"A flu?" I asked, trying to figure out if I heard correctly.
"That's what my dad's saying," Jacob groaned from the other end. "I don't feel too good, but it doesn't feel like the flu."
I bit my lip in concern. "I hope you start feeling better." I said sincerely. I really did hope he would feel better soon. I already miss being around him and it's only been a couple of days since we've rode the bikes.
"Let Bella know for me, okay?" Jacob requested. "I don't know if I'll get the chance to give her a call."
"Yeah, okay." I agreed. We ended the call shortly after, after Jacob was saying something about his dad telling him to get into bed and rest. I ended the call with a 'feel better,' to which he agreed he would.
Though, I trusted Billy's judgement on what Jacob had, I still felt like something was off, like there was a missing piece to the puzzle. I shook of the worry before heading down the stairs to talk to Bella.
"Jacob's sick," I announced as I jumped the last step. Bella turned around with a frown on her face. "Billy said so."
"He's sick? He was feeling okay the other day?" She bit her lip in concern.
"Yeah, guess it just came up suddenly." I shrugged my shoulders as I sat down on the chair.
"Maybe I should give him a call to see if he's okay." I grabbed her hand before she could make her way over to the phone.
"Billy told him to get some rest, I think you should let him get better." I gave her a reassuring smile. "He'll be better and on his feet before we know it."
If only I had actually believed my words. Three days later and there was still no sign of Jacob getting better. A couple times I was able to get Billy on the phone and explain how Jacob was, but I was never able to actually talk to Jacob himself. It concerned me, but Billy reassured me that he was okay, and didn't actually need to go to the hospital like I suggested- or at least he tried to.
Bella has been also trying to get in touch with Jacob, but got the same result as I did. It was starting to put her back in a mood that I wasn't sure I was able to get her out of by myself. She wasn't like she was when I first got here, but she was going back to having her out of mind attitude.
I didn't leave any messages on Jacob's phone like Bella did. I figured she said enough for the both of us.
"Hi Jake, your dad said you have mono? Said we couldn't visit, but could you give us a call back?"
"Hey, me again. I just- I want to hear your voice."
"Jake- please, call me back."
"He's fine, Bella." I placed my hand upon her shoulder gently. I know that she needed help from Jacob to get her back to normal, but we just had to trust that he's okay. "I'm sure he'll call soon."
She didn't answer, she just stared at her cell phone, willing it to ring.
"Harry and I will be back by three-" Dad stops short as he looked at Bella and I. He sighed as he placed a hand on her other shoulder. "It's mono, Bells."
"He's too sick to even call?" Bella complained, finally lifting her head from her cell phone.
"I'm sure there's a good reason," I squeezed her shoulder before leaning back against the kitchen entrance.
"You just gotta wait it out." He paused, "you know, I don't have to go fishing."
"No, no." Bella shook her head. "Go, we'll go hang out with Jess or something." I could see the force behind the smile, and even though Dad would never point it out, I'm sure he did too.
"Good," Dad nodded. "But stay here or at Jess's. No hikes or anything. We're issuing a warning about those bears."
And that's exactly what we decided to do. Bella decided that she wanted to try and find this meadow that's been on her mind as of lately, and thinks that she can find it. Going against Dad's request of staying out of the woods, that's exactly where the trail leads us. Of course, I wouldn't allow Bella to do this trip by herself. The last thing I need is something to happen to Bella and it gets blamed on me because I didn't stop her or help.
"Where is this meadow?" I asked for the hundredth time since we've left the house. We drove for about 10 minutes until Bella pulled over to the side of the road and told me that we'd have to walk from here. That was 15 minutes ago.
I kept hearing small cracks every now and then from the wild animals running around the forest. I wasn't one to be scared of many things, but giant bears was definitely a concern of mine. The last thing I wanted was to be mauled by a rogue bear.
Bella glanced down at the map in her hands with slight confusion. We've had to backtrack a couple of times already. "This doesn't look familiar," Bella would say before we took a different root. I just hoped we'd be able to find our way out of this nonexistent trail.
"It should be this way," she nodded her head forwards before stepping over a large branch. I stored that branch in my memory before following after the girl that can barely walk on flat ground, nevermind find a mysterious meadow in the large forest.
"Bella, are you sure this thing even exists-"
Just before I could finish my question, we came up to a small clearing in the trees. Bella, now excited, rushed forward into the break in the trees. I silently followed after her, watching my step as I did so. When I entered the clearing, I saw Bella down on her knees with her hand on her stomach. I knew that she wasn't hurt physically, but emotionally. The look upon her face said it all.
Edward took her to this meadow.
That was why she wanted to find it so badly today. That was why she was so excited whenever she found the familiar path.
It didn't look like anything special. It was almost… dull. The flowers that were around the field were practically dead. The grass wasn't as green as most around Forks. It almost looked like no one has taken care of this meadow.
