Beach day came. I was currently sitting shotgun in the van with my head resting again palm of my hand. Music was playing in my earphones. I just zoned out and listened to my music as we drove.
Eventually, we got there. I stepped out the van and left my MP3 in side. I'd visited the beaches in LA previously, but none resembled this one. The water appeared dark grey, even under the sunlight, with white waves crashing onto the rocky shore. Islands emerged from the steel harbor waters, featuring steep cliffs topped with black fir trees. The beach had only a narrow strip of sand at the water's edge; beyond that. Honestly, it looked kind of miserable
We walked through the dense sand down to the beach, with McKayla leading us to a circle of driftwood logs that had obviously been used for parties previously. There was already a fire pit in place, filled with black ashes. Erica and another girl (I think her name was Becca) collected broken branches of driftwood from the driest piles near the edge of the forest and quickly constructed a teepee-shaped structure atop the old ashes.
"Hey, Robbie!" Mckayla called to me, as Jeremy and Allen sat . "Watch this." She said. She set the pile of wood on fire and from it came a blue flame. "Whoa." Was all I could say.
"Isn't it cool?" She lit another piece of wood, placed it where the fire hadn't caught yet, and then sat next to me. Luckily, Jeremy was on her other side. He turned to McKayla and started asking her about the plan for the day. I watched the strange blue and green flames crackle upward. The sight of fire. It was something I was all too familiar with, given my curse.
Logan decided for me. He was the loudest, and he wanted food. The group split into three—food, hiking, and staying put—with most people going with Logan. I waited until Taylor and Erica joined him before I quietly joined the hiking group. McKayla gave me a big smile when she saw me.
The hike itself was short enough. We made our way across the rocks, which I traversed carefully will the others were messing about on them. Everyone got hungry, so we made our way back to the first beach. When we got back I noticed some new faces among the group. Upon further inspection, I could spot the shining, straight black hair and copper skin of the newcomers—teenagers from the reservation, I assume, who had come to join us. Food was already being passed around, and the hikers rushed to grab their share. Erica introduced us to the new arrivals as each of us entered the circle of driftwood. Allen and I were the last to arrive, and as Erica mentioned our names, I noticed a younger girl sitting on the ground near the fire, looking up at me with curiosity. I sat by myself, zoning out as I listened to the music from my MP3 player.
Eventually, the girl came over and sat next to me. She appeared to be in her mid-teens and was quite attractive. Her skin had a coppery hue, and her hair was silky black. "You're new in town, right?" She asked me.I nodded my head as I took my earphones out.
"Yeah, I just moved here recently." I held out my hand to her. "Roberto Reyes, but you can call me Robbie."
"Julie Black, but you can call me Jules." She said, giving my hand a firm shake. "I think I saw you in Mercer's garage the other day. You were working on my mom's truck?"
"The 1953 Chevy Pick-up truck? That's the one you're on about, right?"
"Yep, that's the one," Julie confirmed with a nod, a faint smile playing on her lips. "My mom's been talking about how good you are with cars. She was impressed with your work."
I chuckled softly. "Well, I'm glad to hear that. Your mom's truck needed a bit of TLC, but it's running smooth now."
Julie nodded, her eyes brightening with interest. "So, what made you move here to Forks?"
I shrugged slightly, thinking back on the recent changes. "My brother and I needed a fresh start. This seemed like a good place."
"That's cool," Julie replied, her tone understanding. "Forks isn't exactly bustling, but it's got its charm."
I smiled, appreciating her easy manner. "Yeah, it's definitely different from where I used to live. But I'm liking it so far."
Julie glanced around the gathering, then back at me. "Well, welcome to Forks, Robbie. If you ever need anything, just give me a shout."
"Thanks, Jules," I said warmly. "I appreciate that."
With that, our conversation shifted to lighter topics, blending seamlessly into the relaxed atmosphere of the gathering around us.
"You know, I build cars myself," Jules said with a grin, leaning closer as she spoke.
"Really?" I replied, finding her even more intriguing to talk to.
"Yeah. You wouldn't happen to have a master cylinder for a 1986 Volkswagen Rabbit, would you?"
I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "Sorry, I don't have one of those lying around. But I can help you track one down if you need."
"That'd be awesome," Jules said with a grateful smile. "I've been searching everywhere for one."
"Consider it done," I said, returning her smile. "I'll look into it and let you know."
"Thanks, Robbie," Jules said warmly.
