Anger, Regrets and Promises
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Twilight characters blah, blah, blah. Bella is manipulative and selfish. Edward is a prudish, emotional and social abuser. Jacob is hot and could save my butt any day!! ^o^ LOL.
He runs pushing himself harder then he's ever done in his whole skin-walker life. His mind, human, is trying to piece together everything that happened from the moment he saw the flash to what has brought him to his current situation – running, full-out running with Leah on his back. He knew something was wrong with the fire – his instincts told him so. Instead, he chose to ignore it and now, now Leah was suffering – she could've been killed. Could still be killed and it would all be because of his actions. John whimpers softly as he feels Leah grip his fur and skin roughly in her small hands. She's in pain only allowing a weak whimper or a heavy and quick intake of air to be the only audible signs of her distress.
Jumping over a over fallen log signaling his closer proximity to his parents' home John flinches as he hear Leah cry out sharply and then groan heavily. He wants to tell her she's going to be okay, that he's sorry; wishes that he could trade places with her enduring the pain instead. The whimpering and encouraging thoughts from his pack falls on deaf ears as he continues on pushing.
They're worried for both members of their pack especially John. John is completely unaware of his own physical state. His paws are swollen from the burns and have begun to blister and get infected with the dirt, grass and debris both from the fight and his mad dash to save Leah. His path is made clearly visible to them by the combination of blood and pus that paves the way through the forest. His heaving and aching chest goes unnoticed as it too is spotted with burns from his fight with the vampire. His chest covered in seemingly random bald spots that are red, swollen and they too are also oozing out pus. The ache in his chest has spread to his lungs that are burning and desperately gasping for more air – his tongue is swollen nearly blocking his airway. He's overexerting his body; pushing it to the brink as the only thing that is keeping the pain and weariness at bay is his mantra: Must save Leah. The wounds would've long sense healed or been much further along was it not the adrenaline, the worry, fear and anger coursing through him.
Coming to a halt outside his parents' backdoor he yelps desperately calling for help within. John's anxiety only builds when he hears muffled movement upstairs. Shit. Someone is upstairs – he has no time to wait for someone to hustle downstairs at a human's pace. Circling and pacing for a moment John lays down quickly pressing his belly against the cool grass. He coughs hoarsely as his body tries to take this moment to send blood, oxygen, white blood cells and the idea of fatigue to his limbs. Whimpering lightly John wiggles his body side-to-side gently before nudging Leah's knee with his nose. He quickly jumps, startled, by Leah's increasingly warm body temperature – she's hot; hotter than usual.
Before John can stick out his tongue as a sign of comfort the heat and pressure of Leah's body is gone from his back and sides. He fights back a snarl as Gio quickly snatches her up causing her to hiss out in pain and try to curl up in a fetal position. "I know, I know. Chew my ass out after we get you patched up." Giovanni states as Leo frowns up at him. Leo and Ted had arrived first but both found themselves flustered and unsure of how to help or what to do; neither man knowing where to touch Leah without causing her pain and even more discomfort. Leo's concern is the same as John's by her increased body heat that seemed to be rolling off her body in waves. Any hotter and she'll die.
It is Paul that opens the door as an old woman hobbles into the kitchen with a frown on her wrinkly face. Her skin, possibly, once a smooth olive-colored skin like the twins is now tanned with age and many days of working out in the sun. Her body is bent with a small hunchback and her hobble is from a broken hip earned many years ago. Her eyes, despite the broken and aged look of the rest of her body, are sharp, bright and the same piercing gray as her grandsons. "Grandma Nadie, Leah and John are hurt." Paul breathes out his usual playful voice now lanced with worry as Giovanni carefully sits Leah down on the kitchen table.
"What happened?" She asks quickly noticing the young woman's pain.
"It's a serious third degree burn." Leo answers recognizing the wound and unconsciously rubbing his chest. His own chest begins to burn and ache with a pain that until now had lied dormant awaiting just such a gruesome sight to trigger the horror of that night and the many nights during his painful recovery.
"Where did it come from?" The old woman asks carefully inspecting the wound that is now smoking and…even sizzling right before her eyes.
"A vamp jumped out the fire we had made. Somehow it was able to piece itself together and then jumped her from behind." Ted states coldly with a hard frown on his face but his eyes displaying his true emotions - fear.
