Chapter 9: Of Mice and Men

Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight


The next few days went on as before, then Saturday came and we took Ephraim and Liam with us to the hospital. Bella asked Tawa, "Would you like to come with us?"

"Nah … it's too upsetting. I'll stay here and watch the house."

She shrugged. "Have it your way."

Putting down her hairbrush, she walked toward the bed. "What's gotten into that boy? This whole week, he's been cooking and cleaning. He's even been helping me with the dishes and washing the kid's clothes. He's taking out the trash without being told, for crying out loud. I don't get it."

I pulled back the covers for her. "Maybe this accident put everything in perspective for him."

"I hope so, for his sake." Bella turned off the lamp and slid under the sheets, cuddling up to me.

By now, Carlie was out of the ICU, and in her own room. She was so excited to see her brothers, but then pouted. "Where's Tawa, didn't he wanna come to see me?"

"Sorry, sweetheart. Maybe next time."

"Oh, pooh!"

She smiled, her eyes bright. "But did you bring me some food?"

Bella laughed. "Don't they feed you here?"

"Uh-huh, but it's really oocky. Seriously."

Ephraim had been standing beside the bed, eyeing the bulge under the covers. Curious, he lifted the blankets from her stump. "Where's the rest of your leg at?"

With a gasp, Bella hissed, "Ephraim …!"

A hush fell on the room, and all the levity flew out the double-paned windows. I wanted to brain the little squirt, but I was too choked-up to do anything.

"It's okay, Momma. I know. And also, the Doctor told me I'm gonna get a new leg. I don't really want one." Frowning, she added, "I want my old one back. Doctor Patel says that was a funny thing to say. Why was that so funny?"

Bella pulled her chair closer to the bed. "Honey, Dr. Patel meant that they're going to make you a leg out of metal so you can walk again."

Her little face clouded, and my heart sank when she simply said, "Oh …"

Looking at each other, Liam and Ephraim chanted, "Cool—Robo-Carlie!"


Day after day, Bella and Jake asked Tawa to go to the hospital with them, but he declined.

"Please don't make me go, Aunt Bells. I won't be able to stand seeing her that way."

"She's asking for you, Tawa. It hurts me to look at her face when she sees you're not there. She misses you. She loves you."

He lowered his eyes. "Yeah, well, I can't understand why."

With a shrug, Bella said, "All right. I guess we'll have to make up another excuse for you."


The day finally arrived when we could bring Carlie home. I spotted Tawa through the front window as I drove the car up. He scooted out the back door, purposely avoiding us. What the hell?

I parked the RAV in front of the Taj, since I had another vehicle already taking up space in there. I'd been working on that car in my spare time as a favor to Embry. It was to be a surprise for Embry's daughter, Naomi. Bella was always chiding me to get the damn thing running so we could at least fit one of our cars inside. It'd have to sit on the back burner yet again.

I carried Carlie into the house, with Liam pushing a wheelchair into the living room behind me. It brought back vivid memories of the years when I cared for my dad, never dreaming I'd be doing the same for my own daughter.

Tawa peeked into Carlie's room that night. Her eyes were closed, so he figured it'd be safe to sneak in. Suddenly those eyes popped open. "Tawa!"

Damn, caught in the act. No sense in acting like she didn't see him.

"Hi."

"How come you didn't ever come to see me? I missed you."

He slouched, tucking his hands in his pockets. "Sorry, I was afraid it would make me feel too sad."

"Oh …" She sat up in the bed. "Hey, you know what?"

"I don't know—what?"

"Tomorrow, I get to see my make-believe leg."

With his throat tightened, he said, "That's good."

"And also, Momma says she's gonna take me for ice cream after that."

"Yeah, I guess you really love that ice cream."

"With chocolate sauce and sprintles too."

"Okay, well, I better let you get back to sleep."

"But, I wasn't asleep."

"You weren't?"

"Nah-ah. I was waiting for you."

"For me? Why?"

She gave him a look as if to say, You know why, dummy.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "All righty then. G'night, Carlie."

"Nighty-night, Tawa. And also, sweet dreams with sprintles on top."

Like that could ever happen again in his lifetime.


The next day at around 11: P.M. or so, loud howls pierced the air—a call to patrol duty. Tawa scrambled out of the house, phasing on the fly.

What are you doing here? Quil asked. I thought you wanted no part of this. Not your people and all that crap.

Yeah, well, a guy can change his mind, can't he?

Changed your mind, eh? Good, 'cause we sniffed out a couple of nomads up ahead. So get ready to join the party. Vampire elimination coming up!

