(So I'm re-posting all my chapters since I have re-edited all of them. Sorry if this confuses any one of you.)

Re-posted: 7/11/2010

Disclaimer:I do not own any of Twilight and no copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 3: The Forest

I wasn't sure what had at first woke me up, the only thing I knew for sure was it had come from outside. Sitting up, I kept as quiet as I could, listening closely to the noises around me. All of a sudden I heard it again, a wolf's howl! There was no way I was hearing things right, then when I heard it for a third time I knew I was not mistaken. Hearing the howling a fourth time caused my breath catch in my throat for I realized then how close the sound was to the house. Sitting there I paid closer attention to everything that was going on outside.

Paying no attention to anything other than the howling outside my window, seconds turned into minutes and minutes into hours. Before I knew it so much time had passed that it was almost five in the morning. As my eyes moved off of the clock sitting on my night stand they drifted over to the window. Not sure, what was drawing me to the window, all I knew was I had to see what was outside deep in the forest.

Pushing myself up onto my knees, I then stood up, as I figured it wouldn't hurt to take a quick glance out the window. Feeling shivers go down my back I pulled the blanket tighter around me. That's when I realized I was still wearing my bathing suit. I really did need to learn to pay better attention to things like this. Calmly but with a small amount of anxiety running throughout my body, I took the steps that would bring me closer to the window.

Once I found myself in front of it I reached for the lock before quietly opening it. I knew it wasn't a wise move but I just couldn't seem to stop or more like I didn't want to stop myself. Of course I forgot about how much colder it was at night until the sharp wind blew in striking my bare arms and legs. Instantly I started to shiver as goose bumps covered every inch of me.

It didn't take me long to figure out this wasn't going to work. By this time my teeth were chattering and I couldn't hear anything over them. I had to get dressed before I froze to death, not that I minded that much at all. Yet at the same time I had this feeling that I needed to know what was going on in the woods behind my house. I was drawn to this wolf's howl something that had never happen to me before. In my whole life, I had never cared about anything or anyone, not even myself.

Unable to take it any more I spun around just as the bitter wind struck my body again, sending more chills down my spine. As I shivered more I looked from my closet to my dresser. Not sure which one to go to first, in the end I headed over to the dresser. Opening a few drawers, I took out what clothes I needed before shutting them. Spinning around I made my way over to the closet and throw open the doors.

Snatching a hold of a pair of comfy jean and a long sleeve green shirt. I pulled both of them off of their hangers. Tossing them on to my bed, I then proceeded to change out of my swimsuit and put on my other clothes. Once I was done slipping on my last sock I reached for my hoodie that was hanging off my bed post. Sliding both arms in to the sleeves before walking back over to the window. By this point, I knew what I was going to do or maybe deep down I've known all along, I just wasn't ready to admit it yet.

Placing my feet into my clogs as I pulled the window open the rest of the way, I pushing the screen out and took a quick look to see how close the roof of the garage was to my window. If I was one to smile, I'm sure there would have been a big one across my lips when I saw that I was only a few feet from the roof.

Leaning my head back in, I then proceeded to bring my leg up and slid it out the window. When it was out and I was almost straddling the window seal I bent over to move my head and upper body out. Twisting just a bit to grab hold of the window edge, I held on while I brought my other leg out. Gradually I lowered myself until both feet were touching the garage roof.

Fairly pleased with myself I let go of the window edge and glanced around to check if anyone was out that might try to stop me. Not seeing anyone I then cautiously walked towards the front of the garage. Not seeing any way for me to get down there, I moved to the side and then the back. That's when I realized that the roof slanted downwards as it came to the back of the garage.

This was a very good thing, seeing that if I was right I could hang over the side and drop down without getting hurt. Not wanting to waste anymore time I dropped down to my knees, where I could feel the roughness of the shingles through my pants. Still not sure how I was going to get myself to be hanging off the side, I sat down with my legs handing off the side as I bit my lip to think about it.

After a few minutes I realized that if I just turned around from this potions I could slide off the side. Twisting my body around as I grabbed on to the frame of the roof, then slid my behind off and rotated the rest of my body around. Making sure, I had a firm grip on to the roof's frame before I gradually lowered myself down.

Taking a brief glance down just before letting go, realized then that I had misjudged the distance. What I thought to be only 2 foot drop looks now to be more like 3 and half to 4 feet. Knowing that I wasn't strong enough to pull myself back up and waiting for my mother or Jon to find me was out. With no other choice other than going through with my plan, I took a deep breath just before letting go.

Landing to the ground on my feet but unable to take the impact I fell back on to my behind. As I felt a sharp pain shoot throughout my behind, a groan escaped my lips. I had not meant for this to happen, so I was a little shocked that I had let that occur. For it had been a long time since I had let myself express any kind of emotion. Squeezing my eyes shut, I rolled over on to my side hoping it would help to relieve the pain some.