Everyone turns around as they hear John stumbles in his breathing sounding strained, wheezy and forced. John's tongue is a horrendous mix of purple and black, swollen to a startling size and producing a bitter and metallic smell. "Have him sit down before he faints on us." Nadie says frowning at the state of the two skin walkers before her. Nadie looks between the two noting Leah in much more pain but John's injuries definitely much more life threatening. "Boys, go outside in my garden and bring me some aloe and peppermint." Nadie orders as she walks towards the refrigerator and pulls out a gallon of milk. Leo and Paul quickly nod their heads and both hurry outside to the garden that has been growing along the side of the house since Nadie was a small child. "I'm going to take care of your tongue first." Nadie explains pouring the milk into a glass as John attempts to growl at his grandmother. "I know she's in pain but you are worst off with your swollen tongue. You're probably having a hard time breathing, aren't you?" Nadie asks knowingly as Leo and Paul both return with the needed plants. "Drink this down for now." Nadie orders handing John the glass as he glares at it darkly before turning a worried glance to Leah. Leah's body is shaking uncontrollably; her muscles spasm involuntary from the pain.
Paul frowns at the ingredients his grandmother asked him to get. She's the tribe's healer and she's taught all of her grandchildren some of the secrets to making herbal remedies. He never paid much attention during the lessons and only copied after John without every really knowing what he was using and why. Luckily, Leo ran out with him who recognized the herbs and told him to not just take the leaves but the stem for the aloe which would help soothe and heal the burns. "Mix them together." Leo whispers noticing Paul's hesitation as he instinctually pulls a huge bowl from under the counter. "The aloe will have a very bitter taste but the peppermint will sweeten it. And the milk will help it go down easier for John." Leo continues explaining stepping up and making the mix. He had to make it for himself when he was child still dealing with the burn – Nadie showed him and gave him free access to her herb garden.
"Ted run to the store and buy some more milk. We're going to need it for Leah's back." Nadie orders as she notices his discomfort and anxious movements seeming to feel lost and useless. Ted takes off for the store feeling slightly relieved at being given some task to help his Alpha and pack mate out. Nadie gives John a stern look as he returns the same gaze back. She knows that he's waiting for her to tend to Leah first; gone are the days when one look from her would send John running to the corner as punishment for something he knew he did wrong but she hadn't the foggiest idea. Now he was a man, the future chief and Alpha of the pack protecting their lands. "Drink the milk to help your tongue while I tend to Leah." Nadie says with a defeated sigh. John gives his grandmother a curt nod and brings the glass to his lips feeling at ease that Leah will be tended to.
John drinks the milk as his Grandma Nadie begins attending to Leah. As the Alpha it is his responsibility to protect his pack mates and she is no exception. She was supposed to stay safe – at least that's what her mother has been telling her. And every time the two talked Leah promised to be safe. John tries to swallow his own disgust, remorse and disappointment. As Leah is forced to lay down on the table and the cold milk is poured over her back she hisses as her muscles flex and relax. John promises to not let her or anyone else in his pack to get hurt like this ever again.
The two packs combine coming across a trail of three vampires. The scents burning their sinuses and only inflaming the building rage. These monsters have not only trespassed on their land but have also murdered innocents and now have forced them to push any thoughts of recovering their female to the back. Sam finds it hard to control his pack's excitement over the opportunity for a kill – it's been years since they've actually had to work together. The younger wolves' excitement stems from the fact that they've never really had a chance to battle a vampire – that opportunity always falling on the smaller pack that actually ran with the leeches. This thought is shared with Jacob and he growls viciously throwing a dark glance at Sam who continues running on as if nothing has happened.
A few miles away a girl sits staring off into the trees; her eyes unfocused but straining to see. Her companions sit cuddling and cooing to one another completely ignoring her. Coming out of her thoughts she sighs and rolls her eyes to see a brown haired girl wearing black jeans and an old 'hello kitty' sweater. She's sitting in the lap of a man with light brown hair who hasn't even bothered to wear a shirt. He's whispering in the girl's ear causing her to giggle – a sickening sight. She, herself, is an exact copy of the girl – they're twins. Abigail turns her attention from her sister, Gabriel, and her beau, Chris, back to the trees sensing something isn't right about the area all of a sudden. Ever since they were little she's always seemed to have a sixth sense for danger. Too bad it never saved them from their father abuse.
