EDIT: So many spelling errors. I fixed what I found, BLEH.

A/N: You would not believe how busy I am. But I got this out for you guys as soon as I could! And thanks for the influx of favorites and story alerts! The reviews are also really, truly appreciated. I'd be a little more excited if I saw a bit more feedback from my readers!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters mentioned in this story. They all belong to Stephenie Meyer. I'm just using them for non-profitable entertainment usage.

I also don't own the poem used in this story, It Is Fairest in the Gloaming Air by Pär Lagerkvist. However, I do own my two OCs mentioned in this chapter; Bailey and Kendra. :)

(Warning: Mild language in this chapter, but not too bad.)

Chapter 4: And the Sun Goes Down

There was a soft rap at the door. Jacob raced to the porch and wrenched the door open, a look of relief on his face.

She stood on the porch, wearing her same aviator shades again. She wore a navy blue turtleneck that shaped to her body and rose a bit above her belly button, where Jacob couldn't help but notice a black tribal sun tattooed around it. She wore low-rise gray skinny jeans and Keds that matched her shirt. A black Chicago Bulls cap was on her head, her hair straight and loose.

"You called?" Kendra asked, taking a sip from the thermos in her hand.

"Yes…" Jacob trailed off. "Bailey sort of had an outburst today and we kind of need your help."

"How about we cut the small talk and just get to the chase already?" Kendra said.

"Why don't you come inside first?" Jacob said.

Kendra stepped past him and into the tiny living room. It was crowded with other half naked, buff Quileutes, all of them looking like clones of Jacob. Kendra raised a brow and waved awkwardly.

"Hi," she said shortly.

One of the guys deliberately pushed off of the couch and made his way over to Kendra, blatantly putting his hand out. She placed her hand in his, noticing how high his temperature was. While she stared at his hand in confusion, she did not notice his relentless stare until she looked up. He blinked slowly, smiling.

"I'm Paul," he whispered.

"Nice to meet you, Paul. I hope we all get along," Kendra said.

He stared at her, looking completely mesmerized when she spoke his name. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the other guys elbowing each other and sending cheesy grins in her direction. Kendra resisted the urge to roll her eyes and slowly slid her hands from his grip.

"Oh, um, sorry," Paul mumbled, rubbing the back of his head.

"It's okay," Kendra said, sipping her coffee again.

"Would you like to sit down?" Paul asked.

Kendra shrugged, "Sure, I guess."

Paul shoved one of the other guys off of the couch and made room for Kendra, making sure he maintained his spot next to her. She silently shook her head.

"Seems every time I see you it's not for a good reason," Billy said, coming into the room.

"Hey, Billy!" Kendra said enthusiastically. "I promise next time I visit it'll be for a better occasion."

"I hope so," Paul said under this breath. Kendra heard him anyway but chose to ignore it.

"How the hell can you be so calm?" Jacob demanded, pacing around the room.

"Jacob, maybe you need a little reminder, but you called me," Kendra retorted. "We're not going to get shit done by freaking out."

"We have to do something, now," Jacob growled.

Kendra rested her coffee thermos between her thighs and narrowed her eyes at Jacob. "She's been here less than a week, and suddenly you care about her like you've known her for years."

"Like that matters!"

"It does matter, Jacob Black, because you don't know a thing about her. Why am I so calm? Because I've been through this before, and I know exactly how to handle this."

"Then why aren't you?"

"One, I just walked in not two minutes ago! And two, you never told me where she is or what the hell happened in the first place, dumbass!"

"Arguing isn't going to get us anywhere either. Let's just calm down and start over. Jacob, just tell us what happened from the beginning," Billy said.

"Emily and Bailey were talking to each other. I thought they were bonding but I was wrong. Bailey got upset about whatever was said and she stormed out," Jacob said. "I found her in the forest."

"Do you know what they were talking about?" Kendra interjected.

"When I found Bailey she kept talking about how love wasn't real and how it hurt. She was burning herself with a cigarette. And then she started freaking out when I touched her."

Kendra pursed her lips, looking lost in thought. As the seconds ticked by, Jacob grew angry as he started piecing things together in his mind. He grabbed Kendra by the shoulders and squeezed uncomfortably. She stiffened in his hold but kept a harsh glare on her face. Paul immediately stood up, growling.

"There's something more going on about Bailey and you know it!" Jacob shouted, shaking her violently.

