Chapter Text
Bella
Some days, the pain still caught me, but it wasn't constant any longer. Time had dulled the wounds. They would always exist, but it was manageable now. It had been five years, and I had long given up any hope of the Cullens' return. Still, there were the dreams. They no longer woke me screaming. Instead, I woke with a gasp. Sleep was gentler now, but only by degree. I was able to have a roommate in college and not scare her to death. Now that college was over, I had my own apartment in Seattle. Working for a Seattle newspaper was a rewarding time. I spent my free time writing novels. I hoped they would be published one day.
Charlie was proud of the life I'd made for myself. I called him every week. He was happy with Sue. They were married in a small ceremony a year ago. I was ecstatic that Charlie had finally moved on. I had thought that he would forever be hung up on Renee. I was glad that wasn't the case.
I still thought of vampires, of the Cullens, of the supernatural world on occasion. I no longer allowed it to be an obsession, but in the dark of night, my mind strayed. I knew knowledge of me would likely spread. I feared the day the Volturi came to silence me, but I had long ago accepted my demise would be at the hands of a vampire. They would be called to Volterra for even an innocuous reason, Aro would read their crime, and it would be the end of Bella Swan.
I didn't allow myself close friends for this reason. I didn't want anyone standing between me and inevitability when they finally came. I had learned to love the silence, the freedom to think my own thoughts. I had always been a bit of an introvert. I had just taken that to the next level. I still went to clubs and out to dinner with coworkers and acquaintances. I wasn't a total hermit, but I didn't insert myself into their lives so far as to leave a real mark.
Books were my true friends. They didn't judge me for daydreaming about people who should no longer exist. They didn't notice when I woke from a deep sleep, gasping for air. They filled my mind with stories of times long gone or yet to come. They allowed my mind to drift.
The knock on the door startled me. I wasn't expecting anyone. My acquaintances didn't even know my address. I rose to answer it, knowing in my heart my time had come. I was calm, even calmer than I expected to be. I opened the door to find a very handsome red-eyed vampire. I invited him in. I couldn't have my neighbors hear the coming conversation.
“You don't seem surprised to see me here?” He said. He seemed intrigued.
“When the Cullens singled me out and made their nature so obvious, I couldn't help but be curious, my life was over. I've expected you since Edward abandoned me to die in the forest. You took longer than I expected.” I explained.
“I am to take you to Volterra to be a witness in the trial against the Cullen coven. We need to be on our way. You may collect some clothing to get you through a few days.” The mystery vampire instructed.
I went to my closet and picked up the bag I had kept prepared for this moment. I grabbed my iPod. I put on the locket that carried Charlie's and Renee's pictures. I picked up my laptop last. It was filled with tales of vampires and werewolves. It wasn't safe to leave behind.
Looking around the apartment for the last time, I took my phone and keys out of my pocket. This was a one-way trip. I wouldn't be returning here, no matter my fate. I walked away from my life without a look over my shoulder.
My new vampire acquaintance said nothing as we took the elevator to the ground floor. He did take my bag from me, though. He led me to a black SUV and opened the door for me. I slid in.
After putting my bag in the back, he drove us to the airport. It was where I expected the journey to take us. It surprised me that we didn't park in long-term parking, though. We made our way to a hangar and pulled in. I expected a private plane; it's difficult to smuggle people out of the country after all, but I thought we'd at least have to go through minimal security.
In seconds, the vampire was outside my door with my bag in hand. I whispered a goodbye to Charlie. I would miss him more than anyone else. He had been a good father and a better friend in the last five years. Then I took the vampire's hand and let him lead me toward my future.
When the plane was safely in the air, the vampire next to me relaxed. A tension left his shoulders that I hadn't realized was there. “My name is Demetri, little one. Do you require food or drink?”
I smiled. He seemed kind enough. He'd been gentle with me thus far after all. “I don't need anything right now, Demetri, but thank you for your kindness. Do you happen to have any books on board?”
Demetri smiled a genuine smile and guided me to a closet filled with books. I chose Persuasion. Demetri chose something in a language I didn't recognize. We settled into our respective seats to read. I was more relaxed than I anticipated. I felt relatively safe with Demetri. Reading helped relax me further. The only tension I felt was worry for what my dad would suffer when he called and found me missing. A search would begin that might never stop. I wished there was some way to spare him, but it was no longer in my power.
Eventually, the words on the pages, the hum of the engines, and Demetri's quiet presence lulled me to sleep. Unfortunately, my dreams weren't peaceful. I found myself in that damned forest again, watching Edward walk away. I hated this dream, the helpless feelings it engendered, and the stain of hopelessness that abandonment had left me with tainted me after all this time. Still, I watched myself from above as I ran through the trees chasing a phantom. I no longer lived the incident; instead, I watched it. When I finally tripped and stayed down, I waited patiently for Sam's warm embrace to rescue me from the forest floor. When it finally came, I was able to gasp back to wakefulness.
I looked around to settle myself when it finally ended. Maybe I spoke during my dream because Demetri's face showed his pity for a moment before it schooled into an emotionless mask. I smiled wryly at him. “They left their mark in my dreams,” I explained. He nodded and went back to his book.
I went back to reading, but the book no longer held my interest. It was too bad. I had been enjoying it before.
I sounded smaller than I expected when I asked, “What should I expect in Volterra?”
Demetri straightened in his seat, seeming to think for a moment. “There will be a trial. You are a witness. You will explain everything from your point of view. It is imperative to both the trial and your survival that you tell the entire truth. The Kings, Aro, Caius, and Marcus, are the judge and jury. The kings are firm, but fair. If it appears that things will go poorly for you, I will request that the kings allow you to join the guard. They rarely deny me, and you block my tracking abilities. That indicates a rather strong latent gift, perhaps a shield. You will, however, be surrounded by vampires. There are many of us and we do not follow Carlisle's diet. You must remain strong.”
“You think I could be useful?” I clarified.
“Yes,” Demetri said simply. “Shields vary, but they are very useful. Tell me, could Edward read your mind?”
“Never. I just thought I was broken, or weird.” I admitted.
Demetri chuckled but shook his head. “You may be very strong when you are changed. You are not broken at all.”
I nodded and settled in to think. I was lucky Demetri didn't seem to mind silence. I was used to it now. As my mind drifted, I allowed myself to indulge in my memories of the Cullens. It wasn't the fairy tale I had once believed. Love didn't conquer all, and the princess didn't rule the land. However, the monsters were real and dangerous. I survived through luck and stronger friends. I hoped that Demetri was right and I could be of some use to these dangerous beings. I would have to prove my worth to remain here.
As we came into land, Demetri started preparing me for how I should behave in court. I listened closely, knowing a mistake could mean my life.