The Dark Side of the Moon

29. The Angel

I walked up the stairs slowly, my body petrified in fear as I approached the door and pulled out my key. It's hard to return to reality after so much time with the Cullens, but I knew I had to get this over with.

It was finally Wednesday, and Charlie was supposed to be home today. I knew that my absence from the weekend would be noticed, but four days with Edward constantly by my side helped wonderfully with the anxiety—until now. I told him that I needed to get some house work done today and catch up on some larger home work assignments, but that I'd see him tomorrow...I wasn't so sure about that but despite his protests, I eventually persuaded him to give me one night to myself.

I shut the door behind me as softly as possible, fear trilling through every vein in my body as I walked towards the kitchen, my worst nightmare waiting.

Charlie sat, eyes blank and fully sober, watching me as I approached. This was his most dangerous state, and I knew I'd be lucky to make it out of this alive.

"Call your boyfriend. You're going on vacation."

Two simple statements, but I knew what he meant; this was going to be bad, and I wouldn't be able to go to school for a while—that is, if he didn't kill me.

I quickly walked to the landline, picking up the phone and dialing Edward's cell. My hands shook as I worked to sound calm, slowing my breathing to sound less excited.

"Bella? Is everything okay?" His voice was like honey, and I almost laughed at the insanity of the moment—my potential murderer was glaring not six feet from me and I was calling up my boyfriend to tell him I'm going away. But the concern in his voice and seriousness of the situation made any oddity obsolete and I knew I had to pull this off just right or else.

"Edward, I'm fine," I started. "I just called to let you know that I won't be in school for a while. Charlie's taking me on a vacation and I'll be out of town."

I held my breath as he paused.

"Oh...okay, I guess. Do you know when you'll be back?" He sounded uncertain, anxious even, and surprised by the sudden change in direction.

"No, it was a surprise, and I don't know where we're going yet. Spring break is the week after this so I'm not sure what the plan is," I worked to keep my voice even, tears falling as my hands shook. "I'll call you when I'm back in town though."

"Well, I hope you two have a good time then, I'll miss you Bella..." he trailed off, sounding confused.

"I'll miss you too."

"Bella?"

"Yeah?"

"Just...be safe. Please, I mean it," he begged in earnest. I could hear the anxiety in his voice, and my tears flowed faster.

"I will...I love you," I was staring to lose control over my voice, my breathing barely contained. "Thank you for everything, Edward."

I ended the call before he could reply, too upset to remain composed and knowing I did my best to essentially say goodbye, just in case.

Charlie stood up and I spun around, lungs gasping for air as I hyperventilated in my place. He stalked closer, like a predator with his prey cornered. I closed my eyes as he grabbed me by the neck, not wanting to look at those hateful eyes I'd been terrified of my whole life, before I felt my body being roughly shoved to the stairs. I ran up the stairs, knowing what would happen next yet willing it to be different this time, all in vain.