CHAPTER 1 – Endless Dark

All of the Quileute land was quiet on that blistering hot summer morning, everything except the cicadas. Little to our knowledge, they were trying to warn us of the approaching danger headed this way. That danger known around here as the Cullen family. And I thought it was an Indians job to be 'one' with nature…well, there goes that idea.

The heat was so unbearable outside that, over the roadways, you could see the waves moving in mid-air. It was especially hot to me and the rest of the pack as we went out patrolling through the woods, the shade from the trees doing little to cool our fur-coated bodies. My name is Jacob Black, and a few years ago I found out that I was none other than a werewolf. To most we were just nightmares; used for action in cheesy horror films, but this was reality. When I first found out, I wanted to run away, act like nothing was wrong – but that game ended soon after I got involved with the Cullens. My former best friend, Bella Swan, was infatuated with the youngest member of that sickening clan, his name was Edward, and boy did he tick me off. Compared to him, every guy in the Forks area was quickly put to shame; he had the brains, the looks, and the ability to seduce just about anyone in a matter of seconds.

Bella was just a toy to him, nothing more than a play-thing, and he used her as such. After they 'hooked-up', and I use that term lightly being as how they were rarely seen together, the entire family decided to just up and leave like nothing ever happened. Edward broke it off and disappeared, which crushed her so much that she wanted to practically commit suicide, and I was here as the rebound guy. That's one reason I told Bella that we could no longer be friends; I didn't mind being there for her, but I refused to be second best to that freak. So now she's back in Arizona with her mom and step dad, leaving Charlie alone for the time being, and I bet she was happy. I would be too if I could get out of Forks for the rest of my life; there'd be no regrets except leaving my dad.

As I ran circles around the La Push beaches, feeling the air getting thicker each time, I finally decided enough was enough. Sam and Embry could run all day if they wanted, but not me. I had done the rounds and that was plenty. Shifting back to human form I ran back to my house, naked, and managed to get there in less than five seconds. The air conditioning was a comfort only known to those who spend too much time outside, and almost instantly my body was relaxed. Throwing on shorts and a t-shirt I made my way into the living room, orange soda in hand, and flipped the television channel to 'Spongebob'. There was nothing wrong with a little childish humor once in awhile, a chance to get away from the seriousness of reality and sucked into the cartoon world. I thought that Spongebob had it lucky; all he had to do was work, play, and sleep, while here I had to constantly work. Sighing, I lay sideways on the couch, eyes closing. It was only two in the afternoon but my body was tired, the stress of running for hours combined with the heat was wearing me out. A little dog-nap would be needed, and soon I was out cold.

"Jacob…" Bella…? Who was talking to me? I tried moving my head, turning to see who it was, but I couldn't. My body was frozen in place. From where I was laying the voice sounded so familiar. "Jacob, I need you…please…" A figure slowly came into view, far in the distance, blurred by my tired eyes. "Who are you?" I asked, voice sounding weak and powerless. "Jacob…" the figure said once more, coming closer. I smelled something then, a tangy mix of copper and salt. There was something wet, something cold, covering the ground. As I glanced down, still not being able to move, I realized what it was. Blood was flowing in a steady stream from my body, the dark crimson color blending with the darkness that surrounded both the figure and me. "You'll never be anything, you're pathetic." My eyes shot up once more, hearing those harsh words, staring into a blank white face. It had no mouth, no eyes, nothing. Suddenly the face twisted, starting to form some features. Right before I could see the full picture I was falling, falling at a fast speed, feeling the wind brush past me. There was a dark ocean underneath, where I was headed. Before I knew it I was surrounded by the cold, black water…

"Help!" I yelled, sitting straight up on the couch, air leaving my lungs and coming back in quick pants. My dad, who was next me, jumped a little in his wheelchair. "Son, are you okay?" he asked, concern crossing his features quickly. I nodded once, brushing a hand through my short locks, breathing deeply to calm my nerves. As I was falling it…it felt like I was really there, as if that mysterious figure had pushed me, and I was helpless. I couldn't change form, yell, move, anything. I stood then, moving past my dad and out the front door, saying "I'll be back later" in a shaky voice. His eyes were boring into my back sharply before I shut the door and took off running down the road. Something was very wrong; I never had dreams like that for no reason at all. I hadn't even had one since Bella left, so many years ago.

