Disclaimer: All Twilight characters and plot lines that may appear in this belong to Stephanie Meyer. All original characters and the remainder are under ownership of my mind. No copyright infringement is intended. Copyright 2008-2011 Godspeed Productions.
A/N: Thanks so much for reading my first fan fiction posted on here. I've been writing fan fiction for a while, but haven't publicly posted on a site as big as this for a long while. Thanks for your time and eyes. Hope you like and enjoy.
Night's Labyrinth
Following the moon will only lead you in circles.
Preface
JACOB
I was burning hot.
And this two-sizes-too-small borrowed suit did me no justice. The collar of the white dress shirt felt like a noose around my neck, chocking the life out of whatever was still human in me. My head was pounding due to the lack of oxygen and I really just wanted to go check on Bella. I know I should be paying attention to the preacher and pay my respects to Harry…
I never knew he had so much family. Harry was such a quiet man and the only family he ever discussed was Leah, Seth, and Sue. I scanned the pain-filled faces, all just as russet as mine, except one. This face was the color of pure mahogany, soft and silky smooth to my eyes. Her eyes, downcast and hidden by her curled eyelashes, were focused entirely on the open ground under Harry's casket. There was little to no expression on her face; her body as lifeless as the one in front of us. Intrigued as I was, I knew I had to protect those that were around and continued to focus my eyes and ears to the forest. But my eyes always found their way to her.
While I wasn't looking, there was a tiny thud on the ground. My head snapped around to see what the object was or if it was time to pounce on some unseen enemy. It took me only a few seconds to realize that the sound came from an angry foot that belonged to the girl I couldn't stop looking at. With her face still solemn and quiet, she pulled out of what was most likely her father's cradle and stomped off into the forest. I looked to Sam who nodded his orders in the direction of the girl. Quickly I followed, watching her swiftly move through the trees.
For a moment, she disappeared within the thick branches and leaves but my intense smell led me to find her soon after. I stayed back to not startle her in her time of obvious grief.
"You know stalking is illegal in all fifty states," she spoke quietly, standing still with her back turned to me. Well, so much for being hidden. "And I'm pretty sure the law still applies for Indian reservations."
She never looked back once as I moved closer to her. "I didn't mean to scare you," I replied out of habit.
"You didn't."
I shrugged my shoulders and leaned against a tree facing her side. She stopped acknowledging me so I kept me quiet; it gave me time to think. The wind moved sweetly, gently ruffling her raven colored hair around her head and in her face. I inhaled slightly, waiting for her to say or do something. But all she did was sit there, with her eyes closed, facing the wind's direction.
For a moment I closed my own eyes. I was so out of it that I didn't notice her stand directly in front of me.
"Cat got your tongue?" She asked with her hands on her hips. I had to look down to even see her face. Her milk-chocolate brown, almond-shaped eyes fit her heart shaped face with her small nose impeccably. She had to have been no taller than five-foot-four, but kept a posture that made her seem taller.
"No." I quickly answered. I cleared my throat then focused my attention on her eyes. "What are you doing out here?"
"Admiring the forest," she replied sarcastically. "I'm guessing Sam sent you."
"There's been a lot of…weird stuff going on around here. Sam wants to make sure all of our guests are safe."
She chuckled lightly, sitting on the nearest tree stump. "I don't know why he sent you to follow me. From the looks of it, you couldn't save someone out of a paper bag."
That hit a nerve. I could feel the heated anger building inside of me, causing my hands to tremble. Calm down, Jake. I spoke to myself. I wouldn't want to phase in front of this girl – after all, she was just a human. And she wasn't even Quileute; she was a
ship-hókʷat.
Her demeanor change quickly. She must have noticed the anger that was written all over my face.
"Sorry," she began to apologize while looking into my eyes. "Today is just not my day to be around people."
I attempted to soften my attitude. "S'no problem." With that, my hands were back in my pockets and my body was against the same tree. In the silence my mind wandered, constantly coming back to the girl in front of me. Her short curls lightly touched her face that never transformed from its deep-in-thought expression. I had never seen or met anyone like her before – even with her sassy attitude. I was just so drawn to her.
I watched her bite her bottom lip, her unblinking eyes searching for something to spark another conversation. Suddenly, with a quick blink of her eyes, she told me, "The funeral's over. I know my father's looking for me." With gentleness and grace, she moved past my large form that almost blocked her path.
"Oh."
To my surprise, she was right. Harry's casket had already been sealed and covered; his mourners were gone. I made my way back to Sam and my brothers, watching the girl curl into her father's arms and allow one single shining tear fall from her eye.
"Who's that? She's kinda cute." Embry drooled, walking beside me. "I wonder what her name is."
I shrugged, also attempting to shake off this odd feeling in my body. "Never got around to her name. By just looking at her, I'm guessing she's not from the Quileute rez."
"You could've at least gotten a name for me, man. She could've been my woman." I rolled my eyes and continued walking.
"I doubt that girl would want to be imprinted on by a werewolf of your liking," Paul mocked, bringing everyone's joyous spirits back. Embry grimaced but kept alongside of me, never faltering.
As I walked, I stared into the direction of the mystery girl and her father. In the back of my mind, I knew she was leaving. But in some area of my heart, I felt the desire for her to stay and the need for her to come back. Hopefully everything would go back to normal – whatever normal means these days.