Orange Bullet
The magnificent blue sky made an appearance today, which in itself was quite strange, since the entire week, half of the peninsula experienced heavy snow fall, which probably would be the last one for the winter. It was the middle of March, and to me, spring could not come sooner. Don't get me wrong though, I enjoy the winter as much as the next person, but when you have to walk between buildings to get to different classes, you get tired of the cold pretty fast. Times like these almost made me miss the school on the reservation.
Almost.
I tapped the snow off my boots while entering the doors to the cafeteria. Strolling over towards an empty table, I sat down, making myself comfortable before pulling a book out of my bag.
Lately I've been finding myself researching almost anything I could. From various books on quadruped animals to mythology, I was searching for anything that came close to what I saw that day. The book I was currently reading was called Celtic Myths and Legends. It was a book recently made on Irish folk lore. Definitely a more entertaining read compared to the other stuff, though deep down, I knew that any sort of book like this probably wasn't going to help me find what I was looking for, but I was getting desperate.
So far I wasn't able to find anything that even slightly resembled what that beast looked like, as its shape compared to that of some dog or wolf-like creature, but with height similar to – if not bigger – than a horse. I couldn't find a single thing that fit that description.
I became so engrossed with what I was reading that I didn't notice the two figures that stood across the table.
"Seth?" A feminine voice asked.
I looked up from the pages to see Angela Webber along with her boyfriend, Ben Cheney.
"May we sit with you today?" She asked, giving a smile.
"Uh, yeah of course, take a seat." I replied.
They graciously sat down, placing their lunch trays in front of them.
Ben was quick to notice the lack of food. "You're not eating?" He then paused. "Unless your one of those people who like to consume paper." He gave a devilish grin.
"I had a big breakfast." I chuckled.
"Celtic Myths and Legends?" Angela asked, eyeing the book in my hands, to which she gave me a strange look. "Not really the book the average teenager would be reading."
I put my bookmark into the spine, closing it up and placing it next to me. "Yeah, I'm kind of trying to find something, but I'm not having much luck."
"Oh, and what would that be exactly?"
"Well…" I trailed off, almost embarrassed as to what I was about to say. "About a month and a half ago, I was driving to school when I almost hit some kind of animal. It was huge and it gave me a good fright. Ever since then I've been trying to find out what it was."
"Was it a bear?" Ben was quick to question, eagerly looking at me.
"I… really have no idea." I said, honestly.
He seemed to slum down into his chair at the response.
"Why do you ask?" I continued on.
"Well," Angela started, "about a week ago, Ben and I decided to go hiking the trails since it was a nice out, but it got cut short when we spotted something big… big and dark. Almost like a bear." She added.
"A bear?"
"You don't believe us either, huh?" Ben said.
"N-no, I believe you." I lied. It was hard to imagine a bear so close to a hiking trail, especially during the winter.
'Big and dark.'
The words quickly registered. Did they see the beast? The same one I saw that day? Now that I think about it, it did have a bear-ish quality – at least for how big it was.
"What trail did you see it on?" The words left my mouth before I could think of what I was saying.
"It's the one just north of Newton's Olympic Outfitters – the hiking store." Angela responded.
I could see Ben's eyes widening. "You don't plan on walking the trail, do you?"
"No, of course not." I lied again.
The remainder of lunch was spent with the two of them bickering on what to do this weekend while I awkwardly sat there quietly until it was time to head to class.
The end of the school day soon arrived, and I was more thankful than ever. During my classes, I had planned out most of my weekend.
I had to find that trail.
After school I would go buy some hiking gear at that place Angela mentioned, and then tomorrow I could walk the trails in hopes of possibly spotting that beast again.
As I walked down the now empty hallways towards my locker, a familiar face caught my attention.
Rachel Black. She was standing next to her locker. But what had caught my eye was the fact that she was crying, and no one had noticed. Despite the girl trying to hide her face, I could easily hear the quiet sobs from where I stood, and I wanted to simply walk past and pretend I hadn't had noticed like the rest, but I knew that Paul wasn't here, so I felt almost obligated to help her.