Her coffee thermos fell the ground, black coffee spilling all over the floor. Through her disheveled hair and lopsided cap, Kendra stared into Jacob's eyes, seeming to pierce through to his soul. Her lip was curled up into a sneer as she spoke.

"Bailey goes through phases. I knew this was going to happen soon," Kendra hissed. "I hung around Washington this whole week."

"Maybe a little warning-"

"Put. Her. Down." Paul snarled, looking ready to kill someone at any moment.

Jacob set her down quickly and she took a step back. Unconsciously, Paul put a hand at the small of her back, a gesture that didn't go unnoticed by Kendra. She pulled away from him in a huff. With a quick jerk of her head, the joints in her neck cracked.

"So what if I warned you or not? Since when did you care so much anyway, huh?" Kendra demanded.

"Obviously you don't care as much as I do since all you're doing is sitting around -"

"I don't care as much as you do? You don't even know her, Jacob. I've been through crazy shit with her that you can't even imagine!" Kendra shouted. "And look who's talking? You're the one that left her behind somewhere and you probably don't even know where she is!"

"Kendra! Jacob! Cut it out! There's no time for this!" Billy interrupted. "We need to find Bailey. It's storming out there. It's not safe."

Jacob took a deep, calming breath. "She's in the attic of the house she moved into."

Kendra crossed her arms. "Look, I didn't come here to argue. I just get a little touchy when it comes to issues with Bailey. Truce?" Kendra said, holding out her hand.

"Sure, sure." Rather than shaking it, Jacob have her a quick high five, noticing the dangerous look on Paul's face had he done anything further.

"It would be a good idea if I went in there alone too," Kendra said, noting the incredulous look on Jacob's face. "If she's afraid to go near you, obviously your presence won't do any good."

"Do you have some sort of plan?" Jacob asked.

"Yeah. Things might get a little ugly," Kendra said.

After a short ten-minute walk through the mud and leaf litter, the pack and Kendra came to a stop in front of Bailey's house. A new white door replaced the old broken one, and a few of the windows were installed with new glass. Jacob easily spotted the book Bailey had been reading earlier that day. The book, already looking worn and damaged, was soaked in the rain. Jacob did not take that as a good omen.

Kendra said nothing as she broke from the group and opened the door. Looking around, she saw all the furniture covered in plastic covering and cobwebs everywhere. Silently, she shook her head. Later, she noted, when things were better, she would help spruce up the place and make it look homier. The steps creaked as she made her way up to the second floor, which looked just as dowdy as the first. She made her way to the rectangular shape on the ceiling near the far end of the hallway. She reached up and grabbed the small latch, pulling it down. A folded, wooden ladder was revealed, and Kendra slowly pulled out the ladder to set it on the floor. Taking a deep breath, Kendra slowly climbed the ladder. Her left hand reached the top of the ladder, and a hardcover book came flying in her direction.

"This is not going to be fun," Kendra muttered under her breath.

Her other hand reached the top, and more objects came flying, some directly hitting her fingers. There was a pause in the projectiles, and Kendra held her breath, fully hauling herself up. She caught another book that came flying her way, but was completely caught of guard when an iron kettle came flying immediately afterward. The force of it flung her backward, causing her to hit her back on the edge of the opening of the attic before she slipped off the ladder.

Bailey quickly appeared in the opening, clutching a wrench in her hand. She stared at Kendra wildly, her flushed, tear-stained face turning to a sickly pallor.

Kendra have her a lopsided grin, groaning as she sat up. "Hey, kid," she said.

The only response from Bailey was a low, strangled noise as her face scrunched up in horror and disappeared from the opening. Sighing, Kendra stood up slowly and climbed back up the ladder. Bailey sat crouched in a corner, hiding her face between her knees.

"Bailey," Kendra called quietly.

"He's going to get you, Kendra," Bailey whispered. "You have to get out of here."

"He's not here," Kendra said firmly. "He's gone forever and he won't be back."

"No, no, no," Bailey moaned.

"You know what happened to him, Bailey," Kendra argued. "You saw it. It's over now."

"He's always there. Watching," Bailey murmured. "It won't end."

"He-"

"I can feel him looking for me. I can feel him… touching me."

Kendra crouched in front of her, grabbing hold of Bailey's hands. "He is not here. Say it with me."

"Look what he did to me, Kenny," Bailey said tearfully, referring to Kendra with her old nickname. "Can't take it anymore."

"I know, sweetie, but you don't have to deal with that anymore," Kendra whispered, kissing her knuckles.

