Charlie, being the man of few words that he was, decided that the best thing to do was keep his arm over my shoulder, and simply not let go. Like everyone else - I guess he didn't want me to disappear again. Which is fair. Twice was probably enough.

Eventually though, after I let him know that I was really, actually okay, and not going to suddenly pop out of existence. He wanted an answer.

"What happened kid?" He asked quietly, squeezing my shoulder, trying to comfort me. I gave a little shrug.

"It's not complicated… I uh… well… What day is it?"

"Friday, the 10th."

"Right." I said with a little nod. I've been gone for five days. Almost a week of freaking Charlie out. It made me feel a whole lot worse hearing that out loud. I know there wasn't much I could do… but it still wasn't right. He shouldn't have to be the one to deal with my stupid decisions.

"Well… do you remember that day? You told me not go hiking?" I said with a little awkward laugh. I could feel his stare suddenly burning into my cold skin. "I kinda… sorta went hiking." He gave me a blank look, not saying a word. I guess that meant I should keep going.

"So, I went out, and I just kinda ran into… are you guys still chasing that wild animal? The one that was killing those hikers?" I ask quietly, stuffing my hands into my pockets, as I interrupted myself. I've never been good at this. Talking. It was the worst.

"Well, it's not just one… it was wolves… like horse sized, mutant wolves. They were huge." I said breathlessly, imagining them again. The way they chased after Lauren… how they looked ready to mow down anything that got in their way.

I know how insane that sounded - I hope he doesn't think I'm delusional. It's gonna be a lot harder keeping him safe from them if he doesn't believe they're real.

"They were hunting… uh just some kind of animal, and I kinda interrupted them." I could feel his grip on me tighten. The people walking back with us were all listening as well, a few kept edging closer, trying to hear better.

"They weren't really focused on me, they wanted the animal they were hunting… but I got scared. When they passed me by, I just ran - straight back to my truck… or I thought I was heading back to my truck - turns out I was running the wrong way." I said with another dry laugh. He didn't really share my humor, his grip just kept getting tighter. His hand is definitely gonna break.

"I got lost." I said quietly. I kinda wish that was what happened. Just getting lost in the woods, like a normal person - someone that didn't deal with monsters. It's not like there were many benefits of being a vampire… not anymore at least. Not since she…

"What happened next?" Charlie asked simply, clearing his throat, and knocking me out of the thought. Obviously he was very uncomfortable hearing that his kid almost got eaten.

"Well, eventually, I retraced my steps, and I found my truck… which I think I left the door open, because the interior is just wrecked - an animal must've got in and tore it up… but yeah… as soon as I found it, I drove straight back home" I said, sighing as I finally manage to look at him again.

He was quiet, nodding along, with tired eyes as he rubbed his stubbled jaw. It made me feel worse, the bags under his eyes, the tightness of his expression. He must have been going crazy. I felt like a complete and utter douchebag.

"I got a bit sick while I was out there, that's why I'm um… a bit cold… and everything. I… I feel fine now, but I'm uh… I don't know. I'm fine." I said lamely. He let out a sigh, pulling me closer, I think in an effort to comfort himself, because he didn't believe me - but also to try and make me a bit warmer. We both knew that this was a cool morning, even with the sun coming up soon.

"I'm fine dad."

He took a hard look at me, looking at my pale skin, my strange eyes, my sharper features. It was unsettling - but after a second, he nodded.

"If you say your ok kid… then I believe you." He said, patting my shoulder as we got to the tree line. Everyone was still there, waiting for us on the porch, with Holly and Dr. Gerandy standing right at the front, talking to each other.

"You need to take a look at him Gerandy, he's… I don't even know how he's walking around. His skin is like ice, it feels like he has hypothermia." I could hear her tell him. I didn't really care though. Now that I knew Charlie was ok - and I had a handle on the whole drinking blood thing… I just had one more thing to do.

