Trigger Warnings: Graphic violence and death.
"I'm not saying we don't have choices," I said. "I'm just saying some big things have to be kind of… predetermined."
"Like destiny?" Kim smiled and rolled her eyes. I wasn't about to let on that that hurt. We'd started the conversation by talking about imprinting, and then she wanted to turn it into a philosophy debate. I was just excited to be walking with her on the beach again, holding hands instead of throwing rocks. She'd kissed me for the first time yesterday. It was totally out of the blue. We'd just been hanging out in my room and I was worried that she was upset about something, worried I'd messed up, but then her lips were on mine, warm and hungry. I'd been replaying it in my mind ever since. I wanted to kiss her again but she was dead set on having her debate, probably because she knew she could win when I was distracted.
"Or like fate, I guess?"
Kim laughed. "Aren't those the same?"
I frowned trying to come up with a decent response. "I guess I-I kind of have to believe it. I'd never even seen you before the bonfire. And then as soon as I did… I just knew that we're supposed to be together. What could that be if it's not destiny?"
I was nervous, as I always was when I talked about my feelings for her. I never knew how she would take it. I didn't want to scare her off. Kim looked very serious, eyes narrowed as she appraised me. "Pheromones."
"What?" I'd never even heard that word before, not that I would be admitting that.
"It makes the most sense. Lots of animals rely on pheromones when selecting mates," she said, nodding. She walked onward, towing me along with her. I followed her in a stupor, somewhere between offended and confused. "Including humans, though for humans, the response is usually pretty weak. But even for humans there is a small bit of relationship chemistry that's actually… chemistry-chemistry. But you have like, super senses, right?" She looked up at me, probably for confirmation, but I was too lost to respond. She nodded anyway. "It would make sense for you to make super connections. To be really selective when it comes to mates. And I can tell you with complete confidence that I am top-notch, so it checks out."
"I don't think so," I said. She glared at me. I grinned. "Not about you being top-notch. That definitely checks out." She smiled again, appeased. "I just, I feel like this has to be about more than... finding a-a mate or whatever." My face started to feel hot as I said it. "I think it's more like finding someone who makes you stronger than you could be on your own. Like someone who ties you down and motivates you to use your powers for good. Someone you're supposed to protect."
She looked at me, dark eyes wide, and for a moment I thought I'd convinced her. Then her eyes narrowed again. "I don't buy it."
"What?" I sighed, annoyed. I'd shared something pretty personal.
"I don't believe in destiny."
"Oh come on!" I said. "You have to believe that some things happen for a reason."
"I believe in making choices for a reason," she said. "Our choices are the only thing we can control. Everything else is just chance. What else could it be? Destiny is just a ploy people use to feel like they've earned good things that have come their way. Like 'no, I'm not lucky, it's fate that I was born rich.' It's really unfair."
"Unfair?"
"Yeah, because how are unlucky people supposed to feel?!" She kicked a rock with so much intensity that she grunted. I stifled laughter at her sudden change of temper. Who hurt this girl? "When bad things happen, do you think that's destiny too? Would you want someone with like, a chronic level of bad luck-someone who bad things just keep happening to over and over and over-feel like it's because they're destined to suffer?"
I heard barking in the distance. I ignored it, not wanting to take my eyes off of Kim. But then, without warning, tears welled in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.
"No, no. Kim, don't cry," I pleaded softly. "What did I say?" She shook her head. Her hair was short and choppy. I just noticed. I remembered that I was there when she cut it. I remembered tucking it behind her ears when it was long, smoothing it flat when it was short. Over and over. But somehow, yesterday was our first kiss. The barking grew louder. "Why are you crying?"
"Because this isn't real." Her face crumpled. She sniffed loudly and looked out over the waves and then back at me. Her voice was soft. "You're dreaming. And I'm gone."
I shook my head, not understanding her words until I reached out to touch her face, right under her eyes where the tears flowed. My breath caught as my fingers grazed her skin and her cheek melted away into smoke under my hands.
My eyes snapped open to the sounds of waves and furious barking. I sat up shaking the sand out of my hair. Had I fainted on the beach? Sam stood in front of me in wolf form. I met his eyes but couldn't read his expression. He probably understood mine. I wanted to faint again, go back to dreaming, and maybe never wake up, but he barked at me, then turned his nose inland, whining. That was weird. Sam never whined. I followed his gaze to a massive pillar of smoke and fire, illuminating the sky. I tore my eyes away from the fire and looked back out over the ocean, searching the waves. Sam barked again and a shudder rolled through me. I wouldn't have thought orders could work if I couldn't hear the words. I phased.
