My apologies to those who had read and I have not updated. I have four others pseudonym or pennames for fan fiction. Seriously, it has become an illness with me! I have pseudonym syndrome or something. Sometimes I go into writers block for many months and I am reading stories - many stories in many different areas. Currently I am writing for a very serious fan fiction and those readers do not fool around. No mistakes shall be over looked. New Moons fans are more forgiving (no stones tossing!) However, I am no longer a fan of New Moon…I never really liked the main characters but the sub-characters are awesome, as they seem to have more of a perplex history or obstacles. With that being said, I throw a warning - a new chapter starts but I no longer make promises on when I update nor an explanation on my long disappearances ( I just might be reading one of your stories!) So with out further notes and many mistake I give you the next chapter:

Jared tossed his line into the water for the third time that day. The fishing pastime was relaxing at first, even though he hadn't caught anything. Yet, some where underneath that clear cold water was a rock magnet that lured his bait underneath its belly. He would pull, the rock would tug and the line would break.

It was funny the first three times. The fourth, he no longer laughed but shrugged it off. The fifth, a shake of his dark head. The sixth, a glare towards Sam who was easily casting and catching with a huge grin on his face. The seventh a growl came after the snap of the line. The eighth, another growl and a hand through his thick hair. The ninth a growlish yell at Sam, stating it wasn't funny. The tenth time it happen, Jared's hands began to tremble slightly and he took a few breaths. He found that to help until Sam looked over once again with a large fish dangling at the end of his line.

Jared grind his teeth, felt the handle of the pole start to break in his tight grasp. He didn't understand why he was getting so upset about fishing. This wasn't like him. He was a laid back person. Rolling with the fun of laughter but today, in a calm early afternoon he was here getting pissed about something as simple as fishing.

"Jared, you're okay." It wasn't a question that came from Sam's lips but more of a statement. Sam witness Jared's pole breaking in the boy's grasp so he set his own poll down slowly, with great caution. His eyes stayed on Jared the whole time.

Jared looked down at his own hands that were now shaking madly. He couldn't control them. The trembling was now spreading, moving up his shoulders. It slid up his arms, shoulder and race across his back and chest. His muscles came alive like that of a serpent, slithering under his skin. Jared hunched over as his stomach began to arrange differently in his body.

"It's okay Jared." Sam slowly walked towards the younger boy, his hands in front of him as if he was approaching an aggressive dog. "It's okay."

Jared wanted Sam to stay away but at the same time, he didn't want to be left alone. He didn't know what was happening to him. He felt his skin tearing away, his whole being becoming larger, and in an instant he was something different.

He looked down at the ground, at the paws that were once his hands. Panic ruled his emotion. His wolfish eyes found the surface of the water in which he notice the canine facial features that now stared back at him. Slowly he backed away from the water, throwing his head side to side. 'This isn't happening.' He thought to himself.

'Jared.' Sam's thoughts interrupted his and the younger wolf eyes grew as his looked over at a black wolf that stood so close to him.

'Sam?' Jared's head titled. 'Was that really Sam? That huge black wolf, really belong to Sam?'

'It's me.' Sam confirmed, taking a small step closer to Jared but stopped when the other wolf took a step back.

'What's going on? What's happen to me? What happen to you?' Jared questions came all at once. 'What am I? How do I get back to myself?'

'Calming down helps a lot.' Sam glanced at the water's edge, looking at the two wolves that they have become. 'It's a long story that goes back even longer.'

In the clothes Sam had loaned him, Jared walked slowly back to his home. It was a long walk, one that he did alone and was grateful for that. He had a lot to chew on. So many thoughts of what happen to him, how it happened, why it was happening. The emotions that he was dealing with were just as overwhelming. He of course was terrified. The story of Sam and Emily, could he do that? Could he do that to his mother or father? Was he even safe to be around? Sam offered reassurance and afterwards, Emily did so as well. Still there was always, what if's.

Then there was anger that it was happening. He didn't have a choice. He wasn't asked if he wanted to protect the tribe. Of course he would do what he could to protect those he could, he wasn't heartless but this job was a life time comment now. He had dreams of leaving the little village behind, to go and do something in the bigger towns. Now his path was made for him with out his consent.

Appreciation, he felt that too. For Sam. For being there when he needed someone. For being patient even through Jared's mind was racing with a million questions from silver bullets to knowing he would out live most of his friends, his family, and the sorrow that came with that.

Honor and pride. Yeah, though he didn't want to admit it yet he felt it. He was a blood line of something great. A blood line for importance. A direct blood line of an ancient time. Like a knight. A crusader. A warrior. Sam didn't waste anytime in teaching him how to track their pray. What to look for, what to smell, how to react. Sam made it clear that he needed help. Sam needed him. Yes, there was honor and pride in that.

Ah, there was excitement too. A thrill. He could run faster then any car he ever driven. Cliff dive at an elevated height kicked an sensation in his blood that made him fell naturally high. The idea that he could turn into a supernatural creature, that he was more then just a man was an ecstasy. Like becoming a super hero. That's what he was, a super hero. A super hero that was covered in fur.

