Chapter 22

Heaven Is Waiting

January 8th

It had been three days since Jacob and Fay had last seen each other. Fay was sure her brother was behind it. He had changed the shift hours and said it was because there was now six of them. Fay was still on night shift everyday but Saturday. Her shifts had changed from 12 hours to 16 hours. After running for so long all she could do was eat and then pass out. Jacob was on early morning shift every morning and he was somehow the only person not on a nighttime shift.

Fay didn't fight with Sam over it though. He had given both Fay and Jacob Saturday fully off from patrol. Fay was worried if she complained Sam would take that small luxury away. The guys would be going back to school in another week so Fay knew the roster would soon change again and making a fuss about it now wouldn't help anyone.

Since they had not seen each other, Fay had not been able to make any plans to meet up with Jacob. It was times like these that made her wish she had a phone. As soon as Fay's shift finished Saturday morning she ran to Jacob's house as fast as her legs would go. She was so fast she didn't even hear the sly comment Paul made as she ran past him.

Fay stopped in the backyard of the house noticing there was no movement inside, or any lights on. Her hopes of seeing Jacob began to deflate. Stupidly Fay realised how early it was. She couldn't blame Jacob for sleeping in on his one day off and Billy wouldn't be up for at least another hour or two. She thought about waiting around but felt like that was crossing a line. Jacob was sure to be able to smell her sent when he woke up and hopefully, he would come looking for her. Without a phone that was the next best thing. Fay circled the house once listening for any signs of movement inside but after hearing nothing but the sounds of sleep she returned to the forest.

Fay went to Sam and Emily's house looking for something to pass the time. The smell of bacon and eggs hit her nose before she could even see their house. Emily was one of those rare morning people and Fay was happy about that. Sam was on morning shift today with Embry, so Fay didn't bother nocking before entering. After her short time living with the couple, she had learnt to nock whenever they were home alone. She couldn't blame the pair for wanting to have make-out sessions on the kitchen counter but those were not images Fay needed in her head.

"You're just in time," Emily said as Fay entered the house. Fay wasn't surprised to see Paul already at the table wolfing down a plate of food, no pun intended.

"What, was your boyfriend asleep?" Paul asked between bights. Fay rolled her eyes at him.

"He's not my boyfriend you pig," Fay hissed as she took a seat across the table from Paul.

"Sorry, imprint," Paul said the word in an obnoxious voice.

"Paul," Fay growled in a warning. He chuckled.

"Don't let him get under your skin Fay. Paul behave," Emily said placing a plate of food down in front of Fay before taking her own seat at the table. Fay hadn't realised how hungry she was until she took the first bite of eggs. She couldn't really blame Paul for the way he ate as that's all she wanted to do as well. It took a lot of self-control and focus to eat at a near normal pace.

"So what did you guys have planned for today?" Emily asked trying to make conversation as Paul and Fay cleaned the last of the food off their plates.

"Dad wanted my help with something this morning then I was going to crash before night shift. These night shifts suck," Paul grumbled. "For the first time ever I'm looking forward to going back to school at least I might get some sleep."

"And then I'm the moron having to cover all the shifts while everyone is at school or work." Fay mumbled dropping her knife and fork on the clean plate.

"Hey if you ever wanted to stop being dead maybe one day you could come back to school as well. You know one day you're going to have to come back to the real world and quit hiding like a little girl." Fay was frozen in shock. Paul had never spoken to her like that before. He may be hot headed at times but never had he used that tone with Fay before. Especially when referring to her past.

"Paul apologise," Emily scolded.

"What it's true, it's pathetic. You're going to have to grow up eventually Fay."

"Paul get out," Emily yelled standing up and pointing to the door. Paul stood up shaking his head and without another word he left slamming the door behind himself. Fay couldn't work out what had just happened. She had just spent the whole night sharing her thoughts with Paul while on patrol and couldn't work out where his cruel words had come from. "Fay are you okay?"

"I'm fine I just… I don't understand why he said that. His thoughts were normal all night he's never said anything like that before."

"Paul was just in one of his moods. I'm sure he'll be sorry about it later and apologise." Fay stood up and gave her a hug.

