Warning: The following contains foul language. If you're a snotty Christian, please do the rest of the world a favor and fall on a sharpened crucifix.

Disclaimer: I don't own shit. Self explanatory.

Summary: Foolin' with a Jacob/Embry pairing. I am the destroyer of innocence.

Chapter Two: Wanderer

For the next few months, I wandered, becoming a soul-less, empty shell. I explored every inch of Canada, from coast to coast, and I was meandering around, entertaining the idea of heading to Alaska. I had heard it was beautiful up there.

No one from the pack tried to contact me. No one. Or maybe I just wasn't hearing them anymore. I couldn't think of a way to get around the imprinting and still keep my best friend, so as it stood, I would stay away from La Push, from Embry.

I leapt into a shallow pool of crystal clear water. The water was soothing against my skin as I phased back into human form. I rarely ever phased into my human form these days, staying mostly in wolf form. It was easier that way. But I felt grimy, the grit and stench of a million miles traveled clung to every pore of my body. I sank underneath the surface and exhaled a surplus of bubbles.

Everything was muddled under water: the surrounding forest, the sounds, my life. Everything was seemed so far away. The only thing that was sharp were the rays of light cast down from the sun. You didn't get to see the sun much in La Push. I had seen more sun in those few months than I had in my whole life. I closed my eyes against the distorted image of the trees above and let my mind drift.

What kind of life was I leading? I just ran and ran, thoughtless. I was starting to forget who I was. I had fallen into this lifeless routine of run, run, run, eat, run, run, eat, sleep, run some more. How long could I keep this up?

I didn't want to go back to La Push. God knows what waited for me there. My worried father, a disappointed Sam, Embry…

I sat up, letting the water roll off my body. I scrubbed mindlessly at my skin. I had no clothes, and I couldn't very well go and buy some at a local store. And I was starting to get sick of eating raw game. I longed for juicy steak, or twelve hot dogs.

I wondered what Bella was up to; I missed my best friend, the lover I could never love completely. Why couldn't I have imprinted with her? Why couldn't I EVER have anything that I wanted?

I sighed. It did no good to ask questions that could not and would not be answered, so I stood, shaking the water from myself. I stepped out of the pool and phased back. When I did, I was slammed with strong human scents. A group of five; dangerously close.

I swung my head around, looking for a chance to escape while cursing at myself for not being more careful. I darted east as fast as I could, just as the sound of their low talking reached my ears. They were going to swim in the pool I had just bathed in. Stupid Jacob. Stupid, stupid, stupid.



I retreated deeper into the forest. I couldn't wander forever. Sooner or later, I'd slip up, make a careless mistake, and an innocent human would get hurt. With a sigh I focused, reaching out with my mind. I couldn't wander forever. La Push was the only place I could stay where I didn't have to worry about scaring or hurting any humans.

Jacob.

Hello, Sam.

How're you doing, brother?

Iconsidered that for a moment. Alright, I suppose.

Close call a few minutes ago, eh?

Yeah.

Are you ready to come home yet, Jacob?

I sighed. Yes. Then, as an afterthought, How's Embry?

He didn't answer, but showed me. I saw Embry nervous, jittery. I saw him snapping at his mom. I saw him disgruntled and distraught. I saw him not eating, growing slimmer and slimmer. I saw my best friend withering away. Knowing I was the cause of his pain made bile rise in my throat.

I had to hold down the sudden cry of agony the images caused deep within me.

If he knows you're coming back, he'll do a little better. It'll bring some relief. I'm truly sorry this has happened to you, Jacob. I know you don't like having your choices made for you. I just don't see any way around it.

Me either.

Come home, Jacob. You can take things slow. Like I said, he'll improve a little if he knows you're nearby. He completely understands why you're staying away; he doesn't blame you, he'd do the same.

I kept my mind blank for a moment, silence, as I turned and trotted south slowly, facing the direction of La Push.

I inhaled deeply and began to run. I'm coming home.

I'll let everyone know. They'll be happy. We all will. Travel safely, Jacob.

And with that, he was gone, leaving me alone to prepare for the demons I'd have to face.