Fleeting Moments
Bella woke up feeling at peace.
It was the first night in as long as she could remember where she hadn’t been haunted by dark dreams of her mother, of war, or of the horrors she had witnessed or caused. The morning light streamed through her window, soft and golden, and she let herself breathe in the stillnesss of the moment. No nightmares. No waking up in a cold sweat. Just the warmth of her bed and the quiet sounds of Forks waking up.
A soft knock came from her door before it creaked open slighly. “Morning, kiddo,” Charlie’s voice called in. “You up for breakfast?”
Bella smiled to herself. “Yeah, I’ll be down in a second.”
She got out of bed, feeling lighter than she had in weeks. After a quick change, she headed downstairs, where Charlie was already in the kitchen, pouring coffee and scrambling some eggs. The smell of bacon filled the room.
“Good timing,” Charlie said with a small smile, setting a plate on the table for her. “Thought we’d have a proper breakfast today, seeing as I’m off shift.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Bella said, taking a seat and gratefully accepting the plate. It felt nice, this simple, mundane routine. After everything, the normalcy of it was almost surreal.
As they dug into their breakfast, Charlie looked over at her. “You thinking about sending that patronus message to your aunt today? Get your owl sent over?”
Bella paused, thinking about Rudy and how much she missed him. “Yeah, I think it’s time. He’s probably been wondering what’s happened to me since I left. It’ll be nice to have him here, though I’ll have to make sure he doesn’t spook anyone in town.”
Charlie chuckled. “I’m sure Forks has seen stranger things…but just in case, maybe warn the neightbors.” He took a sip of his coffee, then added, “You could send that message this afternoon.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Bella nodded, smilling at the thought of Rudy flying through her window again.
After a quiet pause, Charlie cleared his throat. “You know, since it’s the weekend and I’m off shift, I was thinking…maybe we could go fishing today. It’s something we used to do when you were younger.”
Bella raised an eyebrow, amused. “Fishing? You want me to embrace muggle traditions already? First driving lessons and now fishing?”
Charlie laughed. “Hey, I thought it might be a fun way to relax. No school work, no stress—just you, me, and the fish.”
Though Bella chuckled, there was something comforting about the idea. A day on the water, away from any pressures, away from the tangled mess of her past…it sounded perfect.
“Alright, alright,” she said, waving her hand. “I’m in. But don’t get your hopes up, Dad. I don’t even remember how to hold a fishing stick.”
Charlie grinned. “Don’t worry, I’ll show you. And who knows—You might surprise yourself. But lesson number one—fishing rod Bella…Fishing rod.”
Bella laughed and finished her breakfast, feeling genuinely excited for the day ahead. Spending time with Charlie like this felt like the first step in embrancing this new chapter of her life, free of the shadows that had once clung so tightly to her. She glanced back at Charlie, who had turned to scan the newspaper, and gave him a small smile.
“I think it’s better if I send the patronus now,” she said, reaching for her wand.
Charlie looked up and gave her a small smile. “Whatever you prefer Bella.”
She stepped outside into the backyard, the cool morning air brushing against her skin. The world felt still and peaceful—a sharp contrast to the storm of thoughts swirling in her mind. Holding her wand, Bella took a deep breath and focused.
She’d always loved casting the patronus. It was one of the few advanced spells she’d learned early on that was inherently good, protective. No one could perform it unless they could summon happy memories, and despite everything, Bella had hers.
She raised her wand, pointing it in front of her, and whispered, “Expecto Patronum.”
A bright silver light burst from the tip of her wand, forming into the familiar shape of a fox. Its form was sleek and nimble, eyes sharp and alert as it circled around her before coming to a still. Bella always found a quiet pride in the sight of it.
“Go to aunt cissa,” Bella instructed. “I’m sorry for not contacting you until now aunty. All is well. I managed to settle down just fine and even made friends for my first day of classes. I would like to have Rudy with me now please. I will write more once I have him. love you and miss you.”
The silver fox looked at her for a moment, as if it understood everyword. Then it turned and dashed off into the air, disappearing over the trees. Bella watched until it was out of sight, feeling a slight weight lift from her shoulders. Rudy would be here soon, and she could comunicate with her aunt and Draco.
