Chapter 3 – Not Quite Baby Steps

Bella ran across the field. An abundance of energy coursed through her legs as she hurled herself towards an outer cropping of poplars. Their scent was sweet and intoxicating. Behind her, disappearing into the distance were crescent-shaped puddles that were at least 9 inches deep.

The wind felt like silk upon her skin and cool wet beats of rain glided off her tips of her hair. Her thoughts began to center on Edward. What would he do? What would he say? But there were no words spoken back to answer her pleas of direction. She decided to scale a tree and try to get a lay of the land. Bella's eyes scrunched up as she scrutinized the rocky slopes lined with miles of waving green boughs.

However, miles away, her eyes picked up a faint glow. Bella felt a widespread burst of panic throughout her body. She became frightened. She began to tremor as hungry shadows fed upon her reason and sensibility. Dark instincts intruded and Bella became absolutely enthralled in this chess game, so much that she was in front of the cabin before she could force a blink.

She could smell the saltiness of their skin. She could hear the throbbing of their hearts. She could hear their conversation. Bella forced herself to listen.

"Jim, Susan will be fine if we spend an extra week. I think she just worries about how the twins will handle being away from you for an extended amount of time."

"Yeah, Susan is a bit of a mother hen."

"Well, it's settled. You and I are going stick it out another week."

Bella focused and continued to listen. Within the myriad of thoughts colliding in her head, she dwelled on what items she needed and how she would slip in to retrieve them.

Jim and the other guy, who was named Hank, hung out drinking beer and playing cards for several more hours before calling it a night.

When Jim slipped out to the outhouse later in the night, she made her move. She held her breath. It's not like Bella needed to breathe, but she had to stay focused.

These humans didn't measure up to the allure of a filet mignon and jacket potato. Instead, they were more like hamburgers covered in ketchup, pickles, onions, lettuce, and tomato served with a side of fries.

Bella moved quickly, fearing she would lose control if she were threatened.

She watched Hank's chest rise up and down for a few minutes before crawling over to an open knapsack. From the length of the shirt and pants, she guessed that the knapsack belonged to Jim. The dead give away was the alligator toy that squeaked when she rummaged for a pair of boxers.

Suddenly the light came on and Hank sat up rubbing his eyes. He hadn't noticed her. Jim caught only a flash of her as he was knocked to the side of the cabin as Bella bolted through the door.

Bella ran as fast as she could. She heard Hank crying out loud, "OMG! OMG! Jim! Jim! ……"

Bella hadn't meant to push him so hard. She wanted to turn around. Perhaps she could save him if she could get him to a hospital. But, the reality was she couldn't do that. She had risked vampire kind just so she could have some false comforts. She prayed deeply that she didn't screw up and kill the father of two.

Bella crossed the Canada/Washington border at sunrise. She searched for a place to hide from the sun. Her condition made her reflect on her human life. Perhaps being a normal teenager in Forks wasn't such a bad thing after all.