I felt my gut sink at the thought of Paul.
Shaking my head, I silently made my way over to her.
"Hey Rachel." I casually said, to which she had jumped; surprised at my sudden appearance.
"Oh, hi Seth." She sniffled.
"Is there something wrong?"
"Um…" Her voice went silent, as she seemed almost hesitant to tell me. "P-Paul sort of… broke up with me."
A wave of shock overcame me as the words registered. "What…?" I questioned.
"He broke up with me." She repeated, to which she then gave me a saddened look. "I don't know why. He just kept repeating 'I'm not the right one for him' or something like that."
I was flabbergasted. Paul loved Rachel. I knew that for a fact; which furthermore confused me as to why he would break up with her. She's not the right one? That couldn't be further from the truth. I've seen the way Paul looked at Rachel. I've heard the way he talked about her. He cared so much for the girl, so it was extremely hard to believe he didn't feel that way anymore.
Something was definitely going on with the boy.
"You ready to go, Rach?" A voice asked.
I looked over from my shoulder to see a girl; one with russet skin skin much like my own, and brown slightly wavy hair reaching past her shoulders. If I wasn't mistaken, her name was Kim.
When her head turned in my direction, I expected some sort of friendly smile on her face, but I was met with a sour – almost disgusted look.
"Yeah, let's go." Rachel sniffed again. "See you around, Seth." She spoke, before walking away; Kim quickly following behind.
I stood there for a moment, stunned as to what just happened. Did Kim not like me? I don't ever remember speaking with the girl, so no ideas came to mind as to why she looked at me the way she did. Maybe she was just having one of those days.
Leaving the school, I turned onto the road and was on my way to Newton's Olympic Outfitters. Thankfully Coach Clapp – the gym teacher – was able to give me a set of detailed directions. I drove north of the school for about twenty minutes before I finally noticed a sign telling me I found what I was looking for. Turning into the lot, I parked my beaten down truck before hopping out and heading on through the doors of the store; the warm hair quickly hit my face in a gust as I entered.
"Hello!" A bright voice cheered. Across the room stood a woman; her hair a light blonde and her face looking not a day over forty. She was behind a counter, watching my arrival with eagerness. "My name is Karen. I'm one of the owners of this store." She said with a touch of proudness. "If you need any help at all, please let me know!"
"T-thank you!" I stuttered out, surprised to see how upbeat she was. I was quick to get to work, as I retrieved items I knew I would need for tomorrow. Things such as a map of the area, a first aid kit, a flashlight, et cetera. As I brought the items up to the counter, a figure burst in through the doors of the store.
"I'm here!" A boy called, quickly hurrying over to the counter.
"Mike, you're late." The woman behind the counter – who I had already forgotten the name of – spoke.
"I know, I know." He brushed her off. "Tyler's car wouldn't start so I thought I could lend a hand."
"And did you fix it?" Her voice was stern.
The boy paused at the question, only to look away, mumbling a quiet 'No' in the process. The woman only sighed at this.
"The poor boy." The woman spoke. "First he got his van written off from that accident and now his second one is already failing him." Her eye quickly caught mine again. "Oh dear, I'm sorry for wasting your time. Let me ring those up for you."
She then proceeded to check out my items, putting each one nicely into a plastic bag. I quickly paid before scurrying back out the doors.
Before heading back on to La Push, I dropped into the camera store to buy some more film. I took my time though, as I looked through all the digital cameras the store had, and it tortured me how much I wanted one. They were all definitely out of my budget though.
Returning home, I stepped in through the door with just the camera film in hand. I left the hiking gear in my truck, knowing that my parents would never allow me to go hiking alone, so it was better to just leave them out of it. Walking into the kitchen, I greeted my mother as she stood over the stove, cooking what smelled to be pasta. She greeted me and smiled.
Her stare lingered though.
