part i: new moon

The tiny town of Forks, Washington is nestled deep within the Olympic National Forest. Towering fir and cedar trees crowd closely together, their branches interlocking to form a lush emerald canopy overhead. It is easy to feel dwarfed by the enormity of nature in this remote corner of the Olympic Peninsula.

Thick underbrush covers the dense forest floor, creating a tangle of ferns, salal berries and sword ferns. Deer occasionally emerged from the brush, their dark eyes watching warily before darting away. The air is filled with the refreshing scent of pine and decomposing vegetation. Everything is immersed in various shades of green as if the very life force of the forest permeates every living thing.

Lucia gazed out the passenger window of the police cruiser, taking in the scenic views of the lush forest as soothing vocals and acoustic guitar of Coldplay's Yellow emanated from her earphones. Drops of rain raced each other down the glass and the soft pitter patter filled her senses. She had always found the greyest of days most calming, unlike the constant sunshine of her hometown Bologna, Italy.

The dense foliage seemed to wrap around her like a cosy knit blanket on a chilly evening. An air of serenity floated through the car as Charlie drove in comfortable silence. Despite the heaviness that sat on her chest Lucia couldn't help but smile, feeling the tension from the long flight melt away with each raindrop.

Charlie gazed fondly at Lucia as she stared out the window, lost in thought. Even after all these years, he still saw hints of the cheerful little girl who spent her summer vacations here in Forks. Though grown into a thoughtful young woman, the sparkle in her eyes remained the same.

Lucia watched as the Swan home came into view, the grumbling engine of the cruiser coming to a halt. She pulled out her earphones and pocketed them with her phone, fidgeting with the fabric of her jacket. Charlie finally broke the stillness that had encased the car on the ride over, turning towards Lucia with a hint of weariness in his eyes.

"Bella has been going through some stuff these past few months, so if she seems off, that is why," Charlie confessed, his voice tinged with concern. "A boyfriend of hers left, and she hasn't been the same since. It's... unhealthy. I'm hoping with you here, she may get better. That you both will."

Lucia met Charlie's gaze, a small smile decorating her lips. It seemed to be enough for Charlie as he returned it with a gruff smile of his own before he stepped out of the car to retrieve Lucia's bags. Her espresso-coloured hair danced in the gentle breeze that passed by when she stepped out of the car, slinging her carry-on over her shoulder.

Together, they made their way into the house, their footsteps resonating in the quiet hallway. Charlie's attempt at lightening the mood brought forth an awkward chuckle. "This house may look big, but it's really not," he admitted as they ascended the stairs to the second floor.

Passing by Bella's slightly ajar bedroom door, Lucia couldn't help but steal a glance inside. Bella sat motionless before the window, an image more fitting for a nursing home than a teenage girl's bedroom. Confusion and concern flickered in Lucia's eyes, her mind grappling with the peculiar sight.

Charlie pushed the door to Bella's room open a little further, his heart heavy at the sight. "Bells," he called out to her, his voice gentle yet tinged with weariness. Bella, lost in her own world, slightly turned her head to acknowledge his presence, her eyes void of any emotion.

"This is Lucia. You remember her, don't you?" Charlie asked awkwardly, his voice betraying a hint of hope. Standing beside him, Lucia shifted uncomfortably on her feet, a twinge of nervousness evident in her posture. "You, uh... you used to play together when you were younger."

Bella nodded ever so slightly, her gaze briefly meeting Lucia's before returning to the melancholic view outside the window. The silence between them hung like a thick fog, stifling Lucia who wanted nothing more than to leave the room.

Lucia spoke up with a forced lightness in her voice. "You can just call me Luce. Or... or not, anything's fine," she offered awkwardly.

Bella's acknowledgement was minimal, a mere tilt of her head before drifting back into her own head once more. Charlie struggled to find the right words, his throat tight. No word could ever describe the immense hatred he felt for that Cullen boy.

The room seemed to hold its breath as Charlie and Lucia waited for any semblance of life to stir within Bella but no such moment came. A deep, shoulder-sagging sigh escaped the man and he gestured for Lucia to exit, shutting the door behind them.

The two continued their ascent towards the attic. "I had some space in the bathroom cleared out for you. I also cleaned the attic and decorated it slightly but you'll eventually make it yours with your own things," he confessed. "Had some help from Sue, though."

As Charlie pulled open the hatch and unfolded the steps, the two made their way up into the neatly decorated attic. Charlie placed her belongings gently on the bed while Lucia admired the familiar surroundings.

"It's perfect, Charlie. I don't need a lot of space," Lucia assured him, her voice laced with gratitude.

"I just want you to be comfortable enough to call this place home, Lucy. I like having you here. Always have," Charlie admitted. Despite his love for Bella, the older Swan couldn't connect with her as he once did when she was young. She seemed so far from him, so out of reach that no matter what he did, he would always remain an afterthought in his daughter's mind.

A smile tugged at the corners of Lucia's lips, a flicker of warmth illuminating her eyes. "I will. I just need time," she told him softly.

"Well, I'll let you get settled. Don't want to keep hoggin' your space," Charlie stated, walking by the girl and ruffling her hair affectionately before leaving the attic, the sound of his footsteps fading into the distance.