Prolog
I have stood on the precipice of destruction with no one to save me but myself. It was after the complete and utter loss of everything that I held dear as it was ripped from my arms that I saw the world for the first time. My family was gone, my friends had abandoned me, and I stood alone. I was in high school when my life changed forever. I was no longer the sweet light-hearted girl of my youth, no I was a young woman who knew the troubles of the world. However, I was not going to let those depressing experiences control my life. No, I was going to live with an optimistic heart that would know the darkness in the world, account for it then to continue to look for the silver in the clouds.
Chapter 1 - Memories
I had just arrived as a constant cold mist drifted through the air. It was a silent twilight only the music of the crickets welcomed me, as I stepped out of the car into the silhouette of the deserted building. In the distance, I could hear to call of a lone wolf howling to the night in the hopes that another would answer its' song. A wan smile crossed my lips as I looked into the darkness of the forest. The steps of the house were a bit worn, and I could tell that they needed some work done to them. Once I was under the shelter of the covered porch I breathed in the earthy scent of damp moss and rain. This was my home, and it was time to start a new chapter of my life.
Taking the key from their hiding place, I opened the door. A soft yet sharp creaking sound came from the hinges as it opened. Treading across the threshold, I found the once bright living room covered in blankets that were shielded in years of dust. The stale, musty air of the abandoned house assaulted my nose as I walked. It was a melancholy experience in itself. My throat tightened and my eyes watered as I took in the room that held so many precious memories. The ghostly laughter of the past reached my ears and the phantoms of those long gone clouded my eyes. Blinking back the tears that threatened to slip from my eyes, swallowing the lump that sat in my throat and clearing my head; I took myself from the past and back to the present. I was no longer the child that had last lived in this place. I was an adult and I could do this; I could make this place my home once more. The trials of adversity were no longer breathing down my neck and I no longer feared the darkness of the night. It was time to come home, and this was home. This modest two-story cabin in the middle of a sea of trees where the world seems just to disappear was my home. It was my families home and though I was the last of my house I would not stop until I was. My home was located in between two small towns. Washington seems to be the land of the crying skies. I loved the rain; it is a soothing melody that can calm the wildest of minds.
I had loved this house years ago, and I still did, but it was more bittersweet now. I had missed the smells and the sounds. The memories of the past would dance before my eyes, but it would never be like it was. I had lost the most precious parts of those memories. Shaking my head from that train of thought, I went to work making the master bedroom livable, at least enough that I could sleep there for one night. I dug into one of the bags that I had brought with me and retrieved a set of soft gray cotton sheets, a thick dark blue blanket, and a patchwork quilt. With the bed made I changed into a set of warm pajamas. As I was just slipping off, I thought of one place I had not been to in ages...the beach...La Push. As my eyelids became heavy, as the name rang through my mind. Darkness overtook me.
The next day when I awoke I saw that the usual melancholy gray sky had been broken by beams of soft light. It was cool outside, the crisp air of fall gave a refreshing breath of sharp life to the morning. It was a harsh comparison to the decaying leaves found on the forest floor. I dressed in dark jeans, a green long sleeve shirt, a leather jacket, and my black flats. Then I went out to the car and began to bring some of the boxes I had brought with me in. I just had a few things with me: clothes, pictures, and some personal items. There were about ten boxes of varies sizes sitting in the living room when I had finished.
I knew I should unpack them but sunny days in this area are far and few between, so I left the boxes untouched. As I drove down the road towards the beach memories began to play through my mind. I had gone to Forks High School for three years before I went away. However, most of my friends lived out in Saber. Jared and Paul were two of my closest. It had broken my heart when they pushed me away. They had just disappeared, and then the accident happened. I'm not even sure if they visited me while I was asleep, but by the time I woke up two weeks later I was in Seatle, then my aunt came and took me away to live with her as she moved about the world.
This was the first time I had been back, and the feeling of uncertainty was beginning to consume my whole being. As the tires of my cars came to a halt in a parking space that overlooked the sea, I began to feel the pull of the water. It was far too cold to swim at this time of year, but the want was ever present in my mind. Maybe I would go out in the water later. What could it hurt? It's not like I have to go to school or anything tomorrow. After living with my aunt for a few months I got my GED, then I started taking online classes from a University. At the moment I only have one more semester of classes before I have my Bachelors Degree.