"I… I'm going to go home. I'll see you later Emily." Fay pulled herself out of Emily's arms and quickly walked for the door.

"Come over tonight for dinner, seven o'clock don't be late," Emily called out the door after Fay but got no response. Fay ran for the forest in the opposite direction Paul had gone. Rather than going home she went towards the beach, her mind racing.

…

"You know you're a hard person to find." The sound of Jacob's voice was the first thing to break through Fay's thoughts since she left Emily's house. It had been a few hours since Paul's outburst, and Fay had passed the time sitting by the rock pools at the end of First beach. Few people ever came this far down the beach. That realisation only added to Fay's thoughts about how Paul was right. Was she really going to avoid people forever? What was she so scared of? "Hey, earth to Fay. You in there?" Fay finally looked up at Jacob. His hair was disheveled, and his clothes looked slept in. He looked well rested though. Fay was glad she hadn't woken him this morning he must have needed the sleep.

"Hey," she offered him a weak smile.

"You okay?" Jacob asked taking a seat on the rock next to Fay.

"Yeah, I was just thinking."

"Did you want to talk?" Jacob asked looking out at the ocean where Fay's eyes had traveled back too.

"No. I don't think I do," she let go of a shaky breath annoyed that Paul had gotten into her head.

"Okay, I'm here for whenever you need to talk." Some time passed between them before Fay took her eyes off the ocean again.

"Can we go for a walk down the beach?" Fay asked looking down the length of the beach silently regretting saying that as she saw other people wondering the water's edge.

"I don't see why not. You've got two legs, I've got two legs, I think that's all we need." Jacob said smiling. He stood up offering Fay one of his hands. She hesitated to look at the outstretched hand for a few moments before taking it and letting him pull her to her feet. He didn't let go of her hand as they crossed the rock pools and then started to walk down the beach. "Should I ask why walking down the beach is making you nervous?" Jacob asked holding onto Fay's hand a little tighter. He could feel her hand shaking and knew it couldn't have been from the cold with the way their bodies produce heat.

"There are people here." Fay said. There was an elderly couple standing a hundred yards in front of them watching a black dog jump in and out of the small waves lapping the beach. Not far past them a man was walking out into the water with a surfboard and beyond him a few young kids played in the sand as their mother sat on a towel reading a book. No one was paying the pair any attention, but Jacob understood there was more to this story and he waited patiently for Fay to continue.

"Yes, there are." Jacob nodded his head.

"I umm… I haven't been around anyone not related to the pack since I ran away. I know it's stupid." Fay shook her head pulling her hand away from Jacob. He wanted to snatch it back but was worried about upsetting Fay.

"It's not stupid. You're allowed to be nervous after what you went through. But I'm here if that's any help. They won't recognise you especially if you don't recognise any of them. That's what you're worried about right? Them recognising you?"

"I don't know, I just… I don't know." Fay crossed her arms over her chest and stopped walking.

"That's okay. Did you want to go back to the rock pool or keep going?" Jacob waited silently as he watched Fay have an argument within herself. Her lips twitched silently, and her eyes looked distant. He had seen this look on her face many times in the past. This was the first time he had seen her do it since he had become a wolf and found out Fay was alive. Deep down he was disappointed to see Fay was still fighting with herself even now.

With a final sigh she reached out and grabbed Jacob's hand again. He expected her to turn and lead them back to the rock pools, but Fay continued forward. Jacob followed without question. Fay squished his hand as they passed by the older couple but not even the dog looked in their direction. Fay let out a relieved sigh once they had made it past not only the older couple but also the children playing. She looked over her shoulder after they had passed everyone, and a hint of a smile hit her lips.

Fay opened her mouth to speak but a loud howl broke through the sound of crashing waves followed by another urgent howl. Both their heads snapped in the direction of the tree line.

"Does that mean-"

"Bloodsucker. We have to go," Fay said running for the tree line, Jacob two steps behind her.

#Author notes

Less than 24 hours for an update! I am just as shocked as you!

Question?

Does Fay's character make sense or is her personality all over the place? I've re read the story but not sure if her personality keeps changing too much? Any feedback is much appreciated.

Stay safe 3 I hope to post again soon.