Losing Bella

Chapter 1

Hello, and welcome to the first official chapter of "Losing Bella"! The first two chapters will be somewhat more introductory to Leila and Bella's lives, but I can't promise what will happen after that...

As mentioned previously, this story will contain strong, mature themes that may not be suitable for some of you, violence and/or possible sexual content.

So if you're ready, hop aboard, buckle up and let's get started!

***

AN OMINOUS boom startled Leila out of her abysmal nightmare. 

Her cheeks were wet and her body was bathed in cold sweat. The sheets were twisted around her limbs from the thrashing she had done in her sleep. Her heart pounded against her chest. 

Leila trembled. 

The room was entirely dark. No light anywhere. The remnants of her nightmare still clung to her mind, haunting her. Leila had no trouble imagining assassins lurking in the murky darkness of her room. Another flash of lightning illuminated the room in blinding light. 

I told you I would find you.

Leila let out a frightened cry and buried her face into her pillow. Even her breaths trembled. She swallowed and once again turned to see the endless darkness of her room. 

A wail resounded, ringing in her ears painfully as her hands fumbled to find the light switch. Her eyes burned at the sudden contact with the brightness. She froze for a minute, unable to move. 

Her sense returned to her and Leila jumped out of bed, running out of her room and bursting into the adjacent one to find the baby wailing in her crib. The stuffed-unicorn that was supposed to provide comfort and warmth lay on the floor, its smile resembling an evil leer in the moonlight that filtered in through the window.

She picked up the girl, rocking her in her arms and rubbing her back in an attempt to soothe her. Whimpers escaped her mouth as her little hands clenched her mother's shirt in fistfuls. Leila gently bounced the girl in her arms, swaying from side to side and softly singing a lullaby to calm her down.

A chain of well-synchronised knocks on the front-door forcibly burst their little bubble and Leila winced, hoping that the girl would not wake up again.

She waited for a few moments, too scared to even breathe. When she was sure that the baby was asleep she decided to set her back down in her crib and attend to whichever simpleton it was at the front door.

Looking through the peep-hole first, she smiled a little and unlocked the door, waving in the man standing on the other side. She knew this simpleton all too well.

"I heard her. Was it the thunderstorm?"

Leila nodded tiredly, falling down into the pillowy softness of the sofa and letting out a groan. She looked at the clock hanging on the wall, and read the time on it. Quarter past one.

Her eyes had not even been shut for a full second when the television was switched on. Before she could even sound her disapproval, the irritating whine of a female reporter burst out from the sound system above.

Leila braced herself for the cries of the girl she had struggled to put to sleep, but thankfully, it was silent. She sent him a murderous look of rage. 

He got up with a start at the blare of the speakers, looking down to where he was sitting to see the remote, carelessly thrown from last night. 

"Scott."

He just shrugged, lowering the volume, before his forehead creased together forming worry lines. She fell back down onto the sofa, shutting her eyes again before his voice resounded once more.

"Did it happen again?"

Her eyes flew open at his question. 

I told you.

She shivered, no longer feeling comfortable on the sofa. She got up and started pacing around the living room. 

"Leila?"

She paused. Her eyes found their way to his and she took in his appearance for the first time since he arrived. He seemed tired. Worn out. Yet he had shown up at the sound of Bella's cries all the same.

"Yes. It did."

He frowned again.

"What happened?"

Leila crossed her arms, her mind thinking back to the terrifying moments that the storm had pulled her out of.

"He was there again. I was running. I was running so fast. But no matter how fast I ran, I never made it anywhere. I was just stuck in that one spot. And then he caught me. He looked so much bigger. He looked so much scarier. He laughed at me. The things he said to me. Such horrid things, I-"

She choked, unable to go on any further. Her chin trembled and tears spilt forth from her eyes. Sympathy was etched on Scott's face. He knew how hard this was for her. She knew he knew. Nevertheless, he was always there for her whenever she needed him. That was what made him such a great friend.

He seemed uncertain about what to say, and switched off the television set, getting up from his seat to sit next to her. She felt his warm embrace as she steadied her breathing, his arms wrapped around her in a way that had just become habitual. 

Her tears dried up soon enough, but they sat like for some time, until he fell asleep and she had to pry his hands off her. She got him a blanket and pillow, made sure he was comfortable then went to check on Bella.

Her angel was fast asleep and Leila took the time to admire how beautiful her girl was. Now she believed that all babies were beautiful. The innocence and innate happiness they possessed contributed to that beauty, but her daughter was really so precious.

Maybe she was biased, or maybe it was a mother's love, because to her, Bella looked like she had been carved out of marble. Stormy grey eyes that flickered mischievously. Chubby cheeks that she always peppered with kisses. And her smile alone was enough to break through the strongest of resolves. She was just such a happy baby that it was impossible to be upset around her. 

Leila had never known true joy until she knew motherhood, and that was because of Bella. 

When she was born, it was as if only sunshine existed the world, as if all the earth was ushered into harmony. She remembered looking into those new eyes, as they fluttered open, perfect and reaching out for her love. A fierce desire to protect this tiny little being had filled her almost immediately. That was the day she gave her heart away willingly.

Her baby. She was her child.

 "I love you." She whispered, pressing a gentle kiss atop the mass of brown-almond curls. 

Settling into one of the nursery chairs, she let sleep take over.

***

Thank you for reading! 

What did you think of the first chapter? I know it wasn't too interesting, but as the story progresses, there'll be a bit more OOMPH to it! 

Comments and suggestions on how to improve the chapter are always welcome! If you're too shy to comment here, please feel free to send a private message to my inbox!

<3