Exiting the car I made my way to the sandy shoreline, my shoes dangling from the tips of my fingers. Gulls cried from the air as woodland birds sang from the forest. I cherished the wind against my skin. Shutting my eyes, I allowed myself to be submerged in nature; nothing mattered at that moment, I was completely at peace. I was pulled from this sanctuary due to the high-pitched squeal of a child. Turning my head, I saw a young girl coming running up the sand with a young man chasing her. I was a little worried until I noticed the laughter in her eyes when she turned back around.
The further I walked down the beach the more deserted it became until I made it to a small peninsula. There were a few trees here, and the ground was mostly covered in patches of grass and moss. I rested at the base of one ancient pines and listened to the crash of the waves against the rocks and sand around me. The rough bark of the tree bit into my back, but I didn't mind. Memories of the bonfire, making sand castles, and laughter filled my mind. I stayed there for who knows how long, but by the time I snapped out of my thoughts it was getting last. The sun was treading on the seam of the ocean. I looked at my phone and found that it was already past five o'clock. I had spent the entire day just looking at the sea. 'Oh well' was all that went through my mind. I brushed my hands against the back of my jeans, to remove any particulates that clung to the fabric. As I was walking back up the sand to my car; I noticed that there was a larger group of people clustered around one of the picnics areas as well as a fire closer to the water. The closer I got the more I felt that I knew some of this group, but I wasn't sure. They looked familiar but different all at the same time. Many of the guys looked to be in their mid-twenties, so I had no idea why they seemed so familiar. Just as I was going up the steps to the parking lot, I noticed a woman and a man in a wheelchair going to the group. It suddenly clicked in my mind the guys at the bonfire and these two; I did know them before I could stop myself I walked up to the pair.
"Mrs. Clearwater?" I questioned looking at her with a small hope she would remember me.
"Yes," She said turning. Then she stopped for a moment and looked me from head to toe. A small gasp came from her throat. She left Mr. Black, for I knew it was him and walked over to me. She placed her hand on my cheek, and I looked at the woman who had been like a second mom to me so many years ago.
"Danny is that you," she questioned me, as she stepped towards me. A small smile crossed my lips as I nodded. In the background, I heard a soft chuckle come from Billy as Sue took me into a hug that seemed to squeeze the life out of me, and I began to fear she was never going to let go.
"How are you here? Where are you staying? How long are you going to be in town? Are you just visiting or are you going to stay?", She rattled off question faster than I could answer and before I knew it, I was laughing. This was the first time I had laughed in almost two years, and I just couldn't help it I pulled her into another hug.
"I'm here to stay" was the only answer I gave, I wasn't sure how to explain everything to her; but seriously how do you tell someone that you have traveled all over the world due to being hunted by some otherworldly creature. I held onto her a little tighter in the hopes to forget the world I was living in and go back to a time when life was simpler.
When we pulled away, I could see that her eyes were a little misty, but there was a thousand watt smile radiating from her face; before I knew what was happening she put her arm through mine and began walking me back to the beach. No matter have much I told her that it was okay and that I didn't want to intrude, she never let go. I looked to Billy with pleading eyes, but all he did was laugh and say, "Sorry my dear, but your not getting away this time."
As we approached the crowd of people, I lowered my head. I did want to see my friends again, but I was still a little hurt that they had left me.
"Look who we found!" announced Sue, much to my mortification. All eyes turned to her ass she held on to me. Slowly I lifted my head and gave a small wave "Hi" was all I got out before I was tackled by someone and placed into a bear hug I was never going to get out of.
"Your back, where did you go?" the female hugger asked. It clicked in my brain that Leah was the one who held on to me for dear life. I patted her back in an attempt to reassure her that it was okay.
"Leah, crushing not breathing" I explained in a half-joking manner.
She was a lot stronger than I remembered and after saying this, she dropped me like I was a hot coal. She was looking at the ground a little dejectedly. I felt bad, could she not tell that I was joking.
