2. I Get It
The moment I entered La Push, I phased back and clung to the trees and the long shadows left by the setting sun. I didn't want anyone to see or hear me. The pity party would be impossible to deal with. Sam had been the last one I'd seen and he'd been heading to the Clearwaters' when I'd left. It had sounded like the rest of the pack was there, helping Sue with some work around the house. Emily had been recovering from a small cold and stayed at home to cook. Sam had mentioned she would be home all day. It was perfect. No one would know I'd come and gone for hours.
Sam and Emily's cottage was nestled right up next to the forest like most of the houses on the reservation. It was very convenient for the pack. We didn't have to worry that someone would see us running through the streets naked. Not that a lot of the town would mind, for one reason or another...
I slipped through the trees at the back of the house near the patio. This door was the only one completely blocked from the street and there was no way in hell anyone could see me from there. But I still stayed ducked down as small as I could make myself and kept my eyes open for anyone walking around. There was always a possibility Sam had come home early or sent one of the pack to check up on his wife. Their scents barely lingered behind, but you never knew. I phased back.
Luckily, Emily seemed the be the only one home, baking away in the kitchen, right next to the sliding glass door. I was hoping she'd see me approach and open the door immediately, but she was watching something carefully in the microwave revolve on the glass plate. The counters were covered in flour and sugar and I saw that the oven was on. I almost laughed. Of course she'd be preparing for the next meal two hours in advance.
I glanced down at my nude body and hesitated for a second. Sure, she'd seen it all before in a few uncomfortable situations, but it was probably crossing a line to show up with my family jewels dangling out. I phased again and nudged the sliding glass door with my head gently, careful not to let my wet nose touch the clean glass or hit it too hard. She and Sam had already replaced the glass three times since his first transition. Emily jumped when she heard me and whirled around, her face changing into a mask of fear before she recognized me. Her hand flew to her chest and she breathed deeply for a moment. I hit the door again when she didn't move. She quickly ran around the small table to open the door for me. I shrugged through, my shoulders barely fitting in the tiny space.
"Do you want some pants?" she asked. I nodded, adjusting myself in the small space between the door and the frame. She rifled through some laundry that hung on the back of a chair in the living room, coming up with sweatpants that seemed a little too big for Sam, but would fit me perfectly. She handed them to me and pulled a chocolate morsel bag out of the microwave, giving me a little privacy while I shifted back and tugged on the pants quickly.
"Sam's at the Clearwaters' still, if you're looking for him." She still didn't turn around.
"I'm decent, Em. I'm actually here to talk to you."
At this, she turned quickly, half of the melted chocolate ending up on the counter. "Oh, goodness." She wiped it up and set everything down to face me directly. "It must be pretty serious if you've come all the way out here while Sam's distracted."
I pulled out a chair and sat down, rubbing a hand over my face. Emily leaned against the edge of the counter closest to me, wiping her still chocolatey hands on a dish rag. "I'm not staying for long. It's just… You remember you told me once that Sam had extended family he had relied on for help right after he phased? I was hoping that I could get a little of their help until I got...back on my feet. You said they could help with anything... I don't need much. Just a place to stay for a bit…" I trailed off uncomfortably, trying to ignore the stabs of pain in my stomach at the smell of the scones in the oven.
Instantly, Emily got up excitedly and threw her towel down on the table in front of me, racing upstairs without a word. I stared dejectedly at the rising bread just a few feet away from me. Maybe I could get her to make me a snack for the road. She returned a minute later with a thick address book, sticky notes poking out between the pages. She sat down next to me at the dining room table and started flipping through it.
"Do you have any idea where you want to go? Any preferable states? Or landmarks?" She was positively beaming, half her mouth pulled up into a smile, the other half still scarred from Sam's attack. I wasn't really expecting her to be as interested as she was.
"Not really. Just somewhere far away. Where there's no chance of running into anybody." I had hoped she would just pull out an address and shove it in my face, telling me to avoid bright lights and large cities, always wear a coat outside, and be polite to my elders. I didn't know that I had different options. How many other relatives did Sam have?
"Oh, I think I've found the perfect place for you," she said, pulling out a business card and thrusting it at me. I examined the green card, trying to read the name imprinted there in white. "Her name is Stephanie Queene. She has a house in Colorado. Right next to some nature preserve or something. There's no way anyone could spot you coming in and out if you're careful. It's more of a rehabilitation center for wolves in trouble. Perfect spot, I think." I winced at the rehabilitation comment and dropped the card.
"I don't really think I need rehabilitation. Just a place for some shut-eye."
"I really do think they'll have everything you need there. There's a variety of reasons you guys need a break. I'm sure everyone will keep to themselves and leave you be."
I sighed. Of course, she was right. It's not like they would all be ex-cons and criminals. "I'll go check it out. Thanks, Em. I owe you." I stood and hugged her tightly. If everything worked out, I wouldn't see her or any of the pack for a while.
"Of course. Anything for you, Jacob. Be careful." I left through the glass door. "Stay safe!" she shouted as I ran out to the woods.
Hopefully, it wouldn't take too long to find this wolf center. I was already pretty tired and I had a long run to Colorado that night.