These past few weeks, both my mother and father have unconsciously been giving me these strange looks. I didn't know why, and the more it happened, the more I wanted to ask them what it was all about, but I decided to let it be, knowing they probably wouldn't tell me anyways.
As I retreated up to my room, I walked down the hallway towards my door; only to catch sight of my sister coming out from nowhere, to which she gently bumped into me.
"Watch where you're going!" She hissed out.
I jumped back a little, surprised from her sudden outburst. "Sorry, I was just-"
"You have eyes, Seth. Use them." She scowled, strutting past me.
I stared daggers at her back before continuing on into my room.
Resting on my bed, I hauled the book out from my bag, opening the marked page and began reading. Hours passed as I read line to line about each Celtic myth, studying their gods and goddesses, hoping that one of them will be able to give me some sort of answer as to what I've been looking for.
I glanced over to my alarm clock, only to groan as I read that it was past twelve AM. I tossed the book aside, not bothering to mark the page I read last. I felt that I was looking in all the wrong places, but I didn't know what would guide me in the right direction.
I prayed that the hike tomorrow would help give me some answers.
I got out of bed at ten, hoping that it was late enough for everyone to have already left the house. I was right in that assumption. I looked outside the window, seeing the slushy snow outside, covering as far as I could see. I went to the coat closet to grab some mittens along with a pair of boots and a scarf. I didn't plan on getting the flu today, so I had to be at least somewhat cautious.
My cooking skills weren't the best, so I made a simple tuna sandwich which I had shoved into a plastic bowl with a lid on top. Chucking it into my bag, I then went to retrieve other things I wanted to take with me, and I was then out the door before the clock struck noon.
My grip on the wheel was unstable. I felt anxious for what I was about to do, as I knew that it would be anything but safe, but I couldn't almost help but feel excited. It felt as if though my subconscious was telling me that whatever is going on with this beast, it was somehow related to my situation with Paul, and that in itself brought me happiness. Happiness in hopes that one day we can be friends again.
Of course, if I did somehow manage to spot the beast, and vice versa, I brought my father's bow and arrow just in case.
Entering into Forks, I drove into the direction of where Angela said the path would be – past the Olympic Outfitters. As I drove on by the store, I started to carefully scan the road, waiting for a path to reveal itself from either side of the woods. As the stirring of the slush under my truck became heavier, my eyes caught sight of what I've been looking for. It was hard to miss. I guessed the trail was quite popular to walk on, as it has its own parking spaces for vehicles.
After parking the truck, I threw the scarf around my neck and shoved on the mittens. Reaching for my bag, I did a double check to make sure I had everything, and then I was out through the door.
As I stood at the start of the trail, I felt a rush of anxiousness rise from within me; yet I began walking.
After a few minutes, I noticed why this spot in particular seemed so popular for hiking. The scenery was quite magnificent. A river bank ran down next to the path, making the flowing of water give the sound around me a peaceful ambiance. The sun was bright in the sky, illuminating the world around me. I was no longer in Forks, but instead an alternate world; one where everything flowed smoothly, and there was no discomfort.
Everything felt perfect.
I found myself taking multiple pictures of the land around me, sighing with happiness knowing I could relieve this memory at any time. I walked on the trail for about an hour; the forest around me getting denser with each step, and the map had told me I had now entered into Quileute lands. I made sure to carefully study it so I wouldn't get lost. I could barely navigate a town I've been driving to everyday for the past year, let alone the foreign terrain around me.
Despite enjoying myself, I was hesitant to walk further. There were no footprints or anything. I felt that if there was any sign of the beast, I would have spotted it by now. I debated on whether I wanted to waste more time here even though I was immensely enjoying myself.
Just as I was about to make a decision, a whooshing sound met my ears, but the wind did not blow. The sound came from in the distance, from the left of where I stood, but I could not see what it was, as the tree line completely hindered my vision.
The whooshing was getting closer – at an alarming rate. I felt my heart quickly speed up its pace. My mind was telling me to watch for it – whatever it was – but my gut was telling me to find some sort of cover.
