Chapter 1: Suicide and Scars
I let out a heavy sigh, running my fingers through my tangled hair. Feeling the heavy disapproving glare that I'm receiving from my brother causes me to ache for a smoke. Finally I reach my breaking point.
"Stop fucking staring at me, Embry!" I yell while baring my teeth, nostrils flaring. I fucking despise being on 'suicide watch.'
A couple of nights ago, like always, I snuck out. There was going to be a raging party down on First Beach. I'm the rebellious child of the Call family. Never Embry. Even though I don't make the smartest choices, I still have a sense of right from wrong. I had contemplated not getting into anymore trouble, but with the week I had been having, I needed an escape.
That escape were my two best friends, alcohol and marijuana.
Yeah, I drank a little more than I should've and was 'high as a kite.' But that didn't mean anything was going to go wrong.
Rumor was, that I tried to kill myself. That was a big fat fucking lie.
Although, I have considered suicide many times. But I can never do that to Embry. Embry is the only person that understands me, or hears the truth when I speak it. The only one person that cares for me. The only one I can ever have any emotional feelings for.
How I see it is, that I was just having fun. I honestly don't see anything wrong with that. I was just going to go cliff diving.
Somehow my brother and his friends got mixed up in my social time. I had decided to go climbing up the wrong way up the cliffs. Resulting in a few cuts, bruises, and running into my brother. Oops.
Everything went downhill from there. I had tried to avoid the fact that I was blitzed, but of course he noticed. Then he had to go and a make a big deal about me going off and killing myself. He asked if I was trying to get myself killed. I arrogantly replied with 'well then I'd be getting away from you.'
Not my smartest move.
He overreacted and dragged my ass home. I slept off the high and drunkenness. Silently hoping he hadn't told my mom. But of course he had.
I didn't give a damn to try and defend myself from her. There was no point. All I would end up with is a month's worth of grounding that she wouldn't even enforce.
She has no control over what I do. No matter how much she wants to. It's all made up in her head.
If she truly wanted to stop the things that I do, she would've listened three years ago.
That's why I'm in this mess. She ignored me so much that I finally found something to take care of my problems. Alcohol and marijuana. The affect that the two have on my problems, only makes me long for them more. Slowly turning into an addiction, becoming something I need.
I can't simply quit. No matter how badly my mother wants me too. She hasn't the slightest clue how she's driven me to what I've become.
I really wish that Embry hadn't reacted the way that he did. He's making a big deal out of something so small.
It's strange.
Now he wants to care about what I'm doing, when he normally left me alone. He's acting really quite different. He seems angered by what I've done. He's never mad.
Something is going on with my big brother. I'm not sure how I feel about it.
"No, Klaira! You're the one that decided to make your dumbass choices. Now it's time to face the consequences," Embry harshly points out, fixating his gaze upon me. I just love the newly found attitude of his.
Hastily, I push myself up from the couch, making my way to the door.
"Really, Embry? I was joking! You know it's supposed to be funny. Did it even cross your mind that I was making a joke?" I turn towards the door, yanking on my combat boots. "You know what? Forget it. I'm wasting my breath anyway," I mumble while twisting the door knob open, so that I can venture out into the falling rain.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Embry asks, fury ripping through his voice. I've never known him to be so hot headed and protective. What the hell is going on with him?
I fling the door shut behind me, jumping down the stairs, as I make my way down the muddy trail.
"It's called a walk you dumbass," I snarl over my shoulder, noticing that he has come out of the house to follow me. I watch as his more built body, shakes with vigor in the doorframe. I ignore it as I turn, to walk down the trail, mud sloshing up the back of my jeans.
I have to get away. Away from him and everything. The only way I know how to get away from my problems is running. I know that there's probably better alternatives. But this is the only one I can turn to. Drinking.
I feel the small hole of feeling rip open in my chest. I know it needs to be closed before it takes over. Drinking solves that problem. Smoking does some of the time, but I mostly smoke to relax.
Swiftly, the 'hall monitors on steroids' pass me on the trail. I abruptly turn around, noticing that they're heading towards my house. I break into a sprint, knowing that something is terribly wrong.
There is no way that I'm letting Sam drag my brother into his cult. I will never let that happen. Embry will never become one of them.
"What the hell are you doing?" I spit out at their fearless leader, Sam, while flying up the front steps of my porch.
"Move aside, Klaira. We're here to help him," Sam instructs, pushing me out of his way.
Quickly, I jump in front of him, stopping him once more. I look straight into his eyes, I know I pose a threat even though I'm increasingly smaller than him. I feel my eyes change color as my pupils decrease. Turning into a mossy black, aside from my warm forest green. My eyes always make it obvious when I'm pissed. My bitchy tone never gives it away, I'm always like that.
"He doesn't need your help. Now leave," I demand, shoving Sam's chest.
"Paul, Jared, take Embry," Sam orders. I turn to my right, staring at Paul. I watched as he placed a hand on Embry's shaking shoulder.
"Get your hand off of him, Paul," I advise, stepping closer to him. I can feel myself about to do something rash, something I'll probably repent later. He pulls my brother from the door, turning to walk down the side steps that adjoin the forest.