"Chris, stop." Gabby coos letting out a giggle. Abby continues looking trying to pinpoint the danger when suddenly the hairs on the back of her neck and arms stand up. She slowly gets up from her sitting position on top of their latest kill – male hunters are generally the easiest of prey. The wind shifts direction for a split second before returning to its south easterly course. She catches the slightest whiff of…wet dog? Her eyebrow arches as she tries to process the information. She can't help but think of their family dog, Bear, a huge Rottweiler – German Shepherd mix. He was a good dog, loyal, devoted and the one thing that kept their father at bay when he was feeling especially needy, grabby or just plain drunk. Are there hunters in the area? Are hunting dogs generally used in this area? Her ears twitch trying to pick up the howl or baying of a hound – but there's nothing. And it's that nothingness is what begins to truly creep her out.
"Gabby, Chris – it's time to go." Abby orders as she briskly turns and stalks away. Her instincts are screaming at her to put as much distance between them and this area. Without another word she walks past the interrupted lovers earning a worried look.
"What is it, Abby?" Gabby questions as she follows behind her sister. She's learned long ago to always trust her sister's instincts; however, they've had no need for it since they were both transformed four years ago.
"I caught a faint whiff of a dog – or maybe a whole…pack of them." Abby simply answers frowning as her nose involuntarily scrunches thinking back on the scent.
"Dogs?" Chris scoffs rolling his eyes. "So smell a pack of hunting dogs. Be deal." Chris says grabbing Gabby's wrist and pulling her into his chest before planting a light kiss on her forehead.
"I don't think they're just 'hunting' dogs." Abby explains grabbing Gabby's wrist and snatching her away from Chris.
"There's no reason to be afraid of a pack of mutts." Chris snarls out not releasing his hold on Gabby.
"I know that but do you hear any noise? Wouldn't hunting dogs be making some noise or something?"
"Maybe we should get going." Gabby quietly admits moving to stand beside her sister. Chris sighs heavily shutting; his eyes shut tight and he pinches the bridge of his nose. Chris loves Gabriel with all his un-beating heart but her sister has been nothing but a pain in his ass since he first laid eyes on her. If it wasn't for Abigail he would've changed Gabriel years ago but because of her weird sixth sense ability getting close to the youngest twin was tough. She didn't trust him the first moment they laid eyes on one another – and look at where it got them.
"She's just over reacting again." Chris says with a confident smile. "Remember when we first met? And the night you both were changed?" Chris throws out holding back a triumphant smile as the twins both shudder. The night they were changed was going to be their final night of their lives. Gabby and Abby both, instinctively, hold one another for comfort. Both hearing their father's harsh words, his yelling and screaming at them still ringing in their ears. His eyes wild from the crystal meth or some other drug he'd gotten his dirty hands on. The strong aroma of alcohol and piss wafting off him with every punch, stab and kick he threw. The corner's report would later say that due to the drug/alcohol content in his system he went, in laymen's terms, insane. The bodies of his two daughters still have yet to be discovered. "See? We can't always trust your instincts, Abby." Chris adds after the twins shiver themselves out of their memories.
"But, let's get moving anyway." Gabby suggests squeezing Abby's hand supportively – Chris may not believe her, but she does.
"Alright, fine." Chris huffs as he scratches the back of his head.
It is just as the three turn to leave the area do they suddenly capture the strong smell of wet dog. They all freeze like rabbits; all of their senses reaching out to identify the presence or possible danger. The smell is more than just a wet dog but like a hundred huge wet dogs that have been confined to a small room allowing the scent to permeate into everything. Their ears pick up the sound of many…feet pounding? At the soles of their feet they can feel the vibrations growing stronger and stronger. They all quickly exchange frightened looks before running. None of them fully understand why they are running but sharing in the fear.
Abby feels her skin begin to do something she's not experienced in years – she has goose bumps. Out of the corner of her eye she catches a red blur that appears to be running along side them. When she turns her head to get a better glimpse it's already gone but slightly ahead she sees a light brown color – A tree? Abby's whole body is tingling as she hears Gabby gasp and looking to her left she catches a huge black object running along side them. Her eyes widen as it moves in closer and a huge, massive dog is now seen running along side them. It's not a normal dog because just the size alone is…well it's got to be a record. "Werewolves." Chris breathes out as he grabs each of the twins' wrists and begins running full out.
Too late.
The three vampires stop short as two more of the massive wolves step out. Abby gasps at the huge red wolf that she'd seen earlier. He's bigger than the black one; his lips curled back in a malicious snarl revealing huge, glistening white canines that look to be six inches long. The short coat does nothing but accentuate the muscles in his chest that puff out in a show of power, aggression and dominance. The three vampires crowd together as the wolf's legs stiffens seeming to elevate him to a massive height easily casting a shadow over their bodies. "So, uh, any ideas?" Gabby asks barely above a whimper but a twitch of the wolf's ear shows that he's heard them.