With that, our conversation continued, blending into discussions about cars, hobbies, and the quirks of living in Forks.
"You getting to know Robbie, Julie?" Logan asked.
"Yeah, we have a similar interest in cars," Jules responded.
"How nice for you," Logan said, his pale green eyes seeming oddly intense.
Jules raised her eyebrows at his tone. "Yes, isn't it wonderful?" Her response held a touch of sarcasm, clearly not amused by Logan's implication.
Her sarcasm seemed to catch Logan off guard, but he wasn't finished with me yet.
"Robbie, Taylor and I were just saying that it was too bad none of the Cullens could come out today. Didn't anyone think to ask them?"
He looked at me as if he knew I'd invited Edythe to join us and found it amusing that she had declined. Except, it didn't feel like a rejection at the time—it felt more like she wanted to come with me but couldn't. Before I could dwell on it further, a new voice cut in.
"You mean Dr. Carine Cullen's family?"
It was the older girl who had introduced the local kids turned out to be older than I had realized. Unlike Julie, her hair was cut short like a boy's, and she was probably taller than I was.
Logan glared at her, annoyed because she had spoken before I could respond, despite being shorter than she was. "Do you know them?" he asked in a condescending tone, barely turning towards her.
"The Cullens don't come here," she replied firmly, her voice carrying more authority than just a statement. She ignored his question, and it was clear the conversation was over.
Taylor, trying to regain Logan's attention, asked his opinion on the CD she held, but he seemed distracted.
I stared at the woman—her confident posture as she looked towards the dark forest left a strong impression on me. She had said the Cullens didn't come here, but her tone suggested something more, as if there was something else at play here, something more sinister and unsettling.
Jules interrupted my thoughts. "You want to take a walk down the beach with me?"
She looked at Logan, then back to me with a quick grin. "Yeah, let's get out of here."
As we walked north toward the driftwood seawall, the clouds finally won. The sun disappeared, the sea turned black, and the temperature started to drop. I shoved my hands deep in the pockets of my jacket.
"Hmm, I wonder..."Eli's voice piped in.
"Wonder about what?" I inaudibly muttered.
"Oh, it's nothing. By all means, continue your walk. Don't let me interfere with your lovely conversation."
Normally, when Eli talks like that, it usually means he's up to no good.
"Is there something you want to say, Eli?"
I got no response. The sound of Jules snapping her fingers in front of my face brought my attention back to her.
"Hey, you okay?" She asked me
"Yeah, I'm just thinking about stuff." I said to her.
"Right. Can I trust you with something?" Jules asked me
"Sure."
"You promise you won't tell anyone?"
"Cross my heart."
Her voice lowered, "Do you like scary stories, Robbie?"
"I can handle it."
"You sure?"
"Try me."
"Know any of our old stories, about the Quileutes and where we come from?" she asked.
"Not really," I admitted.
"There are loads of legends. Some say back to the Great Flood—ancient Quileutes tied their canoes to the tallest trees on the mountain, surviving like Noah and his ark," she said, smiling to show she wasn't too serious. "Another says we're descended from wolves, and it's against our tribal law to harm them."
"Then there's talk about the 'cold ones,'" her voice dropped.
"The 'cold ones'?" I repeated back, curiously.
"Yeah. Stories about them go way back, alongside the wolf legends, and more recent ones too. Legend has it, my great-grandmother knew some of them. She struck the treaty that kept them off our land," she explained, a hint of frustration creeping into her tone.
"Your great-grandmother?" I probed, wanting to hear more.
"She was a tribal elder, like my mother. You see, the cold ones are the natural enemies of the wolf—well, not the wolf, really, but the wolves that turn into women, like our ancestors. You could call them werewolves, I guess."
"Werewolves?" I asked. "Aren't they supposed to be a myth?"
"Yeah, some might say they're mythical," Jules replied with a half-smile. "But in our legends, they're very real."
"Right, and werewolves have enemies?" I asked.
"Only one," Jules replied cryptically.
I leaned in, intrigued. "So the cold ones are our enemies?"
Jules nodded. "Traditionally, yes. But the pack that came during my great-grandmother's time was different. They didn't hunt like others of their kind—they weren't supposed to threaten our tribe. So she made a truce with them. They agreed to stay off our lands in exchange for secrecy from outsiders," she explained, giving me a knowing wink.
"If they weren't dangerous, why the truce?" I pressed.
