"A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it."
Jean de La Fontaine
III
The crackling bonfire illuminated the faces of Bella, Leah, and their friends from the reservation as they sat in a circle near the beach. The night air was filled with the scent of pine and the sound of crashing waves. The rhythmic beat of drums mingled with the soft melodies of traditional music, creating an enchanting atmosphere.
Billy, the elder of the Quileute tribe, sat on a log, his weathered face illuminated by the flickering flames. His deep voice carried the weight of ancient stories as he began to speak. "Long ago, the Quileute people descended from wolves," he recounted. "Our warriors possessed the ability to transform into wolves to protect our land and our children."
As Billy spoke, his words seemed to merge with the haunting music, creating an ethereal ambiance. Bella's eyes were fixed on him, captivated by the tale. She felt a connection to this ancient history, sensing that it held secrets about her own heritage.
Sue, a wise and gentle woman, took her turn after Billy finished his story. She leaned forward, her voice soft but filled with conviction. "There is another story," she began, her eyes glimmering with emotion. "It is a tragic tale of betrayal within our own tribe."
Bella's heart skipped a beat as she listened intently. Sue continued, "Marie, the only child of the last seer of the Quileute, fell in love with a cold blood, an outsider. The spirit of the great wolf appeared one night and took her life, leaving behind only her child."
Bella's mind raced, connecting the dots. She realized that the woman in the legend was her own grandmother. She couldn't contain her curiosity any longer and got up, making her way to her father. "Dad, what happened to grandma Marie?" she asked, her voice filled with a mix of hope and trepidation.
Charlie stood up and walked with her to her truck. They got in, and he started the engine. "I remember very little about my mother," he confessed, his voice tinged with sadness. "All I know is that she betrayed my father by falling in love with a stranger. He was a pale-faced man, not one of her own."
Bella absorbed this information, her mind racing with questions. As they drove home, the silence hung heavy between them, each lost in their own thoughts.
Arriving home, Bella went straight to her room, the weight of her heritage weighing heavily on her. She sat on her bed, staring out into the night, wondering about the concept of "cold bloods." What did it mean? Was it just a term for outsiders, or was there something more to it?
That night, as she drifted off to sleep, vivid dreams consumed her. She found herself running through the dense forest, her heart pounding in her chest. The sound of rustling leaves and the distant howls of wolves echoed around her. Fear and exhilaration intertwined as she ran, feeling the presence of something chasing her.
With a startled cry, Bella woke up, her breathing ragged. She glanced around, taking in her familiar surroundings, reassuring herself that it was just a dream. Seeking solace, she walked to a small shelf and retrieved a battered copy of Pride and Prejudice. Turning on the writing desk light, she began to read, hoping to escape into the world of Jane Austen's characters.
As she read about Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, Bella couldn't help but wonder if her own fate would mirror that of her grandmother. Would she find her own Mr. Darcy, or was her path destined to be filled with tragedy and betrayal? The unanswered questions lingered in her mind, fueling her determination to uncover the truth about her grandmother and her own identity.
Mike parked his van in front of Bella's house and called her on his phone. He hoped she was ready to go to the beach with him and their friends. He had a crush on her since she moved to Forks, but she seemed oblivious to his feelings.
"Hey, Bella, it's Mike. Are you coming?" he asked.
"Hi, Mike. Yeah, I'm almost done. Just give me a few minutes, okay?" Bella said.
"Sure, no problem. I'll wait for you here." He hung up and looked at the other passengers in his van.
Angela and Jessica were chatting excitedly about the sunny day and the fun they would have at La Push. Ben, Tyler and Lauren were sitting in the back, looking bored and annoyed. Mike wished Lauren would stop complaining about everything and just enjoy the ride.
Charlie came out of the house. He was a friend of Mike's dad. Rolling down his window, Mike greeted him. "Hi, Chief Swan. We're going to La Push. It's a beautiful day for surfing."
"Alright, then. Have fun, kids. And be careful, okay?" Charlie waved at them and went back inside. Mike sighed in relief. He hoped he had convinced Charlie that he was a good guy and that he liked Bella.
Bella was just coming out of the house. She was wearing a blue sweater and jeans, and carrying a backpack. She looked beautiful, but also nervous. Mike got out of the van and opened the door for her.
