Chapter 1: New Beginnings
The morning of the day that forever changed my life found me asleep in my tiny bedroom, with the half thick red converter twisted around me and the other half hanging of my bed. Besides me on a bedside table lay an Inuyasha alarm clock that ticked steadily as I slept. Tick tock tick tock tick…. "I want to change the world" I groaned as the Inuyasha theme song played loudly besides me ear quickly filling my room. Throwing the pillow over my head a pressed hard in a futile attempt to block out the sound, I attempted to continue on with my sleep. The battle between me and sleep lasted about two more verses before, with a defeated sigh, I reached over and hit the stop button. Slowly I sat up on my bed and looked around the familiar surroundings of my bedroom. My bed was a full sized bed with metal railings each post had a metal rose trapped in wired metal cage, tucked into the corner of my room. It was a lovely bed and I loved it but not so much for the beauty but for the person who had bought it for me. Continuing my inspection saw my dark chestnut wood side table with a black lamp and the annoying Inuyasha alarm clock on top. On the wall facing me was a few framed pictures and paintings with the side table's matching drawer, with a small Toshiba TV sitting on top. And next to that was the door. Towards my right, were the closet doors and behind me on the wall my bed lay across was a large window with a small fire escape. Outside was dark, for the early summer sun still hadn't risen as of yet. The room itself was a deep blood red that made the room at least a few degrees warmer than the rest of my apartment, something I was grateful for during the short cool winter days.
Deciding that everything was fine and in order, I stood up lazily and stretched. My long brown hair sat in a huge puffy mess on top of my head. I hated it, my hair that is. It was long medium dark brown and a bit wavy. However, it always seemed to be frizzy because of all the humidity here in Seattle. Rubbing my eyes, I grabbed a hair clip and clipped my hair up into a messy bun; then I walked into the kitchen, shivering as a cool breeze hit me as I stepped out of my bedroom. My kitchen, if it could be called that, was nothing more than a strip of cabinets above a small sink counter and a fridge. Flicking on the light I walked to the fridge and pulled out some milk. Then I opened the cabinet over the sink and pulled out the honey bunches of oats and a bowl. Going over to my table I sat down and began to eat.
Finishing I dumped the spoon back into the bowl, however as I stood to dump it back into the sink someone grabbed me from behind. A small scream escaped from my lips before my capturer lifted me up and pressed his feverishly warm lips against my own. My rigid body immediately melted in his arms as my arms rapped around his full muscular body. The man smiled at me as he sat down and placed me on his lap. Pulling away from my lips he kissed me sweetly on the forehead.
"Morning love," he whispered into my ear as he nuzzled my neck with his soft and short brown hair.
Frowning, I stuck out my tongue. "Caleb," I complained playfully, "What are you doing up so early? The sun hasn't even rose yet, you should be sleeping, besides you know I don't like it when you sneak up on me," I ranted only half serious. However he always seemed to walk so quietly. I can never hear him when he approaches me, but his sudden appearances were always a comfort to me. Laughing Caleb nuzzled my neck again his face so warm that it sent chills down my cool body.
"After a year of living together I would think you'd be used to it by now wouldn't you Tara?" He turned away from my neck and stared at me with his fascinating silver eyes. Breathless I nodded.
"I suppose," I finally said breaking from my trance. Suddenly I perked a bit erect on his lap my eyes widened and I screamed. "Oh my god am I stupid!" I shouted. He laughed shushing me and I blushed, "Happy one year of living together anniversary," I whispered, trying to calm down. Grinning he responded by kissing me again, and once again my body melted under him. Suddenly the kitchen alarm sounded and pulling away from him I growled. "Alarms Alarms Alarms!" I nearly shouted again. He laughed and picked me up again only to set me down gently on my feet so I could finish getting ready, or rather start getting ready for my early morning shift at the nearby Department store. I blinked up at him, I myself was somewhat tall standing about 5 foot ten but he, he was ginormous. At the age of 20 he stood at about 6' 10 and he towered over me by about a full foot, something I wasn't use too. Sighing, I left him and turned to go to the bathroom; if I didn't hurry I would come in late, again. Suddenly though, his arm shot out and grabbed my hand,
"Tara, hurry up 'kay I'll drive you." I stared at him confused, usually, after coming home from work he would sleep till at least 10 o clock in time for school, I mean I understood he wanted to wish me a happy anniversary but it could have waited till later and now despite how tired he looked he wanted to drive me to work, which was only a few blocks away from our apartment.
