Chapter one
I catch a lock of my hair and tuck it roughly behind my ear. It is a mere reflex and my gaze continues to be fixed on Charlie's coffin. Grief overwhelms me but I suppress it as well as I can to be strong, for Mom's sake. In fact I feel nothing. Charlie's death hasn't hit me yet. But it has guttered Mom and despite all the comfort we have given her she still feels the guilt of Charlie's death.
Strong fingers entwine in mine sending a gentle shiver of warmth up my arm. I take Jacob's hand to my lips and kiss it tenderly. He in return puts his arms around my shoulders and pulls me close.
"Nessie?" he mumbles softly into my hair. I close my eyes and listen to the words rumble in his deep chest.
"Mm," I respond noncommittally.
I know he's concerned about me. But I don't feel ready to express my sorrow to him. It makes me feel guilty but sometimes I can't help but be selfish. I hope he forgives me.
"Maybe it's time for us to go." Jacob broke the silence. He brushed aside a curl that had swept across my face by an icy breeze.
A sigh left me involuntarily and with somewhat reluctance I give an almost invisible nod. I look down, one last time, at the coffin made of mahogany wood with elaborate carvings, the work of his best friend Bill. I step back from Jacob's embrace and take out a small object from the inside of my coat.
It is a small fish, shaped out of driftwood that I found one summer day many years ago. Charlie was there. It was silly but this small thing was my most valuable treasure at the time. Together we made a little story about the adventure that this little fish had taken. It began with a lone fisherman's daughter, who strolled along an empty beach by herself one day and found a fish on the shore struggling for survival. Her father wasn't having much luck at sea. So food was scarce. The girl reached for the fish and clasped it between her hands. Then a voice sprung from the fish. It said 'Take me home and eat me and forever your family will prosper. In return you will have to take my place and live for eternity. Or send me back into the ocean and continue to live your uneventful life.' The young girl wasn't fully sure of what she was getting herself into. To live for eternity didn't sound too bad. So she took the fish home and the whole family had it for dinner. Once she fell asleep she never woke again, as she had become the wooden fish.
A small smile played on my lips as I recalled the story. I softly kiss the fish. "Take care Charlie," I whisper and let it fall onto the coffin.
Jacob took my hand then and gently led me away. With great difficulty I pulled my eyes away from the coffin and turned my attention to the narrow path weaving through the graveyard in a maze-like manner. Impulsively I clutch onto Jacob's arm to keep me in the present.
"Let's go and see how your Mom is," Jacob said softly.
I shake my head gloomily. Another selfish act I know. But I don't think I could handle seeing Mom upset.
"Let's-" I stopped. What do I want to do?
Jacob kissed the back of my hand. "I know."
I feel the ice cold wind whip at my face as Jacob speeds through the woods. My lungs fill with the rich forest air, sending goosebumps up my arms. The rhythm of Jacob's stride helps calm me as I gather my thoughts. It's relieving to have no destination, no sorrowful faces to see and no struggle with emotions. Just to let time pass by with Jacob.
I send thoughts to Jacob of my deep love and respect for him.
Author's note: Tune in for more next time!..maybe…hopefully. Created for you by Ava and Max.
These characters belong to Stephanie Meyer.