Part 4: Burning Daylight
Never before had I seen any place more alive than the jungle of the Amazons. All around were new sounds, exotic birds that contained more vibrant colors within their many feathers, the lush bright greens of the trees and leaves were more vivid than the deep forests back home. The sound of rushing water was all around me, from the great river whose path I had followed south upon arriving in Manaus, to the waterfalls and streams I could pick up in the distance. I was, for what felt like the first time in years, fully alive.
I tested my speed and agility as I rushed through the jungle only stopping when I came across something that was too fascinating to miss. I had found along my journey a waterfall so high that even the sun blocked me from seeing the top, a spotted leopard laying up in the trees, and the most terrifying snake that seemed more scared by my sudden arrival than I was by its ability to blend into the world around it.
I continued making my way southwest along the river until I felt as if I needed to stop. Taking my bag off my shoulders made me feel lighter. I hadn't realized how much I had been carrying. I pulled out the map that I had bought at the airport and made slight markings of my tracks so that I would know what area I had covered.
Alice had said to go south. Right now I was at least a day outside of Coari. Yet despite the amount of land I had covered in just my first few days, I had yet to pick up on any trail or scent that would lead me to Nahuel. I knew him and his aunt to be migratory, yet he never seemed to be inclined to leave the jungle where he had grown up. I could only hope that somewhere deep within these lush trees I would find them. The sun grew low on the horizon; it's rays almost non-existent through the density of the vegetation around me.
Glancing up into the trees, I spotted a place to rest. Grabbing my bag I swung it over onto my shoulders and griped the tree. Climbing it would be more difficult than I anticipated. Back home, the limbs were lower making climbing any of the largest trees easy, these however were much, much higher. Very carefully I made some handle holds and shimmied up the tree until I reached the largest branch. I tied my bag to the adjacent limb, securing it tightly so it wouldn't fall. I leaned back against the cool bark and smiled.
I had picked the perfect spot. From the tall perch where I sat, I could see out over the jungle. The river snaked and cut across the land, the trees were so far and so dense that they all molded together to resemble more like a wide expanse of green fields. I sat and watched the sun slowly descend behind the line of trees until the sky looked as if it were on fire, then the oranges, reds, and yellows of the sky faded to blue and then black. That was when the stars showed themselves. It truly was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I felt my eyes close as my ears listened to the sounds of the night, and found that a smile still lay on my lips even as I felt myself fall to sleep.
The next weeks were filled with the same wonderful routine. I awoke early as the sun made its way into the tops of the trees, re-packed by bag, and made my way along the map, crossing over the territory I covered that day. I would run through the jungle for a period of time and then walk when I felt like taking the scenery in, which was the majority of the time. Several times I caught the warm smell of humans, tourists on hiking trails, on the river, or scientists and preservationists about their work. I figured a single white female alone in the jungle would cause more questions than necessary so I dutifully avoided their presence when I came upon them. It was mostly just the plentiful wildlife and I amid the beauty of the most natural world I had ever seen.
I stopped and sketched the places where simply a photo wouldn't do it justice; my notebook was becoming full of pictures of birds, monkeys, trees, flowers, and waterfalls. I figured Esme and Rosalie would enjoy seeing the beauty that I now saw. It was in one of those moments when I seemed to find my very first friend.
"Why hello." I said through a laugh as a little brown monkey found it's way onto my shoulder. It seemed not one bit concerned with my presence or pale coloring. "Where did you come from?"
I reached into my bag and grabbed a piece of fruit I had been saving, I lifted it to him and he grasped it quickly. His screech seemed an appropriate thank you. I laughed as he hopped down from my shoulder onto the forest floor. I put away my sketchbook and decided I could recall the flower tonight. I watched amazed as my new little friend eyed my bag and quickly jumped onto it as if seeking more of what I had given.
"I'm sorry. That's all there is." I shrugged my shoulders. His screech only intensified. "I wish I had more to give you little friend, but I don't."
The little monkey only eyed me harder with its black eyes as if doing so would somehow change the situation. I smiled as cheerfully as I could but it was no use, my little friend soon lost interest and scurried back up into the trees from which it had come.
"Pesty little things aren't they." A voice suddenly spoke from behind me.
I turned to catch sight of them but they moved too quickly. I definitely wasn't alone, and the being was definitely not human. I didn't understand why I had not picked up on their scent. I should have heard or smelled them as they arrived.
"Hello?" I spoke calmly. I wanted to give no reason for harm.
"You seem familiar to me." It was a woman voice, I was sure of it, but this time it was different. So there were two of them. "You are new to these parts, yes?"
"Yes, just traveling. Maybe you know my family, the Cullens?" I hoped my family name would offer good tidings.
"The Cullens?" At the mention of my last name they instantly revealed themselves.
"Zafrina? Senna?" I spoke recognizing them both from all those years ago. "It's me, Renesmee Cullen."
"Could it really be?" Senna spoke as she parted the vines to make her way to me.
"You have grown into maturity." Zafrina stated plainly. "Quite stunning."