"Sure I guess," I said shrugging in confusion, he was definitely up to something but as to what that was I wasn't sure. I entered the bathroom and emerged about 20 minutes later showered with my hair blow-dried and my make up ready and stuff all I need to do now was quickly put on my uniform. However when I went into my bedroom to change Caleb sat there waiting and had an entire outfit lying on my bed. "Caleb what is going on?" I asked.
"Well I wanted to go out for breakfast later somewhere special before school started you know," he said.
"Caleb," I began, "really I start school at 8 you know I'm not out yet like you are," It was true at 17 I was still only a senior in high school while Caleb had finished his sophomore year in college. And while I worked early mornings and after school he went to school then worked late nights so time together was scarce despite living together, however it was a necessity for bills and such. Though I never complained, he saved me and took me away and for that I would forever be grateful. However at that moment he stared at me with his alarmingly puppy-like stare knowing I wouldn't be able to refuse him. "Fine!" I shouted throwing my hands up, "I'll cut first period, happy?" I shouted. He grinned, his grin so huge that his eyes seemed very small. "Now get out as I dress you perv," I shouted at him as I pushed him out of my room. He laughed all the way out, and all I could do was roll my eyes. Call me old fashioned, but I'm a girl of morals and I wasn't read for all of… that. Though Caleb never pestered me about it he respected me enough for that and I loved him deeply for it.
Looking at the clothes he laid out for me a blinked it was a deep pink colored satin shirt with a pair of nice looking dark wash jeans. I smiled a bit, he choose the perfect clothes to wear under my uniform without blistering under the heat of the lights. Getting dressed my watched beeped, 2:45 am I had fifteen minutes to get to work. Again I groaned, I hated this life of schedule, beeps and alarms, I preferred to be spontaneous but without them scenes like the one in the kitchen would have lasted much longer and I would never be on time. Throwing on my uniform I frowned. I was the mascot of the toy department in the department store, it was humiliating hot and I hated it but because no one else would take the job and because it was so early I got paid ok. As I left y bedroom I glared at Caleb whose smile was a bit too big, "Say one word, and I'll kill you," I threatened glaring at him. His eyes widened in hurt.
"What me make fun of my Maggie the dolphin?" he asked, "Why I'm hurt you'd even think I would even do such a thing," he said his voice sarcastic but kind. Rolling my eyes at him I shook my head,
"Well whatever," I said, "Let's get going," I was actually very grateful for the ride usually I had to carry my costume in a bag and change in the bathroom which may or may not have been opened. Nodding he took my hand and dragged me out of the apartment. Our apartment was on the twenty third floor of a fifty story building, it was a crummy old building mushed together with many other old decrepit buildings. However at what we got paid it was the best we could afford. As we climbed into the elevator I noticed something in Caleb hands. "Caleb?" I asked, "Anything knew in the newspaper?" I asked, I knew it was yesterday's paper but I still hadn't had time to read it.
He frowned and nodded, "A couple of murders in the pass few days, they think it might be gang activities," he stated. "One of them not to far from here," he added his tone worrisome and agitated. Blinking, I suddenly realized why he was acting so weird, he was worried about me. Smiling I lay me head on his arm, up till now most of the murders hadn't been to close to here but if it was getting closer then I wouldn't doubt him getting worried. Leaning over he kissed my blowhole.
We stepped out of the elevator, he was dress casually but nice, and me, I was in my ridiculous dolphin costume. He lead me towards the newspaper stand in the lobby and took advantage of the guard being on break and snatched one. Growling at him he rolled his eyes and took out two quarters. "Happy?" he asked as he placed it on the counter. I nodded and he smirked before disappearing behind the newspaper. We walked down until we made it to the car. It was a decrepit old blue 1980 sedan; it was beaten up and older than both me and David. However it was a gift to David from his parents and got us were we needed to go. Reappearing from behind the news paper David laughed at my futile attempts to get into the car. "You're going to have to take that thing off," he said.