Enraged, I run up behind Paul, latching on to his back. I rear my had back, forming it into a fist. I slam my fist with an immense amount of force into his cheek.
Suddenly, I pause as my hand begins to shake. I slide off of Paul's back, clutching my hand close to my chest.
"Mother fucking shit!" I scream out in agony. It's not like I haven't punched someone before. I definitely have, and I've broken some bones in doing so. Not mine of course. But there's a first for everything. I try moving my hand but realize it's a lost cause.
"Stay away from Embry for a while, if you know what's best for you," Sam orders, while going down the steps after his cult, and my brother who is soon to become the next member.
I turn, knowing there is nothing I can do, heading back into my house. I suddenly freeze, as agonizing, loud, screams come from my brother deep within the forest. Abruptly, a howl of a wolf replaces his moans of pain. I feel my heart contract in my chest, hurting for my brother.
I have to help him!
I sprint into the woods, searching for my brother who is nowhere to be found. Rain attacks my face, feeling like needles as it begins falling heavier from the sky. Frantically, I continue my search, only to find a mass of trees and rain before me.
I quickly glance down at my hand noticing that is has starting to purple. Giving up, I try to find my way out of the forest so that Quil, or Black can take me to the hospital. I struggle to remember the way that I came, everything blurs together and I feel as if I am hopelessly lost.
A rustle through the bushes puts me on alert. I hear it once more snapping my head in the direction of which it came. I feel my breathing pick up as nervousness takes over. Something black and gray flashes across my path. I freeze, fearing what I have seen.
The beast stalks forward, getting extremely close to me. He crushes the fallen leaves in his path as his shoulders rise with every step. I cautiously step backward, tripping over a tree branch. As I fall, I extend my arms out to catch myself. I hiss in pain as the weight that I have exerted on my hand causes it to snap. Hastily, I back up on my hands trying to evade the monster. He continues to advance towards me, I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. I look frantically around me and realize that there's nowhere to escape. Falling back onto the rough forest terrain, the wolf hovers over me. His breath dances across my face, his bloodthirsty jaws inches from me.
Snarls escape the beast lips, and I desperately try pushing myself farther into the muck. The snarls escalate, the wolf tauntingly snaps his jaws at my face, barley missing. I feel a scream arising in my thought, but I know it is useless. All I can do is lye here, clinching my eyes shut, waiting for my life to end.
A loud growl comes from the left, the wolf and I swiftly snap our heads in its direction. A lager black wolf emerges from the trees, snarling at the black and gray one. The wolf above me turns towards the other wolf, his head ducked and tail between his legs. The sign of submission. The black wolf must be the Alpha of the pack. Two more wolfs come into my line of sight. A shaggier furred one turns his head over his shoulder, staring at me. In the wolf's humanistic gaze he held concern, and protection towards me. Almost like Embry-
Suddenly, realization hits me hard in the chest as I lay motionless in the mud. Today, I had lost my best friend, my only friend. To that damn cult!
Fuck Sam Uley, for he is the one who took my brother from me.
Chapter 2: Obscenities and Nightmares
Slowly, I drag my eyes open to the morning light shining through the windows. Two bare, wet feet stand before me. I follow the feet up finding a towel hugging low on a guy's hips, looking as if it would fall by the slightest imbalence. Water gentley slid down
Chapter 2: Obscenities and Nightmares
I slowly opened my eyes to see two bare, soaking wet feet in front of me. I gazed up a white towel, hugging low on his hips looking as if it would fall by the slightest imbalance. The water sliding off of his body, started to collect a puddle around his feet on the floor.
I sat up, stretching my neck, running my left hand through my unruly hair.
"Why the hell am I in your house, Black? Better yet, why the fuck am I in your room?" I asked, my mouth drying from the bitter words I spat at him. It was too early for this shit. What the fuck is going on? I thought.
"What? Did someone wake up on the wrong side of the floor?" He mockingly said not even caring about his hardly clothed state. His long hair hung down his back dripping water down to the floor. I noticed him starting to fill out, maybe it was a good thing for him. The newly found structure helped him not look as awkward as he once had a couple of months ago.
I looked down at myself, noticing my new setup. The shirt hung down my body reaching just past my ass. Oh shit! I thought.
"Black?"
"What?" I pulled the shirt from my body making him notice it. A smirk planted itself on his face as he came closer to me bending down to meet me eye level. "Some night, last night. Thanks Klaira." He pursed his lips out making a kissing motion towards me. I raised my right hand, rearing back to hit him when something stopped me.
His hand clasped over mine, the pain made my stomach twist.
"Don't want to mess up Dr. Cullen's handy work. Now, do we?" He said flipping my small hand over in his extremely large one.
"Give me my hand back." I spat yanking the clothed appendage from his grasp.
"Looks like whatever medicine Dr. Cullen gave you took a toll on you. You don't remember a thing, do you?" I gave him a disgusted look as he stood up heading for his closet. "Well last night," he continued, "you came up to the house. You looked as if you had seen a murder, it was so strange. I never thought I would see you scared."
"Scared, I'm never scared. We didn't do anything did we?"
