Savanna Sky Higginbotham remembered the day she died. She remembered feeling the numbness spread from her heart through her veins before it claimed her life. A heart attack. And then she woke up from that terrible nightmare with a warmth that wasn't there before. That following morning, Savanna's mother Sherie got the call that her ex-husband had passed away.

Savanna's father had died from a heart attack. She was fourteen.

Over the course of the next few months, Savanna had met so many new people from her fathers' side of the family. Her great-grandparents had even given her journals and stone jewelry, but the fourteen-year-old didn't pay the books any mind. She did wear the jewelry, however. She had a weakness for all things tribal, being half-Navajo herself.

Not until she started dreaming of people she had never met. Of a young boy around the same age as her exploding out of his skin, leaving a rust-colored wolf in his wake. Of an extremely pale boy who seemed to shine in the sun. Of large, horse-sized wolves ripping and tearing into ice-like flesh.

But she kept the dreams to herself. Sure they were crazy, but they were still just dreams. People didn't turn into wolves. Savanna knew that if she had told her mother, she would have just waved the fourteen-year-old girl off.

Savanna didn't even tell her best friend and cousin, Bella Swan, about the dreams. And after a while of ignoring them, they went away and Savanna went on with her life.

After my Dad died, my Mom decided to move us from California to New Hampshire. The wooded area where we lived reminded me of a place I had been to as a little kid. Before the divorce, my aunt Renee lived in a small town in Washington called Forks. And after the divorce, we still would visit, Mom was still good friends with my Uncle Charlie.

The only difference between Forks and Tamworth? Tamworth didn't rain nearly as much. Well, that and Tamworth wasn't as... remote as Forks. Both were home to me, though. In that aspect, Forks and Tamworth were one and the same.

And now, thanks to my cousin, I was going back to Forks with no promise of returning to the east coast.

Bella had moved to Forks to live with her father, my uncle Charlie, a few months ago. Where she had fallen in love with a boy named Edward. And then the jerk left my accident-prone cousin in the middle of the woods on her eighteenth birthday. She had gone almost catatonic after that. A few weeks had gone by and Uncle Charlie had had enough, so he called me and mom. And of course, I volunteered to fly out to try and help my favorite cousin. Mom couldn't leave, she had too much going on at work. But I could.

Sure I still had school, but I could easily transfer to Forks high. Right now, my cousin needed me. And it wasn't like I had friends in Tamworth anyway. Just girls I sat with at lunch, and they were bitches.

"You almost ready, sweetie?" Mom asked as she tied her rust-colored hair up into a messy bun. This was the first day off she's had in a while, and she was spending it taking me to the airport.

"Just about, Mom," I told her as I zipped up my suitcase. I was bringing almost all of my fall and winter clothes. Sure it was January, and spring was right around the corner, but I was moving to Forks. The coldest place in the continental United States. Or at least it felt that way. "Did you call Uncle Charlie?" I asked.

"Yea" Mom sighed. "He's close to sending Bella to Jacksonville."

"She's gotten that bad?" I asked. I couldn't help but be shocked. Bella was my cousin and my best friend. I loved her unconditionally. But who went catatonic over a breakup? As I zipped up my suitcase, something on my nightstand caught my eye,

The books my fathers' grandmother had given to me at his funeral. After all this time I still hadn't opened them, but I always kept them nearby. Biting my lip I went over and shoved them in my carry on bag, AKA my purse.

Once I was sure that I had everything, I joined Mom down at the car. Time for the five and a half hour flight to Port Angeles. Hopefully, I could sleep on the plane.

Uncle Charlie had to work and Bella didn't even know that I was coming. So Mom had given me some money to take a cab. Hopefully, I could find a part-time job and hopefully get a junker of my own. Until then, hopefully, I could steal Bella's truck every now and again.

When the taxi finally pulled up in front of my Uncle's house, I could see that both Uncle Charlie and Bella were still home. Checking the time, I saw that Charlie didn't need to leave for a few more minutes. Grabbing my bags, I paid the driver and watched as he pulled away from the house. I didn't bother knocking as I walked through the door.

"We both know what's really going on here, Bella, and it's not good for you" I heard Charlie's voice coming from the kitchen. Accompanied by the sound of his fist coming down onto the table. "It's been months. No calls, no letters, no contact. You can't keep waiting for him."

"I'm not waiting for anything. I'm not expecting anything."

That was not my cousins' voice. Sure Bella never really had much of a sunny disposition, but this zombie-sounding creature wasn't her.

'Bella..."

"I have to get to school" Bella cut him off. "I'll make plans with Jessica" she continued. "Maybe I won't home for dinner. We'll go to Port Angeles and watch a movie."

"Can I come?" I asked, finally stepping into the room.

"Savanna? What are you doing here?" Bella asked.

"It's been a while since I've been to Forks. Figured it was time for a visit" I lied with a smile. "So what time do you get out of school?" I asked, changing the subject quickly.

"2:30" my cousin answered.

