A Potter Secret

The Cullens Disappear

Edward stops by a fallen tree and turns to Bella. "We need to leave Forks," Edward starts.

"What? Why?" Bella asks.

"It's time. Carlisle's supposed to be ten years older than he looks; people will start noticing."

"But, when?"

"Now."

Bella reels, trying to take this in. "I'll have to think of something to tell Charlie, but I can be ready-"

"Not you. Us."

"What? No- Edward, what happened with Jasper, that was nothing," Bella assures. "It won't even scar!"

"Nothing compared to what could happen. You don't belong in my world."

"I belong with you," Bella pleads.

"You don't-"

"I'm coming," Bella insists.

"I don't want you to come!"

Bella is stung, as if slapped. "You don't want me."

"No," She steps back. Trying to understand this. "I'd like to ask one favor though."

Bella looks up, hopeful. "Anything."

"Don't do anything stupid or reckless. Do you understand? For Charlie's sake. Just, take care of yourself."

"I- yes, I will."

He softens ever-so-slightly. "Don't worry. You're human. Time heals all wounds for your kind. Particularly if you're not reminded."

Desperation wells up in her, overwhelming dignity. "No, this is- don't do this. Please," Bella begs.

He sees she won't let go easily. Takes a breath. His face turns cold again. "Try to understand. Every second with you is about restraint. You're too fragile. I'm tired of pretending to be something I'm not. Reining myself in so I can be with a human."

"Then take my soul. I don't care! I don't want it without you."

"You're not good for me, Bella," Edward insists. Bella looks at him. His hard face; his resolve. "I've let it go on too long. I'm sorry." Tears sting Bella's eyes. This can't be happening. He steps forward, kisses her forehead. She closes her eyes. "I promise, it will be like I never existed. Goodbye, Bella."

And here, for the first time, it's noticeable how truly agonizing this really is for Edward. But Bella doesn't see. By the time she opens her eyes, he's gone. She spins. "Wait," Bella calls. She sees a leaf flittering to the ground where he grazed a branch; the only indication of his direction. She hurries down the path, then runs. "Edward?!" She keeps running, going deeper into the woods. Bella runs through the woods, searching, reminiscent of her opening dream. It gets darker and darker, until we're deep into night. The few things she sees aren't familiar to her. Bella's breathing is sharp desperate. Bella trips and falls to the damp forest floor. She looks up, the trees spinning around her.

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She remains on the ground. Curls into a ball. Darkness shrouding her. Devastation paralyzing her. Her face shows how numb she feels. She barely hears the faint sound of her name being called in the distance. A search party. She's too wrecked to respond. Rain begins to pour; she doesn't register it.

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Bella lies there, dazed. She begins to hear an animal snuffling. It gets closer. It sounds large. Scary. Then she hears a whisper. "Move, Bella," Edward whispers in her mind. She lifts her head, looks for Edward but sees something else instead. A dark shape, huge, black. Nearing. Its eyes reflect light for a split second; they're inhuman, savage. Bella, terrified, manages to drag herself to a cluster of trees. She squeezes between them. Breathing hard. She closes her eyes, trying to disappear.

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Bella's eyes open to find herself floating several feet above the ground. Trees pass by. She's being carried.

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Half the town is gathered at Bella's house. A tired rescue party that includes Mike Newton and Jacob Black. Charlie, beside himself with worry, pores over a map with Billy Black in his wheelchair and Quileute Harry Clearwater who has dark braids, a stout, protruding belly, and a kind face.

"I'll call the Cullens again. Her note said she and Edward went for a walk," Charlie says.

"They left town, Charlie," Billy replies.

"Hospital said Doc Cullen got a big job somewhere else," Harry Clearwater replies. Harry puts a reassuring hand on Charlie's shoulder. "We'll find her, Charlie."

Charlie is glad for the comfort of his two friends. "Charlie!" Jacob calls.

Charlie spins to where Jacob points. Sam Uley emerges, a tall, strong Quileute Indian with cropped hair and a fierce expression. He's carrying Bella. "It's Sam Uley. He found her," Billy says.

Charlie bolts to her; he's never moved faster in his life. He wraps his arms around Bella, lifting her from Sam's arms. "Thank you, Sam. Thank God." Charlie carries Bella to the house, cradling her. Harry and Billy give Sam a nod of praise and gratitude. But Sam backs away, avoiding any accolades. Jacob is jogging alongside Charlie, peering at Bella with worry. Then Jacob slows, feeling eyes on his back. He turns to see Sam Uley staring at him. Jacob, uncomfortable, quickly looks away. Charlie carries Bella up the stairs to the house. "What were you thinking, Baby? Why were you out there?"

"He's gone," Bella mutters.

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Charlie lays Bella down and wraps her in blankets. She's curled in a fetal position in the middle of the bed. Then at its foot. Under the blankets. On top of them. In various different arrangements. Meanwhile, a black liquid begins to flood the floor, slowly swallowing everything in the room. It rises up the sides of the bed, higher and higher until it breaches the top of the bed and begins to engulf Bella. Off her, submerged in blackness.

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The leaves have turned red and orange. Bella sits in a rocking chair by the window. Her face blank. Empty. Bella sits, unchanging, but through the window outside, the seasons change. October; costumed kids appear in the yard, trick-or-treating. November; neighbors bring Charlie a turkey. They glance up at Bella's window with concern. Winter begins; the trees' branches are now bare. December; Charlie drags a Christmas tree toward the house. Worry has taken its toll on him as he looks up at Bella, wondering how someone she barely knew could affect her so much. But Bella remains unchanged. "Dear Harry, I'm lost," Bella thinks. "He's so much like Cedric." Blank walls of the exceedingly neat room surround her; gone are all traces of Edward. "Edward took everything with him. Including my life. He promised it would be like he never existed. It feels like I've lost Cedric all over again." The scrapbook lies open; the photo of Bella and Edward's embrace at the birthday party- gone. Bella at her computer, typing an e-mail to Renee. "But I need to know he did."

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Bella sits on the couch, blank, as the rain pounds. Charlie watches her, concerned. "It's like a huge hole has been punched through my chest."

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In the darkness, Bella is curled up in a ball on her floor. "But the pain is my only reminder that he was real. That they all were."

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Lunch. Bella sits alone, staring straight ahead. Jessica, Eric, Angela and Mike watch her with concern. Talking about her. She doesn't notice. "I miss them. Especially Alice."

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A one-story contemporary home, surrounded by snowy, barren land and woods. Through a large picture window we see Alice and Carlisle, arguing inside.

"But I'm sure it's better for them, not having me around," Bella says.

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