Bella turned back towards the house, walking inside with a lighter step. Charlie gave her a curious glance, still intrigued by the magic he rarely saw.
“Done already?” he asked, putting down the paper.
“Yep, Rudy should be on his way soon,” Bella said with a smile, sitting down across from him again.
Charlie nodded and leaned back in his chair, Giving her a slightly mischievous look, “So, You still up for that fishing trip? I can get the gear ready after we are done with breakfast.”
Bella jokingly roled her eyes, “If I must. It sounds like it could be fun…as long as I don’t end up falling in the water. especially in this weather.”
“You’ll do fine, and no boat I promise.” Charlied assured her, then added with a smirk, “Just, uh, remember to hold the fishings rod the right way. We’re not summoning the fish here.”
Bella rolled her eyes, grinning. “I’ll try not to confuse it with my wand. But don’t say I didn’t warn you when the fish start flying towards us.”
After their breakfast was done and the fishing equipment was gathered they made their way outside. The cool air nipped at Bella’s cheeks as they made their way to the red rusty truck. He stowed the rods in the back before starting the engine, and Bella settled into the passenger seat, glancing out the window at the quiet streets of forks.
The drive to the lake was peaceful, the scenery shifting from small-town houses to towering trees as they ventured deeper into the forest. After about twenty minutes, they reached the lake—one Bella faintly remembered from her childhood. The water stretched out before them, a silvery mirror of the cloudy sky above, and Charlie parked the car near the shore.
Bella had to admit, there was something peaceful about the lake Charlie had taken her to. The water was still, reflecting the grey clouds overhead, and the tress framed the edges of the scene like a postcard. She watched as Charlie skillfully cast his line, the fishing rod moving with practice ease.
“Alright, kiddo, your turn,” Charlie said, a grin tugging at his lips as he handed her the second rod. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Bella eyed the fishing rod like it was some kind of foreign artifact. “I think the last time I tried this I was…what, seven?”
“Five, actually. And you spent more time playing with the worms than actually fishing,” Charlie said with a chuckle.
Bella wrinkled her nose at the memory.
“Gross.”
“You ready?” Charlie encouraged, stepping back a bit to give her space.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” Bella muttered under her breath. She took the rod in her hands and mimicked Charlie’s earlier movement, casting the line out over the water…or at least, that was the plan.
Instead, the line tangled in the air, the fishing hook somehow managing to snag a nearby tree branch with an impressive lack of grace.
Charlie’s laugh echoed over the lake as he walked over to help. “Good effort, but we usually aim for the water, not the tress.”
Bella groaned
“Alright, alright, let me get that free for you.” Charlie said, reaching up to unhook the line from the branch. Once unhooked he handed the rod back to Bella with a grin “Okay kiddo, take two. Let’s see if we can actually get the line in the water this time.”
Bella took the rod again, this time gripping it with a bit more confidence. She mimicked Charlie’s motions again, flicking her wrist as she cast the line forward. But just as she swung her arm, her sleeve shifted, and her wand, tucked inside, tapped against the rod.”
Without warning, the line shot out with a burst of light, and the end of the rod glowed a soft gold as the hook splashed into the water with more force than necessary. Ripples spread across the lake as fish began leaping from the water, arching through the air in chaotic patterns.
Charlie’s eyes widened as a fish flew past his head. “Whoa—what the—Bella!”
Bella’s eyes widened in shock
For a moment, Charlie just stared at the fish in disbelief as it sailed by. Then he burst into uncontrollable laughter.
“Bella!” he managed between fits of laughter, doubling over as another fish launched itself skyward. “Did you—Did you just summon the whole lake?!”
Bella’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I didn’t meant to! My wand must’ve hit the rod—Dad, I swear, this wasn’t on purpose!”
But Charlie was laughing too hard to care. He ducked as another fish whizzed over him, nearly toppling over in his laughter. “You—you weren’t kidding about not fishing!” He gasped for air, tears forming at the corners of his eyes. “Oh, man! This is the best fishing trip I’ve ever had!”
Bella groaned, half-embarrased, half-amused as she dodge a particularly enthusiastic fish that flopped onto the shore beside them. “This is not funny!”
“Not funny?!” Charlie wheezed, shaking his head as he wiped his eyes. “This is hilarious! Forget the rod—we don’t need it with you around! The fish are practically begging to be caught!”