I couldn't help but blush as the two of them stared at me for what seemed like minutes. Their eyes took in everything about me from my wavy brown hair to my hiking boots encrusted with mud.
"You look…human." Senna mumbled more to Zafrina than to me. Her sister only agreed.
"Only an immortal would notice the difference, her skin glimmers slightly in the sunlight faint but still, her movements are more careless, less exact than a vampires, and her heart. Your heartbeat is...fascinating."
"But what are you doing out here alone?" Senna glanced around as if making sure she was accurate. "We have been following your scent for days. We have been hunting south of here, but ran across your trail. We didn't recognize it so we continued."
"I came to find Nahuel and his aunt Huilen." I spoke with a smile. "Alice said she was able to locate them south of Manuas. I have been heading southwest for the last few weeks hoping to track them."
"By yourself?" Senna mentioned again, yet this time her voice seemed concerned.
"Yes." I glanced between the two of them. "Where is Kachiri?" I asked suddenly remembering the third member of their family. "Does she no longer live with you?"
"These jungles are not safe for our kind anymore. Especially one who is alone." Zafrina moved closer towards Senna resting her hand on her sisters shoulder. I saw the deep sorrow in both of their eyes and realized the truth.
"I'm so…I'm so terribly sorry." I stood and made my way towards them.
"Certain ancient tribes throughout the land have grown to know more and more of our kind over the years. More and more have grown violent. That was why we have moved more north, the southern tribes are the most hostile."
"Humans threaten you?" I questioned.
"Humans no, but those much like your tribes." Senna nodded her head.
"The Quileute? They are at peace with my family and have been for years. They are not violent towards us."
"To your family no, but to others, to other vampires they may not be so kind." Zafrina stated so intensely that I knew I couldn't argue with her.
"Do you know where I can find Nahuel?" I asked hoping that over the years their paths may have crossed.
"He and his aunt travel through these parts many times during the year. His sisters visit as well." Senna stated.
"We saw them last many moons ago." Zafrina nodded in agreement with her sister.
"Do you know which way they were traveling?"
"Southwest." Zafrina eyes caught mine. "I can show you."
Within seconds the world around me changed. I was no longer in the middle of the jungle, but near a large lagoon, three large waterfalls fell into the deep blue water. As I turned I saw on the edge of the clearing four wooden structures, buildings that seemed more apart of the land than made. The paths along the ground looked well worn. The low-lying vegetation was filled with yellow and red flowers, a kind I had never seen before. Yet before I could see anymore the images vanished and I was once again with Senna and Zafrina.
"It's beautiful." I smiled up at the two of them.
"That is where they always return. We came upon them many decades ago, by now it could be gone."
"It is the only thing I have to go off of for now."
"I urge you not to go." Senna took my arm her touch was firm. "Any more south and you might be put into danger."
"I must. Nahuel is the only one I know of who is like me." I looked between the two of them. "He is the only one who will have the answers to all my questions about our kind. Thank you for all your help. I am so glad you found me." I reached down to pack my bag.
"We will take you there." Zafrina stated as she kneeled down in front of me.
My eyes caught hers once more. She immediately showed me a memory from my childhood. I saw my home and my family, we all stood saying goodbye to those who had come to witness for me. It was as if I was actually there, as if I had gone back into time. I saw myself as a young girl, I held onto my mother and father's hand as people waved goodbye to me. The image shifted, as if time had passed. Zafrina stood before me saying goodbye. Yet this time Jacob carried me, his bronzed arms around me, my head against his shoulder. I heard him sigh and rest his head atop of mine.
I blinked and it all was gone. I once again was filled with the overwhelming noises of the jungle, the smell, and taste of it. There was a sudden ache in my body from what I had just seen. Yet I suppressed it as I glanced back at the two, bronzed women before me.
"For your family's sake we will see you safely to Nahuel." Zafrina nodded at me as if there was no alternative. She glanced up at Senna, who on the other hand looked as if she was hoping her sister changed her mind. "We must Senna. It is our duty."
"So be it sister."
For the next three days we traveled further and further into the jungle. Zafrina and Senna were unlike any vampires I had ever spent time with. Thankfully, they chose to feed at night, while I slept. They were well aware of my choice of diet and graciously respected it during our time together. The two vampires were fierce and always on edge as if at any moment a battle might emerge. I had never before been so aware of my surrounding as I was with them. I covered more territory with them in those short days than I had the past two weeks by myself.
From the round-a-bout track we were taking it seemed that Zafrina knew exactly where she was heading, and they seemed uninterested in any unnecessary stops, much to my dismay for there had been so many incredible sights to behold along the way. The humanness in me was tired and I could tell my body was responding to the constant speed we were keeping. Senna noticed as well and it seemed to trouble her, as if slowing down our pace posed more trouble. Yet Zafrina understood and matched the pace that I could keep.
"Let's stop for the night. I need to sleep." I spoke aloud as I came to a halt.
"We must continue." Senna spoke aloud as she eyed her sister.
