Ebb and Flow (Twilight x Reader)

Chapter 13

When we rounded the last corner, onto Cactus, I could see the studio, looking just as I remembered it. The parking lot in front was empty, the vertical blinds in all the windows drawn. I couldn't run anymore—I couldn't breathe; exertion and fear had gotten the best of me. I thought of my mother to keep my feet moving, one in front of the other.

As we got closer, I could see the sign inside the door. It was handwritten on hot pink paper; it said the dance studio was closed for spring break. I touched the handle, tugged on it cautiously. It was unlocked.

Bella and I exchanged a grim look.

I fought to catch my breath, and opened the door.

The lobby was dark and empty, cool, the air conditioner thrumming. The plastic molded chairs were stacked along the walls, and the carpet smelled like shampoo. The west dance floor was dark, I could see through the open viewing window. The east dance floor, the bigger room, was lit. But the blinds were closed on the window.

And then Mom's voice called.

"Bella? Bella?" I sprinted to the door, to the sound of her voice. Bella was right on my heels. "Bella, you scared me! Don't you ever do that to me again!"

Her voice continued as we ran into the long, high-ceilinged room. I stared around me, trying to find where her voice was coming from. I heard her laugh, and I whirled to the sound.

There she was, on the TV screen, tousling a much younger Bella's hair in relief. It was Thanksgiving, and Bella was twelve. We'd gone to see our grandmother in California, the last year before she died. We went to the beach one day, and Bella had leaned too far over the edge of the pier. Mom had seen her feet flailing, trying to reclaim her balance.

"Bella? Bella?" she'd called to her in fear.

And then the TV screen was blue.

I turned slowly.

He was standing very still by the back exit, so still I hadn't noticed him at first.

In his hand was a remote control.

We stared at each other for a long moment, and then he smiled. He walked toward us, quite close, and then passed us to put the remote down next to the VCR. I turned carefully to watch him.

"Sorry about that, girls, but isn't it better that your mother didn't really have to be involved in all this?" His voice was courteous, kind.

Mom was safe. We'd been tricked, but Mom was safe.

"Yes," Bella answered. She must have realized the same thing, because her voice held relief.

"You don't sound angry that I tricked you."

"I'm not."

"How odd. You really mean it." His dark eyes assessed Bella with interest. The irises were nearly black, just a hint of ruby around the edges. "I will give your strange coven this much, you humans can be quite interesting. I guess I can see the draw of observing you. It's amazing—some of you seem to have no sense of your own self-interest at all."

He was standing a few feet away from us, arms folded, looking at Bella curiously. There was no menace in his face or stance. He was so very average-looking, nothing remarkable about his face or body at all. Just the white skin, the circled eyes. He wore a pale blue, long sleeve shirt and faded blue jeans.

"I suppose you're going to tell me that your boyfriend will avenge you?" he asked, hopefully it seemed to me.

"No, I don't think so. At least, I asked him not to."