Turning the key in the lock, Bella wondered why they even bothered locking the door. It was so old and flimsy that if someone truly wanted to, they could easily just push their way in. But, not wanting to upset Anna, she did as she was told, and locked up the bookstore after closing.
Tucking her hands deep into her peacoat's pockets, she began her journey home. It was late, and the fall air felt crisp. The stars twinkled clearly in the onyx sky, and Bella's heart ached. It had been a year since that terrible night, but she could not help but feel sadness anytime she experienced a beautiful night such as this. She remembered looking up into the sky that night and seeing a sky no different than that of tonight. Sweet Anna had swooped in to help Bella after the events of that night. Anna Hall was a family friend that helped Bella handle the role of 'Woman of The House', after her mother died when she was young. She was almost a motherly figure for Bella, though she was more like a grandmother, due to her age. Nevertheless, she helped the Delaney family through the terrible adjustments of that time, and remained in their lives and hearts ever since. Now, she helped Bella survive on her own by giving her a job at the old, worn-down bookstore that she owned. It didn't matter much to Bella that there were more books than customers in those days. She wasn't much for the small talk that came with other people. She much preferred to be safe from the embarrassment that she caused herself when she was required to hold a conversation with others. She enjoyed being part of the shadows, unnoticed. Life was a lot less painful that way, or at least that's what she lead herself to believe.