"She must rest before we continue on." Zafrina spoke firmly.
With a grateful smile I took of my hiking bag and placed it against the nearest tree trunk. Rummaging through it I was able to find the food I had been saving. The granola bar was hard but edible, at least to me. I slumped down against my bag feeling relief for the first time in days. I heard the sound of their native tongue as I closed my eyes and let sleep take me.
It seemed as if my eyes had only been closed for a second before I felt a firm pull on my arm. I had been lifted onto my feet forcefully. I opened my eyes only to see Senna in front of me.
"We must run now!" Zafrina grabbed my bag from the ground and ran ahead of me. I saw Senna follow her and so did I.
"What's wrong?" I hollered as we made our way through the jungle at the fastest speed I could go, Zafrina looked back over her shoulder at me and then behind me.
"They tracked us." Senna yelled beside me a look of terror on her face.
"Who?" I asked but neither answered my question, they just increased their speed.
It was only then that I picked up what they had been hearing the whole time, the heavy sound of something chasing us. Yet, it wasn't just one, it was dozens. It didn't sound like other vampires, it sounded more like…more like animals. I glanced back over my shoulder and saw through the darkness nine pairs of large yellow eyes. They moved in the night just, if not more agile, than we did. I could hear their positions changing. Four stayed behind, five split into two and three moving on either side of us. They were closing in.
"Renesmee, hurry, they are gaining." Zafrina called into the night.
Senna and I moved faster until we reached her just ahead of us. All three of us ran side by side of each other through the jungle. Yet I heard them surround us. Zafrina held my arm forcing us to a sudden halt.
"We will have to fight." She spoke so low that it unnerved me.
I turned from where we stood, Senna on my left, Zafrina on my right. They looked vicious even in the darkness. I could tell that this wasn't their first battle. I on the other hand had never experienced a fight before. I was trained by the best, but it was only for pretend. A sudden fear swept through me as I stood bracing myself for what was about to come. It was in that moment that I regretted coming, but more so regretted coming alone. I heard their pace slow down. All nine of them surrounded us, their feet crunched the ground as they moved closer.
"They will try and divide us." Senna spoke into my ear. "We must stay close together."
"I will do what I can." Zafrina motioned to her eyes and I knew she had all the intention of using whatever power she had to help us get out of here.
My eyes scanned all that was around us. I waited for what was to come. As I looked out into the night, I saw the same bright yellow eyes moving towards us. I could smell them. It was definitely some kind of animal. They were warm and dirty, a spicy smell fell over them as well. Yet it was the sound that escaped around me that confirmed what I was beginning to understand. It was the distinct cry of a leopard. We were being surrounded by nine of the largest leopards I had ever seen. My mind immediately thought of Jacob and his tribe. Could these creatures be the same?
The leader, at least I assumed, was the largest, black as the night that surrounded us, which had made him nearly invisible. It moved closer before letting out a cry. All at once as if signaled, they moved towards us. Their shoulders swaying back and forth, any moment and the fight would begin.
A hot wind blew through the jungle and when it did my heart stopped. For with it came the familiar scent of new fallen rain, musk, and cinnamon. Out of the corner of my left eye I quickly saw a large brown wolf jump in front of me. His howl forced the black leopard to stop moving, for the wolf was twice its size. The leopard gave a large cry signaling the others to stop as well.
"It can't be." Senna questioned her face turning to me in the night.
"How did he find us so quickly?" Zafrina asked me.
"Jacob." I whispered in shock as I stepped forward.
Jacob turned his head to me and I caught his brown eyes. He raised his head up and howled so loud that it made everyone but me take a step backwards. He looked at me once more before turning his attention back on the other animals. There seemed but a few moments before anything happened. The leopards beside us moved slowly back towards the others and it's leader until all nine of them now faced us. Their white fangs glistened in the moonlight that filtered through the top of the jungle's canopy.
Jacob growled, his body lowering as if ready for what he knew was about to come. Yet they didn't move. The leopards just seemed to reverse their steps, slowly inching away from us until finally they turned and vanished into the night. Jacob no longer held his defensive position he simply turned to face the three of us. He took a step forward until his nose was near my shoulder. I rested my hand on his head and ran it down his cheek. He swung his head and then ran off into the darkness.
"Where is he going?" Senna asked quickly her eyes gazing back into the jungle.
"They are gone sister. Between the wolf, us, and being blind, they didn't have a chance."
"You used your power?" I asked.
"Only at the end, so that they would know their disadvantage." Zafrina placed my bag on the ground, content that we were safe.
"It's a good thing your friend has been tracking us for the last few days. We might not have made it if he hadn't gotten here so quickly."
"Jacob's been following us?!" I exclaimed.
"It's not what you think, Ness." Jacob emerged from the jungle zipping up his khaki shorts. He seemed fit to not care about putting on his shirt, it simply hung from his bare shoulder, he held up his hands as if he was prepared for a second attack.
"That's becoming your new line, Jake." I grabbed my bag quickly and lifted it onto my shoulders.
