A/N: Hey guys, I know I said I was going to update over the weekend, but I decided I didn't like a part I wrote and re-wrote it, which took forever. Now the chapters left for Satellite Heart are dwindling down and I plan for this story to be done by the time school starts. Then I'll start working on Burned by Two. Now, I hope you enjoy this chapter, it is my personal favorite so far and I feel it has a lot of emotion and good personal quotes of mine.
Love & Rockets, Donna
"The most important things are the hardest to say. They are the things you get ashamed of, because words diminish them - words shrink things that seemed limitless when they were in your head to no more than living size when they're brought out. But it's more than that, isn't it? The most important things lie too close to wherever your secret heart is buried, like landmarks to a treasure your enemies would love to steal away. And you may make revelations that cost you dearly only to have people look at you in a funny way, not understanding what you've said at all, or why you thought it was so important that you almost cried while you were saying it. That's the worst, I think. When the secret stays locked within not for want of a teller but for want of an understanding ear." — Stephen King
They wandered all the way to Canada, nothing but false scents. Seth Clearwater understood what was going on, but Jacob Black was oblivious. The only thing Jacob Black could understand right now was his rage and this crazy idea that they would find whomever or whatever killed on their land. His land.
Seth Clearwater and Jacob Black were sitting on the curb of a gas station, candy and sugar filled drinks in their hands or placed next to them. Cars sped by, the highway only couple feet away, making a vroom sound in Seth and Jacob's ears. The smell of gasoline and tire filled their nostrils, almost making their head ache. Their legs were shaking form running so much and they were too far away to hear what was going on in La Push. Basically, everything was shit.
Jacob Black took an angry bite out of his calorie filled candy bar and growled, "Something's going on… something bad. We just need to figure what." Jacob was not in the best of mood, and Seth could have sensed it even if he wasn't a wolf.
Seth understood why Jacob wanted to track this thing down, but all the way to Canada seemed a bit dramatic, but Seth knew better than to say that. "I know. I think we should head back though, something might be happening in La Push, and if something is, then the Pack needs us. Needs their Alpha, needs you, Jake." Seth chugged some fruit flavored drink and waited for Jacob to reply. When he didn't he continued, "I know what you're feeling Jake, I'm not stupid. I know you're pissed someone trespassed. I know you're upset with yourself because you weren't there when it happened. I know you're fucking killing yourself, and me, by tracking down whatever we're tracking down. And I fucking know you're putting this on yourself, Jake. It's-"
Jacob cut him off, "Because it's my fucking fault, Seth. I wasn't there when he needed me. I wasn't there—"
This time Seth intervened, "God dammit, Jacob! It's not your fault some jackass killed his own kind. It's not your fault you weren't there, because if you were, that might have been you dead, or another fucking war would have gone down. But it is your fault we're tracking down someone we don't even know, it is your fault we're in Canada and not in La Push where our Pack, your Pack needs you. We don't even know what's fucking going on down there, Jacob. Now get your fucking head out of your ass and think, Jacob. Stop thinking on impulse. Fucking hell, Jacob, it's not fair for anyone to be doing this." Seth's breath was coming out heavy and he got up to pace. People from their cars were curiously looking at him yelling at his Alpha, wondering what the hell he was talking about, but Seth didn't care. Jake blaming himself was vastly overrated.
Jacob didn't reply, his Beta was worried and Jacob just sat in silence. He knew what Seth said was true but Jacob was just too fucking stubborn to admit it. Jacob soaked in Seth's words, he always knew how to get into the deep parts of Jacob's brain, the inner feelings he covered up to not affect his Pack. Seth always knew what to say to him, he was a good hearted person-something that was hard to find nowadays. Jacob was in a mess of emotions, he didn't know what to think. It was times like these that Jacob didn't chastise his Beta for speaking to him like that; he needed his Beta to say that.
Jake sucked in a deep breath and exhaled, "you're right, Seth. But you don't know what it's like, you're not Alpha. You're not me."
That caught Seth off guard, and Jacob realized what he just said when he saw the look on Seth's face. "You're right, Jake. I'll never be you or Alpha, because I'll be little Seth the Beta but always the youngest. Jesus, Jake…" Seth trailed off, not wanted to make an argument; they didn't need to be arguing at a moment like this.