"Just let me continue and no we didn't. It's quite funny, you thinking we did, though. I mean come on. So, it was raining and you were covered in mud. I tried to get you to speak, but all you did was, show me your hand. I took you to the doctor on the way back you couldn't keep you're mouth shut. I don't even think you realized what you were saying. Dr. Cullen said you had a minor sprain and you're hand was severely bruised. He gave you some pain killers there in the Rabbit. He also gave you some medicine to help you calm down. That's why you can't remember a thing. Why couldn't Embry take you?"
I felt my heart tighten at the mention of his name. Damn cult.
There was a short silence as I searched for my boots.
"It doesn't matter." I said my words leaving an acid taste in my mouth. "I'm sure you'll find out soon enough." I slid on my boots and slipped out his back door heading through the clearing towards my house. I completely forgot about getting the pain killers, well actually I didn't care. I lugged my tired body through the muggy thick air that was always around La Push. The shirt clung to my body making the weather more unpleasant. I should've gotten my jeans, I thought. It's so damn cold.
I kicked off my boots as I entered my house and walked straight up to my room. I pushed on my sound system as Three Days Grace poured through the speakers Pain filling my ears.
My mom burst through my door yelling at me over the blaring music.
"Turn it down." She instructed all I did was grab my remote and turned it up more. "Turn it off, now or..."
"What? You're going to ground me?" I retorted.
"Yes. You're grounded for a month."
"Whoop de-do!"
"Want to make it two?" I just smirked at her.
"My life is already a living hell."
"That's it you're grounded for three. Shall we make it four?"
"Is that supposed to scare me?"
"Oh Klaira, what will I ever do with you? Where's your brother?"
"I don't know mom. Isn't that your job to keep up with him?" I completely ignored the rest of her comments, she soon left the room.
I pulled out my sketchbook from underneath my mattress. The only thing that was private in my life, it was like a journal but instead of expressing myself with words it was pictures. My pictures, my stories.
I slowly flipped through the drawings that I stayed up countless hours working on. I traced my hand over my favorite, the one I had drawn when I was still happy. I hastily turned the page as my stomach knotted sending a nauseous feeling through my body. My hole in my chest opening once more.
I turned to a blank page and grabbed my ebony and charcoal from my night stand. I began drawing the one thing that had constantly been on my mind since yesterday.
The wolf gazed through the trees up at me. It seemed as if he would jump clear off the page. I put the finishing touches to the rainy sky and mossy trees.
Lastly I placed my signature on the bottom right corner.
The trees zoomed past me as I pushed myself further through the forest. My heavy breath formed before me, extremely noticeable from the frigid night.
I snapped my head over my shoulder, gazing for whatever I was running from. I stumbled as a branch ran across my leg, clutching to the stark white, long dress I was wearing. It was a beautiful garment that complimented my russet skin tone well.
Not having the time to stop, I let the fabric rip as the branch scratched my leg. I continued to run as I tripped on a branch almost falling. I kept pushing myself. I felt something warm and sticky oozing down my leg and chest. I looked down to see three long, deep gashes starting from my right shoulder ending above my heart.
As I made my way towards the end of the forest a mess of tree limbs scratched across my cheek. I fell into the meadow hearing the howls swelling all around me. I stood in the middle of the moon lit meadow, my chest heaving up and down. I turned in circles, my eyes scanning every inch surrounding me. I couldn't feel any of the pain from my wounds, I was too frantic.
Five wolves emerged from the woods surrounding the meadow. They lurked towards me. The wind picked up ruffling my naturally curly hair into my face. As they approached I turned trying to find an escape.
My body became shaky as a cold sweat formed on my skin. I couldn't find my breath, my heart pounding in my ears. Tears pricked behind my eyes, I was scared, horrified.
My knees buckled, leading me to the ground. I pushed back as the silver with black spotted wolf got closer and closer to me.
"Embry, please don't." I chocked out, tears spilling from my eyes.
I continued to back up, suddenly I was stopped. My head shot up, catching a glimpse of the russet wolf behind me.
Quickly, I cowered, falling into a fetal position. I pulled my head towards my knees, clenching my eyes shut.
I felt the presence of the wolves around me, inches from my body. I felt their hot breaths upon me. I opened my mouth to scream…
I shot up from my nightmare, taking in a sharp breath. I looked down to find no marks. I placed my hand over my erratically beating heart. I sat in my bed and began to think about my nightmare. Why was I so scared? Oh, wait there was five wolves; six times my size about kill me. Why in the world did I let one scratch me? How did I even get away? Why the fuck did I call one, Embry?
A loud banging noise broke my concentration. I flipped over in my bed shoving my sketchbook back underneath my mattress. I probably had smudge marks on my face from falling asleep on my sketchbook. I emerged sleepily from my room trying to find the source of the sound. I drug myself through the hall making my way towards my brother's room. The noise was heard again coming from his window. I made my way towards it opening it slightly. I looked down to see... Embry!
"What the fuck are you doing Embry?" I whispered/yelled down at him.
"Get back and open the window more." He demanded as he got in a running position. What the hell? I thought. Is he going too sprint up through the window? "Just do it," he yelled back up.