"Ness—"
"What are you doing here!?" I cried as I hastily tried to fasten the straps around my waist, when they wouldn't click I threw my hands down in frustration.
"Saving your skin by the looks of it." Jacob turned his head towards the direction where the leopards had vanished. "What where those things anyway?"
"They are more your kin than human." Senna began to explain. "An indigenous tribe that presides over parts of this land. For the last century they decided to extend their borders."
"They're leopards?" Jacob muttered.
"It was the animal their chiefs chose long ago." Zafrina mumbled. "We had better move on. They could return with more. Our path turns west here, we will not go further south."
Senna matched Zafrina pace once again and I kept a step behind them, Jacob had found a rhythm a few steps even behind me, keeping watch. We moved in silence until the moon rose high above us. It wasn't until I asked to stop that Zafrina agreed. We were able to make a small camp by the side of a large stream.
"We go to hunt. You two should be safe here." Zafrina spoke with a nod before she and Senna vanished.
I placed my hands into the cool water of the stream and splashed it on my arms and neck. The difference in temperature felt so wonderful. I glanced back at Jacob, he had found a rock to rest against, his shirt serving as a pillow. His eyes were closed, his chest rising and falling with each breath. I sighed as I made my way back towards my bag.
"So a thank you is in order I think." Jacob mumbled. His eyes were still closed, yet he crossed his arms letting them rest against his chest.
"For what? You're the one who showed up uninvited." I muttered as I rummaged through my bag to find the map I had been marking off.
"I saved your life, Ness. If it weren't for me you'd all be leopard meat by now. How do you think Bella and Edward would feel about that, hugh? Not to mention Carlisle, Esme, Rosalie, Alice—" Jacob sat up his eyes staring at me from across the way.
"We could…I could have handled it." I exclaimed. "Where is it!?"
I zipped up all the pouches I had just unzipped, my frustration rising. I had become more and more unglued over the last few hours, and I knew the person lying in front of me was entirely responsible.
"Right." He said with a slight laugh. "So was this your plan all along, come to South America only to get yourself killed?"
"Jasper and Emmett taught me well."
"They taught you how to fight vampires. Shape-shifters…big difference."
"I would have been fine." I gave up and with a large sigh as I sat down against the tree my bag had been resting on.
"Keep telling yourself that." Jacob closed his eyes again and leaned his head back against his t-shirt.
I watched on as Jacob fell asleep. I tried to close my eyes but couldn't. My emotions were too heightened. I half blamed the almost near death experience, but if I was being honest the sudden unexpected arrival of Jacob was what was now sending me over the edge. I knew I should have told him how grateful I was for what he had done, but that would mean that I needed him. I was angry, as angry as I had ever been in my whole life. If I couldn't survive on my own for even a few weeks, what did that say about me? I had come here alone for a reason. I needed to do this by myself, and now it seemed that Jacob was making even that impossible.
The jungle was pitch black. The light from the half-moon was now fully blocked by the jungle's foliage. My eyes could only see so far in this new darkness. The image of the black leopard flashed in front of my face. Instinctively, I stood and gathered dry branches, making a small pile for a fire. I found several rocks to create a circular barrier for the embers and rummaged through my bag again to find the lighter I had stowed.
"108 degrees over here."
I heard Jacob mumble behind me. I rolled my eyes at his comment; he would assume that I was seeking warmth given the slow fall of temperature. Being near him would be the simplest solution to my real problem, my own steady fear, but giving in would mean something else entirely.
"A fire is sufficient." I said as I lit one branch and placed it on the others. In minutes the fire was at a manageable size. The surrounding darkness keenly light up making my eyes see more clearly into the jungle that encompassed us.
"If the Amazon parks and recreation staff find us and haul our butts to a Brazilian prison, don't blame me."
"I won't." I said through a forced smile as I sat back against the tree.
Already the light from the fire was making me feel better. I gazed into it and couldn't help but remember those first few nights I had spent perched on the jungle's trees watching the sunset. How had things changed so drastically since then? I still hadn't found Nahuel, a tribe of shape-shifting leopards had almost eaten me, and now Jacob, the one person I had needed to get away from, was lying two feet from me. If I hadn't been so angry I might have laughed.
"Zafrina and Senna should be back by now." I muttered into the night. "Do you think something happened to them?"
"Nope, they just went farther north near one of the cities to hunt." Jacob opened his eyes and glanced up at me. "They'll return in a couple of hours."
A silence filled the void between us. The only sounds were of the animals in the trees, the stream that ran beside us, and the fire that crackled. I took a deep breath and glanced back over at Jacob, his dark eyes hadn't left me.
"What are you doing here Jacob?" Finally asking the one question that had been burning in my mind since I had caught his scent in the wind. "Have you been following me the whole time?"
"No, just since you met up with the two amazons."
"So why did you come here? Did my family send you to spy on me?"
"No, it's not like that all. As much as it pains them to be away from you, they trust you."
