Cherreads

Chapter 5 - Rain, Police Chiefs, and the Worst Possible Eye Contact

I woke up before the alarm.

Which was new.

My body just… decided it was done sleeping.

I stared at the ceiling for a few seconds, listening to the rain tapping against the windows like Forks was politely reminding me where I lived.

"…Morning," I muttered.

No system messages. No shadow whispers. No underwear rewards.

A good start.

Daily Training (Because Death Builds Character)

Training came first.

Always.

I pulled on a hoodie and stepped outside, rain immediately soaking into my hair.

Cold.

Perfect.

I ran.

Through the trees. Along the property line. Down gravel paths that turned slick under my shoes.

My breath stayed steady. My muscles burned right—not painfully, but honestly.

Push-ups on wet ground.

Pull-ups from a low tree branch.

Sprints until my heart thundered.

No shadows.

No cheats.

Just me.

"Good," I said between breaths. "Still human enough."

Somewhere deep inside, the Monarch stirred, unimpressed.

I ignored it.

Driving Around Town

After a shower and breakfast, I took the Mustang out.

The engine growled as I rolled through Forks' quiet streets. Small shops. Old buildings. Too much green.

Everyone looked like they'd either lived here forever or wanted to escape desperately.

I parked near the station to grab coffee.

That's when fate, being fate, hit me with a police cruiser.

I nearly bumped into a tall man stepping out.

Brown hair. Mustache. Tired eyes.

Badge.

"Sorry," we said at the same time.

He squinted at me.

"…You're new."

I blinked. "Is it the car or the face?"

He snorted. "Both. Charlie Swan."

Oh.

That Charlie Swan.

I shook his hand. "Adam. Just moved in."

He glanced at the Mustang. "Must be nice."

I smiled politely. "Inherited. Tragic backstory."

He nodded instantly. "Say no more."

We stood there for a second, rain filling the silence.

"You got kids?" he asked.

"Nope."

"Good," he said. "Town's weird enough without adding more."

I almost laughed.

"Your daughter's coming today, right?" I asked casually.

Charlie stiffened. "Yeah. You hear fast."

"I try to stay informed."

He eyed me for a moment, then sighed. "If she gets lost, confused, or eaten by wildlife—"

"I'll alert the authorities," I finished.

He cracked a small smile. "You'll fit in."

And just like that, the universe reminded me I was standing in canon's backyard.

Next Day: School

Forks High School loomed under gray skies.

I pulled into the parking lot early, Mustang drawing more attention than I liked.

Heads turned.

Whispers started.

"So much for subtle," I muttered to you.

I parked, stepped out, and immediately felt it—

That strange pressure.

Like the air itself was waiting.

Then a familiar old red truck rolled in.

Bella Swan.

Same as canon.

Awkward parking. Nervous energy. Human fragility wrapped in flannel.

I watched quietly.

"She has no idea," I murmured.

Then—

The temperature changed.

Not physically.

Existentially.

Two sleek cars pulled in.

Too perfect. Too expensive. Too wrong.

The Cullens.

Jasper. Emmett. Edward. Alice. Rosalie.

And—

I frowned.

"…Two extra girls?"

They stepped out.

Same inhuman grace. Same beauty that made logic uncomfortable.

New variables.

Before I could analyze further—

It hit.

A pull.

Sharp. Sudden. Violent.

My breath caught.

My eyes locked with theirs.

Alice.

Rosalie.

Something ancient twisted in my chest.

Not attraction.

Not lust.

Recognition.

A bond stirred—old, instinctual, and absolutely unwelcome.

Alice froze.

Then she smiled.

Giggled, actually.

Rosalie's eyes widened—then narrowed.

I felt the Monarch stir violently.

Claim. Protect. Assert.

"No," I thought frantically. "Shut up—"

Alice tilted her head, eyes dancing.

Rosalie didn't look away.

Neither did I.

Inside my head, a single, perfect thought formed:

"F*ck."

The rain kept falling.

Canon kept moving.

And the multiverse quietly laughed.

[Chapter Six Complete.]

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