"Was Jules helping out in the search?" I ask, my eyes scanning the crowd, looking for her, or Bonnie. Neither one was here. I took a breath, searching with my nose rather than my eyes - but they really weren't here. I couldn't find their scent… well I could, it was all over the house, but they weren't inside.

But speaking of the smell - it was horrible… it almost made me gag. I don't know why, it just smelled like… like wet dog all over the place. I had to keep myself from plugging my nose.

"Yeah, she and all her friends have been looking around on their own. They heard you were missing about a day ago, and when Julie told Bonnie, she let us use her place as a starting point."

I nodded along, a little confused. "Friends? Which… friends?" I asked softly. He looked down at me with a bit of concern, which he was trying to hide, but it was easy to see.

"Samantha Uley and her group mostly." He said with a shrug. "You remember her, she's the one that found you last time."

I ignored the stabbing pain in my chest, remembering that night again - instead I focused on the name. Samantha Uley.

It hit me like a truck.

I am so stupid. An Idiot! A Moron! I wanted to pound my own head in.

Sam's looking at me like I'm next on her list - what if that happens to me too? What if I don't have a choice? Her words drifted back to me, lighting a fire in my chest.

That's why Jules was ignoring me. She told me everything I needed to know, and I did nothing. Jules' friends got sick for a week, and then they just dropped their lives, they went and became a part of Sam's cult.

I did nothing, when the exact same thing happened to her. I abandoned her.

An entirely different urge hit me. I had to resist letting out a growl. Jules, for whatever reason, was under Sam's thumb, and she couldn't escape - but that wouldn't be for long. Not if I had anything to say about it.

I was trying to keep myself still, but it was hard. My fists were clenched, and I was sending a glare at the house, as if it's the thing that was offending me.

It's ok Beau, she'll be fine, but you have to calm down…my angel whispered.

"You ok kid?" Charlie asked, feeling the tension in my shoulders, seeing the cold look in my eye. I gave a single, stiff nod, trying my best to listen to her.

"Is she around? I wanna say thanks before we head home." I said firmly as we got to Holly, who, now that we've got into what she thought was ear shot, went quiet.

"I'm not sure." Charlie said, unsure of why I was irritated. Gerandy walked away giving me a small smile as we stopped in front of Holly. I was barely able to give a nod back.

I ignored the conversation between Charlie and Holly, figuring out little semantics, like cleaning up and letting everyone know we were good and whatever. I could vaguely hear that Holly was saying how Gerandy was going to go and grab a couple of his things to come and make sure I was good. I didn't care, I was too busy trying to think of my options.

Going directly to Jules, trying to find her came with some risks. Victor and Lauren would get a direct lead to where she was, but doing nothing wasn't an option. If I left her, she'd be trapped with Samantha.

I could keep her safe from Victor, but that means splitting my attention between both her and Charlie. It felt risky trying to cover two people at the same time, especially when it was two vs one - but there wasn't much I could do about that.

There really was no choice. I didn't know how long it would take for the vampires to come at me again. It's already been a week, so maybe Victor is taking his time. Time does work differently between humans and us. Not that I really understood that yet.

I shook my head. The immediate danger was what had to take priority. I needed to find Jules. The only way I'm going to be able to figure this out is if she tells me what Sam has on her, because I can't do much if I don't know what the actual, physical danger is.

And as much as I'd like too right now, I can't just kill Samantha.

"Can we head home?" I ask, interrupting whatever it was that Charlie was gonna say. Both Holly and him looked at me, dropping their conversation. "I uh… I'm just really tired… and I wanna sleep in my own bed."

Charlie looked at me, letting his eyes linger on me, trying to decide. Slowly, he looked back at Holly. "Think you can handle all this?" He asked, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah, no worries at all… you take him home." Holly said, gesturing for us to shoo. "You go and get some rest, Beau. Dr. Gerandy says that you being cold was… ok… mostly, as long as you say you're ok, but he said you should sleep, drink lots of water, and get warm, so lots of blankets ok." She said reaching over and patting my shoulder. She gave a little nervous tick as she touched me again, like she didn't really agree with the idea of me not getting checked out before I left.