"Hey, Le-Le I was only kidding," I told her in the hopes it would make her feel better.
As she gave a minuscule smile, I began to wonder what happened during the years I had been gone. Leah came over to me placing her arm over my shoulder, but it seemed like she was holding herself back. This was not the same Leah I had grown up with; she was reserved now, holding herself back. She was no longer the same person who would play pranks with me on the guys. I was a little sad to see that it was not just Leah who had changed but all of them. Has my eyes slide over all of them I noticed that my friends had changed. They seemed older in a way, serious as if the fate of the world was resting on their shoulders. It broke my heart in a way to see just how much they had grown up, and I couldn't help but wonder why.
" Well, Danny how have you been doing? " asked Quil. He was taller than I remember him being, but most of the guys were taller than they had been. 'Well, I guess that is what happens when you are gone for a few years.' They reminded me of Michelangelo's statue of David; they were the whole tall dark and handsome thing going on. Seriously when had everyone here become models?
"I have been alright. I can't believe how tall all of you are. I really feel like the munchkin of the group." I laugh nervously. I looked up into his eyes. I almost had to tilt my head all the way back to see his eyes. 'My gosh I'm short,' was on repeat in my head, given my five foot three inches didn't seem that bad most of the time. Yes, I had to get a stool to get things from the top shelf in the kitchen, but around these guys, I felt like a shrimp.
"Well, you always were the shortest of the group," his laughter filled the area. It was nice to be home. No matter how much time had passed it was still easy to be around all of them.
"Where have you been?" came a dark voice from across the fire.
I turned to see who I was talking to. My eyes drifted across the expanse of the dancing flames to meet the eyes of my once closest friend. Our eyes came together, and for a moment I thought the world had stopped moving. He seemed to feel the same way because his eyes widened and dilated, his mouth changed from a harsh line to slightly parted lips. His face paled slightly before flushing with color. I could feel my face heating back up to the point it would feel feverish to the touch. My heart felt like it stopped for a moment then it began to beat at a pace that there was no way that could be healthy.
Blinking rapidly to shake myself from this stupor I answered,
"Pretty much everywhere."
"What do you mean? The last time we saw you, you were getting ready for Halloween." Jared stated from beside Paul. 'When had he gotten here?' Paul was just standing there unable to shake himself from his thoughts as he stared at me like a blind man seeing the sun for the first time.
I gave them a confused look. Did they not know about the accident? How could they not I thought it had been in the papers, right? I looked around at all of them including Sue and Billy, and they were all looking at me expectantly. 'Did they really not know?'
"You know I had to leave; it wasn't like I could stay here," I was a little worried about what they would say. I shifted my weight between my feet while staring intently at the ground.
"Danny, you and your family just disappeared. We went to see you on Halloween but the house was closed up, and there was no one there," Sue spoke for everyone, "When you get home you need to tell them to come visit." The others were nodding in agreement. My throat felt tight and parched; my heart was pounding now. They didn't know about the accident. It wasn't like I could tell them what happened. Taking a deep breath, I turned towards Sue
"I wish I could, but they aren't here. It's just me." I didn't know how to tell them that they would never see my parents again.
"What do you mean it's just you. Your only 18 there is no way your parents would let you come out here on your own," Sue was awestruck when she heard I was by myself.
"I am an adult, technically," I stated. I straightened my back and looked her in the eyes. I had been on my own for two years. I had taken care of myself and others.
"Who is going to take care of you?" Sue seemed distraught by the idea that I was all by myself here, but what could I do.
"I have a job so that I can take care of my bills and stuff." I was starting at my internship tomorrow, luckily I was able to get a paid one, so I would not be working two jobs.
"But what about school?"
"I already graduated while I was gone and have already completed most of my course to get my degree, now I am just finishing my internship; so I'll be fine." It was the truth even though I was only in my late teens I had gotten my GED two weeks after moving, and I had started college online that January. I had been in college for nearly three years. By taking a full course load each semester and taking classes during the summer, I was due to graduate at the end of the semester.
"But, but..."
