Chapter One
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Show me where forever dies
Take the fall and run to Heaven
- I Will Not Bow, Breaking Benjamin
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One year later...
Standing on the cliffs of La Push had always been the best medicine for Shiloh Porter. When her soul was in the deepest turmoil she'd go there and breathe in the scent of the ocean. Some days she thought of taking the dive into the watery haven below, but never did. She wasn't afraid of dying but afraid of the disappointment. She'd never die.
Her mother often asked her what she thought of when she stood on those cliffs. She'd always lie and tell her that she thought about living a normal life. But she never thought about that. In truth, she thought of her father, the man who sired her. It was him who placed this curse on her, taking away her humanity but leaving it intact at the same time. He was the reason her mother would cry at night, mourning the loss of the little girl she had once been. She'd find him one day.
She'd find him and kill him.
Hearing the sounds of the La Push residents, Shiloh knew it was time to take her leave. It was always dangerous to be around others. There were times when she couldn't even be around her own mother. She'd never get to have friends, fall in love, or any of that. Because of who she was.
Because of what she was.
As they grew closer, Shiloh sighed and let her body melt into the wind, speeding up a tree and watching from afar. It was always the same group of boys who would come a cliff dive. From afar, she had the feeling they weren't like the others on the reservation. They seemed more...dangerous.
She watched in envy as they talked and laughed before finally fading into the shadows and heading home. She could hear her mother calling for her.
"Shiloh!"
As she walked through the front door of her home, she exhaled and waved to her mother.
"I was at the reservation again," She told her, "and I know how dangerous that is so please, don't reiterate it to me."
"I just want you to be careful, Shi. That's all." Her mother, Joanna, whispered.
"How can you expect me to be careful when you're around all the time? Don't you understand the strain you put on me? It hurts, Mom!" She hadn't meant to lash out but aggression was a side effect of her power. She always had to be so careful. One temper tantrum could cause an earthquake.
"I'm sorry...I...I'll stay somewhere else tonight." Shiloh wanted to tell her no, to ask her to stay, but it wouldn't be the best idea. She was getting better at controlling herself, but there were times when she was so close to letting it all go. It scared her to death.
She watched in silence as her mother packed an overnight bag and left the small house without a word. When she gone, Shiloh slowly walked into the bedroom they shared and sat on her bed. Burying her head in her hands, she began to cry.
Sobs racked her body as she poured out every bit of frustration. Around her, the house shook and the sound of breaking glass echoed through the hall. She didn't care, though. She needed this.
She needed some kind of release.
Every day, she felt trapped in a prison, unable to move. Her power was her chain, keeping her under lock and key. She couldn't bear it. No one could. No one could ever understand.
With a surge of anger, Shiloh let out a cry filled with the deepest pain and longing.
The house exploded.
Standing amidst the ashes and flames, Shiloh wondered where'd she go from here. There was no one, nowhere, that was like her. And those who came close, even they feared her. She was better off dead.
But, she remembered with a grave smile, she couldn't die.
I bet you're all wondering what she is. Kudos to whoever can guess it.
~As the Rush Comes~