"But it takes so long to put back on," I moaned, but he was already taking off the head for me as I undid the zippers. After about another ten minutes we were finally on the road driving as quickly as we could in the eerily empty streets of Seattle. Grabbing the paper Caleb had bought I began to flip through it. Another two people were found murdered but none by where we lived, that was a relief I suppose. Continuing to read I lost track of time, and eventually slipped to sleep. Awakening with a start I blinked trying to figure out where I was, "huh what?" I muttered. As my view came into focus I realized I was still in the care and Caleb was driving speedily down an empty high way. Confused I sat up.
"Morning sleeping beauty," Caleb said smiling as he turned his head for a second to look at me then returned to stare out into the empty road. Looking around I was confused, the surroundings had changed dramatically and we were definitely out of the city limits.
"Caleb, How long was I asleep?" I asked, "More importantly where the hell are you taking me?" I said slightly agitated by the detour.
"Calm down Tara," he said, "You were asleep for over an hour and as to where were headed, that's a surprise. I opened my mouth to protest but he cut me off. "Now before you say anything I already got Veronica to cover you at work and I called your school in saying you were going to be out sick." After moving in with David, he has been forging signatures, making phone calls ect, all in a trick to make them think he was my father, I never got sick nor did I ever got in trouble so there was never a reason for him to come to school as my father. So for him to call in sick for me was nothing out of the ordinary, however just the same I wished my parents had emancipated me before I left, then again they never got the chance with me running away like that. Shaking my head I growled at him.
"Caleb I don't like surprises you know that," I said impatiently, "Where are we going?!" I demanded.
"Fine fine spoil it why don't yea," he said, but he didn't fool me. He was always as impatient as I was and I could tell by how easily he caved that he wanted to tell me just as bad as I wanted to know. "We're going down to La Push," he announced happily. "After two years of being together and one year of living together it's about time for my family to meet you," he said. Glaring at him I knew what he was trying to do. Recently I had been complaining about how I felt like a slave to schedules and how I thirst for something spontaneous, well here was my spontaneous.
"Caleb," I whined burying my face in my hands, "I graduate in two weeks can't you wait till after?" I loved him and I wanted to meet the people who raised my savior, but he shouldn't have done something so, so, I sighed as I looked at him and my heart felt crushed as I looked onto his hurt face.
"I'm Sorry Tara," he began, "I just you know thought you might like a day off, I mean it's Friday and I thought we could stay the weekend you know and," I cut him off by leaning over and kissing his cheek.
"Thanks Caleb," I whispered, "I'm really excited, but nervous and… wait we're staying the weekend but I don't have any clothes or anything!" He smiled at me as the scenery around us began to become green.
"Don't worry, I got some stuffed packed for you it's in the trunk," he said.
"CALEB!" I screamed my face red in embarrassment, "you went through my drawers?!" I nearly died just then in my drawers were my underwear and bras and all that girly stuff I was embarrassed for him to see, however that wasn't why I nearly died, after all we did do laundry together (though I did often do it myself to avoid the awkwardness of having him fold my panties,). No the worst part was that hidden in one of my drawers was some lingerie that I had gotten from one of my oh-so-crude friends that I planned to wear the first time we ever, well, did it. Blinking in surprise from my sudden out burst caleb turned to me.
"Umm no need to be embarrassed," he said anxiously, "I only took the ones on top I didn't go through it I swear," He continued, "I'm not a perv I swear!"
Calming down a little I nodded, "Oh," I said, "ok then," looking around the surroundings seemed ever changing, "How long a drive is La push from here?" I asked.
"A few hours I guess," he said, "honestly most people fly to Port Angeles but you know," I did know living together no matter how great and fun was costly each one of us working hard to keep food on the table bills paid ect. However the gas mileage on the car wasn't super great
so I couldn't help but wonder if it would have cost too much more.
After another hour or so the sun began to rise. It was beautiful but even more so when I saw it reflecting in Caleb's silver eyes. When the sun hit his glowing eyes they appeared golden almost topaz color and it was breath taking. We stopped a few times to refill in gas I offered to drive but he refused stating he was too excited to just sit around. I too was excited but nervous too. My stomach was clenched into a tight knot but it was also empty and filled with butterflies, it was a strange combination to be sure. It was just past 5:30 when we began to slow down. I knew we were entering a city of some sort because I recognized the early morning traffic. I looked at Caleb but before I could ask my question he smiled.