I listened to my gut; hurriedly crouching down by a bush to the left of me. I waited as I heard the unpleasant sound coming closer and closer.
I felt as if I was a prey.
One who was hiding from their predator – not too well either, as I was in the wide open, trying to cover my small frame.
The sound was close, and just as I was ready to see what it was, it flew through one side of the trees and into the other like a bullet; the only thing my eyes could pick up was the blazing orange color that almost seemed to linger behind it.
Then I heard the thumping. The rapid movement of something that was huge; slamming heavily into the ground. It was identical to what I heard that day. I waited, one side of me praying that it was the beast coming, but the other praying it was anything but that.
What I didn't expect was for it to jump out right above me. I felt the air immediately leave my lungs, only for me to quickly breath it all back in a loud gasp.
It heard me.
It rapidly spun its head around, and I started into the face of the monster. The big, black beast I saw that day, and it stared straight back at me. Its large pointy ears were perked upward, and its dark eyes scanned me all over. Its mouth opened slightly, giving me a peak at the razor sharp teeth hiding behind.
It was a wolf.
It was a huge wolf.
I sat on the snowy ground, petrified as to what I was seeing in front of me. That wasn't a bad thing though, as staying still would offer me my best chance of survival.
The wolf made a loud exhaling sound before swiftly turning back around and dashing off into the forest.
I was alone again. But I still felt as if I were being watched. It took me a minute before I figured out how to work my limbs again, as I ripped myself from off the ground and staring running.
It was strange, as the fantasy that had built itself up around me had come to a shattering finish, as I no longer felt at peace. I no longer felt safe. My legs were rapid in motion as it felt as if I were running a mile a minute. The heavy pants I made filled my ears as I tried my best not to falter. I didn't know how long I ran, but each passing second I prayed I could find an exit from this hellish forest.
I felt the adrenaline that pumped through my body start to wear off as the truck became visible. As my hand reached the handle, I practically ripped it open, diving into the driver's seat, roaring the engine to life, and driving as far away from that area as fast as I could.
My hands trembled as I drove down the road to La Push. The shock finally began to wear off, and all the fear that had built up was released all at once. I found myself driving in the middle of the road, worried that my fidgety hands might make me drive off into a ditch by accident.
I reached the outskirts of the town, but I still didn't feel safe. I still felt as if it was still watching me, its dark eyes following my every move. I parked in the driveway of my home, shutting off the engine and staring out the windshield. I wanted to move, but it seemed as I had forgotten how to again. Moments passed as I slowly took each step out of the truck with caution. Gently closing the door behind me, I made my way into the house.
"Hi Seth." A gruff voice spoke into my ear, making me jump from surprise as I let out a yelp. I whipped my head towards the owner, only to spot my father standing next to me, a questioning look on his face.
"H-hi." My voice came out shaky and nervous.
"Is there anything wrong?" He asked. I merely shook my head in response.
I tried to casually make my way up to my room to avoid any suspicion, and with each step I cursed at my jittery legs. Closing the door behind me and locking it, I felt myself fall onto my bed; my whole body shutting down.
I don't know how long I had lain on my bed like that, but soon I heard the faint voice of my mother calling me down for dinner. I striped myself of the heavy winter clothing that I forgot to take off and slowly made my way downstairs. Before walking into the kitchen, I caught sight of my father standing at the door, taking to someone.
Sam Uley stood in the door way, his face as serious as ever. His eyes quickly met mine, and his brows instantly furrowed. His gaze made me jolt in response, and I quickly dropped mine before making my way into the kitchen where my mother had just served a bowl of soup.
Dinner was unsettling. My father kept giving me glances every few minutes, but I wouldn't meet his gaze, and instead developed a heavy interest in the bowl sitting in front of me. After finishing it off, I announced that I was done as I made my way over to the sink to wash my dishes.
I had spent the remainder of the night in my room, the scene from today constantly replaying in my head. The way the wolf stared directly at me, its dark eyes digging deep into mine, but not attacking.