"I'll be ready by 2 and meet you here?" I suggested, Bella just nodded in agreement before walking out the door.

"Where did you learn to lie like that?" Uncle Charlie asked me as soon as we heard the sound of Bella's truck chugging to life.

"Eh, wasn't really a lie" I smiled, walking over to the coffee pot and pouring my self a cup. After loading it hot liquid up with sugar and a dash of milk, I took a large sip. "It was diverting the conversation that took some talent. That's why I'm never grounded."

"Well... okay. You know where everything is, it's good that you're here, Savanna. I was close to sending her home to Renee."

"Nowhere else I'd rather be, Uncle Charlie" I grinned, finishing off my coffee and rinsing out my cup. "Have a good day at work." Charlie then nodded and I was soon left alone in the house. Breathing in the familiar scent of home, I walked back to where I had left my bags and brought them to the first-floor' guest room'. AKA the same room I sleep in every time I come to Forks.

Looking at the time, I decided a short nap would be a good idea. I will never fly so damn early in the morning ever again. Honestly, if I could I would just stay in bed. All the time. My beds my happy place, don't judge.

I woke up to the front door closing. Bella was home from school. With a stretch, I kicked off my comforter and padded sleepily over to my suitcase. After a minute or two of rooting around, I found a tight, royal blue long-sleeved Hollister shirt, and a pair of tight lightly faded blue jeans. Quickly I dressed and tugged on my dark tan Uggs. Mmmm toasty warm. As I was touching up my makeup, I heard a car honk outside. I guess Bella's friend was here.

Grabbing my thick Aeropostale sweatshirt, I went and met my cousin by the door.

"Hey, Bells, have a good day at school?" I asked with a grin as I walked backwards out the door. Bella just rolled her eyes, but I could tell that she wanted to smile. Progress.

"Jess, this is my cousin Savanna" Bella introduced "She's staying with us for a bit. I hope you don't mind her coming with us."

"No it's fine" Jessica smiled. "Are you going to be going to Forks High?" she asked as she pulled away from the house.

"Yea I start next week"

"Thanks for coming out with me" Bella added as we drive down the street.

"Sure. So what brought this on?" Jess asked

"Brought what on?"

"Why did you suddenly decide... to go out?" It almost sounded like she had changed her question halfway through speaking.

"I just needed a change" Bella shrugged. "Do you mind?" she asked, motioning to the radio.

"No, go ahead." After a minute or two, 'We Fly High' my Jim Jones came through the speakers.

"Since when you listen to rap?" I asked my cousin. I had a broad horizon when it came to my music tastes. Sometimes it seemed like Bella only listened to classical.

"I don't know... a while" Bella shrugged.

"You like this?" Jessica asked as 'Ms. New Booty' started as soon as the previous song ended. She didn't believe Bella either.

"Sure."

And it was left at that. Bella and Jess chatted amicably in the front seat. I could tell that Bella was forcing the distraction. Which I guess I could understand. We were catching an early movie, then we were going to dinner. Thankfully I had my wallet with me and I could load up on popcorn and candy.

I hadn't eaten all day.

While Jess went to buy our tickets, Bella and I were on drinks and snacks. My cousins' eyes widening at my order. "How can you eat all that?" she asked. I just shrugged and tossed some popcorn from the jumbo bucket I had ordered.

"I don't know," I told her. "My appetites been crazy for the last few years. I think it might be because I work out a lot" I added, munching on some more popcorn. I really don't work out that much. I jogged every now and again and I had I had recently taken up judo. Though those classes were cut short when I decided to move back to Forks.

Jess talked throughout the previews and my cousin seemed almost thankful that she did. Thankfully I could easily ignore her. Only to curse when the opening scenes of the movie started playing. Bella was adamant about basically cutting herself off from all things romance. Beside me, I could hear Bella and Jessica talk before my cousin stood to 'get more popcorn'.

Turns out it really was a zombie movie, and it was gruesome. Yet highly predictable. Even though she had come back with another small bag of popcorn. I knew that Bella was listening at the door, though. And she confirmed it by saying that there was a long line, this movie theatre wasn't that big.

Thankfully Bella seemed to relax a little bit more, though she still looked like she really didn't even want to be here. That she would have preferred staying home and moping. Bella had only come out tonight to prove to Uncle Charlie that she was okay when she clearly wasn't. Something that she confirmed when she ran out of the theatre. But since the movie was just about over, Jessica and I stayed behind and waiting till the end.

It only took us a minute to find Bella sitting on one of the benches. "Was the movie too scary for you, Bells?" I asked my cousin.

"Yea" Bella agreed, though I clearly hear the lie in her voice. "I guess I'm just a big coward."

"I didn't think you were scared" Jessica frowned. "I was screaming the whole time, even Savanna screamed a bit." I won't deny it, the movie was scary as hell. "But I didn't hear you scream once. So I didn't know why you left."

"Just scared" Bella shrugged.

