Chapter 1

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.

Books kept her company during work and beyond. The only signs of life she experienced most days was the sounds coming from the bar two doors down from the shop. Rowdy laughter and yelling would spill out onto the street at all hours. Now, as she turned onto her street almost a half a mile away, she could still faintly hear the buzz of noise she had left behind. She sometimes wished she had the courage to barge in there and ask them how they dare be happy, why they aren't forced to live life with an aching heart as she was forced to do.

Stepping through the doorway to her apartment, Bella let out a small sigh. Her apartment was small, tiny in fact, but it was all she could afford. The bookstore was barely hanging on by a thread, and Anna paid her as well as she could, but it was barely enough to get by. In an attempt to relax, she slipped into a pair of sweats and a tank, and wandered into the small closet-sized room she called her kitchen. Reaching blindly into the cupboard, she felt around until she found the lone box of saltines. Snatching a few out of the box, she made a mental note to try and get some groceries the next day. She hoped that the ATM would show her the magic numbers to allow her to buy at least bread and peanut butter. Maybe she'd even treat herself to an apple or two. She laughed to herself at the thought. Who would have thought it would have reached this point? Shaking her head as if to rid herself of the negative thought, she carried her stack of crackers and a glass of water to the couch, where she curled up and immersed herself in a book.