"You just don't, is that it? You don't think I can take care of myself?" I threw another branch into the fire causing it to smoke even more, forcing me to cough as I breathed it in.
Jacob just stared at the fire. I could tell he was contemplating what to say and how to say it, his whole body language spoke of indecisiveness.
"I didn't set out to come down here, Ness." He mumbled as he ran a hand over the stumble on his face. "I was headed north towards the Canada border, the total opposite direction, but when I finally came to and realized where I was, I was in Southern California. I guess I just involuntarily switched routes. By that time I could either turn around and head back home or keep going. I just…I just kept going."
"Three weeks, thousands of miles of terrain?" I exhaled. "There are not a lot of wolves in Mexico or South America. What if someone had spotted you?"
"I took turns phasing." Jacob shrugged his shoulders. "Besides, I didn't know if I would even find you, and I swear I never intended to let you see me. Several days ago I caught the scent of two vampires, I thought they could be Nahuel's sisters and I tracked them, but then they ran into you. At that point, I decided to keep a far distance. Last night I heard you three running away at such a fast pace that I knew something had to be wrong. I just couldn't stand there and let something happen to you." Jacob sat up straighter, finally deciding to put his light blue t-shirt on.
"Just looking at you would give your story merit." I glanced at the holes in his clothing from where his teeth had held them in his mouth while transformed. A soft beard was slowly starting to form. "You didn't answer my question." I looked at him through the fire. His head turned towards me a blank confused expression crossed his face. "Why are you here, Jake?" I asked again slowly, my voice sounded pained, but I hadn't intended it to.
"I…I don't know, Nessie. I just—"
"I thought you more than anyone knew how important this was for me. How much I needed time alone. Away from…away from everything."
"I know." He exhaled. "I'm sorry for screwing it up."
"I need you to go, Jake. I need you to go back home."
I turned my face from the fire and glanced down at my hands unable to look at him as I said the words I knew would hurt him. When he didn't answer for a while I finally found the courage to look over at him. He was hunched over his knees, his arms around his legs, his face lit up from the fire. He caught my gaze and just nodded slowly.
"If that's what you want, I'll leave first thing in the morning." He muttered, his deep voice filling the gap between us. I just nodded in agreement as if what he said was best.
I placed my bag on the ground creating a pillow. As hard as it had been to tell Jacob to leave, it seemed it was even harder to sleep after it. My mind and its thoughts were so jumbled that it took nearly an hour for me to calm down. I knew Jacob could hear my heartbeat, which made things only worse. It wasn't until I heard the familiar native language of Zafrina and Senna signaling their return that I felt the world around me slip away.
I moved through the jungle like lightning. My body ducked under low branches, soared over streams, jumped off waterfalls, I was strong, the strongest the fastest I had ever been. I giggled, delighted with myself. I flew through the vegetation until I stumbled upon a wide opening; my pace slowed as I brushed back the vines and followed the sound of the rushing water. The vegetation had fallen away and before me was the most beautiful waterfall I had ever seen, higher than even the tallest one I had seen weeks ago, its rushing water sent mist high into the air as it plummeted into the river that rapidly moved past me.
I turned and gazed down the edge of the rushing water only to see my father and mother walking hand in hand along the riverbed. Upon noticing me they smiled and waved, increasing their pace. I sprinted towards them but halted when I saw what was moving behind them.
A blood-curdling scream escaped my lips, dozens of leopards were closing in on us. There was no time; their claws were already sinking into the rich soil, their fangs sharp in the sunlight, in seconds all of them would be gaining on my parents. I screamed again and pointed for them to turn and see; yet they seemed unaware and unmoved. I couldn't move. I was paralyzed.
A large figure jumped over my head, landing heavily onto the jungle floor. It ran straight into the oncoming enemy. At that moment my parents turned and saw the imposing danger. My feet stood firm where I was, I couldn't move, I couldn't help. I watched on as my parents turned to fight alongside Jacob. They were only able to take down three before the rest descended upon them.
My parents went down first, my body shook with pain as I saw them being shattered like glass upon the floor. Jacob held them off for as long as possible, killing as many as he could. Yet he too was unable to hold them on his own, the leader leaped onto his back and sunk it teeth into Jacob's fur, blood spilling from his wound. The rest descended upon him.
My feet were finally free and I rushed to him, yet I wasn't quick enough. I heard myself screaming over and over as his body tumbled onto the jungle floor. I screamed his name as I saw his brown eyes slowly close. He was dead, my Jacob was dead and it was my fault.
"Ness!" I heard my name being called. "Nessie, wake up!"
I felt warm hands on my shoulders and face as I forced my eyes open. I jumped up quickly, my body ramming into the tree behind me. Where was I? My mind was racing with the images I had just seen. My vision cleared and I looked on as I saw the stream, the campfire, and then Jacob. He stood in front of me, his eyes wide but focused on me. He was alive.
"Jacob!" Within moments I had flown to him, wrapping my arms around his neck, pulling him close to me as possible. I found myself weeping for no reason as I held onto him.
