I am posting this now because the weekend ahead looks to be a busy one and I don't want to disappoint those of you who are reviewing--this chapter is for you! Thanks to my reviewers and esp. to hopeisabluebird. Enjoy & hopefully I'll have a wonderfully long chapter for you beginning of next week.

Raca

Chapter Ten: The Meadow

I found the start of the Biogachiel River trail at the end of a gravel road. I wrapped myself tightly in my raincoat and sloshed to the beginning of the muddy trail. I kept my eyes open for anything familiar, anything from my dreams. The road and the sign were exactly as I had drawn them, but there was nothing on the trail that I recognized. About two miles into the hike the trail found the river. The trail weaved itself around the large trees and rocks while staying close to the water's edge. The path continued to wander till it ended at a wide wooden look-out deck. The deck perched over the river as it cascaded down a rock face and then continued through a small valley. Off in the distance I could see the rocky coastline. This isn't right. I finally admitted.

I sat down on a mossy log to reconsider my dreams of the meadow. I searched for the sounds I heard while there. There was water, but it was more like a babbling brook rather than the roaring waters of the Biogachiel River. That could mean several things. Either the meadow was far enough away from the river that its torrent was muffled or this was the wrong place completely and the meadow was elsewhere. I sighed deeply. I was sure I'd find the meadow here. But all I managed to do was hike eight and a half miles in the rain and get myself positively soaked. The sun was edging towards the horizon. I won't make it back before nightfall if I hike, I realized. So instead I remembered my truck and its location on the gravel road. Focusing on the warm, dry cab I twisted a few threads and jumped through the blanket. I landed softly on the faded seat behind the steering wheel of my truck. Removing my raincoat I stared ahead at the trailhead sign. Admitting it wasn't going to tell me anything I didn't already know, I turned the key in the ignition and my truck roared to life.

Charlie beat me home and was just ordering pizza when I walked in the kitchen. He raised his brow in questioning, but waited for me to explain myself.

"I decided to look into finding the meadow." Shrugging my shoulders I attempted to make this seem like a casual conversation. "I think it is near the Biogachiel River so I went and hiked the trail."

"What's so important about that meadow?" Charlie asked.

"Well, it's… beautiful. Wouldn't you like to experience it first hand? It seems… magical."

"Next time take a hiking buddy." Charlie said with a firm tone. "These woods can look the same after awhile, I don't want you wandering around alone."

"Okay."

The pizza boy soon arrived and we ate while watching some mindless sitcom. Neither of us was particularly enjoying it, but I guess Charlie thought it might be something I'd like. As soon as I finished my dinner I excused myself, and went to my room. I was just to the top of the stairs when I heard Charlie flip over to the basketball game. I smiled at his intentions. My father was a thoughtful guy. The phone rang as I entered my room. "I'll get it!" I called downstairs to Charlie.

"Hello?" I said into the receiver.

"Bella? Hey, it's Mike."

"Hi Mike, what's up?"

"Um, well, since Mr. Banner gave all his classes a lab for the weekend I'm canceling tomorrow's beach trip."

"Oh, that's too bad. Tomorrow is supposed to be a beautiful day. But I understand. Thanks for letting me know." My shoulders sank even further. Now I have nothing to look forward to… just have more free time to dread Sunday.

"Well, if Edward flakes on you, you know you could work with me and Angela." Mike sounded hopeful.

"Thanks, but something tells me Edward is not that kind of guy." I didn't want to talk to Mike about Edward, so I changed the subject. "Let me know when the beach trip is back on because I haven't been to First Beach in ages."

"Definitely. Um … Good night Bella, I'll see you Monday."

"Bye Mike." I hung up the phone. With nothing else to do I washed up for bed. Curling up in my blankets I thought of the twins. How would they handle the Cullens? I smiled to think of curious little Abby playing with the web powers, experimenting and probably going too far. Will would be much more cautious and more guarded. He'd fold his arms and shake his head at his sister's excitement. Yin and yang – they were complete opposites, but they balanced each other perfectly. I missed them so much. I continued to play scenes in my mind of the twins interacting with the people of Forks till I drifted off to sleep.

I sat in my truck staring at the Biogachiel River Trail sign. I slowly stepped out of my truck into the bright sunshine. I tilted my head to feel its warmth caress my face. A slight breeze blew from the river bringing the smell of moist dirt and sunshine to my nose.

