Death had always seemed inevitable. You were born and then through some means, your life comes to an end and you cease to exist. Pretty black and white, right? Wrong.
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Annabella Swan realises that life in Forks is a lot...
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Darkness followed them as they exited the Jeep, crossing the short walk from the end of the driveway to the front door. Every hair on her body was raised as Anna glanced frantically around the yard. Everything was too still. Silence encased her – all the wildlife had slunk away at the presence of the predators. The twins had begun concocting a plan on the journey home so that Edward wouldn't steal them away. The last thing they wanted was for the entire US police force to be on the hunt for the Cullens on the charges of kidnapping.
Constricted by a time limit of fifteen minutes, the twins reached the front door knowing they would have to convince Charlie to let them leave. His life depended on it and it was the one task Anna refused to fail.
"Go away, Edward!" Bella yelled, slamming the door shut in his face after Anna had rushed into the safety of the hallway.
Mentally running through a list of her belongings, Anna tried to decipher which essential items she would need to take with her. If the worst happened, Edward made it quite clear that the twins wouldn't be returning home any time in the near future. Or ever. Ignoring the quizzical look her father shot her, the older girl rushed into her bedroom to give Bella space to do what needed to be done. Emmett produced a large duffel bag and Anna began shoving clothes into it. Cool hands grasped her trembling ones, taking out the crumpled clothes and folding them neatly. In the time it had taken her to shove one article of clothing in the bag, Emmett had folded and neatly placed five.
Raised voices sounded through her door and a tear slid down her cheek. Charlie pleaded with Bella to tell him what was wrong. Brushing the droplets off Anna's cheek, Emmett promised that he would finish packing for. Anna had to go out there and explain why she was leaving also. Digging her nails into the palm of her hand, Anna braced herself for the situation she was about to enter. With a reassuring smile off Emmett, the upset girl followed her family down the stairs.
"Just let me go, Charlie." Bella said, words bitter. "It didn't work out, okay? I really, really hate Forks!"
Frozen, the chief of police watched as his estranged daughter dashed out to her truck. Trembling, Anna reached up and kissed her father's cheek. She would drive Bella to the airport because driving angry was dangerous. As a law-enforcing citizen, Charlie had to agree with her actions.
"We'll hole up in a hotel for the night and then I'll see to it that she gets on the plane safely. Maybe I'll visit that college on the way home. I love you, Dad."
Not giving him to time to argue, Anna hurried after her sister. Her bag was already in the bed of the truck. Clambering into the driver's side, she didn't notice the tear that slid down her father's face as he watched them go.
Backing out of the drive, Anna tried to focus on the road ahead as her eyes started to blur. Sniffling, Bella snuggled into her sister's side. Both of them felt broken inside. Anna jumped when Edward appeared on the side of the car. Insisting that she was capable of driving, she kept one hand on the wheel as the other rubbed at her teary eyes. Using a simple manoeuvre, Edward shuffled Anna so that she was seated on the other side of Bella and he now had control of the truck. Light shone through the back window and Bella turned to see a car tailing them. Ignoring those in the cab with her, Anna watched as the dark scenery passed by. The image of her father watching the two most important people in his life leave him behind was seared into her brain.