"You know I didn't mean it like that, Seth," Jacob put his head in his hands and sighed. Seth never wanted to be Beta, but Jacob felt highly secure with making him Beta. When Seth became the Beta, he started to learn responsibility and started growing up, after a while he wanted to be Alpha secretly and Jacob knew that. But that wouldn't happen for a long time, and the whole Pack would have to agree to him being Alpha.
"It's fine, Jake. Seriously, It's fine," Jacob was going to protest but Seth cut him off. "I'm going to call Leah, see how everything is going on down there and tell her we're coming back..." Seth paused, "we are going back, aren't we?"
Jacob thought about it, he thought real hard. He knew he was just being stubborn, making Seth and him run all the way to Canada when something could happen in La Push. Their energy was completely drained, their paws ached when they shifted, and they missed their home. After much mental debate, Jacob replied, "yes. We're going home."
Cammie sat inside Brady's beat up, old orange truck that used to belong to a friend of a mysterious Jacob Black. Cammie heard Embry talking about a Jacob Black, but every time she asks about him, Embry told her it was no one then would kiss her to make her forget. But now, Cammie knew this Jacob was important in the community she would most likely meet him soon considering he lived a few houses down from Parker. Something about the name sparked interest in Cammie, but she didn't know why.
Brady said that he had to tell Emily that she had a guest arriving so he'd be back real quick, so Cammie waited in the passenger seat of his ancient car. She looked around the interior of the car and saw that a dog must have been in here due to some bite marks and chewed up seats, an old Backstreet Boys CD was placed on the dashboard and trash was scattered everywhere, mostly on the floor where Cammie's feet were. She was scared something might be harboring down there so she pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. A small chain hung on the mirror, a dream catcher and a glass wolf. Cammie tilted her head and thought back to Phoenix's dad, that bastard.
Cammie would never want to meet Nukpana, from what she'd heard he is a cold-hearted, selfish, rotten, grotesque, man. Man wouldn't be the right word to use though, something more foul would be more precise. Cammie wondered what it must feel like to live with a monster, something—a part of you—constantly nagging and taking control of you. She wondered if it hurt, if once that part of you took over that the real you died, or if you just were that small voice in the back of the head, fighting to make you see what's right. She sighed and looked at the house in front of her, it was nice looking. A white porch, brown roof, banged up front door that slammed every time you closed it and probably creaked every time you opened it—like your own alarm. The house was orange, it looked like it just got finished being painted, and their window looked new so Cammie figured they were remolding the house. They'd really need to fix the door; it would have been the first thing to do if the house was Cammie's. Two white, antique rocking chairs were settled on the porch; still rocking so someone must have been sitting there recently looking into the forest in deep thought most likely. The house was surrounded by small bushes, dirt, grass and forest; a small ten minute walk, or five, Cammie would be at the beach. It was the perfect destination in La Push, better than Parker's home.
Cammie jumped at a soft knock came from her window; she turned her head and saw Brady. His white teeth showed like a full moon and his dark brown hair was gelled up in notably, bitty spikes. His eyes held something in them, something Cammie hasn't seen in a while—happiness. Happy wasn't something Cammie was used to; she was used to fear, loneliness and fake happiness. Even if it seemed Cammie was always happy, she was deeply isolated; some things are just not what they seem.
Cammie smiled at Brady and opened her door, she wanted to apologize but she couldn't get the words out of her mouth. Phoenix would be proud.
"Emily is making cookies, homemade," Cammie could see Brady's mouth watering as he spoke about how good the cookies were, she would laugh and smile while he described Emily to be Mother Nature with food. She was always in the kitchen, which Cammie felt substantially sexist, cooking sweets and meats. Supposedly her muffins were award winning in a baking contest and she always had a fresh batch made and on the dining table.
"She sounds yummy," Cammie's eyes glinted with immaturity and laughter. After seeing Brady's happiness Cammie relaxed more and fell into her own character, the real Harley Genevieve. It felt good to be herself for once, not always on guard and emotionless. Cammie walked up the porch steps and Brady opened the creaky, old screen door for her.