I moved and watched as he pushed his body up the side of the house, jumping onto a tress, scurrying up. Suddenly he flung himself through the window, landing on his feet with a small thud. I examined him noticing that his hair was gone.
"Good you needed that mess of hair gone. Now what the fuck is going on?"
He pulled me into a hug saying, "I'm glad you're okay." I quickly pushed him away. I couldn't stand people touching me. Usually I would let Embry, but not since he has changed. The nightmare had put me on edge, also.
"What? I'm perfectly fine. I'm asking you, one more time. What the fuck is gong on?" I said louder, letting my bitch come out. Embry had seen it plenty of times, but it was never aimed at him. Now, was different.
"Hush, you're going to wake Mom."
"I don't care!" I yelled, making my anger evident.
"What happened to your hand?" He dumbly asked.
"I punched Paul. Didn't he tell you?"
"No, why would he have told me?" Dumb boy. Was I going to have to spell things out for him? Hold his hand? God!
After a short silence I spoke.
"Because your one of them now." My mouth burned as the words left it. I felt my heart clinch, yet again. I tried pushing the feeling away but it wouldn't cease. I let the breath go I realized I had been holding.
"One of who Klaira? I'm still the same." His tone was soft and solemn like the old Embry I once knew. He reached out for me. I was quick to push him away. I felt my whole body tense as my hurt turned into rage.
"No you're not!" I spat out, feeling my eyes change color. "Your apart of Sam's fucking cult! You're what you always set out not to be. You know 'a hall monitor on steroids?' Just like Sam. Why? Why the sudden change? What the hell happened to you?" I felt my nostrils flare as I inhaled an immense amount of air.
"Nothing. I can't say." Why the hell was he being so closed off?
I fought the strong urge to hit him, knowing it would just make matters worse. I balled my hands into fist, feeling them shake at my side, full of anger.
"Why the hell not? You used to tell me everything! Why is this any different? Is it because of Sam? His damn rules?"
"It's not right of me to tell." I watched as he ran a hand through his newly cropped hair, taking in a deep breath. I knew he wanted to, but it seemed as if something wasn't letting him. I could see it in his eyes, feel it in his voice. It was killing him inside.
"Whatever. I thought you were better than this. I see clearly now that you aren't. What happened to my brother?" I turned and began walking out the door. He held his breath; I could tell I hurt him. I quickly turned back around saying, "Oh and by the way you might want to be getting home earlier. Mommy dearest might be worried about you." Not once did I look at him. I couldn't meet his gaze; see the hurt I had caused.
Dismissing the noise of him leaving out the window I made my way back to the darkness and solitude of my room. I fell into the mess of sheets on my bed, hating myself for what I had done. I tried to push the part of me that wanted to care away, and let the 'I don't give a fuck' feeling consume me. Somehow, I felt as it never would.
Chapter 3: Kids and Tattoos
I shot up rubbing my eyes as my mother barged through my door, startling me awake.
"Klaira, you're rubbing off on Embry." She said, giving me a disappointed look. What the fuck is she talking about? I thought.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked seriously pondering her comment.
"You know."
"Oh I do." I didn't know what she was talking about but I made some snide comments, anyway. "You're afraid me rubbing off on Embry will take your perfect child away. News flash Tiffany, it's not me. Why don't you go ask Sam Uley?" I said, clenching my teeth at the mention of his name. Damn brother stealing bastard.
"What's that supposed to mean?" She had the dumbest look on her face.
"You know."
"Why yes I do." She said mocking my tone from earlier. "Remember that you're babysitting Anna today. You need to be over at the Ravenwood's house by ten."
"But it's nine twenty five."
"Then I suggest you hurry." She said leaving my room, shutting the door behind her.
I jolted up quickly stripping from what little clothing I had on from the night before. I quickly pulled on my favorite rocker tee, jeans and of course my combat boots.
I stumbled down the stairs flinging the door open, and made my way as fast as I could to the Ravenwood's. I tried hopelessly to pull on my leather jacket as I ran down the road. Why the fuck I couldn't drive my mom's car, was beyond me? No one would stop me. I mean, it's La Push for crying out loud. Jesus!
"Sorry, I'm late Mrs. Ravenwood." I said while trying to catch my breath from running the long distance over to her house.
"It's all right. Anna is in her room, still sleeping. She should be up soon." Mrs. Ravenwood replied, frantically trying to leave the house.
I lugged my tired body over to the couch and plopped down. While resting my eyes I heard a door open. My eyes fluttered open to find a tired Anna walking down the hall dragging a blanket behind her. She continued down the hall rubbing her eyes as her hair stuck up in every which way thought possible.
"Who are you?" Anna asked me in a small voice.
"I'm Klaira." I replied, trying to be nice.
"Where's Mommy?"
"She went out but she'll be back soon." I said in a reassuring tone, I hoped to God that she wasn't one of those kids who cried for their mommy to come back.
"Oh, so you're the babysitter?" She said as she plopped down beside me on the couch.
"Yeah. So what do you wanna do kid?"
"My name is Anna." She retorted in a sassy tone, giving me a look as if to say 'are you for real?'
"Okay Miss Sassafras. Let's get you dressed and then we can figure out something to do."