Next thing I knew I was in the meadow. "Bella, it's about time you got here!" Abby said, pulling me into a tight hug. "We've been waiting for forever!"

I smiled at her. "Do I get a hug?" I heard from behind. I spun around and fell into the arms of Will. He laughed, "Still klutzy, huh Bella?" My face blushed a deep red. My friends were here. Automatically we slipped into a conversation. Happiness and comfort swept over me. I was no longer alone.

-Dream Shift-

I sat in the meadow, waiting. Waiting for the twins … waiting for a calling … waiting. Dusk overtook the sky and darkened the small clearing with deep shadows. I tapped my fingers impatiently, I had been here for hours and nothing had happened.

Something from the corner of my eye caught my attention. I jumped, turned, and took a defensive stance all in the same motion. A chill ran down my spine as I turned to see two piercing brown eyes. Fear, wonder and awe danced in the depths of these eyes.

"Who are you?" I demanded from the eyes. "What do you want?" I said with fear creeping into my voice.

"You."

I startled awake. Slowly pulling myself upright, I leaned against my headboard and waited for my breathing to steady. The eyes were back. I shook my head, attempting to shake the images from my mind. I glanced at the clock – 2:30.

And then a real fear overtook me. As my mind cleared I became aware that I wasn't alone. I flipped on the lamp on my nightstand. He wasn't in my room, but I could feel his presence in the blanket. Edward was here. He was close enough that I could feel his web power. I checked my defense, relieved to find that it was still in place. I crept out of bed searching the web for its source, for Edward. He was outside. What should I do? My mind raced through possibilities, but I shot down each idea. I don't know enough about him to do anything. Completely uncomfortable, but left with no other choice, I turned off my light and tried to settle back into bed. He'll go away eventually. He can't stay out there all night.

I watched as the clock slowly ticked the minutes by. I focused on the fabric of the blanket, searching for the exact location of Edward. Finding him I projected down the threads, anxious to see what he was doing. He sat completely still on a limb of a pine tree no more than 30 feet from my window. The occasional car's headlights from the highway glistened off his eyes as he stared directly in to my room. If I didn't have my powers I was sure I would have never seen him. The darkness was thick and his immobile body blended right in. I shivered under his stare. I curled into a tighter ball as my teeth starting chattering. Glancing over to the window I found it was slightly open. I've never opened that window and Charlie wouldn't open a window, not when the heater is on. I didn't want to move from my bed, I didn't want Edward to know I was still awake, but my room was freezing. Finally I got up and crossed over to the window. Quickly closing it, I grabbed a sweatshirt off my floor and put it on before rewrapping myself in my covers. The stalemate continued. Edward peered through my window as I watched him through the threads. Our impasse ended as the sun threatened the horizon. In an instant, Edward's position was abandoned. I felt the blanket buck and sway as he retreated and then I couldn't feel him anymore.

Double-checking that I was truly free of my spy, I projected down several threads in search of Edward. Confident I was alone my mind relaxed and I immediately fell into an exhausted sleep.

I woke again, this time to sunshine pouring in my window. I gasped and ran to it, throwing it open. I leaned out as far as I dared. The sun embraced me while a soft breeze played with my hair. I could not help the smile that stretched across my face, this was the first time I'd felt the sun's warmth since Phoenix. I relaxed in the tenderness of the Forks' sun. It was more delicate than the blasting heat of the desert.

I dressed with speed, eager to get out of the house and into the sunlight. I ran down stairs to the kitchen to find something to go. Taped to the fridge was a note:

Bella,

Didn't want to wake you, but don't know if you're going to the beach or not. Just leave a note to let me know when to expect you home. Love,

Dad

I smiled wide at my father's note. I quickly searched the kitchen for a paper to write my own note on. I finally found a pen and notepad in the 'junk' drawer. As I was about to shut the drawer another pad of paper jumped to my attention. Pulling out the small booklet I re-read the cover "Forks Directory". Curiosity took over as I flipped it open to the C's: Campbell, Christopher, Cooper, Corpuz, Crane, Cullen. Reaching the phone I dialed.

The line rang once, "Hello, Cullen residence." A soft baritone voice spoke with a subtle English accent. The voice was spell-binding. "Hello?" it said again.

"Hi." I shook my head and continued, "Is Dr. Cullen in?"

"Speaking," the gentle voice said.

"Hello Dr. Cullen. I'm Isabella Swan, and I go to school with Edward." I paused to collect my thoughts and Dr. Cullen eagerly filled in the silence.