The buzzing of the cicadas grew louder as I made my way to the edge of the border we had with the vampires. I had no idea why it was still even there, the Cullens were gone and never coming back, which was a good riddance to the entire town. Deciding to stop, not going past that invisible line, I went a little into the woods, leaning against a cool Oak tree. There were birds chirping mixed in with the obnoxious noise, and in a way it was relaxing. Through the heat I struggled to catch my breath, thinking it was a bad idea to have ran all that way, but since it was late in the day there were rare breezes of cold air blowing. My eyes closed once more but I was determined not to sleep. Not for awhile. Any chances of that horribly vivid dream coming back wouldn't happen. I stayed under that tree until nightfall, hearing Seth and Leah walking with one another as they patrolled past this area, their giant paws only mere light thuds on the grass. "Jacob" a stern voice said from the tree opposite of mine. As I knew, Sam walked into the little opening, facing me directly.

"Why are you just sitting around? You need to be out there patrolling like the rest of us. What if the vampires-" I growled, loud and deep, letting Sam know he was getting on my nerves and cutting him off mid-sentence.

"They're not coming back, Sam. Not now, not ever. You all need to get that through your thick skulls. Once the Cullens left all the other vampires did too, and now none are here. If there were any, don't you think we'd smell them?" He seemed to be speechless after that question, which gave me an opening to rant and take some more anger out.

"Honestly, if this is your idea of fun then count me out. You may be the alpha but you do not control what I do personally. If I don't feel like running in useless circles looking for things that aren't even close to here, then I won't. I have a lot on my mind, so I'd appreciate if you'd just leave me alone."

After taking the brunt of my anger Sam backed up a few steps, realizing I was being serious and not joking around to get him upset. My eyes burned as he stared for what seemed like hours, yet was only about a minute or two, and then he was gone, back into the forest with the others. I heard the sound of grass moving and sharply turned my head, looking down Seth's muzzle.

"What do you want, kid?" I asked, slightly annoyed that people were just in a mood to interrupt my thinking. He sat down next to me, sticking his nose under my chin. I pushed on his snout gently to get away from the wet and cold combination, smiling slightly. There was a whimper coming from his throat which made me turn my head back, looking in his eyes. They seemed sad and troubled as he shifted to human form right there. It didn't even seem like he was ashamed to be naked as he kept sitting next to me.

"Jake, why did you yell at Sam?" he asked, genuinely curious. I huffed, turning away from his face.

"He had it coming."

"But Jake, you know he just wants to look out for the pack and everyone else living in La Push. "

Seth was right, and it wasn't the smoothest choice to take my anger out on someone with so much authority, but I just couldn't hold it in.

"Is something wrong? You really don't look good" he commented, moving a hand to put on my forehead. I instantly flinched away from the touch without meaning to, going to stand up.

"Just have a lot on my mind, that's all" I answered honestly, not wanting to get Seth involved in my personal problems. "Just wish Sam would let the whole 'hunting down vampires that aren't really here' game go. It's getting old."

He nodded, laughing a little. "I guess Sam just feels like it's his duty, and you offended him by not participating. Trust me; I know how you feel man. It gets boring going around the same old area about five times a day."

I smiled also, mirroring his look. Seth was always good to talk to, even though he was the youngest member of the pack. That meant he was the most innocent, the one who wasn't tainted by the world yet, and that was a good thing. I patted him on the head, still smiling, and whispered "Take care of yourself" before making my way around him.

He was up in an instant, following – ironically – like a little dog, catching up to me in no time. "Where are you going?" he asked, once happy face turned to one of sadness.

"It's just time for me to go, only for a little while. I need to get away from La Push, clear my head, then I'll come back" I explained in as little detail as possible, so I wouldn't confuse him.

Seth grabbed my arm lightly, a faint attempt to hold me back. I stopped and turned, looking at him once more. His features showed he was trying to hide a smile and be serious, and I knew he didn't really want me to stay against my will.

"Promise you'll be back…? You're like the brother I never had, Jake."

I put my hand over his and nodded as he let go, "I promise."

After that was said I instantly shifted and took off, full force, past the boundary and into the thicker part of the woods. At the rate I was going the wind had turned slightly chilly, getting closer to the foreign waters, and it felt good racing through my fur. As my claws dug into the earth, making me go even faster, it felt like I had a slice of freedom. I was able to go wherever I wanted, and I knew exactly where that destination was. The one place that the other werewolves wouldn't dare bother me, and I'd be able to think in absolute silence. The Cullen house.