Chapter 10
I was surprised when I stepped into the clearing. Instead of the forest, I found myself on a beach. I looked around but found nobody there.
This must be an illusion I thought to myself. Maybe Alice coming to tell us to step into the clearing was an illusion as well. I looked around myself again and decided that I would try to get out of this nightmare, or whatever it was. I walked down the beach, close to the sea that beckoned me to dive in, the effervescent blue waves crashing into the sand.
I looked out to the sea and saw something bobbing up and down – a head, attached to a body. The person, apparently swimming against the tide, continued coming further inland, until I could see the soft outline of a female body make its way onto the shore.
I shouldn't have been surprised, but the emotion swept over me as I looked at Bella, her long brown hair cascading down her back, skin sparkling in the sun – from the water I was sure. I started walking towards her.
"Bella, over here. I didn't know you were a part of this illusion as well," I shouted, covering the distance between us in seconds.
She didn't make a sound, but her mouth moved as though she wanted to say something to me. As I approached her, finally close enough to see her, I realized that the sparkle of her skin was not due to the water after all. Her skin was now paler, her lips a pale pink in comparison to the rosy red I was used to. Her eyes searched mine – deep black pits. She put one perfect marble hand to her throat, as though choking. She looked at me, hunger in her eyes and let out a low growl before lunging at me.
My body reacted to the sudden threat. A loud pop sent me into my wolf form, as I jumped and caught Bella in midair before she could tackle me. Our bodies collided, mine on top of hers, as I let out a feral growl, showing all of my teeth. Bella squirmed under my body, fighting against the steel grip my paws had on her. I wanted to ask her why she would attack me – was she mad that I had imprinted? Hurt? I couldn't see her being mad at me – after all, she had made me suffer much more than I had her. At least I could make up my mind about something – she just kept on jumping from me to bloodsucker and back to me.
Suddenly, the scenery changed. I was no longer in my wolf form, sitting on my couch at home, watching old westerns. Embry and Quil were there with me. They were enthralled in the western, guns blazing, horses galloping. Then, suddenly, Quil let out a moan – I looked at him to see blood dripping from his shirt. I looked at the TV to see the gunman pointing his gun straight at me. I lifted up my arms in a defensive gesture, but it was too late – the gun went off and pain exploded in my chest. I looked down to see blood seeping from my wound. I touched it with my hand – it felt real to me. I was in pain, so much pain.
I was feeling dizzy and somewhat lightheaded, but the wound was soon healed totally. I looked at Quil and Embry who looked at me quizzically, as though I had changed somehow.
I looked down at my hands – my bronze skin had somehow changed and become paler. I ran to my bathroom, almost ripping the door from its hinges, as I turned the light on and looked in the mirror. Instead of the Jacob I knew, a beast stared back at me – fangs curved down over my bottom lip, eyes red as blood.
I threw a punch at the image, but even my super-human strength didn't break the mirror. My reflection taunted me, as though it knew I would somehow become this awful thing that I was looking at – was this image meant to conquer all sanity I had? The answer was obvious as my head spun around and I was thrust into darkness.