While all of this had, taken place there had not been one howl then without warning another howl came to my ears. This one was even closer than any of the ones before it. I almost felt like I had been watched the whole time I was sitting on the roof and trying to get down from it. With that thought passing through my mind I knew that if I was going to do this I had to get moving. Pushing up on to my knees after rolling on to my stomach, I didn't waste any time in getting up to my feet.

I took a brief glance back at the house to see if anyone had heard me. Not seeing anything, I headed for the edge of the forest. Not sure what to do now, I really wanted to see what was wrong with this wolf. Yet at the same time I knew what could happen if it saw me. Taking a few steps past the trees, I tried to listen for any movement near me. That's when I heard it another howl but this one felt like it was almost right next to me. Jumping back, I could feel my heart rate start to speed up as I scanned the area looking for the origin of the sound.

My head came to a sudden stop as my eyes widened at the sight that was in front of me. It was huge, enormous, I would have to say almost as tall as a horse, if not bigger, seeing that I haven't ever seen a horse in person I really couldn't tell which one it was. You could tell under its brown fur it was thicker in build, much more muscular then a horse. Though I wouldn't say its fur was a brown, brown. More like a light brown color, I know there is a word for this type of brown, sandy I think that's what people would call it. I was not sure if I was right or not, seeing how I really did not know much about the difference in what color was named what.

Ever so slowly, I moved my eyes up its long body. Come to a halt at its long muzzle that looked like it hid some very massive dagger-like incisors behind it. Forcing my eyes to continue on only stopping this time when I came to its eyes. The breath in my throat came to an abrupt halt at the sight of his beautiful hazel brown eyes. They seemed so sad, as if they had never seen a day of happiness in their whole life. Made me picture how my life was and wonder if it was possible for an animal to be treated the same. Could this wolf really understand how I felt? Did he know what it was like to be so unloved?

Shaking my head I knew I was just fooling myself. There was no way any animal that was wild and free could understand my pain. Now I'm not one to feel sorry for myself or to have other people feel sorry for me. In truth I just wanted to be left alone, I wanted my little corner back in that small padded white room. Nothing in this world could make me happier than being back there.

I leapt back to reality as a low whine came from the wolf's mouth. Taking a step back as it finally dawned on me that at any second this wild animal could strike me down with only one blow. Not that I really minded if he did at least I wouldn't have to live a life of fear. Keeping my eyes on him the whole time, I failed to see the tree root until it was too late. Throwing my arms back I tried to catch myself but was unable to as my back slammed in to the tree and I slid down it.

Landing on my behind, I glanced up to see why the wolf hadn't attacked yet. Seeing that he still hadn't moved a muscle I closed my eyes and just let the pain flow throughout my body. It seemed I was in a mood to inflict pain on myself tonight instead of letting others do it. Which was something very new to me, I had always made sure to avoid anything that would cause me to be in pain.

Taking my time, as I opened one eye at first, then the other one. I knew he would still be there, for I hadn't heard any movement from him while my eyes were closed. What shocked me though was the fact he still had yet to attack. At that moment in time, I don't know what came over me. All I knew was I couldn't sit there and just wait.

"Why are you toying with me? Just get it over with already! I know what you want, so why don't you take it already? Or are you some sick, sadistic wolf who likes to play with your food," I screamed at him or at least I tried to. In the end, it only sounded like a soft whisper.

My eyes almost popped out at the sound of my voice, I couldn't tell you the last time I had heard it with my own ears. Sure I screamed whenever I was touched but I never spoke. I was surprised by how much different it was from the voice in my head. The voice in my head was so hard, very strong deep voice that you could hear the pain from my heart screaming out with each word I thought. Yet my real voice, the one I never let speak was smooth, sweet almost musical sounding as if I was singing yet it was soft as a whisper.

Staring into his eyes once more, I waited for an indication that he was getting ready to strike now that I had challenged him to. Neither one of us moved for what seemed like forever. We were like statues, sitting there at the edge of the forest. All too soon my mind began to wander back in to my dark passed. Most times I would struggle to drive them back, I just couldn't seem to do that this time. It was like there was something inside this wolf that wanted me to open up, let out all my pain.

Then without warning, he let out a faint whimper that drew me back from the brink of my dark past. Never before had I come so close to the shadows that had hunted me every day of my life. Squeezing my eyes tight together, I forced myself to calm down, to find a way out of this mess I had put myself in. I also needed to find what it was about this wolf that had drawn me out of my bedroom, out in to this chilly night.

Shifting my position so I could sit up straighter, I couldn't help but cringe as a sharp pain shot through my back. Hearing myself moan, I opened my eyes to find the wolf slowly crawling forward towards me. Feeling my breathing increase, I watched, waiting to see what he was going to do next.

Fear rushed through me as I pressed back in to the tree more with each move of his paws. All too soon he was right next to me rubbing his nose up against my right arm. I jerked to the left hoping he would get the picture that I wasn't fine with him being so close to me. It didn't seem to work though; he just moved closer again and rubbed his nose on my arm once more.

"Please stop!"