"Let's go." She exclaimed hopping down from the couch. She grabbed my hand dragging me down the hall into her room. I went into her closet and began grabbing some items to wear.
"No!" Anna yelled at me, giving me a pouty look.
"Okay," I said, shoving the clothes back in her drawers. "What do you want to wear?"
She came up behind me pointing to a big pink tutu. I pulled out a long sleeve shirt and black and white leopard print tights for her to wear. I tossed the clothes at her and let her change. Once she was done I figured we'd to do something with her mess of a thing called hair.
"We need to do something to your hair. How do you want it?"
"Big pony tail with big bow!" Anna exclaimed, expanding her arms on 'big'.
After fixing her hair, pinning in the biggest bow I could find, I thought that we might actually do something.
"Now what do you wanna do, Miss Anna?" I asked hoping she had something in mind.
"Play Barbies?"
"Okay." I was up for anything as long as I was getting paid. Hell, I'd let the kid do my make up for all I cared.
While in the middle of our game Anna threw down her Barbies, and crossed her arms over her chest.
"You suck at this!" She exclaimed. It wasn't my fault I hadn't played Barbies in years. Anyways, they usually ended up in pieces from going on "sky diving missions" from the top of the trees. I was quite an adventuress child. I never had time to play Barbies when adventure came knocking.
"What? Hey, are you not allowed to say that word?" I said realizing that the connotation of the word wasn't what a six year old to be saying.
"I'm six I think I can say whatever I want."
"Okay, but I don't think your Mom would like that."
"I don't care. What she doesn't know won't hurt her." Defying authority, I liked it.
"I like you, kid." I said ruffling her hair. She gave me a dirty look, letting me know she hated when I called her kid and the ruffling of the hair. "Oh sorry, Anna." She smiled at me coyly, hiding something devious behind her smile. I was begging to like her more and more.
"Can we go outside for a walk?" She asked pulling my hand making me get up from the floor of her room.
"Sure thing." She pulled on her boots as we walked out of the house and started our walk to where ever our feet would take us.
"Hey, Anna?" I asked grabbing her attention.
"What?" She asked, eyes looking up at me as if she adored me. Oh shit! I don't need to turn into her role model, I thought. I'm definitely not the person to follow.
"Can I tell you something, but you have to promise not to tell?"
"Okay, I promise."
"I have a tattoo." I had gotten one done not long ago. I had found a place that would let anyone have one. Since I was about to turn sixteen I figured I would give myself an early birthday present. I had been dying to tell someone, I had no friends and since Embry had change I couldn't tell him. Who knows what would've happened if I did. So, I told Anna, probably not the smartest move.
"Really?" She said her expression on her face showing her curiosity.
"Yes, you can't tell anyone because if you do your mom will never let me watch you again."
"Who said I wanted you to watch me again?" She said, smiling up at me.
"Gasp," I said trying to act appalled. "I thought you liked me?"
"Klaira," A familiar voice said. Why did I have to be running into him now? "You left these in the Rabbit. I brought them to your house thinking you might be there. Your mom said you were babysitting; I was heading over to the Ravenwood's. Hey, Anna, what are you up to?" He asked, having such a carefree aura about him.
"Klaira was just telling me about her tattoo." She smiled. I knew it would back fire on me. Well fuck!
"Anna." I said through my teeth glaring down at her. I fake laughed, trying to cover up the fact of what she was saying. "Kids these days can't believe a word they say." I said looking at Jacob. Right behind him I saw her red truck pull up. Oh how I despised her. Who the hell does she think she is to come around here? "Hey, there's your girlfriend, Black." I said, in a despising tone, hopefully it would get his mind off of my little tattoo.
"She's not my..." I cut him off.
"Sure. We better go Anna's mom should be getting back soon." I turned grabbing Anna's hand, pulling her back towards her house. "I told you not to tell." I said, agitated.
"Calm down. He doesn't believe me. I'm not going to tell my mom." She said brushing it off, like it was nothing. I don't know why, I didn't want him to know. Maybe, it was the fact of just another reason for him to see me lowly. Why the hell would I care, anyway? Immediately, I pushed the feeling away.
"So, you do like me?" I said, a smile crossing my face. Not many people liked me. Come to think of it mo one did. Hell, I wouldn't like myself if I knew me. The thing was that I didn't, know me.
Who am I?
"Yeah you're a cool babysitter. What was that with you and Jacob?"
"What do you mean?" What the hell could she, be talking about? I thought.
"I mean you like him."
"What gave you that idea?" What the fuck! I most definitely do not! Black is just… Well, that pretty much explains it.
"The way you got when Bella showed up." Damn she's observant!
"Oh that was nothing, I just don't like her." That was the truth.
"Keep lying to yourself, whatever gets you through the night."
"You need to stop watching so many soap opera." I said, jeez, what the hell were kids watching these days?
"Who says I do?"
"I do."
"Well I don't. I'm just stating the facts." That little smart ass.
"Hey look your mom is home." I said, diverting from the conversation. She quickly picked up speed and went from her gait to a full out sprint. Her mother picked her up placing her on her hip.
"What did you two do today?" Mrs. Ravenwood asked, as I made my way towards her.
