Rachel

My fingers were wrapped so tightly around the leather of my steering wheel as I stared in front of me, the radio might as well have been off. All I could hear was the pitter patter of raindrops as they hit my windshield.

"Quileute Tribe welcomes you to La Push"

La Push .. The place I tried so hard to get away from after the death of our mom; which also happens to be the one place I swore to myself I'd never end up back at. If you had told me 24 hours ago I'd be home, I would have laughed.

But while locking myself up in my dorm room to get ready for my last exam, I'd received a call from Chief Swan. He was as shocked as I was to know that Jacob was missing and my Dad hadn't even called me or Becca to let either of us know. I know he was probably trying not to worry us, but this was our Brother.

Becca had tried to get a flight out; however, her Surfer Husband had been injured recently in a surfing competition and she was looking after him.

There was no point in both Rebecca and I coming home. After convincing her that I would keep her updated on any news, I called my student advisor; informing her about what was happening and she told me to just get home and not worry about school right now.

Within a couple of hours I was in my car and heading back to La Push.

I slowed down as I entered the Reservation I had once grown up in; so many memories came flooding back. The forest that we were always told scary stories about (Which honestly just made us want to explore it even more.), The cemetery that my mom was buried at, First Beach - where I also had my first kiss.

Without even realizing it, the tears started to prick the back of my eyes; No. I couldn't and wouldn't break down. Memories of all the times we'd had with Jacob growing up surfaced the closer to the small red house I got. Guilt panged my chest as I thought of my baby brother out there somewhere .. Alone and scared. I had been so washed up in my grief that I hadn't even given a second thought to Jake and now I might never see him again. What kind of shitty sister was I? It's no wonder he didn't even call me before he ran away. He probably hates me, I know I would.

My car slowly pulls into a stop and I kill the engine but don't bother to get out; instead I just sit here staring at the house I grew up in, for some reason I always thought it was bigger. But now, it just looks as tiny and sad as I'm feeling. Heaving out a deep sigh, I pushed open the driver's door and stepped out. Not bothering yet with my bags; they could wait. Right now, I just needed to stretch my legs and find my dad. It had been a long 3 or 4 hours in the car; in fact. The entire last 12 hours felt like a century ago.

Kicking at the rocks that were laid in the pathway up to the door; despite that the rain was getting heavier I didn't try to hurry. My dad's old truck was in the drive-way but the house was quiet. I lifted my hand to knock awkwardly; not wanting to just barge in and give anyone a heart-attack; especially since My dad didn't know I was coming back. If I had called he would have just played it off and told me to stay in school. Not because he didn't want me to come home but because he knew how difficult it was for me to be here; and he was always trying to protect us. Even if it cost him everything in the long run. I guess not being a parent yet; that's a kind of love I don't understand.

After a few minutes and nothing, I pushed open the front door.

"Dad"

I called, my voice echoed around the tiny house and I couldn't help but cringe. Stepping inside; it's like I was transported back in time. Everything was exactly the same as when I had left for college.

I slowly walked from one room to the next, calling for my dad a few times before I realized he must not be here. He was probably out looking for Jake. My heart sank as my gaze landed on a photo of a very small Jake, Becca and I. I couldn't help but laugh at the toothy grin that was plastered over his face. Despite that his two front teeth were missing at the time. I set down the frame and made my way into the tiny Kitchen; Looking through the fridge; I put on the kettle and started some dinner. When my dad finally got home he would be hungry and I would have put on a good meal for him. I'm sure he hasn't eaten properly in days.

XxXxX

The sound of a car pulling into the driveway had me rushing towards the front door; before he even had a chance to question whose car was here; I had the front door open and was running up to my dad. A guy I didn't recognize was helping him out of the truck and into his wheelchair.

My dad looked older than I remembered, he was gray now and completely in a wheelchair, the last time I saw him he was using a walking stick. Suddenly I felt like not only the worst sister; but the worst daughter in the world too. He had obviously needed me around more in the last few years but was too stubborn to even tell me.

"Rae .. Rachel? What are you doing here?"

The shocked tone of his voice brought me out of my day dream and had me blinking in surprise. Did he really think that little of me that I wouldn't come home if I knew about Jake? I tried not to be hurt because I knew he didn't mean it in that way.

"Why am I here? What do you mean, Why am I here? Or more importantly, "Why didn't you tell me that Jake's gone missing?"

My Dad groans quietly; but I still hear him.

"I didn't mean it like that, Rae. I'm so glad you're back. Come here and give your old dad a hug"

Tears pulled at my eyes as I leaned down; wrapping my arms around my Dad's neck. Fuck .. I needed this. I needed my dad, actually my entire family so much, but I was just as stubborn at admitting it as he was.

The guy who was helping my dad had fallen silent as he stepped back to let my Dad and I have this moment.

"Oh, Rach. You remember Sam Uley, right?"

A little confused at first about what Sam had to do with anything. Growing up on the Rez it was a little hard to forget that you knew everyone and they all knew you. It wasn't very often we got new residents here either. So, you tend to become pretty close to everyone.

"Sam? Like Leah's Sam?"

Only when I heard the mysterious man clear his throat and chuckle lightly; did I put two and two together.

Shit.

Stepping back now; I glanced up to get a proper look at the mysterious man; shock now washed over me when I realized /this/ was Sam.

Holy Cow.

He looked completely different. Maybe it was the short hair, the tattoo that he so proudly showed off or even his height.

My Dad wheeled his chair into my leg when I made the comment about Leah.

"Oww. What was that for?"

Glaring at him, I turned back to Sam; once I finished rubbing my shin.

"Wow .. I didn't even recognize you. How are you, Sam?"

Grinning awkwardly, before he could even answer, I wrapped my arm around my Dad again.

"Thank you for taking care of him while we've been away"

Sam chuckled again, His voice now deep and strong. Definitely not one I remember him having.

"Welcome home, Rachel. And don't worry about Jake. He's going to be fine. .. I'll talk to you tomorrow, Billy. Have a good night."

He nodded his head; but instead of getting back into the truck, he turned and walked towards the forest.

How strange. Why would anyone want to walk through the forest in the rain, when they could just drive there?

Shaking the thoughts from my head, I turned around and pushed my Dad's wheelchair towards the front door. We still had a lot to talk about.