"What happened?" Billy asked after a while.

This is uncharted territory for me. Billy starts to back his chair up so that we can go inside however this is as far as my feet are allowing me to go. I can't get sucked into the past. I can't allow myself to let my guard down. I look at Billy and he knows that I won't come in. A flash of despair, regret, and guilt cloud his face and he nods solemnly.

"Whenever you're ready, I'm here."

I stand there sensing Sam's eyes on me. I'm not looking at anyone or anything in particular. It's as if I've become molded to the porch. After what feels to me as hours I write a note and give it to Billy.

Lani:
Why did this happen?

"It's a long legend, why not come back tonight for a pack meeting?" Billy asked. "Please, Lani, let me help you like I couldn't before." Bill searched my cold gaze looking for a hint to what I was thinking. "If it happened to you in Seattle that means you were probably near where the vampire army was."

That got me. I couldn't help drop my chin a bit. I heaved a heavy sigh. If I wanted to get any information it would be on his terms and I thoroughly hated to be on anyone's terms.

Lani:
Fine; I'll come back at sundown.

SEATTLE

I arrived back in Seattle. I stared at the letter from The Art Institute of Seattle that looked so awkward next to the pieces of garbage that is always received in the mail. I didn't have to open it to know that I had been flunked out of last semester's classes, due to my transformation. I looked around the dorm and heaved a sigh. After all my hard work it's all come to nothing...like me. I grabbed my army duffel and packed it with all my clothes and put all my art books and portfolio in my shoulder bag. Removing the loose floorboard I snatched up the money I hid there that I had been saving since I was eight I made my way to the admissions office and completed all the paperwork that I had to sign off on in order to acknowledge that I was no longer a student here.

Shit! I'm back!

I arrived back in Forks just before the sun went down. Except this time I knew exactly why my feet brought me here. I needed answers as to what had occurred and that meant playing by Uncle Billy's rules. Plus, I felt a deep connection to the unidentified man who almost turned me into road kill. No matter what I did or do to occupy my mind his face would always flash before me. I made my way to La Push and looked around.

Making my way up to the house I took the sign from the lawn and knocked on the door. A kid opened it and I glared at him holding up the sign. He shut the door in my face and I just stood there waiting. The door opened again but it seemed to be the boy's father.

"It's kind of late isn't it?"

I looked back behind me as the sun began to settle. As I turned back to look at the guy I shrugged. I took out my pen and wrote on the back of the sign.

Lani:
I'm interested in the studio for rent. How much is it?

"My family and I are having dinner right now. If you're interested please come back tomorrow." He was about to shut the door but paused when he saw me writing again.

Lani:
Why? I'm already here.
Why leave for tomorrow what can be done today?

"Can't you talk?"

Lani:
If I could I would.

"Smart mouth." He looked at me and ran his hand through his hair sighing. "Follow me." He walked past me to the side of the house. It looked like a shabby four walled structure. To say a studio would be stretching it, but beggars can't be choosers. He unlocked the door and opened it. I could see his Adam's apple moving and tugged on his sleeve.

Lani:
You need to face me when you talk and
you also need to work on your mumbling it's not a good habit.

"Smart ass." I cocked an eyebrow at him as he looked at me irritated. "I was saying it's not much. All the fixtures work though."

I looked around the room to the far right from the door was a small fridge, a sink, and a small stove top.

"The bathroom is through that door." He motioned to the only door in the room aside from the one we entered in. He stared at me and then at my bags. "You can stay here tonight. Do you need a blanket or pillow?" I shook my head. "Did you eat?" I gave a swift nod. "Then why is your stomach rumbling?" Shit! This is where hearing would have been great. I played it off but he grabbed my arm and tugged me toward the house. As we entered I saw the boy from earlier and a younger girl. They were sitting around the T.V. eating pizza. The man let go of my arm and stepped in front of me.

"Eat."

Lani:
HOW MUCH?

"$200.00!" The boy said as he read the note from beside his father. His father looked at him and glared whereas the boy looked at me and glared. I turned around and rummaged through the duffel pulling out from my savings the money. I handed it to the boy who stood there dumbfounded. Grabbing the key from the counter I left to the studio. I stood in darkness and lied down after entering. A light flashed in the window; I ignored it. The door opened and I sat up. The dad stood there with a paper plate, pillow, and blanket.

"Spare key." He said as he twirled it around his finger. He placed the stuff on the ground along with the money. "This place isn't worth $200.00 and I actually didn't think anyone would be interested in it. I took $50.00." With that he got up and left.

I looked at the plate as the sun settled and the darkness crept in.

Welcome to La Push.