A rustling broke me out of my thoughts as I turned to look at a male figure standing across the meadow. His face was chiseled into a surprised expression. His hair dark and long, falling in neat dreads. His skin was practically glowing, looking like he just walked out of the water, though he was not wet. His eyes were a murky color, and from the distance I couldn't make out what they actually looked like.
"Laurent?" Bella muttered, making me turn to her in confusion. Who is this guy?
"Bella?" He answered. His voice was just as beautiful as he was. It was deep and rustic, almost like a lullaby.
"Laurent!" Bella stood up onto her feet, more alert than she was just moments ago.
The male, Laurent, glanced over at me in confusion. "I must admit, I didn't expect to see you here."
Bella finally glanced over at me, as if remembering that I was here with her. She stepped closer to me before answering Laurent, "I live here. But you- I thought you were in Alaska with Carlisle's friend?"
"Tanya," he corrected. "I was. It was kind of him to arrange considering my association with James and Victoria. The enemy."
I was confused on who all of these people where. A millions questions were running through my head, and I couldn't wait to bombard Bella later to get the answers.
"You tried to help us." Bella stepped closer to me again, just in arms reach.
Laurent started, almost, circling us. Looking us up and down like we were prey. I felt chills roll up and down my arms at the menacing look he was giving us.
"I went to visit the Cullen's, but the house is empty. I'm surprised they left you behind. Weren't you sort of a pet of theirs?" Laurent taunted.
A pet? Just what kind of relationship did Bella have with the Cullen's?
"Uh…" Bella faltered. "Something like that."
Laurent narrowed his eyes slightly. "Do the Cullen's visit often?"
Bella paused in her answer. "Absolutely, all the time." I bit my lip at her lie, but didn't comment further on it. I wasn't sure what her reasoning for lying was, but if she was trying hard to convince him of their appearance, it must be important. "I'll tell them you stopped by."
Bella visibly relaxed, "will they be able to reach you in Alaska?"
"I don't think so." Laurent shook his head, "Tanya's vegetarian family was pleasant enough. But the dietary restrictions were difficult. Living only on animals."
I narrowed my brows in confusion. Don't vegetarians not eat meat? Wasn't that the whole point?
Suddenly, Laurent was in front of Bella and I. I gasped loudly before stepping back from the man. He was just a good 5 feet behind us, how did he get in front of us so fast? That's not possible.
"Tell me, Bella," Laurent smirked down at her. "Do you ever feel compelled to… cheat?" Bella takes a step away from Laurent, still in front of me, but closer. "But that's not why I left. I came back here as a favor for Victoria."
I visibly saw Bella's shudder at the name, but she kept on a brave face. "You're still friends."
Laurent shrugged, "more or less. She asked me to get the layout of the land with the Cullens. Because… well I'm afraid Victoria is quite put out with you."
I stared into the side of Bella's head, listening to this guy talk about things that I wasn't aware of. I felt so lost in this conversation.
"That's… too bad," Bella muttered.
"Yes. She feels it's only fair to kill Edward's mate, since he killed hers. An eye for an eye, if you will." Laurent explained. I felt my eyes widen at his words. Mate? Edward killed? Just who was this guy?
"Edward will know who did it. He'll come after both of you." Bella lied. Both of us know that Edward wouldn't have a clue on her death, let alone who killed her.
"I don't think he will," Laurent shook his head. "After all, how important can you really be to him if he left you here unprotected?" Laurent paused, "Victoria sent me here for information. She won't be happy about my killing you."
My heart rate picked up at his words. All this time, I was afraid of getting mauled by a bear, when I should have been more worried about a stranger in the forest. I needed to find us a way out of this situation.
"No, Laurent," Bella pleaded.
"No, no, no. Don't be upset," Laurent reached forward and grazed Bella's cheek, as my heart dropped at the close proximity. "I'm doing you a kindness. Victoria plans on killing you slowly, painfully- whereas I'll make it quick." He took a big intake of air. "And you both smell so… mouthwatering."
"Freak." I sneered as I grabbed Bella's arm and pulled her behind me, away from the creep. He smirked at my actions while Bella struggled against my hold on her arm.
"You've got spunk, kid," Laurent laughed, stepping closer to me. He grabbed my face, tilting my head back. I met his eye contact with a glare while he just smirked. "You smell just as good as Bella," he smirked leaning closer to me. I tried wiggling his cold hand off my chin, but his grip was tight, almost too tight.
"No, Laurent, don't!" Bella shouted from behind me, trying to pull me away from him.
Just as he was about to lean further towards my neck, he paused in his movements before looking behind us. His eyes widen noticeably with fear, "I… don't believe it," he muttered, letting go of my chin. Bella gripped my arm and pulled me closer to her while Laurent was distracted.
