Chapter 7

Author's note- Thanks to everyone who's read, reviewed, favorited, or followed my story! The next chapter might take me a while, but it's where things will really get interesting. And please, don't try that experiment at home.

I can calculate the motion of heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people – Isaac Newton

Since we came back sooner than expected, I had time to prepare for my trip to Seattle. I went to my room without bothering to greet Charlie; he was watching a basketball game, and he hated interruptions.

Once in my room, I locked the door. I picked up the Highway to Hell CD album from AC/DC that Phil had given to me for Christmas. It was one of his favorite bands, and it quickly became one of my favorites as well. I placed it in my CD player and hit Play, turning up the volume as I began gathering everything I would be taking for the trip. More importantly, I needed to make sure I didn't forget anything.

I ran through the list: ammonium nitrate, fuel oil, powdered aluminum, Tovex, gunpowder, and a few other things. My primary concern was not whether I'd find them, but whether I could afford them. Then I remembered I had Edythe to bail me out.

I smiled, turned off the CD player and the lights, and climbed to bed.

I opened my eyes to a familiar place. Though part of my mind seemed to know that I was dreaming, most of me was just present in the green light of the forest. I could hear the waves crashing against the rocks somewhere nearby, and I knew that if I found the ocean, I'd be able to see the sun. I tried to follow the sound, but then Julie was there, tugging on my hand, pulling me back toward the blackest part of the forest.

"Jules? What's wrong?" I asked. Her face was frightened as she yanked on my hand, trying to tow me back into the dark.

"Run, Beau, you have to run!" she whispered, terrified.

"This way, Beau!" It was McKayla's voice I heard now, calling from the thick of the trees, but I couldn't see her.

"Why? What's going on?" I tried pulling my hand from Jules's grasp. Finding the sun was paramount in this dream for some reason. It was all I could focus on.

And then Jules dropped my hand – she let out a strange yelp and, suddenly shaking, she fell twitching to the ground. I watched in horror, unable to move.

"Julie!" I yelled, but she was gone. In her place was a big, red-brown wolf with black eyes. The wolf faced away from me, pointing toward the shore, the hair on the back of her shoulders bristling, low growls issuing from between her exposed fangs.

"Beau, run!" McKayla cried out again from behind me. But I didn't run. I was watching a light, coming toward me from the beach.

And then Edythe stepped out from the trees.

She wore a black dress. It hung all the way to the ground but exposed her arms to the shoulders and had a deep-cut V for a neckline. Her skin was faintly glowing, and her eyes were the same color as her dress. She held up one hand and beckoned me to come to her. Her nails were filed into sharp points and painted a red so dark they were almost as black as her dress. Her lips were the same color.

The wolf between us growled.

I was frozen in place, unable to look away from her. She smiled, and between her dark lips her teeth were sharp, pointed, like her fingernails.

"Trust me," she purred.

Like hell I will. But I couldn't move.

The wolf launched herself across the space between Edythe and me, fangs aiming for the jugular.

I tried to scream, but no sound came out.

Suddenly I was back in bed, sitting upright and drenched in sweat. I glanced, disoriented, at the clock on my dresser; it was 5:35 a.m.

I groaned, fell back, and rolled over onto my face. That's it, I thought. No more drugs.

I knew I wouldn't get any more sleep, so I decided to pack my things and leave by 6:00. I'd arranged to meet with Edythe at 8:30, but something told me I was better off on my own. I knew it was illogical to base my decision on some opioid-induced dream, but I had a feeling something bad would happen if I went with Edythe. I knew she'd be disappointed and demand an explanation, but that was fine by me; I'd just make something up later. Or maybe I should tell her about my dream; it would be interesting to observe her reaction. Regardless, I was going to Seattle alone.

I was on the road, still trying to convince myself I'd made the right decision. I wouldn't have to tell Charlie anything; he'd never known that Edythe had offered to take me to Seattle. And besides, Edythe might not agree to transport my… chemistry supplies back to Forks. And in any case, I didn't think she would want to go to church with me. But it was no use. I felt like I'd betrayed her, all over some stupid dream. I knew I'd betrayed her, but the decision had been made.

When the sun finally broke through the horizon, I once again remembered the dream. I'd been trying to reach the sun then, but I never could. But this wasn't a dream. The sun was real, and that's where I was headed. I grinned and reached for my CD player and headphones. The trip to Seattle would take awhile, and I couldn't think of a better way to pass the time than listening to Highway to Hell.

I came back home exhausted. It had taken me longer than I'd expected to find what I was looking for, and I'd been forced to forgo several items on my list that were too expensive. I also had to make sure everything was ready to use by tomorrow; I didn't want my dad to enter my room at 3:00 a.m. to find me tinkering with explosives. I had considered skipping church, but I promised my mom I would never stop going, and I had no intention of breaking any more promises.

