Author's Note: Sorry, should have posted it yesterday.

Disclaimer: Twilight does not belong to me. And so does it's characters. But Gabriella, her past and the plot are mine.

Hero (Seth Clearwater Love Story)

Chapter One: The Meeting

I look at my side view mirror to check if they are on my track, as if that would help! In the background, I heard their laughter. I panicked; I stepped out of truck and eyed the forest. And then made a run for it...

Running past the branches and tripping over roots of trees causes me more cuts but I still kept going. I kept running as fast as my legs could. Although, I'm pretty sure they would be complaining and giving out anytime soon. Everything is a blur; all I can see is darkness. Since it is nighttime, it favored the darkness. I don't know how long I've been running or how far I've fun. I looked forward and was relieved when I saw light. As I came closer to the light, it leads me to a clearing. I also noticed that the sun is rising as its reflection is indicated at the lake. It surprised me that I last that long. I ran to the nearest tree, leaning onto it, as my legs give in.

I was leaning against the trunk of a very old tree - according to its rough texture, I presume - in the middle of the dark forest. There was absolute silence except from my panting. I was and still am very frightened. I should seek help but I couldn't even move an inch.

Then, my brain started functioning again. Why did I run into the forest? I am alone now. They could just simply find me then… kill me. As I thought of that, I remembered my family. They're all dead now because of them. They won't stop until I'm dead, too.

I sat there, totally tired, as I stare at the lake. I didn't even notice that I'm sleepy until my eyelids occasionally drop. I fight to keep them open but failed. I then let sleep took over…

My eyes fluttered open and I find myself curled up against something warm and fuzzy. Pulling my face out of the fur, I wake up entirely in a second. I froze as I looked over this furry… thing. It was a big giant sandy-colored wolf. I slowly crawl myself farther from the wolf. The wolf stirred, it opened its eyes and looked at me.

In a second, the wolf disappeared. I began to think of the possibilities. First, it was just a friendly wolf that seems to be nice to me. Oh, I can at least be positive, right? I have no idea how a wolf did that. Then I began to cry. What if it was Claire?

I look around trying to find the wolf. No luck.

Suddenly, a boy, maybe he is in my age, came out of the bushes. He's wearing a simple pair of pants, no t-shirt, and no shoes. He raised both his hands and started walking towards me. I think he did that so that I won't be startled. He approached me silently and slowly but I can't help but cry out a little sob.

"Hey, you okay? Shh... It's alright. Don't move," the voice said, it sounded like a boy my age.

I was still terrified. He inched closer to me. His hand extended towards me and he was bending down to my height. He was taller than me, maybe by seven or eight inches.

"I'm not going to hurt you. Come, let's get your wounds checked," the boy said while taking another slow step towards me.

"No... Stay away! Don't come near me! Don't hurt me! Please don't," I begged again. This time I'm crying so hard, I can't even breathe properly.

"I promise I won't. You have to trust me. I know a doctor, come with me so that your wounds would be heal," he reasoned.

I was comforted by his voice. He seemed to be telling the truth. But, I still can't shake the feeling that his hiding something from me.

"Ride my back," he said as he offered his hand to help me up.

I slowly reached for his hand then I froze for a minute. His hand... felt like fire, it's so hot. Anyways, I felt comforted by the warmth.

In one swift movement, I'm on his back. My hands were around his neck while my legs were wrapped around his waist. Seth carried me as if my weight was nothing. In this position with him, I felt well. I felt like I could completely trust him.

Seth's pace was fast but it seems like it's still too slow for him. I can even feel and hear his even breathing.

The walk - if you call it that – was silent but it was not uncomfortable.

I yawned involuntarily.

"You should sleep, I'll wake you up when we're there," he told me.

I shook my head 'no'.

"You're stubborn, aren't you?" he laughed. "I'm Seth Clearwater".

"Huh?" I asked dumbly.

"My name's Seth Clearwater," he repeated. His voice so friendly, nice, welcoming, warm…

"Oh! My name's Gabriella Shawn," I said, giving him a smile.

"Well, Gabriella Shawn, nice to meet you," he said, grinning.

"Nice to meet you, too, Seth Clearwater," I laughed, playing along.

"How old are you, Seth?" I asked.

"Seventeen, you?"

"I'm sixteen."

We kept doing small talk. Talking about ourselves and laughing. Even though, we've only known each other for a while, it feels like I've know him forever. It feels like his the only one that matters now. It feels like the past events, the horrible events that happened before disappeared.

"We're here," he said after a few minutes of talking, laughing, teasing and him walking.