My hand flew up to cover my mouth as I realized that I had let myself speak again. How was this happening? Why did I feel so free with this wolf? Free to do things I would never do in front of human. Letting a sigh out as the frustration built up from not being able to answer these questions. Not to mention the hundreds of other questions that ran through my mind.

Without even thinking about it I brought my eyes up to stare into his once more. Suddenly feeling a little bit braver I moved back to my original location, making sure the whole time never take my eyes off of his. It seemed at the same time he sensed my need for him to back away some.

"Wait, please don't go!"

I don't even know why I said that, it wasn't like he could understand me nor could he? For it seemed like a few seconds after I asked him to stay, he moved back. Cautiously I raised my hand up to the top of his muzzle and rubbed my finger tips over it gently. I would have never have guessed his fur would be so soft and smooth. If I didn't know better I would say it felt like, now what's that word I'm looking for, fuzzy I think that's the word.

"What is it about you that makes me feel so comfortable to be around you? I mean you're a wild animal shouldn't you be trying to eat me right now? I don't understand this at all and I don't think I want to," I told him, still stunned that I was being so open with a wolf.

It wasn't long before my whole hand was lying upon his nose, rubbing gently back and forth. Gradually I moved my hand up to the top of his head, then back down. Watching his eyes closely I could tell he was enjoying what I was doing. Without even thinking about it I moved up on to my knees so I was kneeling right next to him. Then without warning he laid down on his side and let out a soft whimper. That sounded like he was happy that I trusted him, not to mention I was touching him.

Not sure what to do at first, I sat there with my hand frozen on top of his head for a few seconds. When suddenly my curiosity took over and my hand moved down to his shoulder, then down further to his stomach. Stroking my hand back and forth I knew I was right about how the rest of his fur would feel. It was just like satin, it almost made me want to lay my head down on his stomach and curl up next to him.

As the notion passed through my mind, I thought I would have been more scared then I was. Who in their right mind would think about cuddling up with a wild wolf, let alone a wolf at all. Then again I wasn't in my right mind, was I? At least that's what everyone tells me. Without any hesitation after that thought, I laid myself down next to him and snuggled up close.

Burying my face in to his nape of his neck, I knew I was right about his fur he was just like a blanket. Being this close I was able to smell the earth's dirt, not exactly a musty smell but certainly wasn't a floral scent. He smelled of the forest, a faint hint of the pine needles, maybe he'd slept in them before.

Unable to stop myself, I found myself yawning. It appear my lack of sleep was catching up with me. Slowly I closed my eyes, for it seemed I couldn't fight the inevitable anymore. "I don't know what it is but I find myself feeling so free with you," I mumbled as I cuddled close and drifted off to sleep.

Lost as to where I was when I first heard someone yelling my name. I knew the voice, it was Jon but why was he looking for me? I was in my room, hiding in my corner, wasn't I? Taking a deep breath I smelt something different then the stale air that was in my room. No this was more of a woodsy smell, like trees and dirt mixed together. Forcing my eyes open I found myself snuggled up to a big fur ball. That's when it all came back to me, the forest, the wolf, and me sleeping next to him.

Hearing my name being called once more by my brother I shot up in to a sitting position. Glancing back towards the house I cringed at the fact that I would have to go back there. It seemed so surreal that I felt safer with a wild animal, and then I felt with my own flesh and blood.

Turning my eyes back on to the wolf I knew he had to go before my brother found him out here. Not taking my time I stood up and headed back to my house. Sensing him following me I turned back to him. "No you have to go. You can't come with me," I told him before taking another step. This time it appeared he didn't want to listen. "Please, I'm begging you stay or go back to your home. Please I don't want you hurt ," I pleaded with him this time.

Lowering his head I could tell he didn't want to do as I asked but he had no other choice as far as I could tell. Slowly he turned from me and took a few steps back in to the forest. Not sure what to say or do now I smiled softly as I whispered "Thank you." He turned to look at me just as my words came out. I'm not sure if I was seeing things or not but I'd swear that his eyes lit up when he saw my smile.

I have to say it was the first time in my life that someone was happy to see me smile. Though I have to be fair in the fact that no one has ever seen me smile. Not even before the accident did I smile, I was known as the quiet, shy baby who never seemed to want anything and there wasn't a thing that could make me happy. If only people had known what I was really going through and I wasn't about to show them, I refuse to go in to the darkness that was my past.

I waited a few minutes to watch him leave before taking off for the house. Making sure to glance around the yard so my brother couldn't sneak up on me as I walked towards the back door. Biting my lip I thought about what waited inside the house for me. Coming to the door I wasn't sure if I wanted to go inside. Thinking about it some I wondered if I still had time to find my wolf.

Confusion washed over me as to why I would refer to the wolf as mine. Shaking my head I knew trying to figure that out right now wasn't helping anything. Taking a few deep breaths, I started my way up the stairs and opened the door.

(So please let me know what you think by clicking on that little button down there, thanks.)