Cammie beamed at him and took a step into the Uley residence and tried hard to keep the look of awe off her face. Once you stepped into the home you felt a wave of love and security. Cammie had to take in a deep breath before falling in Brady's steps. Once you entered the house you were in the living room, a large but old television stood on a shelf surrounded by books and antiques. Across from the television was a large, fluffed up couch with seat imprints on it, a recliner on each side of the couch and a bean bag placed in the corner of the room. A glass coffee table with newspapers', magazines, a book, the remote to the tele and a glass full of fluids was placed on the table. On the right of the entrance was what looked like a small guest room, Cammie couldn't tell, the door was only slightly open. As she walked towards the back of the house, drowning out Brady's voice, she saw stairs which lead to the second level of the house and a closet. In the far back of the house was the kitchen, the smell of freshly baked goods and other food products filled her nostrils.
When she stepped in the kitchen it was filled with people. Two girls were working over a stove and counter, opening and closing the fridge for more food, three men were placed in seats on the dining table and a small girl kept running around the kitchen like a free bird, giggling and screaming. Cammie saw what a perfect picture it was, a real family. Cammie frowned, wishing her family could have been like this. Even though Cammie thought the girls cooking and the guys relaxing was kind of sexist she put it aside and watched as they acted like a family, it was brilliant.
"Let me introduce you to everyone." Brady said loud so everyone would stop talking and moving. "This is Cammie everyone…"
Someone who Cammie remembers meeting snorted, "oh we know," only to be hit with a dish cloth on the back of his head. "Woman, how many times do I have to tell you to not do that?" He referred the short girl with long red-dyed hair grabbing food out of the oven, making the house smell like a gingerbread house.
"Paul, If you use that tone with me one more time," she sent a warning glare, one Cammie knew well, towards Paul. She looked small but Cammie knew not to underestimate small girls—they're like minxes.
Brady sighed as the couple began arguing, "as you know that's Paul and his girlfriend, Sara. I believe know you've met Quil but the little one running around is Claire," he pointed at the only little girl in the room who wore a blue dress and ran around the kitchen like she was Road Runner, she had long, flowing black hair—in fact they all had black hair besides Sara and tan skin, again besides Sara who was white as a ghost. "I don't think you've met…" Brady trailed on as the man she didn't know stood up and walked towards her.
Cammie felt intimidated so instinctively she tensed and got her body prepared to run or fight. The man had short black hair, big muscles and looked downright delicious, Cammie stood straighter this guy carried an aura of confidence and authority around him that Cammie didn't like. "Hello, Cammie, I'm Sam. Sam Uley." He smiled, his voice was deeper than Cammie expected and she narrowed her eyes.
"Pleasure," Cammie took his hand and shook it tough—a business type handshake. The last woman Cammie hadn't met walked over to Sam and put her arms around his waist, signaling that he was hers'. She had faint, but noticeable scars on her face. Cammie didn't flinch, she wasn't even shocked to see her scars, Phoenix had worse and they didn't bother Cammie. Even if they did bother Cammie, it wouldn't matter; this girl was beautiful beyond recognition.
"Hi, Cam, I'm Emily." She smiled and took Cammie's hand in hers. Cammie tilted her head at the nickname she already received and forced a smile on her face.
"So you're the yummy Emily I've heard so much about," Cammie didn't need to force her smile anymore, she was content with what was going on now and things seemed to be going as it was before she even arrived.
"Yummy? I suppose you mean the guys have been talking about my food, eh? Well, I'm not one to brag but I do make yummy food," Emily winked and walked over back to the stove, picked up a spoon and tasted whatever was in the pot. She beamed in delight as she was pleased what her food tasted like.
"I believe the only person you haven't met is Leah," Brady shrugged. "Guess you're one of the lucky ones," Brady walked over to the dining table and picked up an apple, taking a bit bite of it.
Cammie cleared her throat, "I actually work with Leah." Cammie didn't want to work with another narcissistic, rapacious, vile bitch. She would end up slitting her throat open if she did.
"Oh yeah…" Brady suddenly remembered that Cammie and Leah both work at the Stop 'N' Shop. "Then I guess you're not so lucky," he shrugged.
"Hardly," Cammie muttered under her breath. Looking around the room, Cammie remembered something, or someone. "Hey, do you guys know where Embry is? I haven't seen him in a while." Cammie missed him so bad, she couldn't take it. She's been trying to distract herself from him, thinking it would work—which it did. But she could still feel the hole in her heart, she felt that way every time he wasn't around. There was no way to describe how much she love Embry, she loved him and wasn't afraid to admit it.