Wake the others, Sam ordered. I almost ran off, but I realized he meant Seth. He had just woken Embry and was running towards Quil's house.
What's going on? Jacob asked.
House fire, Seth answered.
It's them, Embry thought. It has to be.
I followed Sam, running towards the fire. Embry was already there, watching the small crowd of onlookers through the trees. We don't know that, Sam thought. It was the Gibson's house. My stomach pitched.
Do you think they were home? I asked.
I'm pretty sure that was the point, Jacob thought. He swore. Embry, see if you can find a trail.
Embry started running a wide loop around the house. Here! It was a mingled stench, probably all four of them.
Good! Sam thought. Wait for us there!
We met up with Embry. Leah was already there and Jacob was right behind.
Let's go, Sam thought. We set off on the trail. Seth ran to follow us. Not you! Sam thought. Wake Quil, then Paul.
I don't want to miss anything! Seth whined.
Hurry up then and you won't.
Quil and Paul joined.
The Gibson's house? Quil thought as he phased in. Shit. Do you think they were home?
Yes, Jacob growled. Quil quieted. We were still following the trial. They sprinted to catch up.
No car this time?
Too suspicious for the humans maybe?
They probably parked farther away.
Let's hope we catch up to them first.
We crossed the border into Canada. Paul of all people was starting to get nervous.
Should some of us go back? He asked. He pictured Rachel, asleep in Sam and Emily's guest bedroom. Sam started picturing Emily. I tried not to picture Kim because I knew how much it would hurt, but I failed.
I can take over, Jacob offered to Sam. If you, Paul, and Jared want to get back.
I'll stay, I thought. I didn't want to go back now, maybe ever. I pictured Kim's trail, straight and resolute, into the sea.
Oh my god, Quil gasped.
No, no, Leah thought. All the action had almost managed to distract me, at least to the point where the others couldn't see. Quil and Leah especially grieved alongside me. Jacob empathized. Sam and Paul shied away from my pain, not wanting to ever have to imagine suffering the same fate. I wanted none of it.
I'm going back now, Paul thought. Sam went with him. Jacob took the lead, Leah, Seth, Quil, Embry, and I following.
Soon the trail split into four at once. Jacob swore.
What do we do?
Split up?
Too risky, Jacob thought. We'll follow one at a time. No splitting up.
Jacob took off along the rightmost path and we all fell in line behind.
Seth felt uneasy. Isn't taking them out one at a time risky too? We'll lose the surprise.
We don't really have a choice, Jacob thought. We don't have an option to wait for the perfect opportunity, and there aren't enough of us. We have to take what we get.
And if we can get one maybe they'll come for us instead of us coming for them, Leah thought. She pictured a pillar of thick, cloying smoke. Once the others saw it, they would want revenge, which would lure them in. There was some excitement at the thought of an all out brawl. A few weeks ago, the fight itself might have excited us. Now, we were just relieved at the thought of it being over and done with. The trail ended when we crossed a road. Cue swearing.
What now?
We backtracked and followed the other trails. Each eventually ended in a dead end on a road. We panted, catching our breath at the end of the fourth trail as the dawn sun hit the trees. We'd been running all night.
We should get back, Jacob thought.
We were quiet as we ran to Sam and Emily's. Only Jacob was thinking about strategy, motivated because his father was involved in the plan. The rest of us were just trying to stay awake. Especially Seth. He kept trying to do the math, eventually working out that it had been fifty hours since he'd last slept.
Jesus, Leah thought. Go home.
I'm not missing this.
Billy, Sue, and Quil's parents were all at Emily and Sam's. Emily and Rachel passed around plates of eggs and bacon while we talked. Emily frowned at me.
"Where's Kim?" She whispered to Sam. I heard though. He just shook his head. No one else asked. What could they have said anyway?
"Does anyone know if they were home last night?" Rachel asked.
"The Gibsons?"
"They were," Sue said, not meeting anyone's eyes. She didn't even have a plate in front of her, not even going through the pretense of eating. "The twins were home too."
We all looked down. The Gibson twins were three. No one said anything for a while.