"I'm right here, Ness." He responded instantly, wrapping his arms around me, holding me tight, whispering into my ear. "You're all right. Everything is going to be okay."
"I saw…I thought…they killed…." I said through a sob.
I don't know why I was so overcome, but I let myself crumble into Jacob's arms. He ran his hand over my hair as I laid my head on his chest, whispering all the while that I was safe, that he wouldn't let anyone hurt me. If only he knew that I wasn't crying because of me, but because of him.
When my heart rate had finally leveled and I was able to breath again I took a step back out of his embrace. Jake didn't let go just yet but kept one hand on my waist, raising the other to wipe the tears that had fallen onto my cheeks.
"You okay, Ness?" He asked with such intensity that it made my heart speed up again.
"I will be." I nodded. "Just a bad dream."
I took a deep breath and looked around to see that Zafrina and Senna sat cross-legged near the fire. They seemed surprised but only nodded in my direction. I sat back down, leaning my head against the tree.
Jacob still stood in front of me as if not knowing whether to stay or go back to his place across the fire. I patted the space beside me and he just breathed deeply as he sat down by my side. His shoulder brushed against mine, a steady warmth filtering into my skin. I yawned and felt my eyes slowly trying to close.
"Sleep." I heard him whisper into my ear. I didn't protest, I just leaned my head against his warm shoulder and cradled my body towards him, letting sleep find me again.
I awoke the next morning to the slow and steady rise of Jacob's chest. I didn't know whether to blush or chide myself for the way I had acted last night. Jacob's heavy arm held me to him as our tangled bodies lay on the jungle floor.
Despite knowing him my whole life, this was definitely a first for both of us. My eyes caught Zafrina from across the way and it was her slow smile that made me blush deeper. I slowly tried untangling myself from Jacob yet doing so only made his eyes open. His dark brown eyes found mine and he just smiled as he moved his arm from around me.
"Good morning." He said through a yawn.
"Morning." I mumbled back as I sat up to straighten my clothes that had somehow twisted during the night, I ran a hand through my hair. I knew I probably looked like a disaster.
"We had better be moving." Senna spoke with assurance as her eyes scanned the jungle.
I stood and gathered my things and organized them in my bag. Jacob gathered himself as well and made sure to put out what as left of the fire. In a few minutes everything seemed to be in order and we all were prepared to leave for the day's journey. Zafrina and Senna moved forward through the trees and I took a step to follow them.
It was only then as I took that first step I realized Jacob wouldn't be coming with us. I turned from where I stood and looked at him, his hands in his pockets, a pained expression on his face. I heard Zafrina and Senna stop ahead of us, curious as to why we weren't following.
"Well this is goodbye then, again." Jacob muttered over the sound of the stream. "Be safe, Ness, please."
"I…I will, Jake." I didn't know what else to say.
"I guess I'll see you later." He said with a forced smile as he began to back away from me and make his way through the jungle heading in the opposite direction.
Images from my dream forced their way back into my mind. What if the tribe came back and found him? What if those terrible images from my dream came true? I tried to remember what I had said last night, the reason for why I wanted him to leave, those words I couldn't remember seemed more like the dream to me now.
My heartbeat was hard and heavy in my chest as the memories from last night faded into my mind, his soothing voice, his warm touch, what it had felt like to wake up to him. I was just as confused if not more now than when I had left home weeks ago. I had left him to get away from all of this, but seeing him walk away from me, leaving me here in the middle of the jungle was more than I could bear. I wanted him to stay, no matter what it may cost me in the end.
"Jacob, wait." I called to him, he stopped several yards in front of me and turned back, a resounding questioning held behind his stare. "It might be best…I mean we don't know if the tribes will come back. What I'm trying to say is that it wouldn't be such a big deal if you…if you stayed." I bit my lip as I looked at him waiting for his answer. He just smiled and hustled back over to where I stood.
"Well, let's get going then." He nodded as he ran ahead of me. I just rolled my eyes and pressed forward. We caught up with Zafrina and Senna within minutes.
"So I assume he's joining us." Zafrina's voice said upon noticing our arrival.
"Yeah, he is, I figured he might come in handy." I said with a smile as I turned to follow them through the jungle.
"Well it's only a half day journey to the site, if it's still there. We should be able to pick up their scent as we get closer."
"His scent is very unusual, much like yours." Senna motioned to me.
"Really?" I asked out of curiosity. I had never really given much thought to tracking my own scent. "But it is traceable, right?"
"Yeah, how else do you think we found you?" He smiled brightly, his mood changing with every second that passed. "I need to change though, it will heighten everything." Jacob muttered as he disappeared into the jungle.
"He does that a lot." Zafrina stated as she brushed away a low-lying branch.
"It just allows him to keep his clothes." I said with a smile.
Within moments Jacob had reappeared, his shorts and t-shirt hanging from his mouth. I took them from him and stuffed both items into my bag. He just nodded his head in approval. We made our way through the jungle at a pace that allowed us to take in the scents around us, we didn't want to move too quickly and miss something.