"Welcome to Port Angeles Tara," he said. "After we beat through this traffic it should only be another hour or so until we reach Forks," he continued, "Forks is a little town just by the La Push Reservation," he went on, again answering my unasked question, "We gotta go through there to get onto the main road in La Push," he finished. Nodding, I sat back listening to the weather report that was playing through the radio. 'For the hikers out there,' it said, 'better bring the snow suit because there's a huge blizzard heading your way.' I blinked in confusion.
"How can there be a blizzard?" I asked Caleb, "It's June,"
"Their talking about the mountains oh observant one," he said sarcasticly laughing at my slow in take.
"Oh" I said dumbly. I was usually very observant and such but it was too early in the morning and I still hadn't turned my brain on. Driving through Port Angeles took another half hour with all the morning commuters but once we were out of the city limits we were once again speeding towards his childhood residence. "Hey Caleb," I said after another half hour of driving.
"Hmm?" he responded.
"Why did you leave the reservation? I thought natives spent their whole lives on it," I asked. It was a question that had been bothering me all day long ever since I found out where we were going.
"They don't always spend their whole lives there," he said with a shrug, "Some leave for collage like I did," he added, however I knew that he left for reasons other than education because he never really spoke about his family. He looked at me and sighed at my expression. " Tara listen," he began, "I love my family a lot, they are some of the best people I know, it's just there are things in my family that I couldn't handle, so I went away," he said. I sat silent I had my own family troubles but unlike him it was because my parents were some of the most vile people on the planet. Just thinking of them made my blood boil, so it made me curious as to what could have driven him away. Whatever the reason was I was shamefully grateful for it because it had sent him away from them but sent him straight to me.
"Is everything ok now though?" I asked thinking perhaps this is why he suddenly wanted me to go meet them.
"Actually it's gotten worse," he said but surprisingly he was smiling, "but as they say from tragedy comes strength," More confused than ever I shrug and again he laughed at me leaning over to kiss me he smiled, "Don't worry about me love," he said, "I'll sort things out, you just worry about being your wonderful self once we get there, no shying away," he said his tone playful yet awkwardly serious. I shifted in my seat and stared out my window to the ever greener scenery. That was one of my major personality flaws, I was quiet invisible to everyone except my friends I never spoke out and usually, as Caleb said, shied away from people. In fact Caleb was the only person that I ever really let get to know me. We continued the rest of the ride in a comfortable silence, the closer we got, I noticed, the more and more green the scenery got, and by the time we reached the small town of forks the sun that had followed us all the way here disappeared behind dark clouds of rain. Rolling down the window somewhat I took a deep breath of the crisp humid and cool air. I love the smell of rain especially in this small forest surrounded town it just smelled so … natural. It was nice.
We rolled down the streets that seemed dead; then again it was only seven o clock. However shouldn't there be people getting ready for school and what not? Reading my mind yet again Caleb smiled, "School ended here last Wednesday," he said, "I called to make sure they were out before we came," he added. Soon the houses disappeared and we were once again swallowed by forest only for us to reemerge in La Push about ten minutes later. Driving down, the houses were sparsely separated however the reservation was beautiful. We drove past a beach and then some cliffs; finally we stopped in front of a smallish home. At the sound of our engine cutting off a man around Caleb's age emerged out of the house he was huge like Caleb and just as tan.
Caleb's eyes lit up as he saw the man he quickly opened the door and got out. Then he ran over to my door opened it for me and helped me out. Gently, he pulled me over towards the house letting go of my hand as we reached the man. "Sam," he said with excitement, "long time, no see cuz," he added. Sam smiled back, his hair was short and buzzed and he had brown eyes instead of grey but otherwise he could have been Caleb's twin.
"Welcome back Caleb," he said his voice deep and smooth but somewhat adgitated, "It's good to see you again," he added before turning to face me. He smiled sweetly and held out his hand, "You must be Tara," he said, "Caleb has told me a lot about you." Despite what Caleb asked I shyly held out my hand and shook it.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Sam," I said my voice softer and weaker than usual.