"That's why we're doing this," Billy said. "This ends today." We all nodded, numbly. "Should I make the call now?"
"Is it too early?" Tina asked.
Sue scoffed. "Maybe you're a morning person. How would they know?"
Billy dialed and we all listened to it ring, once, twice, three times, when finally someone answered.
"Hello, is this Mr. Columbus?" Billy asked. Somehow, the humor at the ridiculous irony and fear blended into what could be interpreted as conversational ease. "Yes this is Billy Black, we met briefly at the town hall meeting yesterday."
A tinny voice was faintly audible through the phone. "Yes, you can call me Chris though." He chuckled. My skin crawled. "How can I help you, Billy?"
"Actually I was wondering if I might be able to help you," Billy said. "I noticed some concern in yesterday's meeting about sacred and historical sites, and I just remembered that my family has a map that might be useful."
"Really?" the voice said. "That would be excellent. Would you be willing to send along a copy?"
"It's a paper map actually," Billy said. "Hand drawn. Very delicate. And there's some sensitive information that I'm concerned some of the tribe members would not like me sharing. It would be best if you could come by and see it in person."
There was a long pause. I held my breath.
"Certainly," the voice said. "When works for you?"
"Why don't you come by today? I'm free until noon."
"Sure. I'll be there in an hour."
Billy gave his address and hung up. His hands shook as he did, but it was not at all apparent in his voice. Billy should win an Oscar for this.
"Time to go," Sam said. I put my untouched plate of food in the kitchen and then slipped outside, trying not to watch as Sam and Paul said goodbye to Emily and Rachel. It hurt too much. We phased outside and ran to Billy's.
We hid in the woods once we got there, some of us in the trees around the back, some of us across the road. Billy was in the house, but he'd been instructed not to come out unless it was strictly necessary in order to lure the leech out of the car. Waiting was torture. We pressed our stomachs against the ground to keep out of sight. It was so tempting to put my head on my paws, just for a moment, but I worried I would fall asleep if I did.
Seth? Sam asked. Seth!
Hm?
Try to stay awake bud.
Sorry.
After what seemed like hours, but was probably only forty minutes, a white Mercedes pulled up in front of the house. Suddenly all fatigue vanished as we stared at the bloodsucker through the tinted glass.
Now?
On my signal, Sam thought.
The bloodsucker stepped out of his car, shut the door behind him, and took a few steps up the front walk.
Now!
We all burst from the trees at once, teeth bared and claws ready. It was almost too easy. Almost over too soon to register whether it was real or not. The bloodsucker's mouth fell open when he first saw Sam. He must have been too shocked to run. He didn't even turn in time to see Leah as she lept from behind him, teeth clamping around his neck, tearing his head off in one fluid motion with a loud crack. The rest of us fell on the remainder of the body, tearing and biting whatever was in reach. I ripped off one of his arms at the elbow. Metallic screeching and the panting and growling of the pack assaulted my ears. It was over in seconds. We all carried the pieces into the woods. Seth pouted because he'd only gotten to tear off the bloodsucker's foot. Leah let him carry the head. Embry phased back to build a fire. We piled on the pieces, then backed up as the acrid smoke filled the air.
Well done everyone, Sam thought. Hopefully the others will come to the smoke. We hid in the trees again, waiting. The plumes of acrid smoke thinned and thinned. As time stretched on, most of us just felt more tired, but Sam's anxiety grew. I think we should start making some laps.
Sam's idea was met with silence. No one wanted to expend the energy. Sam started probing, trying to decide who was least tired. Paul, Embry. They reluctantly rose and followed Sam away. I watched through their eyes as they ran the outer perimeter several times, fighting to keep my own eyes open and to keep my mind from wandering to painful things. The few embers left weren't even producing smoke anymore. We all wanted to call it, but no one wanted to put the idea into words.
We can't call it, Sam thought, firm. Once they find out their friend is missing they will come to investigate and we need to be ready.
Did they even know where he was headed? Quil asked, gaze trained on what remained of the fire. How are they going to find him?
Embarrassed, Sam admitted he hadn't considered that. None of us were thinking clearly now. Quil's right, Sam thought. But they will start looking when he doesn't return. We don't know if they will be coming on foot or by car. We need to watch the roads into town for their car and continue running the border. We all groaned. I know, I know. But this could be the end. Let's finish this today.
