Shadows Of The Night (Wattys2016)

Disappeared

Hi Guys!

How was you weekend? Mine was pretty good.

Thank you to all my readers, i really appreciate you all taking time to read my story. 

Standard Disclaimer: The following is a work of fanfiction using characters from the Twilight world, which is trademarked by Stephenie Meyer. I do not claim ownership of said characters. No copyright infringement is intended.

 ___________________________________________________________

Previously- E and B spend the night together *ahem* in each other's arms....

 ___________________________________________________________

                                                    Disappeared 

The next morning the sun seemed to shine too brightly. I couldn't keep my eyes open for long due to the sunshine. I turned my head to see the reason for the smile I had on my face, only to find the other side of the bed empty and cold. Looking around I found her clothes missing too.

"Shit." I pulled back the covers put on my boxers and left the room to look for her.

"Bella?" I called as I ran down the stairs. The house was too big and empty without her in it. It seemed eerily quiet and sort of foggy, may be the light and air around this place was a little dense.

"Bella......BELLA?" I searched every room when I reached the floor, the living room, the kitchen, the sitting room, the dining room–I stopped there for a while remembering. But there was nothing here that implied last night happened. The room was too bright with the sun shining down the open windows, the table clean and clear of all the utensils and no sign of candles or even their smell.

Did I dream last night?

No, that's not true. She was here and last night did happen. She must have regretted what happened between us last night and then she must have cleaned up everything before leaving – her damn opinions about being obligated to me.

What was I thinking? God i was so stupid.

Damn Edward, you had to go seduce your own housekeeper didn't you?

Mom was going to kill me!

"Shit, I have to talk to Bella."

After taking a quick shower and some breakfast –I found the freezer full of last night's leftovers –proof that last night did happen– and full of other stuff too. My mom must have paid for of all this. At least I hoped so, because if not I was going to pay her back for everything.

I got out of the house and searched the grounds for that cottage I knew was here somewhere. The strip of land around the house was barren and dead but the trees seemed to grow out again after a few hundred yards. It was like a complete circle around the house.

The house seemed to look decrepit in the bright sun, like death washed over.

I couldn't seem to put my finger on it.  But there was something very odd there. It must be because the house had been empty for more than a hundred years.

The sound of my cell phone ringing brought me back from my musing. It was my Mom calling.

Shit, did Bella quit? No, that's not possible; I hadn't gotten that kind of impression from her last night.

"Hi, Ma."

"How is my baby? Did you reach the Masen house, safely? Did you like it? Why didn't you call me, Edward?" She went on and on.

My mother, always the worrier, I should have called her last night but forgot –well, for obvious reasons.

"I'm fine, Mom, and yes, I reached here safely. I didn't call you because I was really tired and fell asleep." I lied.

"Oh! Of course dear, how silly of me. You must not even have had a chance to tour the house. I had heard from mother that it's quite big. The pictures I have seen are quite old."

"Yes, it is quite huge for a single person, I have only had a chance of seeing the first floor and my room, its good, mother. The bathroom seems newly furnished."

"Oh yes, your grandmother had it furnished before she passed, dear. She had expressed a desire for staying there and had started preparing to move when she fell ill."

"I didn't know she wanted to move here."I said.

"Yes, even I was a little shocked when she had suggested it. When asked, she told me she wanted to have some quiet and peace for some time. I wish she could have gotten that." She said with a sigh.

"Anyway, Edward darling, tell me about the housekeeper. Is she pretty? I had a brief conversation with her through email, she seems charming. I didn't know the last caretaker had passed away..."

"What? Mom, why didn't you inform me of all this, before I got here?" I was really irritated with her right now. It seems, I'm more clueless than, I thought.

"Oh, don't you raise your voice to me young man! I would have told you all of this if you had come home. But you didn't want to come here. You went there directly from L.A. I really wanted to see my son..." She started sniffing, making me feel guilty. I sighed; I guess I was at fault. But I couldn't go home. Not yet.

"I'm sorry, Ma, it's just that there's a lot going on in my life right now and I really wanted a break..., I'm sorry, really."

"It's okay."

"So, tell me what you know."

"Just this–when I emailed Renee Swan about your arrival, it was an Isabella Swan, that responded. When your grandma was alive it was Renee who was taking care of that house. I don't know much about its history. I was never interested; you know this, that's why mother left it with you."

"Hm... so you don't know about the vow then?"

"Vow? What vow?"

"Nothing Ma, I'll deal with it. I'm still trying to convince Bella to take a salary for her work." I said sighing, if she showed up that is I added mentally.

"Oh yes! You do that. I really cannot understand this stupid tradition but mother always stayed quiet on that topic whenever I asked her about it." I heard another voice in the background.

"Your father is calling out for me dear, unless you want to speak to him?"

Not going to happen.

"No, Ma. It's alright, you go on. I'll talk to you later."

"Alright dear," she said sighing. "Take care of yourself and keep in touch. I Love you."

"Love you, too."

So, Bella's mother was dead. Another in the list of questions I need to ask her, I thought putting my phone back in my pocket. Just then I saw something move in my periphery. Looking around I saw something move again, but not in my direct vision. Looking again I found nothing. It must have been dried leaves. I thought, dismissing it.

But then, I heard a noise coming from above. Lifting my head, I saw someone staring back at me from one of the windows on the top floor of the house, but in the next second there was no one there. Looking closer I found nothing there, but a ray of light reflecting back from the sun.

Must be a reflection from the light I thought shaking my head. Then I remembered again, Bella!

___________________________________________________________

Hmmm....looks like its starting....And where is Bella???

What do you think???

~stz