"There's always a risk with the cold ones around humans, even if they're as civilised as this clan claimed. You never know when hunger might make them lose control," Jules replied, injecting a hint of menace into her tone.
"What do you mean by 'civilised'?" I asked, sensing the gravity of her words.
T"hey claimed they didn't hunt humans; they preyed on animals instead," she clarified.
I tried to remain nonchalant, but my curiosity got the better of me. "So how do the Cullens fit into all this? Are they like the cold ones your great-grandmother met?"
"No," Jules said, pausing for effect. "They are the same ones."
The same ones? No, that can't be possible. No one can live that long. Not physically, at least.
"There are more of them now, a new female and a new male, but the rest are the same. In my great-grandmother's time they already knew of the leader, Carine. She'd been here and gone before your people had even arrived." She was fighting another smile, trying to keep the tone serious.
"And what are they?" I finally asked. "What are the cold ones?"
"Blood drinkers," she replied in a chilling voice. "Your people call them vampires."
"Vampire..." I muttered.
"You have goose bumps on your neck," Jules laughed delightedly.
"You're a good storyteller," I said with a grin. "But I think I've got one that might give you chills."
"Really?" Jules leaned in, intrigued.
"Yeah, you up for it?"
"What's it about?"
"It's about the legend of Hillrock Heights. La leyenda de Hillrock Heights, as it's known as by the locals" I began, my voice dropping slightly. "There's this creature they talk about, the Ghost Rider. He's not just any guy, though. They say he's like a spirit on a blazing car, appearing when you least expect it. Legends say he's out to bring justice to those who deserve it, leaving a trail of fire and mystery wherever he goes."
Jules looked intrigued. "Sounds intense. Is he real?"
I chuckled. "Some say he's just a myth, but others claim they've glimpsed him—riding through the night with flames dancing around him."
"That's spooky," Jules said, a hint of excitement in her voice.
"Yeah, it's like a scene from a thriller," I agreed. "But they say every legend has a kernel of truth. Who knows what's out there on those dark highways?"
I looked up at the sky, noticing the thick, black clouds. "Looks like it's going to rain. I'm going to head back to the van."
"Alright. Don't hesitate to come back. It was cool talking to you, Robbie." Jules said before she winked at me.
As we walked back to the van, A few raindrops began to fall, leaving dark spots on the stones as they landed. By the time we reached the Suburban, the others were already packing everything back in. I squeezed into the backseat beside Allen and Taylor, mentioning I had already taken my turn in the front. Allen stared out the window at the gathering storm, while Logan turned to engage Taylor, leaving me to lean back, close my eyes, and attempt to clear my mind of any troubling thoughts.
It was night. I had put Gabe to bed a few minutes ago. I lay on my back, in my bed, thinking about the vampire story that Jules had told me.
"Robbie?"
"What, Eli?"
"What do you know about vampires?"
"Not much. Though, I did see *Underworld* a few years back if that counts for anything," I responded.
"Kids these days. You know nothing."
"Is there a reason why you're asking me?"
"During my days with the Russian mob, there was a man who worked with us named Ray Carrigan. He was our hitman, so to say," Eli started.
I rolled my eyes but let him continue.
"Carrigan was a tough guy, no doubt about it. One night, he went out on a job and didn't come back for a few days. That wasn't like him. He always finished the job quick."
I listened, intrigued despite myself.
"When he finally showed up, he was... different. Paler than usual, his eyes darker. And he moved with this eerie grace. He also developed this weird ability to psionically extinguish any natural or artificial light source within his immediate vicinity. This earned him the nickname of Blackout from usA. At first, we thought he'd just had a rough time, but then we noticed he was stronger, faster, like something out of a nightmare."
"A vampire?" I guessed.
"Exactly. He told us he'd been attacked by something inhuman, left for dead, but instead of dying, he changed. He'd become one of them, a vampire. And not just any vampire. He was the kind you hear about in those legends—could move like the wind, with an insatiable thirst for blood."
"So, what happened to him?"
"He continued to work with us. The only thing that changed was his methods and his newfound thirst for blood. He was also the one who killed me under Yegor Ivanov's order."
I shivered, the story adding a new layer of unease to Jules's tale.
"Why are you telling me this, Eli?"
"Just a reminder, Robbie. There are more monsters out there than just us. Be careful who you trust. And remember, not all stories are just stories."
With that, Eli went quiet, leaving me to ponder his words and the chilling possibilities they suggested.