"Hey, Bella. You look great," Mike said.
"Hi, Mike. Thanks. You too." She got in the van and sat next to Angela. He closed the door and got back in the driver's seat. He started the engine and drove away.
Bella shivered as she stepped out of the car, wrapping her jacket around her. She looked at the choppy waves, feeling a pang of nostalgia for the sunny and warm Arizona. She followed her friends to the beach, where they had set up a picnic spot near the driftwood.
"Come on, Bella, it's not that bad!" Jessica said, holding a surfboard under her arm. "You have to try surfing, it's so much fun!"
Bella shook her head, smiling politely. "No, thanks, Jess. It's too cold for me. I'm not used to this weather."
Mike nodded sympathetically. "I get it, Bella. It's a big change from Arizona. But you'll love it once you get in the water. It's exhilarating!"
Bella bit her lip, feeling torn. She wanted to fit in with her new friends, but she also hated the idea of getting wet and freezing. She glanced at the water, where a few surfers were riding the waves. They looked like they were having a blast, but they also wore wetsuits and gloves.
"Maybe some other time, Mike. I'm just not feeling it today." She explained, hoping he would drop it.
Lauren, who was sitting on a blanket with a magazine, rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right. You're just scared, Bella. You're such a wimp."
Bella felt a surge of anger, but before she could reply, Angela came to her defense. "Lauren, stop it. That's not nice. Bella can do whatever she wants. It's her choice."
"Whatever. She's missing out." Lauren snorted.
Bella ignored Lauren and thanked Angela. She looked around, hoping to find a distraction. She saw Ben and Tyler walking towards them, carrying their own surfboards.
"Hey, guys, what's up?" Mike greeted them. "You ready to hit the waves?"
Ben grinned. "Yeah, man, we're stoked. The surf's awesome today."
Tyler nodded. "Totally. Hey, Bella, you coming with us?"
Bella shook her head again. "No, thanks, Tyler. I'm going to take a walk on the beach. Maybe later."
Tyler shrugged. "Suit yourself. Come on, guys, let's go."
He followed Ben and Mike to the water, leaving Bella alone with Jessica, Angela, and Lauren. Jessica gave Bella a sympathetic look.
"Are you sure you don't want to join us, Bella? It'll be fun, I promise."
Bella smiled weakly. "I'm sure, Jess. Thanks, though. You guys go ahead. I'll be fine."
Jessica nodded. "Okay, then. We'll be back soon. Have fun, Bella."
She grabbed her surfboard and ran to the water, leaving Bella with Angela and Lauren. Angela smiled at Bella.
"Do you want to stay here with us, Bella? We can chat or read or something."
Bella appreciated Angela's offer, but she felt restless. She wanted to get away from Lauren, who was giving her dirty looks.
"Actually, I think I'll go for a walk. I need some fresh air. Do you mind?"
Angela shook her head. "No, of course not. Go ahead, Bella. We'll be here."
Bella thanked Angela and got up. She walked along the shore, enjoying the sound of the waves and the breeze. She was so distracted that she didn't notice the two figures approaching her from behind. They were two boys, about her age, wearing jeans and hoodies. They had dark hair and skin, and bright smiles.
"Hey, Bella!" Jacob called out, waving his hand.
"Hi, Jake! Hi, Seth!" Bella greeted them, smiling. "What are you guys doing here?"
"We're just hanging out," Seth said. "We saw you at the beach and we thought we'd come say hi."
Bella hugged them both. "It's so good to see you! How have you been?"
"We've been good," Jacob said. "How about you? How's school?"
Bella shrugged. "It's okay, I guess. School is boring, life is dull. Nothing much happens around here."
They decided to change the subject. "So, are you here with your friends?" Jacob asked, nodding at the surfers in the distance.
Bella nodded. "Yeah, they wanted to surf, but I didn't. It's too cold for me."
Jacob and Seth laughed. "You're such a desert rat, Bella. You need to toughen up a bit."
Bella laughed too. "Maybe you're right. But I like the heat. I'm not used to this weather."
They continued to joke around and catch up on each other's lives. They walked back to where Bella's friends were, and Bella introduced them to her schoolmates.
