Folktale

Chapter 15

Edward's P.O.V

After Bella disappeared with Jacob, I took the opportunity to go to Swan Cliff. Everyone was distracted with their own things and Alice was giving me an odd look. Like she was keeping an eye on me, keeping me in check and I needed to get away from it. I needed to get away from whatever is going on between Bella and Jacob, whatever Alice might have against me. I needed a break. So, I walked to Swan Cliff and climbed to the top.

The wind was blowing, the waves were aggressive, so no one was at the cliff ready to dive in, or so Emmett told me and it was the perfect opportunity to do a little soul searching. But as I walked between the trees, as I hugged myself with my own jacket to keep warm, and studied the woods around me, nothing came. No memory, nothing clicked, nothing that told me why I was found by this beach. I was here for a reason. Muriel said I needed to find the truth out, but I don't know where to begin.

I made it to the top, overlooking the ocean and the sky as the sun set behind the thick clouds on the horizon... And nothing. Nothing about that edge brought anything back to me. I stood there, looking off into the distance, waiting for... Practically anything... And nothing came. It was a dead end.

It wasn't a proud moment. But it was then and there where I truly felt alone. I missed my mother more than I thought I did. My father... James... Izzy... And even when I had a part of her with me, it wasn't enough. I wasn't who I was before, I was lost in a world where I didn't belong, with people I didn't fit in with... And I cried. I bowed my head with my hands in my pockets and I cried. I cried out of frustration, I cried out of anger and I cried out of loss. Loss of my life I would never get back. Bella is trying her hardest to help me, but at what cost? Her friends are pulling away from her, her relationship is at odds and everything because she found me and for whatever reason she can't let go. I'm not being an ignorant either, if I knew better, I'd make her get back to her normal life, to forget about me and live the life she supposed to live.

Free of me...

So after what felt like an eternity feeling sorry for myself, I decided to walk back to the beach. On my way back, I came across something I missed on my way up. It was a small garden of roses perfectly preserved at the foot of a tree. I'd never seen something like it before. I kneel beside it, burying my hands in the dirt. When I was a young boy, I used to bury my hands in the dirt because I loved the feeling of it. The fresh and wet dirt at the palm of my hand. Roses were her favorite flower and they were partly the reason why we met.

I bury my hands deep in the dirt, breathing in the scent and letting it out when I feel something at the tip of my fingers. It was cold... Metallic. It was something odd to feel in the dirt. So I digged my hands deeper and grab hold of what I found. When I pulled it out, my heart stopped. The word stopped spinning. It was a necklace. I use my trembling thumb to wipe the dirt off the locket and confirm my worst fears.

It's the Swan family crest. It's Izzy's locket. It's here... After years and years... Here it is. But how? How is it here out of all places? Swan Cliff... Why is it called Swan Cliff?

"I'll go!" Izzy cried. "I'll go back, I'll marry Micheal and you'll never hear me speak word of this again. But please, please! Please don't hurt him!"

"No..." I groaned, trying to get up but I couldn't move. My side ached where Marcus had kicked me. My body was in too much pain I couldn't speak. "Iz..."

"Micheal, I'm sorry," she sobbed, her body trembled as she kneeled to the ground and asked for forgiveness. "I'm so sorry, I never meant to hurt you... But I love him. I love him, so please, please don't hurt him anymore. I'll go with you, I'll keep my promise-"

"Like you kept the one that you were going to love him and only him?" Mr. Newton asked bitterly. "Those are some wonderful words and if were any other kind of man, I'd believe you. But I cannot risk you two getting brave again and try to get away... Get him boys."