"Yea, that you should've listened to me." Abby says placing her back to Chris narrowing her eyes at him. More wolves come out from the trees begin to circle them. "Now!" Abby shouts seeing an opening as the three quickly take off trying to put as much distance between them. The three run maneuvering through the trees skillfully at a blinding speed. Unfortunately, the wolves keep up easily and the fear continues to grow. Looking ahead of themselves they see three wolves ahead of them – a dark brown wolf, a light sandy colored wolf and a dark gray wolf with black spots on its back.
"Yea, well you were right but I was wrong." Chris says narrowing his eyes and holding Gabby close to him. "So now that we've gotten that out the way. Think Dr. Doolittle. How do we get pass this?"
Abby quickly assesses the situation before them as the other wolves are quickly approaching. Wolves of varying sizes and colors are quickly closing in behind them. Her junior year she wanted to be a veterinarian and spent her last summer alive studying the anatomy of domesticated animals along with working part time in a 24-hr vet just handling the animals. With her strength and speed she may just be able to hurt enough wolves to give them an opening. To her right there is a lean dark grey wolf with a black right paw and more wolves much smaller than the massive red and black wolves. Bending down low she quickly darts over towards the light sandy brown wolf and with a quick hand she snatches one by this throat pinning it the ground. She hears the others snarl and move towards her but Chris and Gabby are there to cover her as she easily breaks the wolf's leg. Hearing the creature's cry in pain she jumps back and the three are off and running again.
An angry howl rips through the silence of the forest as the hunt is on. The three are so focused on running and escaping the jaws of the massive beasts; the sound of the monsters paws beating the ground mercilessly as they chase after them. A loud yelp and howl tears through the air and Abby digs down deep moving faster than she's ever gone in her immortal life. Unheard is the muffled cry for help as five or six wolves pounce upon a fallen vampire yanked back by the dark grey wolf with the black spots. Its life enduring a slow and painful death as the limbs are rip and gnawed off, jaw is broken under the force of a massive paw preventing a cry of help being let out – all that comes out is a weak gurgle that only lasts for a second before the throat is ripped out.
Abby feels her fear continue to grow as she feels the monsters paws trying to trip her up as they are right behind her. They're heavy breaths building up a sickening and disgusting perspiration on the back of her neck. She knows that if it was possibly she'd be crying now – crying out for her mother to protect her from the monsters. She'd cry out for Bear to growl and bark back before curling up next to her and Gabby as a sign of comfort. But just as quickly as the fear has arisen it suddenly stops. She stops turning around with a sense of relief welling up inside of her. The monsters have stopped running and are angrily pacing back and forth as if behind an electric fence. The biggest wolf, the red one, seems to be the most annoyed at this realization as a small dusty brown wolf bumps into him and earns a quick bite and vicious head shake for the contact. All of the bigger wolves seem to be in a bit of agitation snapping and snarling at one another. "So the mutts are on a leash, huh?" Chris says with a mocking chuckle as he slowly inches closer towards the wolves and their invisible barrier. "Not so tough now are you?" He continues mocking the biggest wolf who tries to lunge at him but is stopped short by the barrier.
Abby joins in his laughter as suddenly one wolf appears behind the others. The snarling and growling gives way to an odd almost canine-like laugh. Their tongues are lulling out their mouths as if sharing some 'in-joke'. It is then that she notices that something, or rather someone is missing. Looking around Abby quickly searches for Gabby – Chris seems to also notice at the same time and his eyes are huge as saucers madly darting back and forth across the landscape. "GABBY! GABBY!" Abby calls out as the final wolf arrives and the others move back as if making way for the last arrival. Abby looks on in horror, her mouth hanging open in shock as the black wolf approaches with half of Gabby's face in his massive jaws. "GABBY?!" Abby cries out running towards the black wolf with her sister – her remaining eye looking wildly about seemingly unable to focus on any one thing.
"NO!" Chris cries out snatching Abby back before the red wolf's jaws can close down on her. "They're baiting you!" Chris states holding Abby tightly to his chest and glaring darkly at the quiet beasts. The huge red wolf snorts and the black wolf drops his prize obediently – the alpha male? The sweet scent of burning incense reaches Abby's nose as she suddenly becomes aware of where her sister's remaining body parts are.