"Well you guys have driven a long way come inside eat some breakfast," he said smiling at me like I was a small child. In a weird sort of way it angered me when he treated me so delicately and child-like, I was 17 not seven after all. Nodding a bit more confidently than before, I walked besides him and Caleb into the house. Inside the house, there was a small woman, about 2 inches shorter than me. She had pretty curly hair and a sweet, kind, smile. However along side her face was a scar the mutilated her face so that she always seemed to be smiling.
"Ah welcome," She said sweetly, "I'm Emily Sam's fiancée, you must be Caleb and Tara," like Sam, Emily's voice had a hint of not agitation but more like worry. "We knew you were planning to visit but we didn't realize it'd be so early," she explained. Rolling my eyes I nodded.
"At least you knew we were coming," I said playfully bitter at Caleb, "I on the other hand was kidnapped." Caleb, who was in the corner talking to Sam stopped and looked at me. He stuck out his tongue and smiled. I on the other hand stuck out my tongue, crossed my arms and frowned with a small 'humph.'
Emily and Sam laughed at us; Sam's laugh was deep but pure, while Emily's was soft and delicate. Smiling slightly Caleb and I joined their laughter but then Sam became serious again and demanded Caleb's attention. Turning back to Emily I smiled. "Come, help me make breakfast," Emily said not so much as a demand but as a request. Nodding I got up and followed her into the kitchen. Soon the two of us were laughing making fun of our huge boyfriends while making scrambled eggs. After a while I asked her "Don't you think we're making a little too much?"
"You've seen how Caleb eats haven't you?" she asked smiling. Nodding I grabbed three more eggs.
"Oh god your right," I said as I cracked them open and began to fry them. "Let's just hope this will do," I added as she laughed. About ten minutes later we came out with four plates two with a modest amount of scrambled eggs and two with enough eggs to feed at least three people. We sat down and ate together, Emily and I continued to chat idly but something was bothering me. Caleb and Sam were talking in a hushed tone both looked so deadly serious that it frightened me. From what Caleb had told me earlier, in the rare occasions when he spoke about his family, he and Sam were as close as brothers, in fact rather than referring to each other as cousins they referred to each other as brothers. This was because while Caleb was still young both his parents died so he was raised by his aunt and uncle, Sam's parents. With this in mind I wondered why they looked so serious; shouldn't two reunited brothers be catching up and stuff?
Suddenly Caleb stood up it surprised Emily and me that we stopped talking mid sentence. Caleb looked worn, tense, and worried, "For the last time, I'm sure Sam," he said not realizing that Emily and I were listening in now, "It's been years since I, well, you know," he said with a sigh, "I'm sorry I can't help," he added.
Sam looked angry and frustrated, "Caleb you said so your self not all the symptoms have left, it may be dormant but it's still there, I can sense it."
"Alright," Caleb responded, "maybe it is. But I'm not going out there with you tonight; someone needs to stay here after all," This made Sam pause he looked around and suddenly the two of them remembered that Emily and I were still right there. Sighing, Sam nodded.
"You're right," He said in a defeated tone, "It was nice seeing you again brother," he added his tone returned to the lightness it had when we first arrived. "Hopefully we can hang out more tomorrow," he added.
Caleb's smiled returned as did his happy go lucky nature, "Nya don't be so gloomy bro of course we will!" he said winking and giving Sam a thumbs up. Sam smiled and for the first time I noticed that Emily had risen and was collecting the plates from the table. Scrambling I got up to help but she shook her head.
"I got it Tara," she said kindly before setting the stack off dishes down to give me a hug. "Looks like you're going now," she said, "It was nice meeting you, come back tomorrow eh?" she asked.
Smiling I nodded, "'Course," I said grinning. Turning to Caleb I saw him waiting for me at the door.
"Come on slow poke time for you to meet the folks," he said. Smiling I nodded and rushed over to him. Turning I waved goodbye to Emily and Sam who were now standing together as Caleb and I were standing together.
"Bye guys!!" I said smiling, "see you tomorrow!" I then promised. However as I went out the door I couldn't help but feel uneasy, that memory in my head the two standing arm in arm together felt more like a farewell than a simple see you later.