Why didn't it attack? Was I too easy of a pray? Was it chasing that… orange thing? What even was that? It moved so fast that, my eyes could barely see it. Should I tell someone about this? It seemed like the most reasonable thing to do, but at the same time, I questioned as to whether the wolf was a threat or not. It seemed that it didn't want to attack me, but it was fair to assume that maybe I just wasn't worth the trouble. Its entire structure was huge, so I doubt I'd be much of a meal.
My head began to ache with all these unanswerable questions.
There was one question that stuck out though.
Why did it seem that the wolf only stayed within the area? Was it trying to find something? Whatever it was, I planned on finding out what.
And for once, I knew exactly where to start.
I waited in my room until the night came, and there wasn't a soul awake in the house. My hand slowly twisted the knob of my door, and I winced as it made a whining sound. Luckily though, I heard the snores of my father in the other room, so there was no way anyone heard it. With careful footing, I snuck downstairs, and into the living room. I shuffled over towards the corner where a bookshelf sat.
My finger lightly grazed over the spines of each book as I search for what I was looking for. I sighed in relief as I found it. It was an old book. It had a very beaten down look to it but all the pages were still in great condition. Quileute Legends it was called.
Returning to my bedroom, I pulled the chain on the lamp next to my bed, turning it on as I opened the book. Shifting on my bed, I made sure I got comfortable before I started.
I read until the early hours of the morning.
The book contained loads of information on the Quillayute people and the land we own. The book told simple fishermen and ship builders who claimed the lands long ago. As time passed, others wanted to take control of the area, so the fishermen got into boats and went out to sea.
Now this is where it gets strange.
They used magic to protect the lands from the hands of the intruders. Using some power called Astral Projection, the men were able to spiritually leave their bodies and take control of the things around them. They used winds to scream at the invaders, and animals to do their bidding. They came out victorious, and the survivors fled, thinking the area was cursed.
Generations passed until finally, Taha Aki was born; one of the great Spirit Chiefs. He was a man of peace, so one day, when one of the spirit warriors – Utlapa – said that the Quileute should try and invade the lands of the Makah and Hohs in hopes of building an empire, Taha Aki banned the man from the tribe.
One day, Taha Aki hid his body away in a sacred place, and left in his spirit form to scout the area in an attempt to make sure there was no danger, but Utlapa was quick to react, as he too left his body, killing it and then quickly taking over Aki's before the man could realize what had happened.
Utlapa returned to the village in Taha Aki's body, and everyone had believed that he was the Spirit Chief. He then demanded that no warriors of the tribe shall enter the spirit world, as he had a vision of danger, but in reality, Utlapa was afraid of Taha Aki.
As time passed, the wandering Taha Aki eventually sent a wolf down to the village in hopes of killing Utlapa and freeing the tribe, but a young man had been killed instead, only making Aki's grief greater. As the wolf followed the man back to the forest, Aki got an idea. He asked the wolf if he could share its body, and the wolf agreed.
Inside the wolf, Taha Aki raced back to the village. People screamed for the warriors help as they spotted the foul beast, but Aki only retreated as the warriors chased him, yelping the song of his people, causing them to stop in realization as to what he was doing.
An old man named Yut caught on quickly, and disobeyed the orders of Utlapa, fleeing to the spirit world to which he realized the wolf had the spirit of the Great Chief.
Utlapa realized what was happening and killed Yut as he returned to his body before he could speak of what he saw.
Enraged by this, Aki in his wolf form shuttered, transforming into the body of a man – one who did not look like Taha Aki's body, but instead like his spirit. The warriors instantly recognized him.
Utlapa tried to run, but Aki had the strength of the wolf and killed him.
The tribe was finally freed, and was then returned to normal, and Aki abolished every rule Utlapa made except one.
No one should ever use Astral Projection again.
Many years passed, and Taha Aki led the tribe; for he did not age. He fathered many sons, who in time found that they too could shift into wolves when they reached a certain age. Some warriors though did not like to shift, and they eventually started to age.