"Well, I mean, it is possible to be scared and not scream at every little thing, right?" I suggested, hoping to get the attention off of my cousin. "I mean, like, I don't scream every time I see a spider, but those these are scarier than any zombie."

"I guess..." Jess all but huffed. "That was still the scariest movie I've ever seen. I'll bet we're going to have nightmares tonight."

"No doubt about that" Bella agreed. But she wasn't as enthusiastic about it. Uncle Charlie had told me that Bella had nightmares just about every night since her douchebag boyfriend dumped her. That she woke up screaming bloody murder every night, sometimes she wouldn't wake up.

"So, where do you want to eat?" Jessica asked us as we walked out of the theatre.

"I don't care," Bella said blandly. I just rolled my eyes, she didn't even pretend to sound interested.

"I haven't been in Port Angeles in a while, what's close by?" I asked.

"Hmmm," jess though for a moment. "I'm pretty sure there's a McDonalds about a block away."

"Sounds good to me" I nodded as we turned and walked towards the golden arches. I was still hungry and McDonald's was cheap.

We walked for a few minutes, Jessica absolutely gushing about the male lead in the movie. I'll admit the guy was good-looking, in an asshole kinda way. But still, I agreed and giggled along with Bella's friend, silently willing my cousin to engage in the conversation.

But she didn't. We walked a little farther and I could see the brightly lit sign on the corner. But in between us and our destination, was a group of guys standing in front of a bar. The bar- One Eyed Petes- was the only place opened on this stretch of road. Its door was open, allowing for noise and cigarette smoke to billow out. Jessica and I were silent as we walked passed them.

Until Bella stopped walking.

"Bella, what the hell are you doing?" I hissed, grabbing my cousins arm as she tried walking over to men on the other side of the street.

"I think I know them..." Bella muttered, pulling back her arm. I highly doubted that my cousin knew these creeps.

"Bella you can't go into a bar!" Jessica hissed, trying to stop my cousin from doing something extremely stupid.

"I wasn't going to go in," Bella said absently, shaking Jessica's hands off as well. "I just want to see something."

"Are you freaking suicidal!" "Are you insane!" Jess and I whispered with the same amount of harshness.

"No, I'm not," Bella said defensively. I was a little surprised that she was actually showing some emotion. At least it was something. "Go eat," she said after a moment., nudging us in the direction of greasy deliciousness. "I'll catch up."

But neither of us moved. Opting instead to watch my cousin with wide, frightened eyes as Bella paused in the middle of the deserted street. My breath hitched as she kept walking towards the not-so-friendly looking men on the other side of the street.

I could hear their exchange, they weren't that far away. I could tell that Bella was already regretting her decision, that she knew going over there was a bad idea. Soon enough she was coming back over to me and Jessica, leading us back towards the McDonalds.

"Come on let's go eat," she told us, not bothering to look at either of us.

"What were you thinking!" Jessica snapped. "You don't know them... they could have been psychopaths!" she hissed the last part.

"Sorry," Bella shrugged. She didn't seem very sorry. "I just thought I knew that one guy."

"You are so odd, Bella Swan. I feel like I don't even know who you are" Jessica sighed.

"Sorry."

The walk to the restaurant was silent. I know I had come here to help Bella through her depression, but really what did I know about it? How could I help her when she didn't seem to want help. I knew for a fact that I wouldn't tell Charlie about what had happened tonight. That wouldn't fix anything but create more problems.

We ate in silence. Bella had tried to initiate conversation with Jessica a few times, but the other girl wasn't as cooperative. She was probably as angry with my cousin as I was. However, I still chatted idly with Bella, even if I wanted to tear into her for being a reckless idiot. Once more Bella questioned my appetite. A large Big Mac meal, and two McDoubles. And a McFlurry for the drive back home. I reminded her that I had to wake up ridiculously early and flew from the other side of the country and the last thing I ate was the fruit roll-up last night before bed.

Bella stopped questioning it after that.

When we finally got back to the car, Jessica cranked the heat and then fiddled with her radio, music blastic through the speakers. It was beyond obvious that Jess didn't want to talk to my cousin. Since the car was void of chatter, I curled up in the back seat and quickly fell asleep.

I vaguely remember Jessica dropping us off at the house. Barely aware of the curt responses Jessica had given to Bella. More than aware of Uncle Charlie demanding where we were. I just groaned tiredly in response before walking to my room, leaving Bella to deal with her father.

After changing into my pajamas, I lay in bed and I couldn't help but wish I hadn't fallen asleep in the car. There was no way I'd get back to sleep any time soon. Sighing, I got out of bed and padded into the living room. Maybe some late night Nickelodeon would help. Full House always entertained.

Uncle Charlie was still up but had gone to bed himself not too long after I sat down with a cup of hot cocoa. Before he went upstairs, Charlie warned me about Bella's nightmares. Most nights she woke up screaming bloody murder. He said that it sounded as if someone was tearing into her.

What he didn't mention, was how absolutely terrifying it was to hear. If it weren't for his warning, I really would have thought that Bella was dying.