"Played Barbies, which Klaira is no good at. Then we went for a walk and saw Jacob." She said, with a smile.
"Was she good for you?"
"Yeah, great." I exclaimed, I liked little Anna.
"So I can count on seeing you again?"
"Yes, of course." I had a lot of fun and a very eventful day, I was definitely coming back. She slipped her hand into her pocket pulling out a check and handed it to me.
"I'll call you when you're needed. Do you need a ride?"
"No thanks, I'm good." I turned and headed on my walk back. I decided to take some back roads that ran past the cliffs.
While passing the cliffs I saw Sam and his cult venturing up to the highest peak. I picked up my speed, jogging over to him.
"You," I yelled, grabbing his attention. "Yeah you. I don't know what your damn problem is but I suggest you stop influencing my brother." I was tired of not having my brother back. I hated it all. I wanted it to all fucking end. I knew that my mom wouldn't do anything to stop it so I figured I try.
I heard footsteps coming from behind, I turned seeing Embry running at me.
"Klaira, don't yell at him!" He demanded.
"What the fuck, Embry?" I retorted.
"He's trying to help me."
"Help you! Is that why you call this?"
"Klaira..." I swiftly cut him off not wanting to hear his damn comments.
"Just forget it. I see where I stand in your eyes. I just thought you were different is all, and I see now you're no better." I quickly turned fleeing the scene, trying to hide the pain that his words caused.
I hastily moved to where I was unseen. My heart clenched in my chest, the pain running through my body. I stopped, gasping for air while clutching my chest.
I could hear Sam yelling orders at Embry as he yelled back. Finally, Embry stopped whatever he was about to do and they headed up the cliffs.
I had to come to terms that he is taken, no matter how much it hurts. Even though it's killing me. All I want is my brother back.
I take a couple of second to readjust myself so I could head back.
While walking down the high way I saw Black and his 'girlfriend' over on the side of the road. They were watching as Sam and his disciples jumped from the cliffs.
I quickly concealed my face to hide the pain that I felt. As I passed I let the pain show, I let it hit me. While walking pass I could hear them talking.
"Who's that?" She asked, Jake.
"Klaira, Embry's sister." He replied.
"Doesn't look like she's taken with him being one of Sam's disciples. She seems like..." She didn't know how to finish so Jake did for her.
"A bitch?" He asked wondering if that was the word she was looking for.
"Yeah." I didn't care how she thought of me, I didn't like her so what did it matter? Then, Black said something that I thought I never would've heard him say.
"It's not just that. It's more."
Chapter 4: Routine and Change
Days passed as January made its transition into February. The days seemed to drag on into oblivion. Everyday feeling the same, falling into routine. School, home, and still no Embry, until late at night. The impending day would repeat itself, over and over.
Something had to give!
I was still grounded, but that didn't mean I was to follow it. No, not at all. Strangely, I had been. I had never intended on listening to orders. Orders that weren't even enforced. What the fuck was wrong with me? Maybe, it was because of the pain of not wanting to do anything.
The hurt causing me to be idle.
That needed to change.
"Hey Quil. Wanna go to Port Angeles with me tonight?" I asked over the phone.
"Why?" He asked, with a sense of amusement in his voice.
"Does it matter? I don't see Embry anymore and I doubt that you do. Black is too wrapped up in his girlfriend to care about you." I harshly pointed out.
"Well I..." He began.
"Come on Quil its going with me, or staying here in La Push on your lazy ass all day. It's Friday night! Live a little, man." God, this guy was no fun. Dumb dead beat.
"But Klaira..."
"Take it or leave it. Your friends are avoiding you and I need a friend." I lied through my teeth. I didn't need a friend. I had none. I had got along perfectly fine without them. What was the use? All they do is stab you in the back when you need them the most. "What do you say?"
I casually walked up to movie ticket counter in front of the theatre, placing my order for two tickets for Love Spelled Backwards is Love.
"Are we really seeing that?" Quil asked from behind me, as I paid and received my tickets.
"Shut up, dumb ass." I scolded, pulling him over to the side, before the doors. I hastily dragged him into the theatre. "We're sneaking in to Face Punch."
"Oh!" Quil let out a little too loudly for my liking.
"I'll stay behind and get food you go ahead and sneak in." I instructed. Stupid, stupid boy, I thought.
As soon as Quil was out of sight, I turned and hastily headed out of the theatre. I strutted down the street as the pieces of my plan were falling into play…
"Hey baby!" This nice looking, sleaze said while whistling at me. I turned looking him up and down. Not to shabby, not to shabby at all. "Want a drink?" He asked giving me a smirk. I knew what was behind that smirk. Ha, that bastard thinks he's going to get lucky. All he's going to do is get a very big hole in his wallet.
"Hell yeah!" I exclaimed as I walked with him into the club. Perfect! Everything's going to plan. I love it.
Jacob's POV
I walked out of the theatre still shaken about my outburst. I turned heading towards the Rabbit. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted the two people I never would've thought would be in Port Angeles on a Friday night.
Klaira started to stumble when walking towards Bella, Mike and I. Quil quickly outstretched an arm to steady her. Something was up.