Bella gave him a look but couldn’t suppress a small smile. “You’re the only one who finds this funny.”
Another fish leapt toward Charlie, and this time he couldn’t help himslef—he laughed so hard he almost stumbled into the water. “Best.Day.Ever!”
Shaking her head, Bella quickly reached for her wand, muttering a reversal spell. The glow around the rod faded, and the lake settled back into its quiet stillness.
Charlie, still chuckling, sat down on the shore, catching his breath. “I don’t think I’ve laughed that hard in years.
Bella smiled, glad her dad was enjoying himself despite the chaos. But as Charlie wiped his eyes and looked around, his grin widened at the sight of several fish flopping about on the shore.
He gave a low whistle, shaking his head in mock seriousness. “Well, kiddo,” he said, raising an eyebrow, “What are we gonna do with all this fish?”
Bella blinked, glancing at the pile of wriggling fish and who-knows-what scattered around them. “Oh….” she let out a small laugh, rubbing the back of her neck
Charlie stood up, hands on his hips as he surveyed the scene, his tone light but thoughtful. “We’ve got enought fish here to feed the whole town—or start a fish market.”
Bella burst out laughing at that, the absurdity of the situaiton sinking in. “I hope you’ve got a big freezer!”
Charlie shook his head with a grin, but then his expression brightened with an idea. “You know, Billy’s been talking about a cookout at the reservation soon. Why don’t we heat over and drop off some of this bounty?”
“Billy?” Bella asked, vaguely remembering Charlie’s old friend from years ago.
“Yeah, Billy Black,” Charlie said. “And Jacob—remember him? You two used to play together when you were little.”
Bella’s brow furrowed. “Vaguely,” she admitted, though the name stirred a faint memory. “I haven’t seen them in years.”
“Well, no better time to catch up. And they could use the fish,” Charlie said with a smirk, hoisting a fish and tossing it in the air. “It’ll save me the trouble of explaining this to the neightbors.”
Bella laughed. “Alright, fair enough. Let’s go.”
They spent a few minutes packing up the fish, charlie making sure they packed the bigger ones first and bella charming the cooler to be lighter and have more room. With their gear stowed and the absurd amount of fish in the back of the truck, they were on their way to La Push.
As they pulled up to the dirt road leading to Billy’s house, Bella felt a twinge of nostalgia. The scent of pine and saltwater hung in the air.
Billy Black was already out front in his wheelchair when they arrived, a welcoming grin spreading across his face. “Well, well!” Look what the cat dragged in.”
“Hey Billy,” Charlie greeted, stepping out of the truck. He walked over to shake hands with his old friend, while Bella hesitated for a moment before following suit.
Billy’s grin widened when he saw Bella. “And this must be the famous Bella. Last time I saw you, you were tall enought to reach my knee.”
Bella smiled, feeling more at ease. “It’s been a while.”
“Good to have you back in Forks,” Billy said warmly before his eyes flicked to the back of the truck. “What’s all this then?”
Charlie grinned. “Well, Bella’s first fishing trip in a while…and let’s just say, she caught more than we bargained for.” He reached into the back and brought out the cooler with the absurb bundle of fish.
Billy let out a laugh. “You weren’t kidding! I hope you didn’t drain the lake dry.”
Bella chuckled. “I don’t think so. These were just desperate to go with us.”
Just then the front foor opened, and a taller, broader figure stepped out—Jacob, now towering at over six feet. He looked between his dad, Charlie, and Bella with a curious smile.
“Hey, Jacob,” Charlie called, waving him over. “Look who’s back in town.”
Jacob walked over, his eyes widening slightly when they landed on Bella. “Bella?” His smile grew wider as he stopped in front of her. “Wow, it’s been forever. You look…different.”
Bella raised an eyebrow, amused by the shift in his expresison. “That’s one way to put it. You, uh, grew a little too, I see.”
Jacob laughed. “Just a bit. It’s good to see you again.”
“Likewise,” Bella said.
Billy chimed in, looking at the massive pile of fish. “You two can stick around for a bit, right? We’ve got plenty of room in the freezer. And we were just talking about having a cookout this weekend. Looks like we’ve got the main course covered, thanks to you.”
Charlie shot a grin at Bella. “What do you think Kiddo?”