"He burned me," Bailey murmured.

Kendra stared at the burn marks on her arms. "No sweetie. That was a long time ago. This was you."

"No!" Bailey shouted, snatching her hands away. She threw her arms around her head protectively. "He was there! I heard him! I saw him! Those eyes… his eyes!"

Kendra shook her head. "You'll never see those eyes again," she said gently. "You're safe here."

"I was never safe," Bailey said flatly. "Nobody was there."

"I'm sitting right here," Kendra replied. "I'm not going anywhere."

"You were never there before."

A pained look crossed Kendra's face. "Bailey… If I could've been there, I would have. Things would be different. Everything would be normal," she said. "We wouldn't have to shoulder all this… burden."

"Why the change of heart?"

"Change of heart?" Kendra repeated sharply. "I would kill for you, don't you get that? If I could go back in time, I would gladly take your place. But I can't. And I know you hate me for it, but… it's the truth."

"I… I don't hate you, Kendra," Bailey said.

"Do you fear me?" she asked quietly.

"Of course not!" Bailey exclaimed.

"Are you afraid of Jacob?"

"…I'm getting used to him being around," she answered.

"Today you confused Jacob with him," Kendra said. Bailey's eyes widened. "You saw his eyes in Jacob's eyes, didn't you."

"I…I…I-"

"You fought back, didn't you?" Kendra interrupted.

"I- Yes. I did. I did!" Bailey answered.

Kendra smiled sweetly, holding Bailey's face between her hands. She kissed each cheek tenderly before she leaned her forehead against Bailey's.

"It's okay to fight back," Kendra said. "You don't have to hesitate."

"But he-"

"He's not here, Bailey, remember that," Kendra said. "But that's not my point. You fought. You fought. Do you know what that means?"

"Um…"

A full-blown grin spread across Kendra's face. "I told you this place is magic, Bailey. You… You're healing. Slowly."

Bailey's face was wiped clean of emotion, her eyes wider than before. Her bottom lip began to tremble as she squeezed her eyes closed and bowed her head. Kendra pulled her arms around her shoulders as she felt Bailey shudder. Bailey squeezed Kendra's shirt as she let out a loud sob. Kendra simply patted her back and let her cry, smiling gently. Her eyes wandered over to the opening of the attic, where she spotted Jacob's head peaking over. She motioned him over with a jerk of her head.

Jacob quietly made his way over to the two girls, kneeling beside them. Bailey looked up from the embrace, looking almost startled when she noticed Jacob. She sniffled quietly, staring into his eyes, the eyes filled with warmth that she had confused with malice.

"I-I'm sorry, Jacob," Bailey said tearfully.

Jacob reached out and wiped away a falling tear, a grin on his face. "I'm just glad you're feeling better now."

Bailey buried her face into Kendra's shoulder again, sobbing again. Kendra rolled her eyes dramatically while Jacob chuckled.

"It's a step in the right direction," Kendra said. "I could do without the waterworks though."

Hidden behind the long veil of Kendra's hair, a small smile formed on Bailey's face.

"I'm really gonna feel this tomorrow," Kendra grumbled.

She leaned forward with her hands clutching at her back and slowly bent backward. She cried out as her joints cracked painfully and was quick to hunch forward again, breathing through clenched teeth. Bailey made a pitiful noise as she watched her.

"I'll be fine, Bailey, seriously," Kendra reassured her.

"But I-"

"No buts," Kendra interrupted.

"Are you sure it's not because of-"

"It's not like that anymore. I said that already," Kendra said.

"Because of what?" Paul interjected suddenly.

The two stared at him strangely before Bailey spoke up, "She used to scratch for hours, and-"

"I don't do that anymore. End of story," Kendra said shortly.

"I have some balm in cabinet if you'd like some, Kendra," Billy said. "It soothes the ache for a while."

Jacob walked out in search of it before she could answer. Kendra continued rubbing her back, flexing until she grimaced and returned to her hunched form on the floor with her legs spread eagle. Jacob returned into the living room with a small container filled with tinted paste. Before anyone had any say, Paul snatched the container and walked over to Kendra.

"Cover everything," Kendra groaned, pulling the back of her shirt over her head.

Silvery, pink slashes marred her back, faded from time. Purple and red blotches bloomed across her back, distinctly in the small of her back.

