After Midnight

Chapter Four

Frank and Joe strolled down La Push beach, hoping to meet up with someone who knew Jacob or Bella. There were several dark haired, brown skinned boys goofing around up the beach and Frank and Joe thought that they were their best bet at the moment.

"Hey," Joe said as they grew closer, then gasped. These guys were huge. They all towered above the brothers, who were six feet and six foot one. Their arms were enormous and muscular. Their legs were like small tree trunks. They were in great shape. The one who looked the oldest frowned, then stepped forward. He had to be around twenty-one or so.

"Hey. I don't know you guys."

"I'm Joe, this is my brother, Frank," Joe supplied cheerily.

"I'm Sam," the man said.

"We're sorry—we're looking for a friend of ours, Jacob Black," Joe said, and Frank sucked in his breath quickly. He didn't think they should be so blunt—but as usual, Joe's impetuous nature got in the way as he barreled head first into potential danger.

"Jacob doesn't have any friends like you," Sam said.

"He probably doesn't mention us a lot because we don't see him often," Joe said firmly.

"No. He doesn't know you."

"Look, man," Joe said, "how would I know about Jacob Black if I was some stranger? I just want to know how my old friend is doing!"

"You really want to know? Then why don't you find him yourself?" a younger looking boy snapped.

"Quil, let me handle this," Sam said sharply. The boy named Quil ducked his head down angrily but stepped back and shut up.

"You're on our land. I suggest you get out before my friends and I throw you out. I don't know who you are or what you're doing here, asking about Jake, but I suggest you stop because you're getting in way over your heads. Got it?"

Joe lurched forward, fists clenched, but Frank grabbed his brother before the punch could connect. Looking at the guys apologetically, he dragged his brother back to the car and sped away from the reservation.

"Jasper's waiting for them," Alice announced, dancing into the room. She seemed pretty happy, but her voice betrayed a bit of unease.

"What is it, Alice?" Bella asked immediately. The baby in her arms looked up in curiosity, her own brown eyes shining.

"I lost track of them for a while. You know what that means."

"They went to the reservation," Jacob Black groaned from beside Bella. Another Indian boy next to him looked worried.

"Let's hope they didn't tick off Sam and the others too much, because prying into our business can be pretty dangerous," Seth Clearwater said.

His sister, Leah, chuckled. "I wouldn't be too worried. Sam's got more than enough on his conscious. I don't think he could bear having someone's life on his heart, too."

Bella shook her head and looked out the hotel window. The city of Atlanta sprawled out before her. "I don't know why they're so dedicated to finding me."

"Because your dad asked them to," Alice answered quickly. "They always get a job done. They are also very brave and have faced danger before. They won't give up." She bit her lip, worried. "I'm not sure if even Jazz will be able to deter them for long."

Bella huffed. "I don't see why they can't find me. I miss Charlie anyway, and we could think of something."

Edward came into the room, followed by Rosalie, and shook his head. He was carrying a bottle filled with something red that the baby seemed to be happy to see. He picked up the baby and started feeding her whatever was in the cup. "Not until we figure something out," he said firmly. "We're not going to put Charlie—or ourselves—into any more danger. When the time is right, we'll let these…Hardys…find us. But until then, we'll just have to do everything we can to keep them off our trail…it's for everyone's safety…including theirs."

~Emachinescat ^..^