I don't own anything but Erin.

"Where's Dad?" Jacob asked in a demanding tone. He looked around, utterly ignoring my question.

"I'll answer you when you answer me." I countered, arms crossed, "I repeat, what the hell happened to you?"

Jake stared at me, looking conflicted and pained, before shaking his head, "Nothing."

"Nothing?" My voice rose an octave. The ridiculousness of the statement had me close to laughing, but I was too angry just then. "Bullshit."

Jake bit his lip, rolling his eyes. For a moment, no, for a second, he was my Jake again. My big brother and my protector, rolling his eyes at my tough girl act. Then it was gone, so quick I wasn't even sure I'd really seen it. If my Jake were still there we would have been laughing together by now, whatever we were fighting about forgotten.

I moved around the couch, getting a better look at my mutated cousin. Was it possible for him to grow half a foot in the two days we'd been apart? He was shirtless, freezing rain from outside dripping off his freshly cut hair, not even fazing him. His once warm brown eyes looked cold, distant, and angry. No, this wasn't my Jake. And his muscles, "What, are you on steroids? Is that Uley's deal, huh? Steroids?"

It was like I'd flipped a light switch. "You have no business talking about Sam, Erin!" Jake barked, glaring at me.

I glared back, not even flinching, although part of me wanted to back down, sensed that was what was smartest. New Jacob looked angry enough to snap me like a twig, but I needed, deserved, answers. "What. Is. Going. On?"

"None of your business!" Jake growled through clenched teeth. If felt like ice had run down my spine, fear blossoming in my stomach for the first time. I took a faltering step back. Jake saw my expression and cringed himself, starting to shake. "Go away, Erin." He hissed, breathing hard.

"Jake? Are you okay?" I asked, worry briefly, pathetically, replacing my anger. I grabbed his arm in one hand and gasped, pulling away. "Jake!" Fear rushed through me again only this time for my cousin's well being, he felt well over 100 degrees.

"I said, GO AWAY!" Jake yelled, yanking the front door open and running outside.

I stood there in shock for a moment, shocked and confused. Then, I started after him, going toward the door.

"Erin Avery Black, you will stay right here and leave Jacob be!" Billy's voice yelled from behind me. I spun around to see that my uncle was now in the room. "When he comes back later, you are not to so much as speak to him."

"What did I-" I began.

"Do as you are told!" Billy yelled. "Go to your room for now." He said, lowering his voice. My jaw dropped. What had I done? I wanted to scream in frustration but bit it back. Stomping past my uncle to my room, I slammed the door hard behind me.

Flipping onto my bed and grabbing a pillow, I let the scream out. I screamed until my lungs were running on empty and I was forcibly stopped by lack of oxygen.

Sitting up, I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to going over everything again, trying to make it clearer.

I felt tears prickle in my eyes, but blinked them away. The time for crying had passed, now I was mad. At Sam Uley for stealing Jake. At Jake for keeping whatever was going on from me. At Billy for helping him. There was only one person I wanted to speak to at that moment.

Grabbing my cell phone and hitting speed dial #1 calmed me down a bit, the action second nature to me. The phone rang twice before it was answered. "Hey, 'Rin. When are you coming over?"

I smiled, my body now basically completely relaxed, hearing Seth's voice. "Hey, dork." I ran my fingers through my hair again. "I don't know if I can come over anymore." I laid back down.

"Erin, what's wrong?" It was crazy how Seth always just knew.

"Jake came home." I blinked hard again.

"I'm gonna ask my dad if we can pick you up, okay? Ask Billy and we'll be there soon." Seth told me. I could hear his bedroom door close on the other line. Warmth spread through me, knowing he was on his way to me already. "Be right there, 'Rin. Bye."

"Bye, Seth." I muttered, hanging up.

Billy was on the home phone when I left my bedroom. He looked a lot older than he normally did. I mean, the man's only in his late 40's and watching him reminded me of watching the people at the old folks home. "Sorry, he's very sick at the moment. I'll tell him you called." He paused, "Goodbye Bella."

Bella? So, Jake's best gal pal had even noticed something was up. Well, I'd known Bells for my whole life, really, and I knew she wasn't dumb; in fact she was without a doubt smarter than me.

Billy hung up and spun around, seeing me standing there, leaning against the doorway to the kitchen. "I thought I told you to stay in your room?" He smiled, tiredly.

I shrugged, tucking some hair behind my ear, "I called Seth."

"So, you're leaving?" Billy asked. I heard a second meaning in his words but shook it off. Everything was weird these days, why add to my list? I just nodded. Uncle Billy sighed, rubbing his forehead, "You feel like staying over at the Clearwater's for a week or so?"

I gave Billy a look, cocking my head to the side, "What?"

Billy shrugged, "I just think you should keep your distance from here for awhile, with Jake the way he is right now. I think it'd be easier for both of you to get over his attitude if you were apart."

I just stood there, mouth open, staring at my uncle. "Call Sue if you want me gone so bad." I snapped, going back to my room. Maybe that was a little harsh but seriously? Sending me away for a week because of Sam Uley and Jake's Roid Rage, that was worse.

My bedroom door opened while I was in my closet, finding clothes. "I'm packing! Okay? I'm gonna le-" I walked out to see Seth standing there, leaning against the now shut door, hands in his pockets.

"How are you?" Seth asked, stepping forward to take a week's worth of shirts from me, gently putting them into my bag. I bit my lip, blinking. I was fine and I needed to toughen up.

"I'm fine." I stated with a shrug, going back to the closet, grabbing jeans this time. I packed them myself while Seth watched. "But, seriously, what the hell is going on?" I asked, zipping my bag up.

"Jake joins a fucking cult and I'm the one doing wrong? Really? Not to mention that Sam now has two important people in my life wrapped around his fingers. Embry hasn't even talked to me in a month! And Jake?! He yelled at me for asking him if he was okay!" My voice rose and rose until I was yelling. I knew anyone in the house could hear me, but I didn't care just then.

"Oh and let's not forget that I guess that he hates me so much now that he can't even stand being around me for longer than five minutes! And the only father I've ever had is not only lying straight to my face but is sending me away for a week because he doesn't want to deal with me! Wanna know who else didn't want to deal, Seth? My own mother! AM I REALLY SO BAD THAT ALL THESE PEOPLE CAN'T STAND ME?" The last part I actually screamed.

Seth's arms were around me before the last word was even out, crushing me to him. "Shh, 'Rin. It's okay. I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere, Black." He squeezed me before pulling away. "Now, I planned an epic dance party for tonight's activity, is that okay?"

I snorted, my anger temporarily at bay, and slowly nodded. Seth grinned and grabbed my bag, holding his arm out, "My lady."

I linked mine in his, "Thanks, dork. Seriously." I laid my head on his shoulder for a second.

I was fine walking to the car… until I saw Sam Uley and his cult in my living room.

So, thoughts? What do you think will happen?