"Hey." Bella exclaimed as they stopped in front of us.
Are the two of them on a date? I thought. No! Hell no, Klaira is too heartless.
"What are you two doing out here?" I asked, seriously pondering my comment.
The wind picked up carrying the sweet, sickening, stench of alcohol from Klaira filling my nostrils.
"Quil, why did you let her drink?" I asked, feeling a snarl rip through my voice. What the hell? A snarl? I'm delusional.
"I didn't she snuck off." He defended.
"Oh, so that makes it better?" I was becoming heated over the matter. I had no clue what was going on. Why the hell do I care about Klaira? Oh that's right Embry is my best friend and she's his sister. Wait, no I've never cared about her. Never. What's wrong with me?
"Dude calm down." Quil said, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Yeah." I dumbly said.
I watched as Klaira stumbled over to me, placing a cold hand on my ear. She stretched up on her toes, her lips grazing across my ear.
"Hey," she began. "I snuck off to drink. I went away from Quil. I just used him to get me here. Don't tell him."
"Don't worry," I said. "I don't think that'll be a problem."
"Why do you even care now, Jacob?" Quil asked. I realized that he did have a point.
"She's my best friend's sister. She's always hung out with us before whatever sent her on this 'bad streak.' How can I not care?" That was true. Something had changed her. She had once been a friend. Well, sort of. If one's definition of friend is, someone who throws rocks at others and wrestles boys. Yeah, a friend?
"Embry doesn't care for us anymore. If you haven't noticed he's turned into one of Sam's freaks." That was true, too. Sam had taken him, and he kept looking at me strangely. As if I was next.
"Don't talk about Embry like that!" I yelled, feeling my self shake. What the hell was wrong with me?
Klaira jumped in the middle of us. For someone who was drunk she was still pretty lucid.
"Hey calm do...:" She began, placing a hand upon my shaking chest. "Damn, you're burning up. Are you… are you… what's that word… sick. Are you sick, Jackob." Yep, she was drunk for sure. Good God!
Letting out a heavy sigh I said, "Take her home Quil. Make sure her mom doesn't find out."
Something was seriously wrong. When Klaira touched me it was as if she had calmed me. Almost instantly. What the fuck, man? Maybe it was because she was drunk.
"I really think I'd better go home now," I said heading for my Rabbit.
I quickly got in hearing Bella yell, 'call me,' as I pulled off.
I turned on the dirt road heading towards my home. I needed to get home; maybe I could shake everything that was going on.
I walked into the house, finding my father in the living room waiting for me.
"Son, what's wrong? You look funny?" He asked, giving me a look. He had been distant these last few weeks and now he wants to care. Now, is when he chooses to care?
"Funny? Funny?" I snarled, barring my teeth.
My body began shaking, more than it had earlier. Snarls ripped through my mouth as I uncontrollably shook. What the hell was going on? My temper was set off. Higher than any other time. I was furious, no beyond furious.
Red clouded my vision as I continued to shake. I watched as my father, back away. As if he was scared of me, but fear wasn't on his face. It was more like… amusement. He thought I looked funny!
My body began ripping I felt my muscles shrinking and lengthening all in one motion. It was killing me. I let yells of agony rip through my mouth. I heard the tearing of my clothes, the splitting of my muscles. Pain radiating through my body. The pain got to its climax, immediately ceasing.
I gazed down to see two, russet… paws. Paws! Suddenly everything clicked. All of the legends were true. All of the stories my mother had told me when I was a child, were real.
A loud, demanding voice popped into my head saying, "Welcome to the pack, Jacob."
Chapter 5: Parties and Marks
"What is this?" I asked, examining the stark white fabric.
"A dress. You're wearing it tonight for my party." My mom said, a smile gracing her face. I hated her damn party.
"Really mom is it this necessary? Must you always throw this party?" God only knows how much I hated it.
"Yes, Klaira. Everyone loves my Valentine's party."
"Except me. Where did you get this?" I asked. It didn't look store bought at all. It was too nice, too beautiful.
"I had it made. One day when I was cleaning your sheets your sketchbook flew out and I found a picture of you in this dress." I froze. How dare she look through my sketchbook? That was private. And that meant that it was the dress in my dream. My hands went limp as I dropped the dress. Fear crossing my face, my mother failing to notice.
"You looked through it?" I snarled out, after a moment of silence.
"No, only on that page. When it fell it came open on that page. Klaira don't be mad at me." Mad, I was furious!
"I'm fine. Just next time don't touch my sketchbook. Okay?" I said cocking my head to show her my eyes, letting her know how angry I was.
"Yes. Now be ready by five thirty." She demanded.
"Tiffany, must I go?" I pleaded, hoping I wouldn't have to.
"Yes Klaira! Now stop calling me Tiffany. It'll get you out of all your grounding."
"All three months of it?" I asked hopefully. Although, she didn't enforce it.
"All four."
"Then yes I'll go and hey I may even look presentable. Anything else I can do for you?" I said, clearly kissing up to her.
"Try and find your brother and remind him of the party, or he's going to be the one grounded." Oh, now he's the bad one.
"So does this mean I'm the good child now?" I said, a sly smile crossing my lips.
