CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

(BPOV)

I got the unexpected call on my cell before the sun had risen and it startled me when Tina's voice came through on the other end of the static filled line.

"H-Hello?"

"Bella! Oh, I'm so glad you picked up. Natalie has been trying to reach you since late last night but she said it was going straight to voicemail. Is your service bad out that way or something?"

I struggled the make sense of her words as I sat up and threw the heavy blanket off my legs, my sleep filled gaze catching sight of Jacob sitting in the rocking chair with Clarissa.

"Tina? What time is it?"

"Almost six. I'm sorry to call you so early, but it was urgent. All those people and we don't have enough hands or machines. We're drowning in here."

"Alright, slow down. What's going on?"

I saw Jacob look my way with clear concern when he heard this as I rushed to get to my feet.

"There was some kind of horrible animal attack last night. By Hamlin Peak. On the very peak. I've never seen anything like it, Bella. In all my time as an EMT. Dozens of casualties. The rangers are saying it's bizarre for those parts and if you could see some of these injuries. I mean, it's unreal. Unhuman even."

"Tina, are you at Pen Bay right now?" I replied, feeling the blood leave my face at her words.

"Yeah, I'm just coming off a fifteen hour shift. I can hardly see straight but I made it through." She admitted as my face paled while she hurriedly continued. "I don't know what kind of animal could do this-"

Jacobs gaze narrowed when he overheard her and I saw his observant eyes darken when it met mine.

"Was Natalie trying to call me back in? Is that what she wanted?"

"Yeah, we need you to come home, Bella. We really do. Things are falling apart here. There's just not enough hands around this place and our patient care is really suffering as a result. The phones have been ringing off the hook since mid day yesterday. People have been terrified and asking what to do and we need you back. Callie was too timid to ask this of you but I'm not. Please get on a plane and come back home. This place needs you. We need you."

"How many more have been brought in since last night? What are the numbers? Do you know?"

"At least ten, maybe more. I'm not sure. It's madness around this place and then with this new virus going around."

"The one they were prepping and briefing us all for back in early November? That same one?" I worriedly asked her in return.

"Yes, there's been six confirmed cases so far, Bella. Some of the airports are shutting down travel entirely. You need to act now if you want to get back to Maine cause I don't think you'll have a way back in another week. Haven't you seen the news? It's insane!"

Her voice was truly panicked and it frightened me because I had never heard Tina panicked like she was right now. That was really saying something. I slowly turned away from Jacob as he drew near while Clarissa continued to sleep soundly in his arms.

I grabbed the remote from the coffee table and eagerly flipped on the local news station, my eyes going wide when I saw the headline running across the screen there in bold red lettering.

Several airport closures nationwide in wake of new virus spread.

"Tina, I'll call you back."

"I know you want to stay there, but I'm not blowing this our of proportion here. There are patients out in the halls waiting to be seen and the entire ER is nearly on lockdown."

"Okay, I hear you. I will call you back." I replied, ending the call and listening to the new reports as my stomach dropped to the floor.

Charlie and Billy came out with curious looks my way as I stared at the TV.

"What's going on, Bella?" Charlie hedged. "Sue just sent me a text that she and the kids are coming over for breakfast."

"I can't." I sighed. "That was Tina on the phone just now. There's been a severe shortage of hands and Pen Bay is struggling. They need all nurses on deck. I have to go, dad. I'm so sorry."

I headed for the stairs and paused when I heard Jacobs footsteps following fast behind me.

"Bells, wait."

"I can't stay, Jake. I have to go back. They need me. It's my job. People are hurting."

"What was Tina saying about an animal attack on that mountain?"

His words made ice trickle down my spine and I shook away the thought that came to my mind then as I hastily threw my clothes into the half open duffle.

"I know what you're thinking but that doesn't mean-" I argued.

"But it could be-"

"We have bears and coyotes in Maine. The forest is rich with wildlife in most of those parts. This is probably a Winter hiking trip gone horribly wrong. I'm not going to jump to the worst."

"Bells-..." Jacob sighed, his hand catching mine as I tried to zip up the duffle. "I know there's so much left up in the air- and so many things unsaid-... but you don't know what they're dealing with back home and that scares the hell out of me for you. So, please, let me come with you?"

I froze there at his offer, the sound of it more like a plea when he raised his head and steadily held my gaze.

"You have to be here-..." I stated.

"and you're life is there. I get that, but this isn't permanent and-"

"You're dealing with enough." I countered.

"I can't have you gone like that. Like it was before. I just can't, Bells." He ground out, releasing my hand with a frustrated huff.

"There's too many unknowns, Jake. With this new virus, planes could be grounded for days or weeks even. Your whole life is tied here. With the pack."

He shook his head, his face filling with a tangible dread as he mulled over the facts.

"I could make the run back in wolf form. No different than the pack did for me after the accident. It would be exhausting, but I could do it. You and I both know that the chances of a gruesome attack like Tina described being caused by nothing more than an animal, is not in our favor. It could be something else. Something I can't have you miles and miles away from me if that's what we're dealing with. I know you can take care of yourself. That you don't need me to be there but I want you safe. I need you safe."

I saw his firm swallow as the two of us stood there wordlessly staring at each other with no real answer that either one of us wanted to hear in this moment. We were at a standstill and I struggled to separate my heart from my head because there was that still small voice in my head that said... "Let him go with you."

A/N: To my dear readers, I truly apologize for the much shorter update tonight, but I hope this chapter finds you well :-) As you all know, things have been nuts lately. For the next two weeks, I will be homeschooling my daughter due to her school and several others state wide that are now closed till the end of the month. I will be trying my very best to update regularly during this time and I greatly appreciate your understanding and patience. Please, stay safe and be well! New chapter tomorrow before the end of the day. Please review and tell me your thoughts. Love hearing from you. Do you think Jake should make the trip with Bella? Till Then... xoxoxoxo