(8) Danger
Now what? I surveyed the forest taking in the rich abundance of trees with their silky moss texture. The leaves were clinging to the last drops of rain making shiny beads on the edge of the ridges. The cab of the truck was indented around the tree directly in front of me. It was shaped at an impossible angle and I looked at the splintered pieces of bark sticking into the hood. The bark looked like fingers gripping the truck in place holding me hostage. I shivered from the icy weather and grimaced from the returning pain in my back. It was vehemently attacking my body making my spine ache like never before. I cringed and sat slowly back against the seat.
I looked up at the roof and saw the tiny brown stains spotted like sprinkles in an anonymous design. I wondered how they got there, what happened to spatter the roof in sprinkled constellations. I moved my head staring at the stain pieces till it hit the back window.
I moved to the right adjusting my neck and put my cheek against the cool glass. That felt much better. I thought about Jacob walking in the light rain with a bloody rag pressed against his forehead. We both looked like the aftermath of a horror movie. I gulped and my throat felt bone dry. I gathered saliva in my mouth and swallowed. It didn't help.
I tapped my fingers lightly against the armrest but quickly grew bored. I searched the forest gaps to see if I could spot tiny animals but straining my eyes was giving me a headache. There was nothing to do but wait. How long was Jacob going to be? I hope that he was okay walking on the highway. Charlie told me stories about the highway. The dangers of people walking along the tiny shoulder and being blindsided by cars who didn't see the people walking. I shivered and wrapped my thin jacket around me.
The sky turned dusky and the window was freezing my cheek. Sighing I moved again bringing another round of intense pain. I bit my lip and breathed slowly to control the pain vibrating my spine. This was bad.
I watched the leaves rustle in the wind and my eyes became drowsy. I was counting the leaves on one particular branch when I fell asleep. I remember reaching three hundred and forty-eight when my eyes closed. I dreamt of the meadow and the leaves rustling in the wind. Jacob was running across the meadow and I saw his dark hair blowing around his face. It was usually tied back but at this moment it was freely moving in the breeze. I stood there happy to see him and relieved that his cut wasn't bleeding anymore. I waved but he kept running towards me but his face was different.
I leaned closer to catch the difference and saw his eyes slanted. His mouth was moving but I couldn't hear the words. He ran faster towards me and his arms were pumping by his side. I moved my hands to my ears and tried to tell him that I couldn't hear him but he continued speaking.
"Jacob, I can't hear you." I yelled and I saw his face morph into terror. "What's wrong? Did someone hurt you?" I asked half-crazed.
Jacob ran even faster and stopped when he was a few feet away from me.
"Bella." Jacob gasped in a mixture of relief and horror.
"What? I'm right here." I said stupidly. Of course, he knew I was right here.
"Bella! Run Bella!" Jacob ordered and I stood in a daze. Run? Run from what?
"I don't understand?" I uttered feeling the tiny shivers of fear creeping down my back. My hands tingled with numbness.
Jacob stood beside me and started trembling. I put my hand on his arm but his body was shaking too much. I removed my hand and he stepped back from me. I looked up into Jacob's eyes and saw the chilling remoteness taking over. He stretched his back and yowled deep and deafening. I covered my ears and tried to understand what was happening to him.
I went to touch his shoulder again but something pulled me back. I snapped my hand back quickly and Jacob twisted his frame. He was contorting his body fighting the tremors rolling through his torso. I took a huge step back while frozen with shock at what I was seeing. It couldn't be true? The hugest wolf I have ever seen in my life was standing before me. The russet hair was shaggy and glistening in the sun.
I tried to run but my body would not cooperate. Run, dummy, I told myself.
The wolf leaned forward and for a moment it's paw came next to my face. I closed my eyes bracing myself for the dangerous touch. I clenched my fists and panic flooded my brain.
I turned slightly and felt something cold on my cheek. I wiped my hand gently brushing my skin. I woke up slightly dazed. I looked down at my hand and saw my wet fingers. I reached up and wiped my eyes. Tears still overflowed my eyes and I tried to quickly brush them away. I used my shirt to clean my face.
I sighed and thought about my bizarre dream. Or was it a nightmare? Why did Jacob Black morph into an enormous wolf? Mike had mentioned the bear sightings that a few campers were complaining about. Apparently, hikers were being driven from there usual campgrounds because of abnormally large bear habituating nearby. It was odd that I would connect Jacob Black with a forest animal. I scratched my forehead and awaited Jacob's arrival. I couldn't wait to tell him my latest dream and watch him crack up at my overactive imagination.
The sky was getting darker especially the large redwood trees blocking out the remaining moments of sunlight. I wanted to be at home sprawled on the couch reading a novel. I could not get comfortable sitting upright in the truck.
The light tapping caught my attention. Perhaps, the wind was finally making its way down to the ground. Usually the wind affected the trees and high hedges that could be reached but not the shrubs located near the ground.
I ignored the tapping and ran my fingers through my hair. The tapping increased and a shrilly sound sprung from the left side of the truck. I turned my head at the sound but saw nothing in the rear mirror. I fidgeted in my seat feeling a case of nerves from being alone too long. Was I going to imagine every little sound as someone coming for me? The truck shook as a response to my panic. Forgetting my back pain I turned quickly and looked out the back window.
Tall trees filled the panoramic view. The light rain had stopped. I froze and stared out the window waiting for danger to appear. Time passed slowly. The truck rocketed to the left pushing my frame against the passenger door. I braced my hands on the dashboard and noticed they were shaking.
The growl from outside resonated loudly in the cab and I tried to peer out the window. I noticed the brown pair of eyes staring at me with a lifeless tenacity. I swallowed a scream and moved to the driver's seat. The hulking figure that was neither man nor small animal loomed in my passenger window. I tried to turn the engine over and monitor the danger threatening my life.
The engine sputtered and died out. I desperately plunged my foot against the accelerator. It was dead like me. I put my head against the steering wheel in defeat. I felt the first few tears run down my nose. The beastly animal walked around the truck. I looked out the window and scrutinized my choices. Bella, a luring voice called. I knew I was hallucinating now. Bella, don't move. The voice warned and I moved my hand to the door handle anyway. I was going to make a run for it. That was my only choice. I was dead sitting in the truck an open target.
Bella, take your hand off the handle. NOW. The voice demanded his silky smooth tone cutting my horrified thoughts. No! I thought wildly getting ready to push the handle down. I didn't have a chance.
Bella, it's okay. If you stay still it won't hurt you. It's just curious. The voice soothed from the deepest corner of my mind. I couldn't get over the accuracy of his pitch still beautiful and perfect even in his absence. I shook my head defiantly back and forth.
Bella, listen to me. You are safe. I will never guide you into danger. You can believe me. The voice pacified my nerves. I balked and bit my lip. Yeah, you left me. You said you wouldn't but you did it anyway. I'm going to die.
No, you're going to live. The voice demanded but it was getting faint. I took my hand off the door handle and struggled with my urge to flee. Stay. The voice suggested before it left me.
I shook my head again wanting to hear the last syllable it would utter. The large animal was gone. I breathed in relief and a knock on the window broke my gratitude. I screamed until my lungs burned.