Edge of Eternity

Home Sweet Home

Chapter One – Home Sweet Home

The plane ride took too long to get back into Washington, but the moment we landed, I was the happiest I had been in many years. Still, the reason I had arrived wasn't to escape my smothering aunt and uncle, but to come and help a man who had been a father to me over the years. And the story was as heartbreaking as the scream that had assaulted my ears.

My best friend that I grew up with, Isabella Swan, had been dumped. Now normally, you would move on and not worry about it. But my little Bells was taking it so much harder than any normal dumped girl. She was having nightmares, wasn't eating or drinking, and according to Charlie, was practically catatonic for months. It broke my heart to think of what this boy had done to her. And honestly, I would kill him the moment I met him. He should never had left her like that.

"Mikhaila!"

"Dad!" I called out when I spotted the familiar police uniform, hugging the man in it. He hadn't changed much with the dark mop on his head and facial hair though I spotted a few greys this time around. And you could definitely tell he had gotten older since the last I saw of him.

Charlie had promised to come pick me up at the airport. I didn't bring much with me, just a suitcase with the very little clothes I had and the other few necessaties. My laptop was with me, along with my cellphone and iPod. I needed music to make it, knowing these next few months were going to trying on my nerves. But again, I would do anything for this man. He was my dad after all.

"Hey, Mik. Long time no see," Charlie hugged me, even though it was awkward. He wasn't one to show emotions that much, or deal with emotions to begin with, but he tried when I was around. Mainly because I tormented him and scolded him when he tried to stand off to the side like a lone creeper.

"I know; it's been what? Three years?"

"Yeah, something like that. You're 18 now, right?"

"No," I chuckled as Charlie took my suitcase. "I'm 19 now. Remember how Uncle Eric took me traveling along the southern coast?"

"Did you honestly miss an entire year of school?"

"Yep," I smiled brightly at the memories, only to see Charlie frown at that.

"I'm going to have to speak to Eric about that," Charlie mumbled as I followed him to his... cruiser. This caused me to roll my eyes, glaring up at Charlie like he committed a grave sin. I knew exactly what he was trying to do. And too bad what I would tell him was probably going to give him a heart attack.

"Really, dad. Your police cruiser?"

"What? I have to make sure those boys know not to mess with you."

"I like older men anyways," I startled him, noticing how Charlie stared at me in shock, my suitcase sitting in the backseat. We remained in silence for a few seconds until Charlie started to laugh. Unfortunately, I wasn't cracking a joke.

"Nice one kid."

"I'm not joking, dad," I said seriously, smirking when he coughed at the awkwardness of the situation.

"We'll, um, we'll discuss this later, okay kiddo. Let's just get back to Bells," Charlie tried to hide the red that touched lightly on his cheeks, making me struggle to keep a grin in. I knew he didn't like what I told him but he didn't have anything to worry about. I wasn't interested in dating. Most men and boys just weren't mature enough for me, let alone even close to gentle. I still had demons that haunted me, even if I kept them buried. Sometimes I would snap, go through a harsh depression, but I always came out on top. I needed to for those around me. They were more important.

After we had started down the road, I couldn't help but think of Bella. She must feel so cold in this town. I had heard that she stayed with her mom in Arizona for a while, enjoying the sun and heat. I never was interested in the hot weather in the south. I hated it, actually.

"How is she doing?" I questioned, trying to prepare for what was ahead.

"Honestly, Mik," Charlie sighed deeply, leaning his elbow against the door. I noticed then that he looked horrible, dark circles under his eyes and it seemed that he aged a bit more. I didn't like how he looked so bad.

"Honestly, dad. I need to know what I'm going to have to do," I patted his arm reassuringly, watching as he tensed slightly. Again, not use to emotions. Especially affection. And unfortunately for them, I'm a very affectionate person.

"She's not doing to good," Charlie murmured, starting from the beginning. "She doesn't eat or drink. She doesn't really do anything. She's almost like – what do you kids call them – a zombie? It's like no one is in there. And at night, she's having nightmares. She screams and cries. I don't know what more I can do. Tried to get Renee to take her, but Bella nearly hurt herself in anger when I told her about it. We almost had her admitted until I thought to call you."

"And this all started with a boy?"

"Yeah, Edward Cullen," Charlie hissed. "They started dating and were practically inseparable. Then, just out of nowhere, his whole family ups and moves away. He broke up with Bella and she's been this way ever since."

"I'm sure he had his reasons," I watched for a reaction and sure enough, a loud shout was what I had expected from my overprotective father.

"He shouldn't have just left her like that! He could have warned her! Could have let her know that he was moving! I swear, if I ever see that Cullen again, I'm going to pummel him!"

"Dad, hey, calm down. A police chief shouldn't be beating people up," I watched as he calmed before smiling sweetly at him. "That's what you have me for, dad. You know I don't mind spanking a few asses around here."

"One, watch your mouth, young lady. You're still too young to be using that kind of language," Charlie warned. "Two, I know you don't mind. Which is why I won't say or do anything if you do."

I smirked, running a hand through my dark hair. I honestly didn't know what to think of it. It was oddly colored but I loved it, since it was a combination of my parents. Mom had been a beautiful red head with fair skin. Her lovely green eyes stood out of the rest of the world, making her truly unique. And dad? Dad had dark brown eyes and nearly black hair. He was a typical guy. And thanks to that, I turned out the way I did.

I had dark brown hair that was almost violet in color. So a dark violet brown, as I called it. Or well, red violet brown. The undertones really stood out in the sun, making it almost a dark auburn really. People swore I dyed my hair but it was natural and it was mine. My eyes, however, unnerved a lot of people. Technically they were blue, but they were actually a very light grey color that stood out amongst the dark of my hair. But with my time spent in the south, I had some color in my skin, so I didn't look too weird.

The rest of the time traveling was spent in silence, with a few words spoken to fill the void. Really, I just wanted to get back to my old town. I wanted to see if any of my old friends were still around, maybe even a few of the La Push boys. Or Jacob Black. Bella and I use to annoy the living hell out of him as kids. And when I saw the sign for Forks, I felt the excitement triple at the familiar surroundings.

This place never changed.