Once the question seeped out of her mouth, everyone went silent, the only noise was Clair giggling, and Sara and Emily stirring something or chopping something.
"He went on vacation," Paul was the one to speak, his voice hard as granite and no emotion was painted on his face.
Cammie narrowed her eyes, "vacationing where? He never told me about him taking a vacation." Cammie tried her best to read their body language but she wasn't experienced enough.
"It was sudden," Sam Uley spoke up, going over to Emily and whispering something in her ear. Cammie looked at the couple, his hands on her waist and was she looked up at him and giggled after she finished whispering back in his ear. Love is a powerful thing, Cammie thought, she needed to get her emotions in line—find out who she loves. Cammie was desperate; when she was close to Embry she got this rush, sparks, which she never had with anyone else. She wanted to press her body against Embry and feel the sparks overcome her body, she wanted to feel his hand in hers and the heat radiating off of him.
"Cammie?" Emily brought her out of her trance, "would you like to sit down? It's not like the chairs bite," she laughed and showed her pearly whites.
"Oh," Cammie noticed she was still standing in the hallway watching everyone interact and getting lost in her own thought. She hesitantly walked over and sat next to Brady, who was now eating a muffin, she wondered if she should bake muffins to get guys to come to her house.
"So… what's on the agenda, Brady? Were we just going to sit here and eat or do something fun?" Cammie sighed and leaned back in her seat, fidgeted with her hands, hoping she wasn't offending anyone.
"Actually, there's a marathon of Halloween movies. You do like scary movies, right?" Brady raised an eyebrow, as if saying "no" was the worst possible thing to say.
"Well, depends…" Cammie pursed her lips. "If it's an old movie, then yes, I do like scary movies. If it's a new version of an old movie, then it's too stupid for me to watch. After seeing the new version of Halloween, I don't think I can handle anymore stupidity and bad acting. Originals or I go home," she said it like it was an ultimatum, which is was, and Brady smiled, food stuck in his teeth.
"You're like my soul mate," immediately after he said that everyone turned to glare at him, like they took that seriously and knew it wasn't true… a fabrication beyond belief. They knew what was going on with Embry, but none of them had the power to help him. Only Jacob Black could do that and it drove everyone past insanity.
Cammie tried smiling, but failed and had a lopsided frown on her face, "lovely," she whispered. Cammie wasn't one to like awkward conversations, moments, or silence; she looked around and saw everyone stopping what they were doing. Just looking at each other as if they were having a telepathic conversation. She watched silently, clearing her throat every once and a while letting them know she was still in the room.
After glares and glances passed between everyone in the room besides Cammie, Brady finally clapped his hands together and rubbed them, like he was cold and trying to warm him up. "Well… let's go into the living room," he spoke loud like he was telling everyone to join or like he was clearing up the air as if he was the awkward person observing an argument between a couple.
Cammie nodded, gave a small discrete wave to everyone in the kitchen, and followed Brady into the living room. Once she settled into the large, overstuffed couch she said, "why do I get the feeling you and everyone are trying to keep something from me?" If Phoenix taught Cammie one thing, it was to follow her instincts and gut feeling—it always led her in the right place and never got her caught by whomever and whatever was chasing her.
Brady picked up the remote and turned on the television-going to the Guide-and scanned the channels for Halloween movies. He sighed and never took his eyes off the screen. "Why would you get a feeling like that?" Brady acted calm and collected, but Cammie could hear him masking his apprehension.
Cammie scoffed and her face twisted with frustration and pleasure, "Brady…" she shook her head and tried to drop the subject, but her curiosity kept gnawing at her head. "What are you trying to hide, Brady?"
"Cammie, haven't you every heard curiosity killed the cat?" Brady smiled and finally selected a movie to watch. He turned his face to her so they were looking at each other, something flashed in Brady's eyes, and for a brief moment Cammie thought it was adoration, but Cammie thought that was impossible so she shook it out of her head.
"But satisfaction brought him back, Brady," she narrowed her eyes and tried to pry more information out of him, "what are you guys hiding?"
