I stepped out to my truck on an unusually bright day. There was hardly a cloud in the sky, but the air was still crisp and cold. This was unusual, because this was Forks. Then again, everything about Forks was unusual. Especially when I thought about what Mike's dad had said about the urban legends. I couldn't stop thinking about it.

More unusual came during my lunch period. I'd looked over at the Cullen's table and it was empty. No Edythe. No Hale twins. The odd pixie-cut. The dark-haired Ken doll. Even Edythe's brother Edward. I wondered if they had moved a coldness burrowed in the pit of my stomach. Edythe could have at least said good-bye.

"You looking for the Adam's family?" I looked over at Mike across from the table.

I shrugged looking down at my plate.

"The doctors don't believe in wasting sunny days," Jessica started, "They take them on nature hikes. So weird."

"I think it's cool," Angela said.

"I mean, why not just go to home school." Jessica's nose scrunched, "I mean, there all know-it-alls anyway."

Angela giggled, and I'd noticed Eric sitting closer to her than usual. It was clear that the two were an item, and that he was enamored by Angela, "Edward turning you down?"

Jessica's face faded to a light pink and her mouth opened.

I looked at Mike who's face was turning even redder and his jaw started to twitch as he stared daggers at Jessica, "You asked out that freak, Edward?"

Her eyes widened and her lips curved into an almost plastic looking smile, "That was way before you asked me, Mike."

I bit my bottom lip as a chuckle bubbled in my mouth. I had to give her respect, she went after what she wanted. Including me. I wouldn't tell Mike that she'd asked me. Then I wondered. I didn't know how to feel that I fell somewhere on the short list that included Edward Cullen. Or if that was a good thing, or if it was an anyone but Mike Newton list.

I was a little disappointed that Edythe wasn't going to be in my next class. I had a lot of questions for her. I wondered if she knew about the myths about the cold ones, and for some reason I wanted to tell her about my dream. She'd probably think that I was insane. Maybe I was.

There was a note on the door saying that class was going to be in the media center and that we needed to get started on our research for our biochemistry projects. I lucked out again, I'd already done a science fair experiment on soil last year. All I needed to do was call my mom and ask her to send my project board and notes.

I just sat in front of one of the computers that looked like they came out in the stone ages, and make myself appear busy. I just started doing crazy searches, and then the town history, then the history of La Push, before I knew it I was reading through Quileute legends. The stuff on the internet was vague and said nothing of a treaty other than one with early European settlers. It said nothing of wolves other than believing that everyone had an animal guardian within them. The only way a person could even come in contact would be a spirit quest with no food and no water. I said that they could last anywhere from a couple of days to a week, or even months.

"That's not enlightenment that's a hunger induced hallucination." I shook my head. I didn't want to talk bad about the Quiluetes, two of my best friends were, but that just seemed over the top.

Finally, I typed in "The Cold Ones". I was lead to a page about an Apotamkin, which was some weird sea serpent that turned into a woman and lured men and children to their death. I was a dead end, but I noticed a link to find out more information on Cold Ones and other Quiluetes legends, there were books available at the Thunderbird and While book store in Port Angels. I reserved the first two books I found on the short list from the search.

School let out early, because of the blood drive in the gym. There was a part of me that wanted to save lives, but the last time I'd tried to give blood I passed out. I wanted to save myself the embarrassment.

I got into my truck, called Charlie and told him I was going to Port Angeles. He just told me to be careful.

I followed the directions I wrote down from the computer. It was nice going somewhere that looked more like a city. The book store was on the top of a hill so I decided to park in the shopping square and walk the rest of the way. It wasn't too cold, and the scenery was pretty nice. It was just a bunch of antique looking brick buildings. I hiked up the street just enjoying the small urban-type environment and the smells of the little restaurants. I stomach rumbled, but I decided to see how much I had of my last thirty dollars after I'd purchased the books.

"Beau?" A girls voice called.

I looked up and noticed two familiar girls hanging out of the door to one of the shops in evening gowns. Jessica and Angela giggled.

"Hey Beau, we were just talking about you." Jessica smiled so wide her cheeks turned pink.

"Really?" I didn't believe it.

Shoved my hands in my pockets and walked toward them, "What are you ladies up to?"

"Dress shopping." They said at almost the exact same time, and then giggled.

"Wow!" I said trying to tastefully appraise their dresses without being vulgar about it, "You ladies look beautiful."

They giggled and told me thank you.

I shrugged, "You should go with Mike."

She blew out a breath and poked her pink lip out.

"Jessica, he likes you. Throw the guy a bone."

She pushed her lips together, "I don't know Beau."

"Come on, you know that tough guy thing is just an act."

She cocked her head and blew out a breath, "I'll think about." She looked back at the shop owner who still had her hands on her hips looking at Jessica, "Why don't you meet us at the restaurant up the street, we'll talk about it then."

I shrugged, "Sure."

"Bye Beau."

"Bye Jessica." I waved and walked out toward the book store.

It was a good thing that I missed gym , because the hike alone gave me the work out of an entire class in gym. Then lead it to my luck for the little building alone to have a steep slope of stairs. I finally pushed through the door my chest ached and I felt like I was going to fall over.

"Dude, you look like you're about to die." Said another familiar voice and a hand grabbed me as I keeled over, "Come on, man, I don't want to tell my sis her little boytoy dead in the shop."

I pulled away, "I'm fine." I breathed.

I stood, "You work here, Jake?"

"It's was our mom's shop, genius." Jacob grimaced. Jacob was tall and built. Even though we were the same age, he'd always been taller than me, but not by much, but now. It was as if I was Bruce Banner, and he was the incredible hulk. I was glad he wasn't still upset with me for kissing Jules, but I still didn't want to take my chances in making the Hulk angry. His long black hair made him look more like Blanca from Street Fighter.

"Yeah, I reserved some books."

He pushed his lips out, "Yeah, I know which ones you are."

He went behind the counter and the two crinkled old books on the counter, looking at each book her typed on the small cash register. "That will be "$52.50."

"Are you serious? For two books." I turned the small black screen around that was over the register.

"Dude, seriously when did you get all interested in our legends."

I shrugged, "I don't know, I just thought they were kind cool."

He chuckled deeply, "Right." He tugged them away, "You just better not let Billy catch you."

I chuckled, "Why?"

His eyebrows furrowed, and he smirked, "Because, Beau these are ancient secrets of my tribe."

"So why are you selling them at a book store?"

He looked down at the book, as if he was mulling something over in his brain, "Beau, this is...these are my people." He looked at me, "The locals, make a mockery of us. Turning our stories, our legends, turned into walking jokes."

"Jake, I wouldn't do that. How long has we known each other, " I said, "You know me."

He sighed, "Just bring them back okay?" He turned away leaving the books.

I assumed he was telling me to take them. I just snatched them and headed out the door. I wasn't sure if it was shoplifting, if he told me to take them, but there was something odd about the whole thing. I thought about Mike's dad's story. Something told me that it wasn't the whole story. It was the watered down story. I just hoped that the books held the truth. Though I had an awful feeling in my gut that I may have already known, somewhere deep down. I walked down the hill, the sky was slowly getting dark.

The cold air crept in, and I tugged my jacket to me when I felt a pressure on my lower back, "Just give me your wallet and I won't kill you, kid."