Chapter 4

Through Cassie's eyes

"Are you sure you don't want me to come?" I asked her the next week.

"I'm a big girl, Cassie. Besides, I think I'm really close to finding it." Bella had told me about a meadow she wanted to go to.

"I still think you shouldn't go into the woods alone." I told her honestly. With her luck, she'd get lost, or run into a wolf.

"I'll be fine. See you later?"

"Yeah, fine, take your phone. Don't forget your compass." I considered following her, but she was taking her truck and since I didn't have a car it would be pretty hard.

"Sure thing, mom." I laughed, feeling flattered to be considered like my mother. I got bored and picked up the book she was reading. I stopped after a few pages because I couldn't understand half of the words.

When Bella got back a few hours later, I was shocked. She was a complete mess. Mud stained her jacket and shirt, her hair looked like she had just blow-dried it. She had a frantic look in her eyes that made me on edge.

"Bella, what have you been doing?" I asked since I couldn't really think of anything else to say besides "you need a shower," and that would have been rude.

"I was hiking." Bella told me. Hiking doesn't do that to a person.

"You look like you were in a wrestling match! What did you do, roll around in the mud?" I couldn't see her tripping that much.

"I saw a bear." She lied.

"Let me guess, it was the big one scarring everyone."

"Yes." She breathed. Okay, so that was the truth.

"I told you not to go in the forest alone." I muttered.

"Don't worry, I won't do it again." She shuddered. The phone rang, making Bella jump.

"Chill, man, it's just the phone." I laughed and went to pick it up.

"Swan residence." I said into the receiver, even though my last name was Maddox.

"Cassie?"

"Oh, hey, Mom." Bella mouthed something at me, but I couldn't understand it.

"We're coming home early due to the murder count in Forks. Understand?"

"Yes ma'am." I said. I heard of the murders, really, who wouldn't have?

"Cassie, there is something suspicious about these murders. I don't want you running off to try and stop it, understand?" She said.

"Yes ma'am." I told her. Okay, so I had a Nancy Drew streak, who could blame me?

"Cassie, I'm serious, don't do this." She warned.

"Yes, ma'am, I won't." I wasn't sure if I was lying or not.

"Let me talk to her." I could hear Charlie say.

"Cassie?" He asked me, a bit too loud.

"Yes?"

"Can you please put me on speaker?" He asked.

"Sure thing, Charlie. Bella, come listen." Bella looked calmer than when she first walked in, so she abided my command and walked over.

"Am I on? Oh, hello? Echo!" Bella and I giggled.

"Hi, Dad." Bella greeted.

"Hey, girls. Now, I don't want you to panic, but there have been animal attacks going on around Forks. You'll be safe as long as you stay inside and lock the doors and windows." Bella locked panicked, as if locks wouldn't be enough and I agreed

"Lock the doors, got it." I said since Bella was incapable of speech.

"Alright, see you girls tomorrow! Bye!"

"Bye, Charlie!" I hung up cheerfully and turned to Bella. "Hey, are you feeling okay?" I asked, knowing the answer.

"Yeah, I'm fine. It was just the b-bear, it scared me." I considered the chances for someone to actually admit they were scared. I decided to buy it because she looked shaken up enough.

"You want to watch a movie then?" I asked her. She shook her head and headed upstairs.

"Guess not." I muttered and realized just how late it was and went to sleep as well.

Short, I know… Oh well, at least there is more!

RXR!