"No, you still think I didn't know about what you did last Friday night." What the fuck? How the hell does she know? I thought.
"You know?" I asked dumbfounded.
"I know all." Shed said in a haughty tone. "Especially, what you did to Quil. The drinking I've learned to get used to, but what you did to Quil is unacceptable. I'm still thinking of a way to punish you." Punish me? Ha, funny. I mockingly thought.
"Like you'll ever enforce it." I grumbled under my breath hoping she hadn't heard me. But she had.
"Klaira Shay Call!" I hated when she uses my full name.
"What, Tiffany? Let me guess I'm grounded?"
"Let's not start this. Go find your brother." She demanded walking out of my room.
"Whatever." I pulled on my jacket heading out into the poring rain. God! Did it always have to be like this at La Push? Of course it did, I thought.
I crossed paths with her, seeing a distressed look upon her face. Even tears streaming down her reddened cheeks. She hurriedly passed me, clutching her stomach, heading into her truck.
What's wrong with her? I thought. Guess Black finally broke up with her. I silently laughed to myself.
I walked through the clearing seeing, my brother heading into the woods with the rest of Sam's freaks. I called out, catching his attention. I ran through the vigorous wind and rain to him.
"Hey, remember the party is tonight. Mom is threatening to ground you." I said, coldly. I turned heading out of the rain not caring if he heard me. I didn't want to look at him. To see what he had become. It hurt to damn bad.
I ran up to my room, stripping from my wet clothes letting my hair dry naturally, in its curly state. I pulled the dress from its current position on the floor onto my body. I walked over to my mirror looking at myself in the mirror. Wow, I had to admit I looked actually pretty and I never looked that way. I drug myself into my bathroom, pulling out my make up that I hardly used.
While putting the finishing touches of glitter on my eyes, that brought out the green in them, my mom walked in. Wearing a red dress that hugged each of her curves, she leant against the doorway.
"Klaira Shay, you look so… so gorgeous." She said, awestruck.
"Whatever Mom." I said placing the glitter down, walking over to my closet to pull on a pair of sandals, I had that would put the finishing touches on my outfit. I never really liked to dress fashionably, but I have to admit I was very good at putting outfits together, when I wanted to.
"That boy you like is going to be here." My mother cheerfully said.
"You like him not me." I pointed out. I hated how she always tried to set me up. I don't want to be in love. Ever. I would never happen anyway.
"Well maybe you'll find someone. Looking like that you'll catch anyone's eye." She said which she was right. I looked great, when I felt like doing so.
"I'm not looking for love Mom. I don't do the whole love thing. It's a bunch of shit."
"Watch you're mouth. You're a young lady not some sailor."
I steadily walked down the stairs seeing the mess of people in my house. Becoming overwhelmed with the happiness that radiated off of everyone, I couldn't take it. I had to leave. Go. Escape. It hurt to damn much.
I walked out of the house into the frigid night. Not caring that it was cold.
Self-consciously I found myself in the clearing in the middle of the woods. I had just begun to walk and hadn't stopped. It was like something possessed me to come there.
A figure lurked in the darkness. The figure turned making its way towards me. I noticed who it was, Black. Did he have to be here now? Really?
"Oh you've turned into one of them also?" I asked, noticing how different he looked. Hair cropped and rippling muscles. Running around like he was better than everyone else, without a shirt in thirty degree weather. I gazed into his eyes a feeling running through my body. I felt as if I needed him. As if I was drawn to him.
I quickly dismissed the feeling.
"You know, I can understand Embry being dragged in. He's easy to influence. But you, I had higher expectations for you, Black." I said bitterly. Why the fuck did I care all of the sudden?
"What's that supposed to mean." He asked, a snarl ripping through his throat. Really? Snarling? I thought.
"I'm disappointed. And now what's left of poor Quil. What the hell was wrong with your little girlfriend today?"
"What's wrong with you? Stop being..."
"What? A bitch?" I said, feeling a slight singe of hurt. Why did it matter, now? It never had before.
"That's not what I meant." He said solemnly, as if he knew he had hurt me.
"It's exactly what you meant! I heard you and your little girlfriend talking the other day." I yelled at him. He began shaking, but I continued not caring at all. "You thought it was more. Yeah it's a lot more. If only you knew what was really happening in my life you wouldn't be so quick to judge. If you want bitch, I'll be more than happy to give it to you! That's all you and your girlfriend seem to care about is how bitchy I am. Did you even stop to think it could be more? God, it's so much fucking more! Everyone's too blind to see it. Even the people I thought understood now are blinded, too." God! If only someone knew what had been going on. If only my mom believed me. If only Embry hadn't changed.
If only my life wasn't so fucked up!
Black continued to shake, furiously. He seemed to disappear he was shaking so dynamically. A growl split through his throat as I heard the tearing of clothes and the crunching of bones.
What was going on?
In the place of where Black was, a massive, russet wolf took his place that I hadn't seen before… but only in my nightmare. Was this the beginning of it?
Pain suddenly singed through my chest. I gazed down to see the fabric of my dress hanging on a thread. Blood leaked from three, deep, huge claw marks starting from my right shoulder ending over my heart.