Tawa had never seen a vamp up close. He never even suspected they existed, that is, until now. Creepy … And the odor. Ugh! His nostrils burned from the stench. But there they were, with blood-red eyes, flashing by them, their pale skin almost luminous in the dark. It was amazing how fast they were. Lucky for him, the wolves were faster.

The pack worked in unison, as if they were one mind and body. It was impressive. The vamps had no chance against them. He felt at once a part of something bigger than himself, and it was a good feeling—a proud feeling. The wolves had vanquished the enemy.

Paul shoved him with his shoulder. Hey, Tawa, you did okay for a newbie.

Thanks, Uncle Paul.

He was happy for the moment, and actually, let out a howl of joy. But the happiness fled quickly, as thoughts of the accident descended, leaving him despondent. He ran off, hoping the rest of the guys didn't witness what was going on inside his skull.

Quil's muzzle scrunched up. Paul, did you catch that?

Yeah, but just a smidge.

Was Tawa there that night? At the accident I mean.

I don't know. I guess we'll find out soon enough.


At home, I heard the baying of a wolf, one wolf in particular. I got out of bed and walked over to the window, scratching the back of my neck. "Was that Tawa? That's weird. Em said he refused to be a pack member."

Bella sat up in bed. "Are you sure that's him?"

"Positive. Man, that kid has been a barrel of surprises lately."

"You don't need to tell me. He helped to get Carlie in and out of the car today."

"Hmn …"


Another couple of weeks passed and Carlie was in therapy to learn how to walk with her new prosthesis. Being so young and fearless, she took to it readily. She was walking around the house in no time. The boys were careful not to horse around near her though, and Tawa seemed to be on guard every time they got to close to her. He always had this look on his face whenever he glanced at her. I wondered what that was all about, but was soon to find out.


There was a knock at the front door. Bella opened it to find Embry standing on the threshold.

"Hey, Bella, Jake here?"

"Sorry, he's in the shower. Can I help you with something?"

Embry shifted his weight from foot to foot. "Um … I know this is bad timing and all, but do you think Jake could get that car running by next week? Naomi's birthday is coming up, and I wanted this year to be special."

"Sure, that's understandable. I'll tell him."


I was getting increasingly frustrated. No new information about the accident was forthcoming. How was it possible that not one person saw anything? I even checked with Charlie. Nada. He was just as baffled as I was, and just as anxious to string up the monster who maimed his granddaughter.

Bella let me know that Embry had dropped by, so I decided that maybe burying myself in the engine of Naomi's car—literally—would take my mind off the way life had changed for us. I noticed Tawa out of the corner of my eye as I told Bella my plan.

That night Bella said, "The school called today. Tawa wasn't there, and his bed wasn't slept in last night. Where can he be? I'm really getting concerned."

"Ah, don't worry. He's a big boy and can take care of himself, especially since he's phased. Besides, he'll come around eventually when he gets tired and hungry enough."

"I don't know, Jake. Something's going on with him. He turned white as a sheet when Embry came the other night."

"Well, don't hold your breath, honey, 'cuz I'm not going to waste my time searching for him."

I turned out the light. Tawa's disappearance wasn't going to ruin my sleep.


I whistled while I worked, trying to get a radiator hose clamp to come loose. No soap. Walking to the far wall, I was reaching for a vise grip hanging there, when a rustling noise caught my attention. The sound was coming from a bucket full of rags stashed in the corner. Damn, not another mouse …

I grabbed a shovel. As I get near it, the little rodent leaped up over the lip of the pail and led me on a merry chase. He dove under the tarp, and there I was, shovel in hand ready to exterminate the sucker. Lifting the tarp to get at the rat, my eyes fell on a broken headlamp, half of a torn bumper and a trail of blood spattered across the front of my bike. All thoughts of catching that mouse fled. I was now after a bigger rat.

Every piece of the puzzle suddenly fell into place. All this time, the culprit was living under my roof. It was Tawa. He was the one who ran my little girl down. Why didn't I see the signs before this?

Storming into the house, I kicked off my work boots, peeled off my socks, and grabbed my leather thong and cutoffs.

As I attached the cutoffs to my ankle, Bella entered our room, a confused expression on her face. "What's going on?"

"It was Tawa. Go see for yourself. My bike is in the Taj, all busted up, and covered in Carlie's blood."

She gasped. "Oh, no!"

"Oh, yes, and he's going to pay for what he did—in spades."

Bella grasped my arm. "Jake, no—we may need a cooler head to prevail here. Maybe we should let my dad handle it."

I jerked my arm away. "No! I'll handle it, my way."

"Jake …" she yelled, but it fell on deaf ears. I had a one-track mind at this moment, and I dared anyone to try and stop me.