"They've burned her!" Abby exclaims grabbing hold of her hair and tugging on it desperately. She looks up at Chris to see his jaw clench tightly as the wolves each sit down making a path from the invisible barrier to Gabby's remains. "These, those MONSTERS are burning her alive!" Abby throws battling with herself. She wants to save her sister – even if it's just a small part of her but her fear and instincts keep her at a safe distance.
"They think this is some kind of game." Chris whispers taking in the 'gauntlet of wolves'. "They want us to try to run down and get her back." Chris says laughing sadly as he shakes his head. The smell of Gabby's burning flesh begins to weaken signaling the end of what once remained of Gabriel Hillard.
A body will never be found.
Locking eyes with the huge wolf Abby sees an intelligence she hadn't bothered to be aware of. Looking up towards the cloudy sky she can still see the sun's ray trying to fight through the clouds. No moon. Not werewolves but something…more. Squaring up her shoulders Abby roughly pushes Chris away from her earning a shocked expression that she did not need to look at him to know was now directed at her. His eyes settle in on her taking in her features and she fights back a shiver, part of her remaining mortal reflexes, thinking about how he may be thinking about sinking his teeth and claws into her flesh. Making her join her sister in death – as it should've been four years ago. Confidently Abby walks up towards the red wolf whose ears and nose twitch at her approaching form. She hears Chris calling her, willing her back to his side but she refuses to show fear. Her mother wasn't afraid nor was Bear or at least they never showed it – and neither will she. The huge red wolf's shoulders shift his muscles rippling under the coat and she knows he's itching and waiting for his opportunity to kill her as well. They had promised to always stick together no matter what – where one traveled the other would follow.
"You will all pay for what you've done to my sister." Abby spits out and quickly moves forward to the surprise of Chris and the enjoyment of the waiting wolves. Jaws and massive heads quickly move towards her but come up with nothing as Abby dances back towards Chris with a smug smile on her face. The red wolf looks down as the others quickly raise their heads snarling, growling and snapping in the vampires' general direction. Abby's smile only grows as realization dawns on 'Big Red', as she will now take to calling him, as he sees a line carved into the ground. He quickly locks eyes with her and she nods her head as the other wolves calm down. "Like Chris said." Abby says smirking but her eyes flashing with hatred. "You mutts are on a leash and that's proof of your limitations. Like I said 'Big Red' I'll make you and the rest of your pack of mongrels pay for killing my sister.
"Clever girl." Chris admits smiling down at Abby with admiration – his eyes also dead set upon revenge, bloodshed and death. "So I guess we'll be seeing you all around soon."
"Real soon." Abby adds while nodding her head in agreement. "And believe me when I say that's not a threat but a promise." As the two turn and quickly disappear into the trees.
The red wolf's lips curl back in an angry and vicious snarl as the fur along his back and on his hackles rise. A huge, loud and angry howl erupts from his throat as he throws his head back and the others join in. If Chris and Abby understood a wolf's howl they might've caught the slight hint of sadness, regret and calling of a missing pack mate.
A/N: Well...wow, this chapter just kinda made itself up as I started writing. I was afraid that I was going to lose it while cooking dinner but I didn't and my barbecue spare ribs was a hit!! YAY!! But the chapter originally started off with John and went from there but then I went back to La Push and man...did it go from there. But, I won't lie to you all the next chapter is going to pretty angsty for Jacob and the La Push pack. I'm sure you're all wonder well why, Kei? Why? Don't you love Jacob anymore! *turns and looks back at a whimpering and puppy eyed Jacob* Of course, I do!! However, my angst has been brought on by.......*pulls out Yuri's drum set and begins a horrible drum roll* -_-; It'd be easier if it this thing wasn't so damn tiny.
Ahem, but you all should know by now it's not often that I plug a story but here goes like probably my third plug - EVER!
But, if you're up for some real angst that makes you want to hate Jacob Black. *runs and kicks Jake in the shin*
Jacob: Ouch, damnit. I SAID NO CLETS!!
Me: Ahem, it's Glitter In the Air by sentinel10. So if you haven't already checked out the story then please go ahead. It's even on my fave story lists. ^-^ And oh, check out cucumber07's stories. Alright, so I think that's enough of my plugs for another year or so. OH! And Hilja...BRING IT!! I know you've got some wonderful Jacob Black, Embry Call, Quil and Paul filled review. *dances around* It's been so long. Hehehe...and check out hilja's stories too. If you don't like them then something is obviously wrong with you.
NOW THEN....REVIEW!! (._. ) ( ._.) (._.) See...it's right there. Just click that button and make me happy.