Brady seemed to think about it for a laconic instant. He leaned in closer to her, and for a second Cammie thought he might kiss her. "I could ask you the same thing, Cammie," he retracted, leaned back in his seat and smiled as the original Nightmare on Elm St. played. Cammie sat there for a moment; her mouth open like she was going to say something, but nothing came to mind. She moved her mouth, fumbling and still nothing came to mind, it was like her brain was jelly, so she closed her mouth, pursed her lips and turned to the television. Her eyes watched the movie, Freddy Krueger's razor sharp knife fingers sliced open a poor victim but it didn't register Cammie's brain, she was too busy thinking things over. Her brain worked like a machine, replaying everything she ever did here and tried to see what she had done to make a secret obvious or a moment where she said something wrong that could have caused suspicion. Nothing seemed to come to mind, besides Embry, but he wouldn't say anything, would he? It must have been Phoenix then—she must have done something, said something, to cause suspicion. Cammie refused to think Embry would say anything, and since she couldn't recall a moment where she said something wrong, it was all down to Phoenix.
Cammie pursed her lips and tried to think positive. Halloween was in a two days; tomorrow would be Devil's Night. Cammie furrowed her eye brows and thought of the last Devil's Night she spent with Phoenix. It was a hot, dry night, decorations were everywhere you looked, and some kids were running down the street laughing-trying to scare you. The moon was full and the street lights flickered, most houses were asleep but there were the occasional night owls who stayed up watching television or the elderly who read before they went to sleep. Phoenix and Cammie just walked aimlessly on the sidewalk in some broke down town in Nevada, Cammie remembers looking up at the sky and seeing all the stars, the way they twinkled and seemed to dance around, it was the most peaceful she ever felt. She remembers only hearing crickets, the rustle of leaves when the wind blew, the distant giggles of teens causing destruction, and the occasional evil laughter that motion activated decorations made when you walked past them. She searched her brain to remember the important parts, but most of it was erased—it was too complicated and horrendous for her mind to keep. She remembers Phoenix yelling at someone, her yelling at Cammie to run, punches and strong wind blown at her. She remembers the look on Phoenix's face, just before she ran away from the scene. The agony and panic in Phoenix's eyes were enough for Phoenix's words to sink in and force her legs to run, and the way she fought Cammie never saw before. It was like she got double the strength and her sense heightened, it was amazing to see her move so fast and swiftly. But it was all out of portentousness, and Cammie knew that now. She still hears the screams and motion activated ghost decorations howling, making it seem as if she was in a horror house. They were lucky, Cammie was lucky, that they got away. That she got away. In that moment, Cammie knew how dangerous it was to be around Phoenix, how much she has to lose being around her. She finally noticed that she could lose her life being around her best friend; it was like holding a time bomb in her hand.
Cammie finally understood how fragile life was, and at any point in time, at any moment, Cammie could lose her life. Cammie could be dead in a few second, but even with those risks, Cammie stayed by Phoenix's side, even when Phoenix begged Cammie to leave, she stayed. Because when people need help, Cammie helps-it's her job.
Phoenix carried the two cups of tea to the dining table, she placed one cup in front of Collin and then she sat down on the wooden chair. They hadn't spoken to each since Phoenix promised to answer any questions Collin had truthfully. She brought the tea cup to her mouth, blew on the herbal smelling tea and then took a sip. She felt the hot tea go down her esophagus and expand in her chest all the way down to her stomach, she always loved that feeling. She took another sip and watched Collin pick up the cup and do the exact same thing as her.
"It's good," Collin mumbled quietly, so quite she almost couldn't hear. She looked at him for signs of emotion, but she couldn't focus enough.
"It's sleepy time tea… my favorite," she muttered, narrowing her eyes and looking at him. Like finally looking at him, acknowledging his presents. She saw his sparking caramel eyes, and how they seemed so caring and loving, she saw how when he was in thought his lips pursed and his eyes narrowed. She saw how his shoulders slouched when he was hurt and how his temple pulsed when he was angry. She saw how defined his face was and how he had the natural Quileute tan skin, the exact same shade as her father. She saw his brown hair, it was growing long—he'd need a hair cut soon, but right now it was perfect for her, she'd have something to pull and run her hands through. She was tempted to reach out her hand and feel his hair, just to see how soft it was, but she held back the temptation.
