❝𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬.❞
Claretta Hale defies the norms of the vampire world; her existence is an enigma. Following the near-conflict with the Volturi, the vampire royalty monitor this wielder of Chaos Magic closely.
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𝚃 𝙷 𝚁 𝙴 𝙴
RAIN HAMMERS DOWN AGAINST THE CAR AND I WATCH AS IT DRIPS DOWN THE WINDOW. I count the raindrops as they fall down the glass before my eyes skim over to the trees which pass as the car continues to drive quickly.
I feel as though I'm going to throw up, which I am incapable of doing. I haven't seen the woman nor her followers since we landed, but I can't help the worrisome feeling itching its way into my stomach.
I'm anxious, and my parents can tell. My father keeps calming me with his ability, but it doesn't last long. Quite frankly, I'm terrified. But I'm hiding it, masking it with anxiousness. Years of being in a house with an empath and a mind reader, you learn to hide your emotions and protect your mind.
My mother's worry has slowly faded. Whatever aunt Alice had said petrified her, and my father. But they're both hiding what they're feeling, I can tell. I can feel it.
The rampage of bipolar emotions from the townies hits me harshly and I straighten my posture. I swallow and my golden eyes lock on the buildings which pass us before the trees return. I know where we're going, I don't think I'd ever forget the directions. But to be honest, it's surprising my family still live here and haven't moved. What about their cover?
The road changes and the car speeds, trees hurrying even faster. Multiple scents greet me, the ones of my family. Giddiness erupts in my mother and she smiles. "I haven't seen Bella in a decade! Ahh, I can't wait!" My mother chimes out with a bright smile and Papà chuckles, squeezing my mother's hand as he drives.
We never left Italy, and they never visited. No one did. But I'm not surprised, and I'm not sure what I would've done if Ness came to see me. The car stops and my family speed out of the house. My mother rushes out of the door and wraps her arms around a slighter shorter vampire.
"Bella!" Mamma calls out and hugs her Sorella De Sangue tightly. The vampire hugs her back equally as tight. "'Lulah!" I keep my eyes on them through the window before watching my father interact with his brothers. I keep my eyes searching out the window, but she's not here. I let out an exhale of relief and slowly open the car door.
Aunt Rose and Alice speed towards me, the both of them hugging me. "Claretta! Oh my goodness you've grown! You're absolutely beautiful!" Aunt Alice gushes and hugs me. I look down at her and give her a smile. "Thanks Alice, so are you." The pixie haired vampire giggles at my words and Rosalie wraps her arms around me.
"It's been too long since I've seen you. You should've visited." I swallow at Rose's words, my lips flickering into a small smile, and I try to stop myself from frowning. "Rose, don't bum her out!" I hear Emmett's voice boom before I'm wrapped in a large hug. "Hey ya little weirdo! I've missed you!" Uncle Emmett calls out and spins me around.
I let out a chuckle before I'm placed back on my feet. "I've missed you too, Uncle Emmett." Emmett smirks before he locks eyes on my mother. "Magic fingers!" I raise my eyebrows at the nickname and my mother pulls a face at him before giggling. "Em, what did I say about using that nickname with children around?" My mother scolds with a glance at me. My father smirks at the words slightly.
Oh- ohh.
I avert my eyes, pulling a disgusted face.
"Great, now you've freaked her out." Victor calls out and moves over to me. "How you doing witchy? Hope Emmett didn't freak you out." Victor smirks out and pulls me into a hug. "Like it's possible for him not too." The bear-man lets out an overly dramatic gasp at my words.
"You take that back Claretta Hale." I roll my eyes, cracking a smirk. A car approaches and Nonna Esme steps out of it along with Nonno Carlisle. Esme holds a large bouquet of flowers and moves over to my parents and I. "I've missed you all!" She embraces us all before handing the red flowers to my mother.
"Claretta, you've grown up wonderfully. You're so incredibly beautiful, just like your mother." I give my grandmother a smile. "Thank you, Esme." She hugs me again before Carlisle wraps his arms around me. "How has Italy treated you?" He asks and pulls away, going to embrace my parents.
"Spectacular. It was amazing there. Incredibly beautiful, and peaceful too." Papà says and I watch as Edward makes his way from the house, moving over to his siblings then me. "Good to see you, Clary." I can tell he has some hostility towards me, I must've hurt Renesmee when I left. But I don't regret my decision. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
"You too, Edward." The sounds of nature is peaceful and Bella takes my mothers hands. "We've got so much to catch up on!" The girls squeal out and speed into the house, most of the family following behind. Rosalie stays and stares at me for a moment. "She's not here, if that's what's worrying you." The blonde calls out and I glance at her. Relief washes through me, and she can tell.
I shoot her a small smile and she speeds back inside, following after the family. My eyes move over to the trees, to the place where it happened. I can see it with my enhanced sight, and in my mind. My childlike screams ring through my mind and I blink, shoving them away. I take in a deep breath, moving my gaze away.
Victor stares at me, a frown on his face. "What is it?" I ask and his golden eyes move to look at the patch of trees. "Why are you so terrified of this part of the woods?" My eyes move back to him and we lock eyes. His gift... he can make someone's worst fear a reality. Which means he knows what my worst fear is.
I barricade my mind, closing out everything and hope he can no longer tell my fear. "I don't know what you're talking about." I call out, blanking my face and hiding my emotions. Victor stares at me for a moment before shrugging. "Whatever you say." He speeds inside.
I remain standing outside my family home, the familiar scent of pine and damp earth flooding my senses, but it feels different now. A decade has passed, and yet, this place looks the same, as if time stood still. My heart races as I stare at the dense woods surrounding the house. They loom like silent sentinels, hiding the memories I've tried to bury.
I can still hear the whispers of the past echoing through the trees—dark, haunting echoes of the torture I endured. My family has no idea what happened to me out there, how those woods transformed from a childhood playground into a nightmare. I feel a chill run down my spine, not from the cold, but from the weight of my secrets.
I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. The sunlight filters through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the ground whilst sparkling my skin, but all I see is darkness. I want to step inside, to embrace the warmth of my family, but the woods hold me captive, reminding me of the girl I used to be and the girl I am now. I'm back, but I wonder if I'll ever truly belong here again.