"Ah, yes, Isabella. Please call me Carlisle. What can I do for you, my dear?" The warmth and ease of Dr. Cullen, I mean, Carlisle was amazingly different from any of his children. I was momentarily thrown off balance by his cordiality.

"Um, Edward and I are supposed to complete a Biology lab this weekend and I was checking to make sure he was feeling up to it." I knew Edward was fine. He was well enough to spend half the night sitting in a tree outside my window, but I didn't want Edward to know I was aware of his presence.

"Yes, he is feeling much better, thank you for asking. Would you like to speak with him?"

My heart raced at the possibility but I quickly replied, "No, thank you though. If you would just let him know I'll be free tomorrow after lunch and that he is welcome to come over to my Dad's house to collect the samples. I thought if we raided my father's shop and garage we would find an interesting variety of specimen."

"A wonderful thought," Carlisle sounded excited by our lab. He quickly added in a firm but kind tone, "Let me remind you not to open any of the dishes after the samples start growing. I would hate to meet you for the first time because of an infection."

"Yes sir." I replied with a grin. If only it was this easy to interact with Edward… I then added for Carlisle's playful enjoyment, "Although I am amazed I haven't met you already. Surely Forks' clinic still has my four-inch file on hand from my frequent childhood disasters."

We laughed easily together. "Yes, I've heard some stories," Carlisle added chuckling. "So, I shall send Edward over around one, if that sounds all right."

"That will be fine. Have a good day Dr. Cullen."

"Thank you. Enjoy the beautiful weather. Good bye."

That went really well. I felt better now. I had successfully covered up my perhaps questionable actions from last night and I managed to arrange our lab time without even having to talk to Edward. Feeling giddy at the sunlight waiting for me outside I scribbled out a note to Charlie:

Dad,

The beach trip was canceled. I'm going back to the Biogachiel River trail. Don't worry. I'll stick to the trail. I'll be home in time to cook your catch,

Bella

Throwing the note on the table I ran out the door to my truck. Fifteen minutes later I was parked off the gravel road staring at the sign. Biogachiel River trail it read, mocking me. I grabbed my journal and flipped to last night's entry. The first picture was of me, sitting in my truck, staring at the sign. Just like what I was doing now. The next picture jumped to the meadow. There were no pictures or words or thoughts connecting the two. Once second I was here, the next second…. How can I be so stupid!?! I yelled at myself. It was completely obvious! I should just jump there. Clutching my journal to my chest I narrowed my thoughts to the meadow only. I pictured its soft grass and dark trees, the warm sun and the gentle breeze. I sighed and jumped through the blanket.

My feet staggered as I landed on the slightly uneven ground of the meadow. "Wooo-whooo!" I yelled to the sky. I felt the power from the threads of the meadow surge through me as I floated in the air laughing. This was a powerful place, just like the shack! Relief flooded my soul: I had found it! I immediately starting running a variety of tests to check the extent and limits of this place. The threads here were even more powerful than the ones from the shack. I laughed again as I flew into the air, completed three back flips and dove back to the grass of the meadow.

Sadly, my joy faded as I realized what was still missing from this special place. The twins were missing. A new drive overtook me. If they hadn't found this place yet, then I'd help them find it. Searching down the threads, I looked through miles of forest. Several time I stumbled across threads that had a residue from a change. Some witch or witches were changing things around Port Angeles, the town was littered with residue from altered threads. This discovery fed my hope. I repeated a simple message over and over, running it down the blanket to Port Angeles. "Twins: Bella is back." I repeated over and over until my voice was weak. I was confident that if Abby and Will did hear my message they would search me out.

The meadow shifted as the sun started to creep towards the east. A tremble escaped me as the clearing transformed into the dark, mysterious meadow of my nightmares. Unwilling to allow any of those dreams to come true, I hurriedly gathered my items and jumped back to my truck. Without a second look I started the engine and fled home.

Charlie was finishing up cleaning his catch as I pulled up to the curb. I breaded and fried the fish happily. Finding the meadow had renewed my confidence. I was again sure of my reason for coming to Forks: I was going to find the twins. After a silent meal, I retreated to my room and relaxed on my bed. Anything that happened with Edward would be okay. It would be okay if I had the twins.

Sooooo....what do you think? TELL ME! Write a review and I'll make chapter 11 the best yet... you know you can't wait for the lab.... ;-)