She burned a hole in Collin before he finally looked at her, he look straight in her eye. She wanted to look away but she couldn't because when she looked into his eyes she felt like she was home—something she hasn't felt since she was young, so young that the sensation was scary and unknown to her. They sat in silence, just staring at each other and it didn't bother each other at all. They could have stared at each other for an eternity, but Phoenix knew he had questions for her and she would have to answer them, with every pleasure there was some amount of hurt. Phoenix had the pleasure with finally seeing Collin for who he is and the sensation of being cared for deeply, but she would be hurt with revealing the truth to his questions.
Phoenix took another sip of her tea and finally put it down on the coaster. "I know you have questions," she tried to change her voice and hide her accent but it only sounded as if she had something stuck in her throat and made her voice hoarse so she cleared her throat and put her hands on the table-one on top of the other like she was holding her own hand for comfort.
Collin pursed his lips in a thin line like he was holding back something. "Go on then," Phoenix said, her accent full, making her sound sophisticated, wise, and sincere. She tried to smile innocently, but behind the faltering smile laid words unsaid, words of longing, love, anger, and hate, but she kept it all in her head. She didn't know why she felt like this, maybe all the emotions she's pushed away for years were resurfacing, crawling up her skin and making her confused enough to where they could all escape.
Collin thought about what he wanted to ask, he rummaged through his brain trying to find all the questions he thought of before when he didn't have the opportunity but all he could think about is what would have happened if Kari, or Phoenix—whoever—would have just been honest and took a different path. "I just expected you to go along smoothly like Kim did with Jared, accept me at first then have little fights but always come back. I didn't expect you to be… a secretive, manipulative, uncaring, cold-hearted, lying bitch."
Phoenix was hurt, those words stung at her for a few minutes. She sat in silence, coming to terms that, she had been exactly that to Collin and everyone in La Push, she thought all she was doing was to protect them from dealing with what she had had to deal with for sixteen years of her life. But she was wrong and all she was was a cold-hearted, lying, manipulative bitch, just like Collin said. She frowned slightly and thought deeply, "Sometime in our lives we have to realize that some things will not turn out as we wished them to be. Either good or bad; we just have to make the best out of them, Collin. Don't rely mostly on expectation because you'll only end up hurting yourself, and that's the worst thing. Knowing you had an expectation and have it turn out the complete opposite and you just feel so bad you just can't contain it. I know Collin, I know how you feel, but you can't blame yourself. It's my fault and my problems that have made me act like this and all you did was try and get me to open up but I wouldn't. It's all me Collin, but you need to put that aside and forget of what you expected because knowing that you expected me to be this girl you dreamed of and everything would go smoothly hurts me. It hurts me that I disappointed you." Phoenix didn't like to disappoint people, even if she did it all the time, she didn't like it. It was just the shell she created around herself, she had to disappoint people because if she didn't they would expect more of her and she'd push herself to live up to their expectation so they wouldn't be disappointed in her.
Collin let her words sink in, and once again they were staring at each other in silence. Their tea had gone cold and now it wasn't worth drinking, so there was nothing to distract Phoenix or Collin. Phoenix was about to say something, something stupid, but Collin stopped her by blurting out the only question he's had on his mind since the first conversation together. "Why didn't you let me in? Why didn't you let me close, I could have helped, I still can."
Phoenix sighed and looked him in the eye; she leaned closer to him over the table, "because I can't afford to lose someone close to me again. It hurts too much." She could feel eyes generate tears but she pushed them back, Phoenix Rae never cries—besides earlier when she was exposing her story, her secrets, exposing her life and breaking out of her shell.
Before Collin's grandfather passed he told something to Collin, something that he remembers clear as day. He was in the Forks hospital, his grandfather was a spitting image of Collin, but when Collin saw him for the last time he looked dead. He was hooked to all these wires and machines, the smell of death seemed to be his new fragrance choice, machines' beeped and Collin just saw how everything was white and sterile. The smell made him want to puke; everything seemed to collide together so when he tried to remember the last few breathes of his grandfather it would all blur together like driving by the city at night. All the lights collide and all you can remember are the globes of streetlights, casinos, shops, houses, and cars. Collin sat next to his grandfather in the uncomfortable chair that put a strain on your back, and took his old, weak hand. Before Collin said something, his grandfather started coughing erratically, like a cat throwing up a hair ball, Collin asked if he was okay and his grandfather nodded, looking in the eyes of his grandson.
