Ch. 5

Clouds seemed to hover over the rubble that was my home. My mind wandered over possible places to go. I could try the hideout that Jacob called the packs home or I could look for other towns like mine. But the last option was dangerous; I didn't know how far I would have to journey.

My stomach rumbled as the day wore on, I was working my way back towards the tree I had slept in the previous night. I only had the snack bars and that barely appealed to me, but I had to eat. My energy level would fall if I held out any longer. I swallowed about half in one bite and rolled the rest up in the wrapper for later. My emergency bag that I carried with me everywhere had a canteen in it. Before I reached my home base, I would need water.

I followed another trail through the dense forest and came to a small brook. Memories flooded my mind of when I was younger and I would play in the shallow stream. My father would worry that I would fall and drown, but he soon realized that worrying about me got him no where. The pain from his death was still raw in my chest as I carried on numbly.

I gathered a small amount in my hand and cupped it to my mouth. The clear water was cold and I shivered as I swallowed. My canteen was filled, enough for almost a day and a half. I scanned my surroundings and quickly moved behind a thick grouping of brush.

Movement farther down the stream rustled leaves and birds took flight in alarm. I held back a gasp as a figure emerged. His back was turned to me, but I recognized the dark skin and signature black hair. Jacob turned and looked around suspiciously, and I almost stood. That was until he pulled out a small vial and unscrewed the cap.

He murmured something that sounded like, "I'm sorry." He poured the contents into the water. I gasped as the blood red liquid dissolved into the water. He stood looking at the water for an immeasurable moment. Another figure slipped out of the brush and stood beside him. He was another member of the pack. He looked at the empty vial in Jacob's hand and smiled.

"Come on, let's go. She should be here any second; Embry saw her walking this way." He smiled again and clapped Jacob on the back with his left hand.

"But what if it hurts her? Maybe it won't just knock her out, maybe it will be fatal. Quil, we'll be murderers." He started to whisper towards the end. I leaned forward involuntarily and almost lost my balance. My knees were ground into the twigs and leaves.

"Jacob, she burned down the town! She killed her own father; she's a cold hearted killer. Do you really believe that anyone else could have started the fire? Let's go. Now, before she gets here, okay?" His smile was gone now, and in place of it was a cold anger that burned away the kindness in his face. He turned without looking back at Jacob, who stood there, dead silent.

"Bella, I know you're here. Just stand up and face me." He sounded tired and in pain, not at all like the Jacob Black I knew.

I rose slowly, letting him know where I was before I made any movements. I made a sad attempt at lightening the mood. "Well, how did you know I was here?"

Jacob attempted a smile and turned to face me completely. "You're always where you aren't supposed to be. Your timing is always perfect. I have to leave quickly before Quil comes back for me, but here is some advice. Don't drink the water from this stream from this day on and watch your back always Bella, you have few friends these days." He turned to leave and I ran over to him.

I gave him a hug and he smiled down at me, sadness in his brown eyes. "Bella, I want you to know that I don't believe what they are saying about you. I want you to know that if you are caught, I can't protect you. I would be outnumbered. They will kill you for joining the other side, as they say you have done. I don't know who is trying to get rid of you, but know this," he paused looked over his shoulder, as if to see if Quil was coming back.

"I know Charlie and will miss him, and I know that any daughter that he raised, could never have been such a joy you had been to him. They will never kill the hope that you, and others like you, have inspired. Goodbye Isabella."

Tears threatened to spring forth as I remembered growing up with this incredibly sweet boy. I watched him change from scrawny teenager into the tall, statuesque, man that was almost in tears at our farewell. A few tears leaked from the corners of my eyes. I laughed as he walked away.

"Goodbye Jacob, I hope that one day we can be friends again." He walked out of sight and I hugged myself to keep from crying. "I will make sure of it." Suddenly, the skies opened up and the rain washed over me, soaking the river bank and leaving me deeper than I had been a moment before.