He stopped at the drive way of his house. Home, he was finally home. He could smell his mom's cooking from where he stood and he was hungry like a wolf. With a bright smile, he jogged the short distant to his home.

Kim glanced once more at the chair that was usually empty, absent from Jared. He had been on leave of albescence for several weeks now. At home, his bedroom light was always off. Rumors started to circulate about his sickness equaling death. Teachers still believed him to be alive as they asked for volunteers to drop his homework assignments off every other day. Different students would eagerly rase their hand for the job, each hoping to glimpse the disappearing boy. The students would come back, disappointed when Jared's father or mother answered the door and took the work. They of course say that their son was doing well and would be back to school soon.

That's when talk about his parents sudden madness spread through the small school. They killed him, hid the Jared's poor lifeless body in the woods for a bear to digest. It was probably poison, someone said on having experience the mother's cooking first hand.

Becky would come to the rescue with evidence of his survival, of her and Jared's text messages. She would read them out loud, just to let everyone know how close she was to Jared. He was fine, contagious and best for everyone if he stayed away from them for awhile until he recovers was his usually messages. Once in awhile he would say he missed her too. It was his way of saying he cared for her, Becky would insists.

Today was different though. Today Jared was sitting in his seat. People had to take a double look. New people were rare as this was a tribal school. Jared looked like Jared but he looked completely different. His hair was freshly cut short, which suited him. By his appearance, no one would have known he had been sick at all. He seemed to be alert and he had a freshness about him that kept people glancing over at him.

He was Jared but different from the boy they knew a few weeks ago. He returned smiles, exchanged small talk, laughed with his friends but to Kim, he seemed to be separated by something more superior. Like a prince among the villagers. He wasn't haulty but just different. Confident. Very confident.

Becky's voice purred over Jared. Running her hand through his cut hair, saying she liked it. She flirted boldly to him and the other guys exchanged knowing glances with each other or eye rolls and smirks.

Once the teacher walked in, the class settled down and lesson begun. Jared could still hear people whisper softly; he could make out what they were saying clearly. It was about his appearance. He looked good, they said. He looked like he was on drugs, another would say. A part of him was upset by this, after all these were the people he was chosen to protect. He was saving their lives and they didn't even know it. A little respect would be nice. Atlas, they were also naïve. Not knowing what the madness that truly hid in the shadows. Watching them. Lurking behind trees. 'Monsters are real, people.' He thought.

He glanced at the faces around him on his left. Turned his head to the right to look at the faces on that side of his shoulder. It was good thing he had big shoulders now, a lot of weight to carry was these people's lives. His eyes stop scanning the room and zeroed on a girl who stared back at him. She blinked her long lashes twice before looking down. It was too late. He saw her watching him and something happened. It was like love at first sight.

Her hair was long, smooth and dark. Just like all the other girls. Her eyes were brown, so much like the other girls in the classroom. Her skin was russet color, like many others. She was different though. Her cheeks tinted a little when he glanced her way. Her skin seem to glow under the light. Her lashes were long and think as they fringed her eyes giving her a innocent appearance. Yet her eyes seem to hold some kind of sadness within, like a wounded soul that he wanted to protect, to shield. While most girls seem proud of their long, lustrous hair and often flipped the long pieces over their shoulder. This girl didn't. She seemed to use her hair as a shield to hide her common face. Her lips were full and wide and made Jared think things he shouldn't be when sitting in a class full of other student. He cleared his throat and turned his attention back towards the teacher.

Jared made it through the day and at times it seemed like a challenged. He couldn't sit still. He wanted to be outdoors. To be in the forest. Running with unlimited speed through the creeks and the hills. It didn't matter if he was on a chase, just as long as he was there and not here at school. Yet, Sam was forceful about attending school. Plus, there was another boy Sam was concern about. One that could be just like them. Another brother of the blood line. Paul. Jared had to look after Paul, who was known as a bad ass. Jared and Paul usually didn't cross paths but that would be changing. Sam demanded it.

Once he walked out of the last class, he was immediately surrounded by his peers. They offered a chance to get caught up after school but Jared turned them down. He had plans after school. He used too much homework as an excuse but the real plans were with Sam.

He didn't take his car to school that day. He enjoyed the walk or run, which he could do much faster then his car.

Once outside he took a deep breath, enjoyed the openness around him. To his delight, the sad looking girl was just a few paces in front of him. She walked slowly with her arms around her books, hugging them close. Her head was down, eyes towards her feet as she walked forward.

Jared glanced around a bit and swallowed nervously. He had to talk to her but he felt like he just swallowed a fur rug. He cleared his throat, breathed on his hands for hoping he didn't have bad breath and with a few deep breaths and long strides, he caught up to her.

"Um, hi." Jared gave her a little finger wave as he came to her side. She jumped back from being started out of her dream world. She quickly glanced around to see if people were watching, if they were on camera or if she was center of a Becky joke. She saw no one.

