(9) Rescued
I was so busy screaming that I didn't notice Jacob was trying desperately to open the door. He almost pulled it off the hinges. I clamped my mouth shut and opened the door.
He leaned inside the cab with a panicked look. "What happened?"
"You scared me." I muttered and my voice was hoarse from the yelling rampage.
"You knew I was coming back. Slide over will ya. It's getting chilly out here." Jacob said and I moved back.
Jacob slid in the seat and shut the truck's door. The door banged shut and the glass shook slightly.
"I'm sorry Jacob. I'm starting to feel like I'm going crazy. First I had a weird dream then I thought there was a wolf outside the truck." I shook my head in disbelief amazed at my vivid imagination.
Jacob stopped moving the lever by the steering wheel and his alarmed eyes made me freeze.
"What did you say?" Jacob questioned and put his arm on the back of my seat.
"What's wrong?" I was feeling nervous and I was frightened because Jacob was getting anxious.
"There was a animal attack last week near the reservation. Someone said the animal was huge almost wolf-like." Jacob stared out the window trying to see animals moving around in the dark. "I would of felt horrible if anything happened to you. I shouldn't have left you here alone."
"Did you find help?" I asked hoping the cavalry would come to save us. I'd even settle for a shining star guiding Charlie to us.
"I walked up the highway and came to a crossing. The rain really started coming down and it was getting dark. I was almost side-swiped by a car." Jacob admitted and ran a hand through his hair. I noticed that it was sopping wet pulled into a ponytail. Trails of water dripped down his back.
"Oh no. Jake I'm sorry." I felt like a jerk. If only I didn't trip and hurt my back then I could have helped Jacob. Instead I sat here like an invalid while he did all the work.
"S'okay. The rain didn't help and the cars driving down the highway like maniacs." Jacob took off his drenched jacket and hung it over the dashboard. I stared at the little puddle gathering on the console of the truck.
"I feel awful." I muttered. I watched the dashboard light up as Jacob turned the key in the ignition. He tried to reverse the truck but the wheels spun in place. He flicked the key to off with frustration.
"No cars stopped for you." I know hitch hiking was bad but Jacob was so big that I didn't think anyone would mess with him. Of course the opposite was also true and no one picked him up because they were afraid of his size. To be honest if I didn't know him then I probably wouldn't have stopped either. I now know that Jacob wouldn't hurt a fly.
"Nah I didn't even stick my thumb out. I was busy shielding myself from the downpour." Jacob sniffled and I felt even worse. He was going to get pneumonia because of me. He leaned his head back and I got a better look at the cut on his forehead. The small gash was purple and blue now with a clot of blood near the ridge.
"How's your head?" I asked cautiously. Jacob was closing his eyes and looked like he might be sleeping.
"Okay. I've got a headache nothing I can't deal with." He rubbed his eyes and we both heard the sound of branches breaking.
He snapped his eyes open and we both stared at one another. He put his finger up to his mouth to shush me. I had my mouth half-open ready to scream. A small whimper escaped my lips.
He moved closer to me and put his hand over my mouth. "Sssh." Jacob warned and whispered his words.
I clutched onto his arm and he grabbed me in an embrace. I buried my face in his shoulder and he had a woodsy scent that made me feel slightly better. He turned his body and sighed. I thought he was bracing himself for whatever danger was outside. I looked up at him and saw his face relax.
I moved back and looked at him.
"Sam." Jacob acknowledged.
"Where? Here?" I asked and moved my head.
"Yeah." Jacob let me go and went to open the door.
"What happened to your truck?" Sam asked and nodded at me. I waved and settled into my seat.
"The car went off the highway and now we're stuck. I tried to go for help but couldn't find my way out." Jacob summarized and I looked at Sam closely. He was very tall with dark black hair cropped to his face. He was wearing a flannel shirt and a pair of jeans. He had no jacket.
"Your Dad called a while ago. He was worried when he didn't hear from you." Sam inflected and Jacob cringed.
"Yeah, I forgot I had to call him." Jacob groaned and looked at me. "He wanted me to pick up a prescription at the pharmacy."
"How'd you find us?" I interrupted.
"I saw the tracks off the highway plus some plants near the highway were shredded." Sam went to examine the truck. He stood in front of the cab and looked at the ruined front. "Jacob come here."
Jacob left the cab and walked over to Sam. They talked briefly and Sam went to the front. He tried to lift it and I was surprised when it lifted slightly. I braced myself and Jacob bent forward to help Sam.
"Bella!" Jacob shouted. "Start the car and put it in reverse."
I nodded and scooted into the driver's seat. I went to start the car and put the gear into reverse. I carefully put my foot on the gas afraid that the car might go forward and squish both of them. I put pressure on the pedal and the car leaped back. I pressed harder and the car rocketed backwards. I slammed on the brakes and the engine was roaring. Jacob walked back to the truck with Sam in tow.
Jacob opened the driver's door. "Thanks, Sam." Sam nodded.
"Be safe both of you." He departed right before he gave me a stern look. I couldn't help but look at his almond black eyes. He left and I shivered from the intense stare.
"Ready." Jacob put the truck in motion and we tunneled through the murky forest back to the highway.
I leaned my head back on the seat and rested. The ride couldn't end fast enough for me. I had enough adventure for one day. We were going back to my house after the extended stay in the forest. I was only too eager to get some more medicine because my back felt like it was on fire. I wrapped my jacket around me and Jacob turned the heater on.
"Sorry about today. I wanted it to be special or different. I blew it big time." Jacob confessed and turned to me.
"Actually I don't think I will forget today for a long time." I told him and truly felt it.
Jacob nodded. He drove down my familiar street and I saw Charlie's police cruiser in the driveway.
"How about I make it up to you? When you feel better we'll hang out." Jacob compromised.
"Sure." I agreed and smiled half-heartedly. I really did like hanging out with Jacob and I didn't think of "him" since this morning. Jacob's smile made me feel warm in the too cold night.
He hopped out of the cab and went to my side. He held the door for me and I struggled to get out of the truck. He gripped my elbow making sure I had a good footing before he let go.
"Take care. I'll call you tomorrow." Jacob promised. I didn't know how we transformed into this easy relationship but I liked it. I knew Jacob would be a great companion for the long lonely days ahead of me.
"Alright." I said happily and amazed myself again. I was happy and it was because of Jacob Black.
I carefully walked up the front steps to the door and Jacob watched me go. He left me to go appease Billy before he got too worried. I saw two lights on inside and opened the front door. Charlie never locked the front door when he was home. Another wonder of small town living.
I walked inside and felt funny instantly. The T.V. set was not on. That was weird because Charlie liked to unwind when he got home from work. I walked slowly because the house was really quiet. I hung my jacket in the hallway and went into the kitchen. Charlie was sitting at the table looking down. I sighed in relief.
"Hi Dad." I went to the refrigerator. I spotted a water bottle and took it out. "Do you know where my pain pills are? I really need them." I took a drink and Charlie looked up at me. His eyes were perplexed and implausible.
I dropped the bottle and water trickled on the floor. I swallowed the small lump in my throat. I noticed right below him on the kitchen table was my journal. I had the urge to grab it and run away hiding from the questions.
Water dripped down my leg and I felt like I was going to throw up.