playground where they first met.

"What happened?" Edward asked.

Bella frowned and continued. "It was her tenth birthday. I was in the hospital with a broken leg, and she and her parents went to a carnival to celebrate. They were on their way to the car when her parents were both shot. Layla got shot in the arm. And when she told the police and went to court, the lawyer convinced the judge that Layla was an invalid witness and the men were set free. They also tried to put Layla into foster care, but she didn't want to go. She screamed and cried and I just stood there. I can still remember the look on her face. She somehow got away from the cops and ran away. And when they went to her house to try and find her, some stuff had been packed and she was gone. That was the last time I ever saw her." Bella had tears streaming down her face by the end of the story.

Edward pulled her into his side. "I'm sorry, Bella."

She sniffled. "It wasn't your fault. I just miss her so much."

"I'm sure you will see her again someday."

"I doubt it. It's been years since she ran away. I don't think I will see her anytime soon."

They both sat in silence, Edward silently comforting Bella. Just then, the TV that was playing a show flashed with a news screen.

"We interrupt this program with a special report. Just last week, a local gang in Phoenix, Arizona was found brutally beaten. They were treated and eventually taken into custody. After interrogating the leader, we have some information. He said that he and the others were attacked by two figures in black, along with a wolf. He couldn't really get much detail on their appearance, only that one was a man and one was a woman. He also managed to see that the women had red hair."

Then a video of the fight played on the screen.

The two people in black were moving too fast for Bella to see their faces. Not even Edward could. But they were able to see how quickly the men were taken down. And sure enough, there was a wolf there. Bella's curiosity immediately grew.

"Similar attacks have been happening in places like Russia, Japan, Germany, Britain, and just last month, New York. Two people are attacking the gangsters and criminals of the world. And they have a wolf tagging along with them. These 'Night Hunters' might have good intentions, but they are still dangerous. If anyone sees any sign of these people, call the police immediately and don't intervene. Hopefully we will ..."

That was the last thing the man said when Edward shut off the TV.

Bella turned to Edward. "Do you think they will come here?"

"Lets hope not." he sighed. "We already had to deal with an army of newborns, the last thing we need is some vigilantes coming to Forks."

Bella nodded and looked back at the TV. She remembered the reporter saying that the woman had red hair. She immediately thought about Layla.

"Could it be Layla?" she thought to herself. She hoped not.

"No! Layla wouldn't do this. She is too kind-hearted."

"Are you alright?" Edward broke her from her thoughts.

"Yeah, just thinking." Bella reassured him. She was sure that Layla wouldn't do this and that there was nothing to worry about.

If only she knew.