Chapter 2 – Unbelievable
"Emily, look at this." Emily and I were in Seattle for the day, with Jacob and Sam. It was rare to get them away from La Push. There were no more vampires and they needed to get away. The pack had grown and like before, I had to figure out who they were. Jacob couldn't tell me, because he didn't imprint on me. Jacob explained the imprinting impulse and that those who are imprinted on can know all the secrets of the Quileute wolves. Quil Ateara and Seth Clearwater joined the pack. Seth was the youngest member and he was happy to be able to help kill Victoria. "Since when do you like heels?" I smirked, "Since now." She smiled, "I'm serious. You said you were afraid to wear them." I sighed, "No time like the present to face your fears." I pulled Emily into the store and asked for the shoes I saw on display in the widow. They were red heel shoes with straps that went around my ankles. I tried them on and walked to the mirror. "What do you think?" Emily smiled, "I like them. They look great." I turned back and saw what the heels did for my legs. My legs were more curved and defined as I stood in them. They made my legs look longer. I stood in the mirror, admiring my own reflection.
I found myself thinking about what clothes would look best with my new shoes. I saw I was wearing a button down shirt and faded jeans. I raised an eyebrow. Maybe I was growing up. I wanted to change my wardrobe. I deserved it. After all, I was going to college. Time to put away childish things. "Bella." I looked in the mirror, "Yea, Jacob?" He was looking at me, "You're going to get those?" and he pointed at the shoes. "What, you don't like them?" He smiled, "Actually I do." I smiled, "I know where your eyes were." He smiled, "Come on." I bought the shoes and I saw a pair of boots on the shelf behind the cashier. "Can I see those?" They were brown knee high boots, with wooden colored heels. "I'll take them." I was using the money from my college fund. I earned a scholarship to school, so I could afford to get myself some new things. While shopping, I picked out some new jeans and tops. They were more form fitting than anything I owned before. "Bella, I've never seen you in clothes like that." Jacob had his arm over my shoulders as we walked to the car. "Just growing up, I guess." He nodded, "Yea. You're about to be a college girl, I guess it's time." I smiled, "What about you? Are you going to finish school?" Jacob stuffed his hand into pocket, "Well, we do have more time on our hands. Maybe Sam would allow us time to finish school." I looked ahead, "Good."
Jacob drove his Rabbit home and I looked out the window. I could hear Emily's deep breaths as she slept on Sam's chest in the backseat. Another change I noticed. My hearing was getting better. That would explain why I heard Lauren, when Angela and Jessica didn't. Jacob held my hand and his touch warmed my skin. Before, when Jacob held my hand for a long time, my skin would burn. My hand was in his for over an hour and my palm wasn't even sweating. I must be getting used to his touch. Soon, we were back in La Push and we spent the evening at Emily's house. Emily and I were in the kitchen, cutting up a cake. I lifted my head, "Someone's outside." Emily looked at me, "I didn't hear anything." I looked out the back window from where I stood, "I think its Jared and Paul." Emily looked at me and then the back door opened. I was right. Jared and Paul came inside, "Hey guys." Emily looked at me, "You're good." I shrugged.
Our evening was fun, as we all sat and laughed, but it was getting pretty late, "I'd better go. Charlie and I have to go out tomorrow." Jacob looked up at me, "You could spend the night." I made a face, "I think that invitation will have to come from Emily." Jacob rolled his eyes, "I'll take you home." I knew I couldn't convince him to stay, so I didn't argue and let him drive me home. Jacob kept his arm over my shoulders the entire drive. "What are you and Charlie doing tomorrow?" "He and I are going to Port Angeles. I need to register for classes and he's picking up his new truck." Jacob tightened his arm around my shoulder, "When will you be back?" I looked up and smiled, "In the afternoon." Jacob drove my truck and it was wheezing as it was beginning pushed to its speed limit. He parked in front of my house and we stayed in the truck for a little while longer.
This was dangerous. I knew what Jacob wanted, but I wasn't ready to give in. If I did, I would end up staying in Forks. That wasn't entirely what I wanted anymore. I'm supposed to let go, but terrified to forget. I looked back at the house, to the light in the living room window. "Jake?" His hot hand held my cheek, making me look at him. We stared at each other. My eyes adjusted very quickly in the dark. I could make out his face much easier than before. I could even make out his dark eyes, staring into mine. He sighed, "I know. I'd better go." He opened the car door and stood out in the cold. My hand grabbed his arm, "Wait." He looked back at me. I got out of the cab and held his shoulders, "Good night, Jake" and kissed his cheek. Even in the dark, I could see the blush under his russet skin, "Good night, Bells."
I finished my registration and took a short tour around campus. The Literature department was part of the tour and meeting a few of the professors. I was definitely considering a Literature major. The library in that department was extensive. And the library on campus was great. I could get lost in there easily, taking in all the books they had. Leaving campus, I went to meet Charlie. He was standing in front of a Ford pickup truck. It was used, but it looked like it was in good shape. Charlie turned as my truck approached. "Hey Bells, what do you think?" I got out of the cab, "It looks good." I stepped closer to him, "I think you should let Jacob take a look at the engine. He kept my truck in good shape." He smiled, "Good idea." I followed Charlie back to Forks. I was heading home, while he went to run some errands. I think he wanted to test out his new truck. While heading to Forks, Charlie headed further south away from town. I didn't drive in that direction anymore. Heading south out of Forks, it would have taken me to there house, hidden from the world in a sea of ferns. I turned off and headed back for town.