I didn't want to take my eyes off of the man in front of me, but curiosity got the best of me. I looked over my shoulder to see a giant wolf stepping out of the woods with a snarl on his face. His teeth were about as long as my fingers, and the wolf's height towered over Bella and I's. His attention wasn't on me or Bella, it was solely on Laurent, growling in almost a warning type of way.
Right as the wolf walked in line with Bella and I, a mere 20 feet away from where we were, four more wolves came out of the woods. Each of them smaller than the black one, making me believe that the black one was the alpha of the pack.
Each wolf was different than the next. There was a chocolate brown colored wolf, he was medium sized. A silver-grey one that looked smaller than the brown one, but more nimble, he was probably the fastest. An ash colored one that was closest to the black wolf. He was the same size as the grey. The last wolf was in the back with beautiful russet colored fur. It was long and shaggy, he stood almost as tall as the black one, but less board and more long. They were terrifyingly beautiful creatures.
All five wolves barely paid any attention to Bella and I, they were focused in on Laurent. I grabbed Bella's arm, getting ready to make a run for it. The sharp movement caused the russet wolf to look over at us. I remember reading somewhere that if you made eye contact with a dog, it was almost like a challenge, so the same thing happens with wolves, right?
I lowered my eyes to the ground, and the wolf stopped its movements as he looked over at us. I felt Bella tighten her grip around my hand in fear, I just hope she didn't startle him. The wolf snarled loudly, making me jump before looking up again. The wolf wasn't looking over at Bella and I anymore, it was snarling at Laurent.
Said guy, turned quickly and started heading for the trees. I tightened my hold on Bella's arm and pushed her backwards as the wolves went after the running man. "Go, Bella!"
I wasn't sure how long we ran for, but I almost cried with relief as soon as I saw the old Chevy truck. We both jumped in before driving away as fast as we possibly could. I felt a lump in my throat as I looked over at Bella. She looked just about as freaked out as I was. I could barely catch my breath, my heart rate is so fast.
"What the hell was that?" I finally managed to ask. She glanced over at me but didn't say anything. That only angered me. "Bella, answer me! What the hell just happened?"
"I don't know," she answered.
"Who was that guy?" Again, no answer. "Bella! We almost got killed, I think you owe me an explanation!"
Bella slammed on the truck's brakes and I felt myself lunge forward roughly. She pulled over onto the side of the road and it was quiet for a while.
"If I tell you, you can't tell anyone." She looked over at me with big doe eyes. "Not even Dad or Jacob." I nodded my head hesitantly. "That was a vampire."
I blinked.
"I'm sorry- a what?" I snapped, narrowing my eyes. "A vampire? Bella, you can't be serious." I scoffed.
"I'm completely serious, Jules. The C-Cullens were vampires, he is a vampire. They truly exist. You have to believe me." If I hadn't just experienced what I did today, I would have called Bella crazy and possibly a liar. Thinking back on what happened and how animalistic Laurent seemed to act, I did believe her.
"He was gonna eat us," I felt the tears well up in my eyes. I dropped my head into my hands, "oh my- we really could have died today, Bella!"
"I am so sorry, Jules! I didn't think this would ever happen," Bella mumbled.
I looked up at my sister, "you dated a vampire? Bella, what were you thinking!"
"He doesn't drink from people, Jules! No one in the family does! They all drink from animals," she explained, trying to get me to calm down.
"Tanya's vegetarian family was pleasant enough. But the dietary restrictions were difficult. Living off of animals." Laurent's words echoed in my head.
"That's what Laurent meant when he was talking about living off animals, wasn't it?" I asked looking at Bella. She only nodded in return. "Bella, that's so dangerous! Just because they don't drink human blood doesn't mean they don't have urges."
She flinched at my words, "I know."
She looked lost beyond words. I bit my lip before grabbing onto her hand softly. "Bella, what happened actually happened with Edward?"
She looked conflicted whether to bring it up, or lay it to rest. In the end, she did open up and tell me; everything. From how they first met, to how he ignored her. From the first time they hung out, to their first kiss. The hunt with James and Victoria, the school dances. The promises and the urges. She spilled everything.
We must have talked for hours before we finally got home. My brain was swimming with information, and I couldn't really tell Bella how I felt about the whole situation. Maybe if I were in her situation I would do the same. Or maybe I wouldn't have got involved in the first place, if I had a choice.
I bit my lip as Bella ran inside to tell Dad about the giant wolves we saw in the woods. I already knew that we both were going to get a lecture about going into the forest, after he strictly told us not too. I just didn't want to deal with it tonight. I slipped out of everyone's sight before going into my room with a mind full of thoughts.
Bella is in love with a vampire. Vampires are actually real. We were almost killed by one today. Giants wolves chased down Laurent.
Bella, what have you gotten yourself into?