Every now and then Senna or Jacob would stop, causing us all to come to a halt, a few seconds would pass and they would just shake their heads and continue. We zig zagged through the undergrowth of the forest for the rest of the day making sure we covered every inch of the area.
The sun was high in the sky when we stopped for a break. Jacob seemed content to stay as he was and lay down on the forest floor, his brown eyes closing for a brief rest. Senna and Zafrina talked in their native tongue, making gestures and marking in the land with a twig. It seemed as if they were making a map.
I escaped my friends and traveled back to a group of mango trees I had seen. I smiled upon seeing them; in seconds I was sorting through its branches looking for the ripest ones to take back with me. I picked out four or five and stuffed them into by bag, but not before I cut one open and sank my teeth into its juicy core. The sweetness overpowered me and I sighed with relief as the sticky yellow juice ran down my face. I wiped it away with my hand and took another bite.
I turned to make my way back to my friends when I heard shuffling behind me. Instinctively I stopped and listened to the sounds around me, someone was moving in the brush. Within seconds a figure emerged and speed towards me, it was a woman. For a moment I thought it was Senna, but when the woman grabbed my neck and forced me against the tree, I thought against it. She was a vampire and she was strong. I grasped at her hands around my neck, but her touch only tightened. My eyes blurred and then refocused. Her face was familiar; her teeth however were not comforting. I screamed as much as I could as I prepared for what was about to come. What did happen to someone like me when bitten by a vampire?
"Huilen, stop!" A man's voice spoke loudly. The woman's grasp on me loosened enough for me to catch my senses.
"Nahuel." I whispered upon seeing his approaching figure. At the mention of the man's name Huilen released me entirely.
"How do you know my nephew?" She barked.
"I'm Renesmee Cullen." I spoke as I rubbed my neck where only seconds ago her hands had been.
I heard a growl approach and I knew Jacob had heard my cry, in seconds his body lurched from the green brush and he quickly approached my side. His body was hunched over ready for whatever might come. I saw Huilen fly backwards towards Nahuel, as if terrified of what Jacob might do. Senna and Zafrina appeared just behind him surveying the scene.
"Jake, its fine." I said as I placed my hand on his shoulder. At my touch he straightened and stopped barring his teeth.
"Renesmee?" Nahuel said with a large smile. "You have grown." He took a step forward his hands opened in a greeting. Jake snarled making him take a step back.
"Stop it Jacob."
"I'm sorry." Huilen face was blank, yet her black eyes pierced mine. "I did not recognize you."
"We have been hunting the last few days. You must forgive us."
"Hunting humans?" I asked as I rubbed my neck.
"I am learning to give up a human diet." Huilen's eyes glanced at Nahuel.
"Huilen and I were mid-hunt when we came across your scent."
"I could not control myself. I apologize."
"Females of our kind smell more human, more sweet." Nahuel said with a simple smile as if that explanation solved the issue. "Add that with the mango juice and it would be hard for any vampire to…resist."
"I didn't…I never knew." I looked up at him. I felt the juice on my lips and chin and suddenly felt embarrassed, wiping it quickly away with the back of my hand.
"What are you doing here, in the jungle?" He asked inquisitively.
"Looking for you." I said with a laugh. Upon hearing it, Nahuel simply joined in.
"Well you found us." He smiled. "I just wish it had been under better circumstances."
"Me too." I pulled a piece of my hair behind my ear. "I have been traveling for almost a month now. Senna and Zafrina found me, and Jacob saved us from a few vampire-eating leopards a few days ago. We have been traveling up and down the country looking for any trace of the two of you."
"Senna, Zafrina, it is good to see you again." Huilen nodded in their direction.
"Where is your sister?" Nahuel asked yet upon seeing their pained expression he understood. "I am afraid the tribes are growing stronger with each passing year. I am sorry for your loss."
Nahuel bowed his head in their direction as if giving their sister's memory honor. He let his eyes move to Jacob and I. "Welcome to the Amazon, to our home. Please join us." Nahuel held up his hand and eyed me, as if awaiting my movement. I took a step from Jacob's side and grasped Nahuel's hand. He slipped my arm through his and let it rest upon his tanned skin. "You must tell me all about your family. How are your parents? Your mother, Bella?" Nahuel asked as he guided me through unmarked paths in the jungle. Huilen, Zafrina, and Senna followed behind us, Jacob held the rear, his head hung low.
"Both are doing well, I believe they are content, enjoying this life together without conflict so far." I spoke honestly.
"I am glad to hear that. So I take it there has been no more movement from the…Volturi, is that correct?"
"We haven't heard a whisper from them since the day you arrived." I spoke. "It seems you put them at ease, at least for awhile."
"I am glad. Most beings, human or immortal, hate and fear what they do not understand."
"I agree. It seems the Volturi feared what I might become."
"Do you?" Nahuel's question hung in the air for a while. I was curious if he had any sort of gifts, for how could he know so quickly one of the deepest questions of my heart.
