Chapter 11 - Finding Kali
Sam and Emily were sitting at their place relaxing for the evening. There was a knock on the front door and Sam looked down at Emily and said, "Were you expecting someone?" Emily said, "Not that I know of...no." Sam got up and went to the door and opened it...Kiara, Jake and Paul were staring back at him and he said, "What is going on?" Kiara said, "Kali is missing." Emily overheard and went to the door and said, "What do you mean Kali is missing?"
As everyone walked into the house, Paul shoved his hands in his pockets really trying to control every muscle, tendon and fiber of his being to keep himself calm and said, "Kali saw Jared kissing some random girl at school and she left...she told me she was going to go home, but when we got there earlier she's nowhere to be found and her surf board is still by the house." Kiara said, "And we found this in the bathroom." Kiara held up Kali's locket, Kiara continued, "She must've showered or something because she doesn't take it off unless she's surfing or bathing. If she doesn't have this she's not protected." Emily said, "Don't worry Kiara the guys will find her."
Emily wrapped her arm around the scared twins shoulders as they watched Sam, Jake and Paul walk outside...Sam cupped his hands around his mouth and let out a long howl. Jared and Embry were patrolling but once they heard that howl they knew that Sam needed them immediately and showed up within 5 minutes, being sure to phase back into human form. Sam explained what was going on...Paul really wanted to rip Jared apart for being so stupid, but decided finding Kali was more important, he'd deal with Jared after they found her.
The guys searched the woods, a couple went into Forks the next town over to see if they could find her...They checked the cemetery where her parents were buried. They went back and made to sure to search through the entire beach house and along the water's edge...Checked with some of the reservations elders to see if they'd seen her. Paul could feel her, she was in a lot of pain and it was killing him because he couldn't find her. As he left the beach house and stood in the sand he closed his eyes and couldn't help but pray. 'Please give me the wisdom and strength to find her.' Paul opened his eyes and looked to the woods...He knew she had a habit of cutting through the trees on her way back from the cemetery and had warned her on numerous times not to go in there alone...but she was stubborn...Probably why they got along so well, because he was just as stubborn as her if not more.
Paul jogged into the woods, it was pitch black but his senses were on full alert...He thought he smelled blood, the further into the woods, the stronger the smell got...it was almost making him sick to his stomach...Then added to the smell of blood he could smell Kali...She smelled like her favorite perfume Sunflowers. Paul loved the scent...she hardly put any on just cause she knew it would be extra strong for the guys to smell and sometimes she would laugh cause Paul would get a really big whiff of it and start sneezing...She laughed because one time he had a sneezing fit and sneezed himself into wolf form...It was a good thing he had extra short with him that day cause the next thing he knew he sneezed himself back into human form and Sam threw his hand over Emily and Kali's eyes so Paul could get dressed. The whole time Emily, Kali and Sam were laughing hard.
Paul got closer to a figure on the ground and the blood and perfume had gotten considerably stronger. He walked up and knelt down next to the figure and moved the hair and it was Kali...Paul's heart broke...she was a complete mess...He was almost scared to touch her. Paul cupped his mouth and yelped. Sam and Emily came running up and Sam started to lean down to pick Kali up and Paul snapped, "DON'T TOUCH HER!" Emily grabbed Sam's arm and pulled him back already knowing Paul wouldn't allow anyone to touch her yet...Sam nodded and said, "Let's get her back to our place man. We can't help her out here." Paul could feel his breathing labor...as he started to slowly move her around, he physically winced when she gasped in pain.
Paul carefully lifted the tiny girl into his arms...It took him back to the prior year when he'd carried her home...she still weighted next to nothing then...Once he stood up with her, she rested her head against his shoulder and whimpered. Paul low voice said, "It's okay Kal...I gotcha...we're going to take care of you...I promise." Emily couldn't help but notice how gentle and caring Paul had become since he started hanging out with Kali...He wasn't always flying off the handle anymore...Anyone with two eyes could tell Kali was good for him...Emily was scared though...She knew if Paul ever found out who did this to Kali, he was going to kill them...Definitely kill...Dead...yea...As is never breathing again.
Once they got her back to the house, Paul carefully set her down and then backed away and let Emily work on her...Sam stayed on the porch and let out a howl to summon the others...within 10 minutes every showed back up and Kiara ran inside to help Emily. Kiara did a healing spell, it helped the broken jaw, the broken ribs, the broken nose and all the other cuts, but it couldn't take away the bruises they would have to heal on their own. They left her to sleep and went outside with the others. The guys were extremely pissed off and were voicing their opinions on who or what could've happened.
Once Emily and Kiara walked out Jake went to Kiara's side and she buried her face into his chest...Sam said, "Well?" Emily said, "She had 4 broken ribs, her nose was busted, multiple scratches and abrasions...She had a nasty gash on the back of her head and I'd venture to say she's got a mild concussion from it...and her jaw was broken...Kiara did a nice healing spell and everything is healed, but the bruises and the concussion...It's gonna be at least 4 or 5 days before she's gonna feel like moving." Kiara said, "We can heal, but it doesn't take away the pain or bruises."
Paul looked down and didn't notice but he had Kali's blood all over his t-shirt...Emily said, "C'mon...Let me get a different shirt for you." Paul nodded and followed Emily into the house. Emily said, "I've noticed the change in you...Kali seems to be pretty important to you." Paul pulled his shirt off and handed it to Emily and watched as she poured bleach over the blood stained white t-shirt, he scrunched his nose, the smell was overwhelming. Paul said, "She's my best friend Em...Do you think she's going to be okay?" Emily said, "Yea...I think she's going to be fine...I imagine she's going to be scared for a while and she's gonna need you to help her through this...Are you prepared to do that?" Paul said, "I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to help her feel safe again." Emily said, "Are you sure your feelings don't run deeper then friendship? I've never seen you this way before Paul."
Paul said, "I'm not sure what I'm feeling anymore...I've been seeing Rachel Black secretly for the last almost year...But I noticed something different between me and Rachel and I ended things with her." Emily quirked an eyebrow and said, "You ended things with Rachel? Why? What did you notice?" Paul said, "I didn't feel the same with her then when I'm with Kali. I laugh harder with Kali. I feel...I don't know what I feel...I don't have a clue Emily...How did you now Sam was the one for you?" Emily said, "I just knew. I knew before he imprinted on me. I've loved him since the day I laid eyes on him...Love at first sight doesn't even begin to cover how I felt about Sam...Did you imprint on Rachel or Kali?" Paul said, "No...definitely not...at least...I don't think I did...But then again...What the hell do I know? Right?"
Emily laughed as she tossed a clean shirt to Paul and he slipped it over his head and said, "Can I go see her?" Emily said, "By all means yes...I think when she wakes up, she's gonna want to see you." Paul smiled and said, "Thanks Em." Paul didn't say anything else he just walked into Kali's made up room and sat next to her. He kissed the palm of her hand and held it in both of his as he watched her sleep peacefully. Emily watched from the door way and wondered when Paul was going to admit he was in love with Kali...Things happen for a reason...Maybe it took almost losing her to make him understand how strong his feelings for her were...Apparently only time would tell...and right now they had nothing but time on their hands.