The more I read, the more my eyes began to inch their way shut, until finally I fell asleep with the book in my hands.
I awoke to the sound of a door closing. Rubbing my eyes, I looked out my window to spot my father getting into his car and driving off. Groaning, I lazily got up from bed, quickly grabbing a pair of pants along with a shirt and headed on into the bathroom. The shower I took was long, as I thought of all of the information I had learned last night.
I ran wild with speculation, to which I came to the conclusion that the black wolf was quite possibly the spirit of a warrior from long ago. Of course, actually believing in these Legends seemed a bit childish on my part, but there wasn't any evidence against my theory.
Walking back into my room, I went to retrieve the book before getting breakfast, but it wasn't there.
I spent a good thirty minutes searching all around the room, high and low, only to come up short. I grumbled in frustration.
Did someone take it? I bet it was Leah. She's probably still mad about yesterday, and decided to be petty and steal it.
I marched down the stairs and into the kitchen, finding Leah sitting at the dining table while my mother prepared breakfast.
"Did you take it?" I demanded to know.
Leah looked up from where she sat. "What?" She asked, confused as to what I wanted to know.
"I had a book on my bed that I was reading, did you take it?" I asked again.
She was becoming annoyed by my accusation. "Why would I take your book?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe because you're always in a pissed off mood and you think everyone is out to get you." I felt myself becoming angry from how she was playing stupid.
She glared at me. "I don't take your damn book, you little brat." She hissed.
"Hey!" My mother shouted. "It's not even breakfast yet and you two are already fighting. I will be having none of it." She then looked to me. "You young man, are going to go fetch me some eggs at the store right now, and do not argue." She pointed a warning finger at me; I only crossing my arms in response.
"Fine." I stated, before strutting out of the room.
I ripped my coat off the anger and slammed the door shut behind me as I left the house. Cool air alerted my senses, and I stopped dead in my tracks for a moment, noticing how unreasonably enraged I felt inside, but I only left it be as I hopped into my truck and drove out without another thought.
It only took me about five minutes to reach the convenience store in town. I was happily welcomed as I entered through the doors. I politely waved to the cashier while putting on a fake smile. I sauntered over towards one of the coolers; opening it and searched for the carton of eggs, which I had then quickly spotted and snatched them off the top shelf. As I was about to be on my way, someone had stopped me.
"Why hello, Seth." Their voice rang.
I stared into the face of my second cousin, Emily Young – soon to be Uley. Her straight black hair flowed down her shoulders like I had always remembered. Her dark eyes peering into mine with a bright smile on her face.
"Hi, Emily." I smiled, pretending to be pleased to see her.
As much as Leah bugged me, I still remember the pain she went through due to both Sam and Emily, and I could never forgive either of them for it.
"How's your weekend been?" She casually asked, as if it hadn't been months since I've last seen her.
"Uhh, it's been alright. I went on a hike yesterday, but besides that not much else.
"Oh yeah, Sam told me." She smiled, to which her smile instantly disappeared, and instead was replaced with a look of shock.
I looked at her, confused. "What?"
"Uh, nothing, never mind. Well it was nice seeing you, Seth!" She blabbered before quickly escaping through the doors of the store.
"…Okay?" I quietly said to myself; walking up to the checkout counter.
After purchasing the carton, I hopped back into the truck, and drove off. As I was on my way back, I sat there, wondering as to what I had said to make Emily run off like that. Thinking back to my conversation, out of the minimal times I spoke, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
'Oh yeah, Sam told me.'
I felt as if my mind shut off for a second.
Sam told her? Told her what, that I went hiking? How would Sam even know about that? I didn't tell anyone about where I was going, nor was there anyone else on the path that day. There weren't even any cars close to that area.
Hell, I'm positive the only thing that saw me yesterday was-
I sharply breathed in. My grip tightened on the wheel as I felt my eyes grow wide.
"N-no… That's just not true." I whispered to myself.
"It's impossible."