"I want you…" his grandfather spoke in between coughs and wheezes, "to remember something, Collin. I want you to remember that there are monsters who act like people and people who act like monsters. Remember that it takes three seconds to say 'I love you,' and three hours to explain it, and a life time to prove it. To love is not easy as it looks; love is a lifetime commitment, an endless battle and an eternal promise. No one says it's going to be easy to love, Collin. But I can say it was worth it," he smiled sadly and Collin could see the light fading from his eyes, the heart monitor started going down. His grandfather muttered something that sounded like, "I'm coming, my love," and then he closed his eyes and the line went flat. Doctors rushed in and pushed Collin out of the room. The last time Collin saw his grandfather he had a smile on his face. That's how Collin wanted to go, he wanted to pass away knowing he's going to be with his love and he wanted to die with a smile.
"You should know I'm not going to hurt you, Phoenix," it hurt him to say Phoenix; it was like drinking rubbing alcohol. She would always be Kari to him, but he would have to call her by her real name, program it in his mind so it came out like a second language. Phoenix nodded, and Collin continued, "what are you trying to protect everyone from? What happened to you? Who the hell was that guy you were talking to earlier and why is he here?"
"Whoa, one question at time," Phoenix smiled and laughed lightly. "The guy I was talking to earlier is named Clint. He needed my help with business. I believe you heard what happened to me, Collin, if I don't recall you were standing right behind me. What I'm trying to protect everyone from? I'm protecting everyone from business, family issues, and myself, Collin." She didn't know how to put it; it was all confusing explaining it, all her words were mixed in her head and she had a hard time choosing the right words.
"What business?" Collin leaned in closer, resting his elbows on his knees and sighed, looking up at Phoenix.
Phoenix exhaled loudly and licked her lips; she definitely didn't know how to put this in a decent sentence. "I'm a thief, Collin. I steal things, I guess I could be considered a clepto, but I highly doubt I am. I help people get back things that was stolen from them. Sometimes I steal things for fun, like the Hope Diamond, and put it back. Sometimes I steal things for revenge. That's business number one. Business number two… now that's a little harder to explain." Phoenix thought over what she was going to say once more and then recited what was in her mind, "as you probably heard," she narrowed her eyes playfully. "My… father… is a wolf; you know the details I suppose. Since after all, you're quite the curious one. Anyway, he knows I saw him kill my mother, and he believes I'll tell someone-which is not far from the truth due to this… situation. You see… well… honestly… He's…" Phoenix groaned and shook her head; this was harder than she thought.
"He's out to kill. He's been hunting me down for years, because I look so much like her. I mean, come one, how pathetic is that? Like, it's crazy, huh?" Phoenix said it so fast Collin almost couldn't comprehend. Almost.
Collin opened his mouth to say something, but he couldn't. He got up from the chair and started pacing and shaking rapidly. His wolf was going nuts and Collin was on the brink of insanity. He started gnawing at his nails, something he did when he was nervous or anxious, and he could feel his bones cracking.
Phoenix quickly got up, "Collin, I know what it sounds like, but it's not that bad. Now you need to relax and stop shifting before I have to do something to force you to stop." She tried to sound calm but her voice strained, she's been in this situation numerous times, but it still seemed to get her nauseated and fearful. Even with what Phoenix said Collin was still shifting, so Phoenix did what she threatened to do. She locked eyes with Collin and she focused so hard her brain started to hurt. Her eye color started swirling and she griped the table behind her to help subside the pain she was feeling. Everything around her went black besides Collin, who began to stop shaking and go back to normal. Soon he collapsed on the floor, and Phoenix stopped focusing so much. She sighed and slid to the floor, waiting for her vision to return, and eye color to return to normal. Soon it came back and she had done what she wanted, Collin was knocked out on the floor still in human form, she smiled at herself and quickly got up. But pain rushed through her brain and she gripped the table once more, digging her nails into the wood she held back the scream she wanted so bad to yell. The scream she held back came out as gasps and she tried to refocus.
The pain slowly went away after what seemed like years, she had sweat crawling down her neck and face. Phoenix licked her lips and shook her head, feeling the familiar throbbing of her cranium, she walked over to Collin and mumbled an apology and took Collin's hands, dragging him to the couch. "Sorry, babe," she muttered before going to get a blanket so he wouldn't get cold.