Twin blackbirds sat on either shoulder blade with intricate swirls and knots in each. Just below the worst of her bruises, in a small bold text was another tattoo that read in different language:

Allt är mitt, och allt skall tagas från mig,

inom kort skall allting tagas från mig.

Träden, molnen, marken där jag går.

Jag skall vandra –

ensam, utan spår.

The last line faded into small feathers that gave off the effect of feathers drifting in an invisible breeze. After a few moments of silence, Kendra looked up from her slouched position.

"What?" she asked, regarding everyone in the room. When she noticed all eyes had been zoned in on her back, she smirked. "You act like you've never seen a tattoo before, yet all of you have one on your arm."

"What language is that?" Jacob asked.

"Swedish," Bailey said, a wistful look in her eye.

Kendra recited the poem perfectly, speaking reverently like it was a dogma.

"You speak Swedish?" Paul asked.

"Fluently," Bailey and Kendra responded at the same time.

"And what does it mean?"

"All is mine, and all shall be taken away from me,

within moments all shall be taken away from me.

The trees, the clouds, the earth I face.

I shall wander—

alone, without a trace," Bailey said.

"I got that one when I was fifteen," Kendra said, a distant look in her eye. She pointed out a particularly wide pink slash on her back. "Then I got this."

After another beat of silence, Kendra sighed in frustration. "Can we ogle later?" she demanded. "My back is still hurting, you know!"

And just like that, the momentary spell that the two girls seemed to cast over the pack had faded. The cool balm was pressed against Kendra's back and she fell into silence. The boys resumed their own conversations amongst each other, except Jacob. He sat next to Bailey, observing her as she watched Kendra. It only occurred to him now that they were soaked from the previous rainstorm.

"Do you want to borrow some clothes?" Jacob asked, lifting himself from the couch.

"Um, okay," Bailey answered timidly.

The pair walked down the short hallway into Jacob's tiny room. Clothes were scattered all over the floor, drawers hanging open and the bed sheets in disarray. He quickly began to throw items into a pile inside of his closet in attempt to hide the mess.

"Excuse the mess," Jacob chuckled nervously, continuing the throw clothes around.

"It was expected," Bailey said.

Jacob looked at her in surprise before a grin bloomed across his face. He came up with a black sweatshirt and basketball shorts.

"These are going to be huge on you," Jacob warned.

Bailey shrugged and waited for Jacob to step out before she began to change. The black sweatshirt had a gray wolf throwing its head back in a howl, which reached to her mid thigh. The sleeves went well past her hands, and the shorts barely hung on her hips, stopping below her knees. When she walked out into the hallway, Jacob could not help but stare.

Something about seeing her in his clothes captivated him. The black tones of his clothing brought out the paleness of her skin, and the contrast further emphasized the subtle flush of her skin. He could not help but stare into her bronzed eyes and travel downward, noting the way her pouty lips parted as she yawned. As she moved her hand to cover her mouth, he could not control the slow smile on his face when he noticed the sleeves were adorably too long for her. She was practically swimming in his clothes and she still managed to look lovely.

"How do your burns feel?" He suddenly blurted out, ruining his own moment.

Bailey's brow furrowed. "I'll survive," she replied.

"Jeez, Bailey, you're tiny," Kendra remarked. She was sitting up on the couch, arms folded across her chest.

Bailey took a seat next to her seat, resting her head in Kendra's lap. Kendra began coming fingers through Bailey's wet hair absentmindedly, grinning.

"I've always missed being here," Kendra said quietly. "When I was living with you guys, I wanted to stay here forever."

"You used to live here?" Paul interjected.

"Foster care for a couple of months," Kendra answered. She looked up, coyly staring at Jacob. "That was when I used to be taller than Jake."

"I was bound to grow someday," Jacob said.

"Seriously, Jacob, lay off the steroids. You might want to be able to fit through doors without turning sideways some day," Kendra snickered.

"Ooh, burn," Jacob countered, mocking Kendra's voice in a falsetto, girlish tone.

"So how long are you going to stay in La Push?" Paul interjected again.

Kendra and Jacob stared at Paul momentarily, surprised by his constant interruptions in their conversation. It was almost like… he was jealous, or something of that nature.

"I don't know," Kendra answered honestly. "Maybe another week or too. I really wanted to get familiar with the place again."

"I can show you around," Paul offered.

"I, uh, okay, I guess," Kendra stuttered, completely baffled by his eagerness to converse with her.

"Bailey should come along to get a feel of the land," Jacob said.

Kendra grinned widely. "Field trip!"