We picked spots. I started watching the road, crouched under a bush, identifying each car and driver as they passed. It was a blessing when it started to rain. It helped us stay awake. Quil and I switched when he was too tired to run. Then I switched with Jacob and took his spot by a different road. The day stretched into night.
Seth! Sam sighed. Can whoever is closest to Seth please wake him?
He's way out, Quil thought. All the way out on Pewter.
I'm awake! Seth insisted, his consciousness gradually reappearing. His thoughts sounded groggy.
When do we call it? Jacob asked. He was so tired he was starting to get queasy. Leah and Sam ran the border, muscles screaming. For once, Leah didn't care enough to outpace him.
We can't call it. Sam failed to keep the hopeless edge out of his thoughts.
Let's at least have a few people sleep, Jacob thought. One at a time even. We can collapse the perimeter a bit, fall back on just the Rez until morning.
Sam knew we couldn't keep this pace up forever. Seth, go to bed, Sam thought.
I'm awake! He whined, eyes snapping open again. I rolled my eyes.
One hour, Sam ordered. Window open. You won't miss anything.
Seth growled but got up, stretched and started running for home, his pace a bit sluggish from combined reluctance and fatigue. Then his vision flickered. We all froze, confused.
Did he actually fall asleep while running? Paul asked, nearly laughing, until we were struck by Leah's terror and the sensation of the earth, moss, and ferns racing away beneath Seth as if the Earth itself tipped at a precarious angle. It made no sense. Was he falling?
No! Leah started sprinting towards her brother, but she was on the other side of town and he was miles out. Sam followed her. Jacob started running too.
What? I asked, groggy. The rest of us were trying to make sense of what was happening through the fog in our minds as the forest slid out from under Seth.
He's being dragged, Quil breathed. Then the brown haired bloodsucker's face, the one we were once so convinced was Bella, swam up in Seth's view, her face inches from his, and we all started running at once.
"Stay out of our way," she snarled, face twisted with rage. Her words were distorted and her face shimmered, like light shining through smoke. She must have hit him in the head. We felt Seth's pain then. And his fear.
Guys? His thoughts were garbled. He was dizzy. Please!
No no no no! Leah cried, numb with pain and fighting terror as she raced towards him. She'd always been the fastest. She wished she was faster. Seth! Seth!
Leah? Seth cried, a thin whimper escaping him. Then he wailed. Leah! Mom!
"Leave town. Run. If you don't, we will kill you, and everyone you care about. Consider this your only warning." She vanished.
Seth? Seth! Leah screamed. He didn't respond. I searched for Seth's mind among the others. Quil and I got to him at the same time from different sides. I almost breathed a sigh of relief. From my angle, he looked peaceful, as if he were only sleeping. But Quil could see the other side. He could see everything. His open, glassy eyes, one bulging from its socket. He could see the dent in Seth's skull where the leech had struck, the bone sticking through the fur, and the blood flowing from his wound and from his eye and nose as well, pooling beneath him, staining his sandy fur crimson.
Leah sprinted past me, skidding to a halt in front of his body, her mind drowned in wordless agony so powerful that my knees buckled. The others arrived, one by one.
We have to go after them, Jacob thought, weakly. He had just arrived and was already backing away. He tripped and scrambled back to his feet.
Paul and Embry were looking to Sam, mentally begging him to make an order, anything to pull them away from the terrible scene, but Sam was frozen, body and mind. My fault. My fault. My fault. It was a mantra, repeated through layers of pain.
Quil stumbled away, vomiting in the woods.
My fault my fault my fault my fault.
They know, I realized. I could barely hear my own thoughts over Sam. He was like a record skipping. And over Leah. If thoughts could scream. She was like a ringing in our heads. I was confused before, when I thought that the leech had let Seth go with a warning. But the warning wasn't for him, it was for us. She wasn't speaking to Seth, she was speaking through him. Seth was the warning, and the warning was for us. She knew we were listening. They know what we are.
How?
I don't know.
Leah howled, and the howl morphed into a shriek as she convulsed back into her human form. Grief did that. I understood. She collapsed over Seth's body, sobbing.
I clenched my eyes shut. I didn't want to see anymore. I had enough material for a lifetime of nightmares. But even when I closed my eyes I could see through the minds of the others. There was no escape from the suffering of a pack mate. The pack grieved as one.