"If it will make you feel better I will let you know if I ever need any help." I smiled at her. She had always been there for my parents, and I was happy to have her back in my life. There was a snicker from Seth, my goodness he had grown up fast, and a few smirks from the others. Did they think I couldn't take care of myself or something? This whole conversation was beginning to get frustrating. With a quick change of topic, I turned to the person that was closest to me, which just happened to be Paul.
"Well, what have you been up to?" I looked up into his eyes. Even though we were sitting, I still had to tilt my head to look him in his burning brown eyes.
"Nothing much just school and work." He had a small smile on his lips as he looked at me like I was the only person on the planet. It was a little unsettling to have someone look at me like that. However, for some reason, I didn't believe him. He was having trouble meeting my eyes. That was the thing with me I could always tell when others were lying to me when they looked me in the eye. It was like a light went on in my head and a voice would say, 'Warning, warning, Will Robinson. Lies lies.' Apparently, I had been gone long enough for Paul to have forgotten that little tidbit. With a smirk on my face, I turned back to Sue.
"I think I should be getting back home soon. It's getting late, and I have work in the morning." I stood from the log I had planted myself on and brushed my hands across the back of my pants to get rid of any dirt or sand that clung to the fabric.
"Oh, are you leaving already." She jerked her head back toward me.
"But you just got here" cried, Leah
"Yeah, stay a little bit longer," stated Jarad
"Come on I'm sure you would love to hear some of Billy's stories" Paul whispered into my ear.
My heart jumped out of my chest almost as fast as I jumped into the air with a squeal stuck in my throat.
"Holy Crap! Don't do that. You almost gave me a heart attack."
My hand was resting on my chest just over my palpitating heart as I leaned over resting my hand on my knee. 'Geez, they don't want me to go.' a sigh left my mouth, "I have to go home now. I still have to unpack a few boxes."They were all giving me disappointed looks. It was like I had just taken the joy out of their night. "I'm sorry. I would love to stay, but I need to get the house set up." That did not work in the slightest to lift their spirits. "How about we meet up later and hang out, okay."That made a couple of them nod in agreement. I turned to Leah who still looks dejected. "Le-le why don't you come spend the night next weekend, and we can catch up?"
She turned and looked at Sam like she had to his permission or something. Now don't get me wrong I like him and all, but didn't they break up? And why would she need his permission to hang out? He gave her a nod, and she turned to me smiling like a lunatic. Okay, that was eerie. With all of this settled, told them all bye. As I was walking to my car I felt the hair on my neck began to stand up, a queasy feeling began to rest in my gut. I turned around to confront my creeper, only to find Paul.
"Paul? Why are you following me?" all I got in response is a shrug of his shoulder before, "I wanted to make sure you were alright" he cut off here and looked to the ground before continuing, "Do you want to go to the movies with me?"
I chuckled a little bit. My expression must have been one of confusion because he started to ramble a little, but I wasn't paying attention. What on Earth was wrong with him? The Paul I knew never got nervous when he talked to a girl, let alone me.
"Sure," I said "why don't we go Saturday night. Leah is spending the night Friday so we can hang out after she goes home."
"Really...? "
"Yes, Paul it would fun just to hang out like old times."
With this done I got into my car and headed home. The ride home was silent except for the radio. When I go to the house, I felt like I was being watched. I got up the steps and inside as fast as I could. Once inside I shut the door and locked it. I check all the rooms of the house to make sure that all the windows were closed and locked just to be on the safe side. Even after that I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched, but there was nothing more I could do about it; so I went about the task of unpacking the boxes for the kitchen. I put the pot and pans away, stored the glasses and plates of the shelves, and even put the little bit of food I had brought with me into the pantry. After all of this was done I made a list of what I would need to buy at the store tomorrow. Then I went to my room. I hung up my clothes and got my uniform ready for tomorrow. I set it up in a chair in the corner of the room. Once more I check all the windows and door before going to bed.
Note: (Hello readers as you can tell all of the Twilight Characters belong to Ms. Meyer. I hope you are enjoying this story. Please let me know what you think, because this is my first story. I would love to get your options!)