"Hey, guys, these are my friends from the rez, Jacob and Seth. Jake, Seth, these are Jessica, Mike, Lauren, Angela, Ben, and Tyler."
Jacob and Seth joined the group and started to chat with them. They were easygoing and friendly, and they soon won over everyone.
Jacob noticed a waterfall in the distance and pointed it out. "Hey, have you guys seen that waterfall over there? It's amazing. I found it the other day when I was hiking. It's about an hour from here, but it's worth it. It's so beautiful and peaceful."
Mike's eyes lit up. "Really? That sounds awesome. Do you think we could go there?"
Jacob shrugged. "Sure, why not? It's not that hard to get there. You just have to follow the trail and climb some rocks. It's fun."
"What do you guys think?" Mike turned to the others. "Do you want to go see the waterfall?"
"Yeah, that sounds great. Let's go!" Jessica nodded eagerly.
Ben and Tyler agreed too. They liked the idea of an adventure.
Angela looked at Bella. "What do you think, Bella? Do you want to go?"
Bella hesitated. She wasn't sure if she wanted to hike and climb rocks. She wasn't very athletic, and she was afraid of falling or hurting herself.
"Come on, Bella. Don't be scared. You can do it." Seth smiled and teased her. "It's not like you have two left feet or something."
"Actually, I do. I'm the clumsiest person ever."Bella snorted. "I trip over my own shadow. I'm sure I'll break a leg or something."
Jacob and Seth laughed. "Nah, you'll be fine. We'll help you. We won't let you fall. Trust us."
Bella looked at their sincere faces and felt a surge of affection. They were her friends, and they cared about her. Maybe she should give it a try. Maybe it would be fun.
"Yeah, Bella, come on. There's a first time for everything." Tyler chimed in. "You might surprise yourself. You might even enjoy it."
"Okay, okay, fine. I'll go. But don't blame me if I slow you down or ruin your day."
Bella and her friends ventured into the dense woods, their excitement palpable. They confidently followed a trail that wound its way through the towering trees, their footsteps echoing softly in the peaceful forest. They chatted animatedly about their plans for the day, eager to reach their destination.
"Are you guys ready for some fun?" Jessica asked, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm.
"Absolutely!" Tyler replied, grinning widely.
"Me too," Ben agreed, smiling. "It's going to be amazing."
However, their confidence soon waned as the towering trees closed in around them, creating an overwhelming and eerie atmosphere. The trail became narrower and more rugged, the branches scratching their skin and clothes. The sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting a dim and gloomy light. The sounds of the forest became more ominous, the rustling of leaves and the snapping of twigs hinting at unseen creatures.
Amidst the growing unease, Mike voiced his concern, questioning if they were still on the right path. "Hey, Jacob, are you sure we're not lost?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.
Jacob, with a hint of reassurance in his voice, confirmed that they were indeed in the correct direction. "Don't worry, Mike, I know this place like the back of my hand," he said, holding up his hand. "We're almost there, trust me."
Tyler, always ready with a jest, playfully teased Mike about his apprehension, provoking laughter from the rest of the group. "Come on, Mike, don't be such a chicken," he said, clucking his tongue. "What's the worst that could happen?"
"Don't say that, Tyler, you'll jinx us," Lauren warned, half-jokingly.
Yet, Angela's gaze shifted towards the sky, her worry etched on her face as she noticed the sun's position, signaling that time was slipping away. The thought of being stranded in the darkened woods filled her with apprehension. "Guys, we should hurry up," she said, quickening her pace. "It's getting late, and we don't have much time left."
Seth, ever the calming presence, soothed Angela's fears, assuring her that their destination was within reach. "Relax, Angela, we're almost there," he said, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Look, you can hear the waterfall. It's just around the corner."
With renewed hope, they pressed on, their determination pushing them forward. After what felt like an eternity, they finally arrived at their destination – a breathtaking waterfall cascading down rocks, captivating their senses with its mesmerizing beauty. The water sparkled in the sunlight, creating a rainbow of colors. The sound of the water crashing against the rocks was soothing and invigorating. The air was fresh and cool, refreshing their lungs.
Jessica, unable to resist the allure, eagerly plunged into the inviting water, her joy contagious as the others joined in. "Woo-hoo!" she exclaimed, splashing the water. "This is awesome!"