“Sounds fun, Dad.” Bella responded.
Before anyone could even take a step towards the house, their peace was interrupted by the loud ring of Charlie’s phone.
“Swan,” Charlie answered, his voice steady
Bella immediately noticed the change in her father’s demeanor. His relaxed stance stiffened as he listened to the voice on the other end of the call, his jaw tightening.
“What happened?” Charlie asked, his voice low. A pause followed, and the tension in the air grew heavier with each passing second. Bella could feel the hairs on her arms stand on end, a sense of unease washing over her.
“Yeah… I’ll be there in ten,” Charlie finally said, hanging up the phone. He turned to Billy and Jacob, his expression serious. “That was the station. They just found a body… Waylon Forge.”
Bella blinked, recognition flickering in her mind. Waylon had been one of Charlie’s friends. She hadn’t seen him much growing up, but she remembered the name from stories Charlie had shared about the guys in town. She also remembers a funny guy in a santa clause costume…
“Dad…” Bella started, concern creeping into her voice.
Charlie shook his head, already moving toward the truck. “I’ve got to go. It’s official business.”
“I’ll come with you,” Bella said, stepping forward without hesitation.
Charlie hesitated, giving her a look that said he wasn’t sure if it was a good idea. But Bella met his gaze with a steady, determined expression. She wasn’t a child anymore—she had seen far worse than this, and she wanted to be there for her father. Besides, a part of her feared what the news might bring, knowing the dangers that lurked in the shadows.
After a beat, Charlie nodded. “Alright, but you stay close. This might not be easy.”
Bella nodded, grateful he hadn’t dismissed her. She turned to Billy and Jacob. “I guess we’ll have to take a rain check on the cookout.”
Billy waved her off with a sad smile. “No worries. Take care of yourself, kid.”
Jacob looked at her with a mixture of concern and curiosity. “Be safe.”
With that, Bella climbed back into the truck with Charlie, the mood significantly darker than before. As they drove away from the Blacks’ house and toward the scene, Bella couldn’t help but wonder what had happened. Was it a random accident? Or something more sinister?
The town of Forks had always been quiet, and the idea of a murder or strange death felt out of place.
Charlie remained silent for most of the drive, his knuckles white as he gripped the steering wheel. Bella could see the worry etched in his features—this was more than just another case for him. It was personal.
When they arrived at the scene at the marina, Bella’s heart sank. Police cars were parked haphazardly along the edge of the tree line, their lights flashing in the grey morning light. Officers were milling around, their faces grim, and a few familiar townspeople had gathered on the outskirts, whispering to one another.
Charlie parked the truck and stepped out, moving quickly toward the officers. Bella followed closely, her stomach twisting with unease. She wasn’t sure what she expected to find, but whatever it was, she had the sinking feeling it wouldn’t be good.
As they approached the scene, Bella saw the sheet-covered body lying on the ground, partially obscured by the dense undergrowth of the forest. An officer stepped forward to greet Charlie, his face pale. “Chief Swan, it’s not pretty.”
Charlie nodded solemnly, and they pulled back the sheet just enough for him to see. Bella stood behind her father, catching a glimpse of the pale skin and the stillness that came with death. She didn’t flinch—she had seen death before—but it was still jarring to witness here in this quiet town.
Charlie let out a slow breath. “Waylon…” His voice was heavy with sorrow.
“What happened?” Bella asked softly, stepping closer to her father’s side.
The officer exchanged a glance with Charlie before answering. “We’re not sure yet. No visible wounds, but… there’s something strange about this. It’s like he was… drained. We’ll have to wait for the autopsy, but something’s off.”
Bella felt a cold shiver run down her spine. Drained? Her mind immediately leapt to the darker possibilities—things from the wizarding world that could do something like this. Creatures, spells… She had seen too much to dismiss this as just a natural death.
Charlie nodded grimly. “Get the body back to the coroner. We need answers.”
As the officers moved to take the body away, Bella’s eyes scanned the surrounding forest, her senses heightened. Something about this felt wrong. Deeply wrong.
Charlie put a hand on her shoulder, his voice soft but firm. “We’ll figure this out, Bella. But let the professionals handle it, alright?”
Bella nodded, but her mind was already racing. There was more to this, and she had a feeling it was only the beginning.