The lights were out, and I realized Charlie wasn't home, for which I was glad. If he knew what I bought, I'd never hear the end of it. I unloaded the supplies and took them to my room, trying to find a good hiding place for them. Charlie rarely came into my room, so I decided to just place everything under the bed. I didn't think I would have them for very long anyway.

I took a quick shower, then got dressed and went to bed, hoping I didn't have any heroin-induced nightmares this time.

For the second time since arriving in Forks, I woke to the bright yellow light of a sunny day. I went to the window, stunned to see that there was hardly a cloud in the sky. I opened the window – surprised when it opened silently, without sticking, though I hadn't opened it in years. – and sucked in the relatively dry air. It was lukewarm, and hardly windy at all. This was going to be a good day.

Charlie was finishing breakfast when I came downstairs, and he picked up on my mood immediately.

"Nice day out," he commented. "So how was the trip? Did you find everything you were looking for?"

"Yeah," I said, grinning. It was true, technically. I hadn't bought everything, but I had what I needed.

He smiled back, his brown eyes crinkling around the edges. Whenever he smiled that way, it was easier to imagine him as the man who had impulsively married a beautiful girl he barely knew when he was only three years older than I was now. There wasn't much of that man remaining. He'd faded over the years, but there was still some of that old spirit left.

I ate breakfast with a smile on my face, watching the dust motes stirring in the sunlight that streamed in the back window. Charlie called out a goodbye, and I heard the cruiser pull away from the house. I hesitated on my way out the door, hand on my rain jacket. It would be tempting fate to leave it home. I folded it over my arm and stepped out into the brightest light I'd seen in months.

After a short battle, I was able to get both windows in the truck almost completely rolled down. I was one of the first ones to school; I hadn't even glanced at my watch in my hurry to get outside. I parked and headed toward the picnic benches on the south side of the cafeteria. The benches were still damp, so I sat on my jacket, glad to have a use for it. I still had that Macbeth paper to write, but right now I didn't really feel like doing anything. I simply leaned back against the table, legs crossed, "chillaxing" as some of my peers were fond of saying.

"Beau!" I heard someone call, and it sounded like McKayla. I looked around to see that the school had filled with kids while I'd been sitting here. Everyone was in t-shirts, some even in shorts, thought the temperature couldn't be more than 16°C. McKayla was coming toward me in a skirt that only reached the middle of her thighs and a tank top. My eyes bulged.

"Hey, McKayla," I answered, smirking. "You're looking good."

She came to sit with me, the sun shimmering off her freshly straightened hair, a grin stretching across her face. She was very happy to see me, and I couldn't help but feel responsive (though perhaps not for the same reasons).

"Great day, isn't it?"

"My kind of day," I agreed.

"What did you do yesterday?" she asked in a rather proprietary tone, which I found amusing. Did this girl think she owned me?

"I went to Seattle to buy a few things," I replied casually.

She raised her eyebrows. "Really? Like what?"

I grinned. "You'll find out soon. Speaking of which, do you think you could tell the other students about a science demonstration I plan to host after school? I promise it'll be worth their time, and yours."

She shook her head, grinning. "Just what are you planning?"

"Like I said, you'll find out soon." I gave her a mysterious smile.

She laughed. "Why do I get the feeling you're going to do something really bad? Ok, I'll let them know."

"So," she asked, suddenly serious. "Do you want to go out today?"

I smiled at her. "Who can say no to a face like that?" She broke into a smile as well.

It was true: I could hardly say no to a girl like McKayla. I glanced at her legs, trying to seem casual. Had she come dressed like this with the intent to seduce me? If so, then it worked. I sighed inwardly: McKayla was far less attractive than Edythe, but she was much more easygoing, not to mention mentally stable. Maybe that was what I needed; a girl who wasn't complicated and who genuinely wanted to be around me, without any of the crap about being dangerous. On the other hand, I wasn't sure I was ready for a real relationship, and McKayla seemed a little too possessive.

I glanced at my watch and rose from the table. "I don't want to be late again. I'm already on Mr. Mason's hit list."

She grinned again. " Alright. So have you done the Macbeth essay?"

I laughed. "I haven't even started on it."

When I saw Jeremy in Trig, he was just as fired up by the sunny day as I was. He, Allen, and Logan were headed into Port Angeles to catch a movie and order corsages for the dance, and I was invited. I told them him the science experiment I was planning today, hoping to change their minds (excluding Logan). When he saw my mischievous look, he decided to go along.

Finally we were on our way to lunch. I simultaneously dreaded and could not wait for this moment; I wanted to see Edythe, but did not know how I would justify leaving her behind. I did not have to worry, however; a quick glance at the Cullens' table revealed that it was empty. Not only was Edythe gone, but so was the rest of her family. I expected to feel relief, but instead I felt more apprehensive. I'd have to face her sooner or later. Was possible in fact that I had somehow been responsible for this? No, that was ridiculous. Why would the rest of her family care what I did? I reminded myself that they had been absent on a number of other occasions. Who knew what they were up to?