"Looking for someone?" Jared's heart dropped. Maybe she had a boyfriend. What then? He probably could drown the guy. Maybe grind him up or something. Then this girl would be sad and Jared really didn't want to be the cause of her sadness.

"N-no." The girl quickly shook her head, quickened her strides and once again looked down at her feet. She seemed to be hugging her books even tighter.

"Then you don't mind if I walk with you? Maybe to your house." Jared gave her his best smile. He would love to know where she lived. Just to keep an extra eye on her. He reached out and tugged one her red hooded jacket. "Might be big bad wolf lurking around somewhere. Might need me for protection."

Kim opened her mouth but no words came out. She couldn't breath. Jared was asking to walk her home. Jared. The guy she had been dreaming about since the sandbox era. The guy the girls wanted.

"I don't bite, cross my heart promise." Jared felt his heart thumping faster and had to take a few breaths to calm down. It would hurt so much if she said no.

"A-are you sure?" Kim finally asked, nervously. Why was he talking to her? This had to be a joke. Maybe he and Becky had started to fight and he was trying to get Becky jealous. Using Kim. "I mean, what about Becky?"

"Becky had a ride home. She'll be fine. You're the one walking." Jared licked his bottom lip. Why was this so hard?

"Won't she get mad?' Kim stopped walking; now thinking that maybe she wouldn't be upset if Jared used her. Great, the women of the world must be tsking her about now.

"For what?" Jared expression showed a bit of puzzlement that Kim would drool on her pillow about later in the night. It was such an adorable expression.

"But you two are dating." Kim pointed out.

"We're not dating. Becky is just, a friend. I mean yeah, we dated awhile back but you know, it didn't work out. Nothing changed so I don't see how it would work out now and you know, we are just walking home from school. It's not like I'm asking for anything else." Jared grinded his teeth. He was rambling like this was the first time he ever spoken to a girl before.

"Well, you're house is on the way to mine." Kim shrugged her shoulders. They mind as well walk together, there was only one path.

"I'd like to walk you to your house, um…" Jared glanced down at a folder in her arms. Printed with flora doodles was her name. "Kim."

Kim noticed his hesitant with her name, saw his eyes find her name on her folder but didn't say anything. It hurt, all that time together in school and he couldn't remember her name.

Jared wanted to kick himself. He should have known her name first. There was no excuse for that blunder. It will never happen again though. Her name is etched into his heart.

"So Kim." He kicked at a pine cone that lay in their path. It soared a great distance, he needed to watch that. "What do you like to do? Like a pastime?"

"I um, read. I read a lot." Kim gave him a small smile. She wished she could say something more exciting then just reading.

"Just reading? Nothing else?" Jared looked skeptical. "Surely there is something more then reading."

"Well…" She gave him a shrug. She could say that she stalked him endlessly but he might take it the wrong way. Or maybe it would be the right way which is just as scary as the wrong way. "I um, like to take pictures."

"Yeah? Of what?" Jared closed in on her, walking closer to her so that his arm brushed against her own. . "My grandmother had an interest in photography in her younger years. She took pictures of everything. Season changing, the lake freezing and unthawing, stuff like that. The ages of her life, I guess. Just looking at the pictures, you see she went through so much. The depression, the war, first time she used the microwave. You know, maybe you'd like to see them sometime. Bring your photos to her. She loves visitors and maybe be able to give you some tips."

Kim laughed at the idea and to Jared it was the sweetest laugh he ever heard. "I'm afraid your grandmother might be appalled by my um.. unprofessional snap shots."

Jared shrugged, throwing the comment off. "Everyone starts somewhere."

They walked in silence for awhile, Kim unsure of what to say to Jared to keep him interested in walking home with her. Jared, trying to think of anything that could get him more time with her.

"I've seen you walking home before." Jared comment after awhile. "A day I went home early from, well being sick and all. It was raining and you were staring up at my house."

Kim bit her bottom lip and Jared gave a mental growl. He would love to feel those lips against his own, or well, anywhere actually. "I um.." Kim fluttered for an answer. Spying on him would be incorrect way of answering even if it were the truth. "Like your house. You're mother has the prettiest garden."

'She likes flowers.' Jared red flagged it in his mind. "Would you like to see it?"

"Wha-" Kim stumbled.

"It's nice out for once." Jared looked up at the bright sun filled sky. "Beautiful day in fact. I can show you her garden. My pathetic birdhouse I made for her when I was seven."

Kim laughed at the face Jared made.

"Seriously, Kim. It's a wreck. Bird's only use it for an outhouse, I swear." Jared smiled as she laughed louder, no longer trying to hide it. To him, she seemed to be relaxing a little more. She seemed to be shining even. A glow about her or maybe the sun was too bright. "Come on." He put an arm around her shoulder to steer her to his house. He would have grabbed her hand but she hadn't stop hugging those books.

Kim thought she would just drop dead right there. Jared has his arm around her.