The others followed suit, diving into the water. They swam, played, and laughed, enjoying the moment. Bella felt a surge of happiness, grateful for her friends and the adventure.
Hours passed in a blur of laughter and shared moments, the group blissfully unaware of time slipping away. Jacob couldn't help but jest about Bella's infamous clumsiness, imagining her successfully navigating the treacherous path without a single stumble. "Hey, Bella, how did you manage to not trip over anything?" he asked, teasingly. "Did you take some magic potion or something?"
Bella rolled her eyes, but smiled. "Very funny, Jake," she said, sarcastically. "Maybe I just got lucky."
"Or maybe you're just too distracted," Ben chimed in, winking at her. Bella blushed, but didn't deny it.
Still, as the sun began its descent, casting long shadows through the forest, reality reasserted itself, reminding them of their impending return. They realized they had to leave, or risk getting lost in the dark. They quickly gathered their belongings and dried themselves, preparing to head back.
"Alright, guys, let's go," Jacob said, taking the lead. "We don't want to be stuck here at night."
As they made their way back through the labyrinth of trees, fate dealt a cruel blow. Lauren stumbled, her fall halted by Tyler's outstretched hand, which he accompanied with a lighthearted jest. "Whoa, careful there, Lauren," he said, helping her up. "You don't want to end up like Bella, do you?"
Lauren smiled, grateful for his assistance. "Thanks, Tyler," she said, brushing off the dirt. "You're a lifesaver."
Yet, their light-hearted banter was abruptly interrupted by an ominous sound emanating from the depths of the forest – growls that sent shivers down their spines. They froze, their eyes wide with fear, as they scanned the surroundings for the source of the noise. They saw nothing, but felt a presence, a threat, lurking in the shadows.
Jacob urged everyone to remain calm and silent, hoping to evade whatever lurked in the shadows. "Shh, don't make a sound," he whispered. "Maybe they'll go away."
Despite his plea, panic began to take hold, gripping the group with its icy fingers. They clung to each other, hoping for a miracle.
Suddenly, emerging from the darkness between the trees, three figures materialized, their disheveled hair and tattered clothes hinting at a savage existence. Their movements were unnaturally swift, betraying their inhuman nature, and their eyes burned with a chilling crimson hue.
The tallest figure, exuding a sinister aura, taunted the group with a sadistic joke, relishing the notion of playing with his prey. "Well, well, well, what do we have here?" he said, licking his lips. "A bunch of tasty snacks, just waiting for us to devour them. How convenient."
His fiery-haired companion cackled with malevolence, the sound echoing through the forest. "Oh, yes, how very convenient indeed," she said, her voice dripping with venom. "They look so juicy and tender, don't they? I can't wait to sink my teeth into them."
Without warning, the two advanced menacingly towards Bella and her friends, their intentions clear. They moved with incredible speed, closing the distance in seconds. The group had no time to react, no chance to escape. They were trapped, doomed, prey.
Bella's heart pounded in her chest as she witnessed the unfolding nightmare. She saw the horror in her friends' faces, the terror in their eyes. She heard their screams, their cries, their agony, their despair.
The last image etched in her mind was the third figure, a man with dreadlocks swaying, pursuing Angela and herself. He had a wicked grin on his face, a gleam in his eye. He was after them, and he wouldn't stop until he had them.
In a desperate bid for survival, Bella's instincts kicked in, propelling her forward with a surge of adrenaline. She and Angela sought refuge behind a jagged rock, their breaths coming in frantic gasps. They hoped to hide, to evade, to survive.
Their respite was short-lived as two colossal wolves materialized, emerging from the forest's depths. They were massive, muscular, and majestic, their fur a mix of black and brown.
Angela, driven by fear and instinct, tugged at Bella's arm, urging her to flee. "Bella, come on, we have to go," she said, her voice trembling. "They're here to help us, they're here to fight them."
But before they could escape, the redhead attacked Angela, tearing away any hope of rescue. Bella, overcome with a sense of helplessness, reached out to aid her friend, but it was too late. In a cruel twist of fate, Bella lost her balance and tumbled into a treacherous ravine, her descent shrouded in darkness.
The last vestiges of consciousness faded as Bella's mind registered the sight of a giant wolf lunging towards the menacing redhead.