The changes literally started overnight, hot sweats, being sick, I could feel my bones grinding and churning as I began to grow unnaturally tall for a girl of my 14 years. My dad Robert seemed to be picking up on these changes too, as if he knew they were coming. I wished someone would explain what was going on, because as far I knew I was either pregnant or going through the damn menopause, both theorys, I knew, impossible.
Even thinking made me break out in a hot sweat, I pulled out my hairband and my long hair tumbled down my back in waves. My hair was definately one of my strong points look-wise, it was a rich chocolate brown, with natural copper tints streaking through, like dappled sunlight filtering through dark woods. I sighed as i stepped into yet another cold shower. The pounding water eased the tension in my shoulders and I finally began to relax when I heard dad shouting me from down stairs. "Jasey-Rae Black, get down here, RIGHT now!" Oh crap. What have I done now? I wondered. I quickly eased off the water, slipped into a nightie and hurried downstairs, anxious to find out what was stressing dad out.
"Hey dad..." I smiled, warily. Dad's lips were pressed into two hard lines, he didn't looked pleased at all.
"You better explain this right now young lady!" he bellowed, pointing to the leaflet i'd left lying on the table. I cursed at my carelessnes, my cheeks flushed as he eyed the leaflet, 'Pregnancy- The Symptoms'.
I realised I was going to have to explain all the wierd goings on over the past couple of days, that had even caused me to doubt my own virtue for God's sake.
"Dad i'm not pregnant I swear! But these things keep happening..." my voice broke as I struggled to tell him, it was times like this I wished my mum was still around to help me with these awkward situations, but she'd walked out 6 years ago, not a word from her since.
I somehow managed to brief dad on all my strange symptoms and his face changed from cold and hard to sad and crushed.
This certainly didn't reassure me that I was normal, and my mind raced, frantically worrying...did I have some sort of disease? I'm too young to die! I wailed in my head.
Dad stepped over to me, embracing me in a bear-like hug, "oh Jasey, my little girl, this is happening too fast!" he muttered into my hair.
I was now worried more than ever, what was happening too fast? Why can't someone give me some answers?!
Suddenly dad dropped his arms and reached over for the phone, "I think it's time I give your uncle Billy a call Jasey."
I was baffled, why was dad calling his brother Billy, now of all times? All i'd heard of the man was that him and dad had fallen out years ago, over some sort of family feud.
Dad's voice exposed no emotion, though I could tell he was nervous, but why? Yet another question most likely to be unanswered.
"Hello Billy"..."yes I know it's been a while, I thought we could escape this fate but it seems Jasey-Rae is destined to follow with Jacob."
Ok now I was definatley confused, who the hell is Jacob, and what was this 'fate'?
There was more conversation, then the call seemed to be coming to an end.
"Thanks Billy, this means alot, we'll head up as soon as possible, tomorrow if we can."..."bye Billy."
I'd had enough of this suspense, not knowing, it was time for some answers, "Ok dad, what the freakin' hell is going on?!"
His face was solemn as he began to explain, "Jasey, our family has a strange....inheritance that I was praying you would escape, I even left my only brother to try and keep you safe but it seems it was all in vain, we'll be travelling up to La Push to stay with your Uncle Billy and cousin Jacob to help you through this, I think it's better if you leave all your questions for them sweetheart." His face was pained.
His words sunk in...."I have a cousin?!"
"Yes..i'm sorry I kept this from you but I didn't want you trying to get involved with them...you'll understand better tomorrow. Pack a bag and go to bed, we'll leave in the morning."
I still couldn't comprehend...what was this 'inheritance' as dad had worded it, I headed upstairs in a daze, not sure if this was all real. I packed a bag with essentials and flopped onto bed, not bothering getting under the covers. My dreams were full of confusing images....me running through the woods, the wind blowing in my face, I felt like a bullet travelling impossibly fast, it so exhilirating, then all if a sudden I collapsed on the forest floor surrounded by wolves of many different sizes and colours, yet they weren't looking at me maliciously, they were looking at me with love and care.