Still away on vacation so I have to keep it short and sweet. Thank you everyone.
It's probably not every day this lake is disturbed by someone other than him. That's the reasoning I conjure up in my brain as to why he was watching me, still is, as I cool my body off from the heat. Years of my every move being watched has made me hyper-vigilant of my surroundings, and luckily today is no exception.
I had felt his eyes on me before I saw them for myself a few minutes ago, his penetrative stare sending chills up my spine despite the heat of the air and the cold of the lake. We remain a decent distance from one another, me still in the mid-shallow area of the lake and him sitting on his back patio overlooking the scenic views around us from his cabin down the street from my own. While the two cabins are on the same street, they are spaced far enough apart, so each has its own layer of privacy. I doubt I would be able to see him on his back patio if I were sitting on mine.
But I'm not on my patio.
I'm floating in the cool water of the lake behind both of our cabins, letting my troubles wash away with the slow current in plain sight of him and anyone else whose attention I've grabbed. Granted, the decision I made to walk into the lake was lightning fast, but it wasn't my intention to bring an audience with me while I swam, even if my new neighbor proves to be harmless.
That's the thing, though. I don't trust anyone, especially strangers that live in a quiet secluded area like I do now. I've learned that no one, not even people who vowed to love and protect me, can be trusted.
For my own safety, for my own sanity, I have no intentions of getting to know my new neighbor or anyone else here in Forks. I'm sure there are plenty of people like Angela, the cashier from yesterday, who are extremely pleasant to know.
I just can't put myself out there like that. It's too risky. If I want this to last out here, I have to be smart about who I talk to and why.
I can't let him find me.
The nagging thought I've been pushing away since I arrived in Forks rears its ugly head again, and I know I can't put it off any longer.
I have to check in with Rose to see if anything has happened in the place I'm trying desperately to escape from
I'm not sure if it's the chill in the air or the chill at the thought of my impending phone call, but my hands shake as I make my way out of the water. My clothes cling to me like a second skin as I step onto the clay-like sand, and if my neighbor couldn't believe his eyes at the sight of someone in the water, he's in for a real surprise when he sees me in these see-through clothes.
I cross my arms over myself as I walk through the trees back into the privacy of my cabin. I'm equally surprised by both myself and the neighbor when I glance over at him one last time before slipping inside, and he responds to my stare with one small nod in acknowledgment.
It should terrify me. And it does - rightfully. However, another part of me can't deny the immediate feeling of safety that washed over me when he nodded in my direction. It was as if he were saying he knows I'm here—he knows I'm alone and will make sure all is well and good over on my end of our quiet, dead-end street for two.
That good feeling completely vanishes when I'm on the phone a few minutes later, and Rose tells me the words I've been dreading.
"I ran into him at the grocery store, Bella, and he didn't mention you leaving at all."
That's what I was afraid of.
He's acting like everything is the same.
He's plotting.
Cue scary music. See you tomorrow!