My truck idled at one of the few traffic lights in town. As I got closer to home, a strange feeling came over me. Charlie was in trouble. I couldn't explain it. All I knew was that I had to find Charlie and fast. I made a wide U-turn and drove down to the road I never went down. My truck's engine groaned in protest as I pushed it to its limits. I was very close to their house, but I couldn't think about that right now. I had to find Charlie. I drove a little further, near the opening for their driveway and that's where I saw Charlie's truck. His truck was on the side of the road. Turning off my engine, I got out and walked over to the abandoned vehicle. Nothing was out of the ordinary, but Charlie was nowhere in sight. The feeling of him being in danger hadn't fade. I was standing at the mouth of their driveway and, to my own surprise; began to walk down it. My eyes scanned the trees around me, almost searching for something. Walking down the driveway, images of my dream crept up into my mind. Walking down a road, while searching for something. No, not something; someone. Someone I couldn't find. Right now, Charlie was that someone I couldn't find. Charlie was a rational person, like me. He wouldn't just walk away from his truck. The hole in my chest was starting to ache.
I couldn't go any further. My eyes shut, blocking out the images from my dreams. My arms wrapped around my body and I took a deep breath. My eyes opened. I smelled something. There was something here. In my mind, two instincts came to me. The first was telling me to run. I had to protect myself as best as I could. The other told me to keep going. I had to find Charlie. My arms stayed wrapped around my body as I moved forward. Heading further down the drive, I came across a piece of clothing. It was from Charlie's jacket. I kept going forward. I knew I was getting closer to the house. The grass was getting taller and the space between the trees was getting wider. Soon, I saw the break in the trees that ended the driveway. That's when I heard a scream, which was quickly cut off. I ran ahead and I found him.
I saw Charlie's body being held by a man. The stranger's head was leaned over Charlie's neck. Charlie's eyes were wide as looked in my direction. His mouth moved as if he tried to speak, but he gritted his teeth. I was in disbelief as I watched my father being killed. My body began to tremble. My teeth began to chatter, but I clasped my hand over my mouth. The stranger lifted his head. I was about 15 feet away from them, but I could smell the blood. The stranger looked back at me and I couldn't move. Actually, I wouldn't move. My instinct was telling me to run, but I didn't. I stepped forward towards him. He stood, letting Charlie's body drop. Charlie groaned from the impact to the ground and continued to groan. The venom was burning his body. The stranger's eyes were crimson. I could see the color going down to his pupil. He smiled, "A snack." My brow furrowed and my lips hardened into a tight line. That was how the trio in the baseball field saw me. Not as a person. He closed the distance between us in an instant and he was standing front of me. "You smell delicious." Anger filled my body and changed everything. His hand clamped down on my throat. It was uncomfortable, but durable. He moved closer to me and I wasn't afraid. I was angry.
My hand flew up to his throat and I tightened my grip. His eyes widened and he buckled to his knees. He looked up at me in shock. My eyes were angry as I gazed down at him. "That was my father!" With every word, my hand tightened on his throat. I could see the cracks in his skin from my hold. He gripped at my hand, digging his nails into my skin. Again, this is uncomfortable, but it was tolerable. "What are you?" he choked out, trying to get out my hold. I moved quickly, as I gripped his other arm and twisted it behind his back. He screamed out in pain and I smiled. "I am…. thirsty." I could smell a scent reminiscent of leather from his breath and it was sweet. Leaning closer to him, the scent of leather lingered on him. I leaned down, pulling my lips back and sunk my teeth into his neck. I was able to bit down on his skin. It felt like biting into an apple. There was a slight crunch to his skin. Sucking back, something warm touched my tongue. My eyes widened and then closed as I suck at the warm substance. It flowed down my throat. I pulled and pulled at the sweet relief from this vampire. Soon, there was nothing. My eyes opened and I looked across the field. I could smell something sweeter and even more irresistible. I dropped the body in my arms and walked forward. I heard the groaned, but that didn't sway me. The scent was mouth-watering. Something held my shoulder and pulled me backwards. The stranger stared at me and his eyes were black. He was holding his neck. "You …. drank from me?" I looked at him. "What are you?" I smiled, "Angry." In a swift movement, I grabbed his hand and his entire arm detached from his body. He screamed again and fell to the ground.
I threw his arm to the ground and finished the job. Moving my arm quickly, I punched him in the chest. It was so strong, that my arm traveled through his body. Then, I held his head in my hands and pulled upward, detaching it. I knew what I had to do next. But I didn't have any matches and I had to check on Charlie. With my hands, I continued to dismember the body. I tore each finger from both hands. I tore the body into unrecognizable pieces. When I was done, I dug a hole with my bare hands and buried the remains. I would come back to burn them later. I stood and looked at my hands. What was I?