We were late enough that everyone was already at our table. I vaguely noticed that Erica had saved a seat for Jeremy, and that his face lit up in response.

Allen asked a few quiet questions about the Macbeth paper, though I told him I wasn't the best person to ask.

"So you're doing a science experiment after school?" he asked curiously.

"Yes," I replied cheerfully. "Trust me, you won't want to miss it."

He smiled. "Ok. I'll be there."

Most of the students eventually found out about my upcoming experiment, though they took care not to discuss it while other teachers were present. Biology class was brimming with anticipation, but my regret for Edythe's absence was beyond words.

After Gym class I rushed to my truck and unloaded everything I would need, then went to the spot where I planned to do the demonstration. Nearly a dozen students were already gathered there, and they began cheering when they saw me walking toward them with the supplies, though I noticed McKayla and Jeremy weren't there.

I smiled, then glanced at my watch. I had twenty minutes to set everything up if I wanted to meet my timetable.

I was in the process of making final adjustments on the Tovex, which would serve as the primer for the explosion, when McKayla arrived in her car with Jeremy and Erica in tow. McKayla got off her car but left the door open.

"Did you find it?" I asked her.

"You bet," she replied, smirking.

"Beau!" Jeremy exclaimed. "What are you up to, man?"

Almost fifty people were gathered, and everything was just about set now, so I decided to make the announcement.

"Alright, listen up." I scanned the crowd and noticed almost everyone I knew was present and accounted for: Jeremy, Erica, McKayla, Allen, Becca, and Taylor. Logan wasn't here, but he would not be missed.

"I promised you all a science experiment, and I hope you leave with your minds blown." I looked at McKayla. "Hit it."

She grinned, and placed another of my AC/DC albums, Back in Black, in her car's CD player. She skipped to the second song, Shoot to Thrill, and turned up the volume.

"What do you get when you blow up ammonium nitrate and fuel oil in a 17:1 ratio?" I asked, not really expecting an answer.

"In addition to gaseous nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and H2O, you get a velocity of detonation of 7600 meters per second, powerful enough to blow up a building, if you build a big enough bomb. Of course, I could only afford so much, but I'll have to ask all of you to stand back: this will still be very dangerous."

There were plenty of murmurs among the students now as they distanced themselves from the setup. McKayla, who was walking toward me, shook her head in disbelief.

"You're insane," she said, an expression of awe in her pretty face.

I wrapped my arm around her. "I'm just trying to bring a little life into this town."

She smiled, and our lips met for the first time. It was incredible: I'd never even had a girlfriend before, and now I had a gorgeous girl falling in love with me.

Reluctantly, I parted my lips from hers, and pulled the detonator from my pocket.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is how you break the ice." I pressed the trigger.

There was a tremendous boom and a cloud of smoke as the explosion tore through the forest, splintering trees and sending dirt flying in all directions. I'd underestimated the magnitude of the explosion; my ears were ringing, even though I was standing with the rest of the students almost fifty feet away.

Evidently not all of the students had been similarly affected; I heard cheering and hoots from many of them, most of them males. They'd probably never seen a real explosion in their lives.

They began chanting my new name. "Beau the Bomber! Beau the Bomber!

I smiled. "Thank you all, for your support and encouragement. But please, don't try this at home, unless you want a visit from the Department of Homeland Security. And that's probably the best-case scenario."

Just then, I heard what I thought was Mr. Mason's voice. "Hey, what are you kids doing over there?"

Oh crap. "Everybody run!"

The next day was comparatively uneventful. I spent much of it reminiscing about my date with McKayla. She'd taken me to her parents' house for dinner; evidently she wanted to formalize our relationship, which I thought was a good idea, if an old-fashioned one. Her mother, Karen Newton, certainly knew how to cook a meal. She made chicken teriyaki, which was absolutely delicious. I found Mr. Newton agreeable as well; we all exchanged jokes at the dinner table, and he told me the ins and outs of running a business.

"Maybe you could work here part-time," he'd suggested.

"That sounds good," I had said. "I'll need to save up for my prom dress."

We all got a good laugh at that. I felt a slight twinge of envy, though. Why couldn't I have a family like this?

Jeremy and Allen invited me to the movie they were supposed to watch yesterday. I was relieved to hear that Logan wasn't coming after all, and accepted their offer. McKayla had wanted to come, but she had to finish her Macbeth paper. I'd finished mine in about an hour, and I offered to let her copy, but she refused, claiming that it wouldn't be fair to take advantage of my work (and Mr. Mason would notice anyway).

After school Jeremy followed me home in his old white Mercury so that I could ditch my truck, and then we headed to Allen's. He was waiting for us.

"So what movie are we watching," I asked Jeremy.

"Hitch," he replied, smiling. "It's a romantic comedy, starring Will Smith. You know I'll watch anything if he's in it."

What a shame, I thought, as we drove out of the town limits. I'd have loved watching that movie with McKayla. Or Edythe.