"I…I mean—"
"Not to worry Renesmee, there will be much time to discuss all that and more." He placed his hand on top of my arm and patted it kindly.
"Your Aunt, Alice, how is she? And Jasper, he was always a strange one as well."
"Alice is still Alice. Jasper has settled over the last decade or so, I think. He is becoming more tolerable of our choice of diet. They were the ones who told me how to find you, although if it hadn't been for Zafrina and Senna, I probably would be lost."
"Well, I am glad then, for it does me and Huilen much good to see you so well. You were but a newborn when we first met, it pleases me to see you now that you have reached maturity. You are quite fascinating." Nahuel whispered so that only I might hear, yet I knew everyone could. Judging from the large snuff from Jacob in the back, the whole group had heard it.
"Do you still have a home around here?" I asked quickly changing the subject.
"Yes, not far. It's quite isolated due to the surrounding rivers, yet it is quite beautiful. We have come and gone many times over the years as we have traveled. It is still home. It is just right through these trees."
Nahuel pointed ahead of us, the path grew larger as the trees became less dense. Nahuel brushed back the bushes ahead of us. He stopped and extended his hand as if directing me to go first. I took a step forward and was taken aback by the scene before me. Yet I knew I had seen it before. Zafrina's image was perfect, yet it had not given its expanse justice. The waterfalls, the lagoon, the low lying trees, it all seemed much larger in reality. I breathed in the sweet smells of the flowers that bloomed all around us, red and white blossoms scattered among the bushes. Fruit trees grew around the lagoon as well, certain kinds that I had never seen before. The land felt sacred somehow, as if it were an oasis in the heart of the jungle.
"It's breathtaking." I said as I felt Nahuel brush past me. "I've never seen anything like it."
"It's home." He motioned for us all to follow him.
We walked along the lagoon until we reached the end of the clearing where the four wooden houses stood. Each one was different, two were round, one smaller than the other, the other two were rectangle and much larger. It seemed as if the long rectangle houses held many different rooms, at least four per house, whereas the round ones were just one large open space.
"Did you build all this?" I asked upon seeing the structures.
"Yes, by hand. We gathered the needed wood from the jungle. Everything you see comes from the land. We use the small huts for storage and the largest one for living, cooking, and working."
I felt Jacob come along side me, nudging my elbow and then sniffed my bag. I unzipped it and tossed him his clothes, figuring that was what he wanted. He caught them in his mouth before disappearing into the forest.
"Renesmee, please follow me. You can stay here." Nahuel motioned as he walked across the clearing to the smaller rectangle building.
He pushed the thick woven quilt that hung in the doorway aside to reveal a medium sized room. The room was simple, it held a single cot, on the floor was a large quilt much like the one on the door for it too was filled with vibrant colors like the birds I had drawn, a single chair lay in the corner. There were no interior walls, however the four rooms were separated by large quilts. I laid my hiking bag on my cot and turned to face him.
"Thank you, you are very kind to open your home to us."
"The pleasure is all mine I assure you."
"So where can I crash?" Jacob's voice spoke from outside. Nahuel and I both emerged from my room.
"You can use the whole second hut." Nahuel pointed to the larger round hut that stood adjacent to the main houses. "It is mostly empty, there is a large pallet on the floor that should be large enough for you, for whatever shape you may take."
"I think I'll stay like this for awhile. Unless those leopards find their way this far north."
"I would not worry about them, Jacob. They do not control these parts. Our friends in the surrounding tribes protect us. They understand what I am and how we are choosing to live." Nahuel glanced at Huilen with a smile and she simply nodded back. "Senna, Zafrinia, you are more than welcome to stay in the main house."
"We must be going." Senna stated plainly.
"You just got here." Huilen protested.
"We promised Renesmee we would see her safely to you. She is in good care." Zafrina spoke with assurance as she looked from Jacob to Nahuel.
I knew that their bargain was fulfilled, but another part of me knew that their hunting range was limited and they did not want to cause any trouble for Nahuel or Huilen.
"We shall see you again one day I am sure." Senna moved to my side and placed her hand on my shoulder. Zafrina followed her and stood in front of me.
"Thank you. Thank you for everything." I said as I embraced both of them. It seemed my hug was unexpected and their bodies stiffened, yet they soon relaxed. I let them go and they took a step back.
"Take care." Zafrina stated as she glanced from me to Jacob.
Within a moment my vision blurred and I saw the images from my nightmares, my parents, Jacob's bloodied body. Zafrina showed me waking up, clutching onto Jacob, his arms firm around my body holding me to him. I watched on as he comforted me. The image shifted to the two of us entangled in the other fast asleep. Jacob held me to him, my head rested gently on his chest, my arm lying gently on top of him. We looked…peaceful. Then, as if it was nothing, the image disappeared and my vision returned to see Zafrina standing before me.
"Something to consider, little one." She spoke with a smile.
Within another moment they were gone, their bodies vanished from the clearing and the only sign of their departure was the movement of the brush on the floor of the jungle.