"Thanks Holly." Charlie said after a second, realizing that I wasn't gonna respond to that. I did my best to smile, just to make them comfortable, before turning and walking away. Charlie quickly followed along, having a hard time keeping up with the pace - I know I should slow down, but I needed to get home as soon as possible.

I'm going to get a fresh set of clothes, a shower, and then I'm finding Jules.

I could hear Charlie down stairs, talking to Allen, sending him on his way with thanks for watching the house while he was gone. I really hope he doesn't think I'm a bad friend for ignoring him. I'll have to get him something later… but that really wasn't what was important right now.

I've never washed off faster in my life, I was in there for half a minute - which I did appreciate, even if it was quick. I'd been wearing the same ripped up jeans for the past week, and the shirt… I really couldn't wear this for much longer.

In any case, I jumped out and put on simple jeans, clean, not ripped up ones, and a blue shirt, with a brown hoodie over it. Once I got my shoes on, I raced down the stairs, gliding down them with unnatural grace. I was losing my mind thinking of the trouble Jules was in.

I would've barreled into Charlie on the way out, if I hadn't had such inhuman reflexes.

"Where are you going?" He asked, nearly as surprised as I was to see him. Didn't he just get back from searching for me? Shouldn't he be taking a break? He out of anyone I knew deserved one.

"I'm going to see Jules."

Charlie's brow furrowed into a frown. "I thought you wanted to sle-"

"Yeah, I know," I said quickly, flashing a smile, trying to be reassuring. "But I've gotta see her, right now."

Charlie didn't look entirely convinced. "Kid… it's almost eight, right now I don't think Bonnie would appreciate that… they just finished wrapping up the search." He said that with a little cringe, making me feel a whole new wave of regret. "Julie's probably gonna go back to bed. It'd be rude to go and wake her up after… she was up all night."

"I really have to go, Dad," I said desperately.

He studied my face, and I knew he was still thinking about what happened last time I ran out the door.

"Do what you have to do kid… just…" He muttered, sighing as he faded off, shaking his head as he turned back to the kitchen. "When you get back, we're having a talk," He said firmly.

I sagged with a little defeat, relieved that he was letting me go… but… I sighed too, and then reached for the door. I'll make it up to him… somehow. However, before I could step out, Charlie turned back to me, frowning with sudden concern… almost fear. "Don't make any stops along the way over. All right Beau?"

I paused. Of course I wasn't gonna stop, but the advice seemed a little too random. "What do you mean?"

He shook his head. "The animal attacks… those wolves. There was another victim, close to the resort by the hot springs. We had a witness this time. A middle-aged couple were on their way up, and the man just stepped a few dozen yards from the road, out of sight for just a minute - when his wife went to see where he was, she saw the monster, a big gray one."

I froze, going completely still, even my breathing stopped.

"Another wolf attack… and the man?" I asked with unease. I hated this. These monsters were so close to our home, too close.

"He's gone," Charlie said, mouth set in a firm line. "All that was left was a bit of blood, just like the others. The rangers have gathered up some volunteers… left overs from your search, and there heading out with shotguns. Someone's scraped together some reward money, if they can take down any of them. Something has to be done."

"They're hunting the wolves?" I whispered.

Charlie nodded. "Yeah, there's not a lot else we can do. Though I'm worried about that much firepower in the forest, sometimes when people get overexcited, accidents happen…" I could see him shiver, like he was imaging it.

I couldn't speak. My throat had closed. I was imagining a very different scene in my head. My dad, out there, getting mauled…

"I've got to go now," Charlie said. "I'll see you later. Tell me how it goes down at La Push."

I blinked and suddenly noticed that Charlie had his gun strapped to his waist and was wearing his hiking boots.

I flinched, my jaw clenching.

"Dad…" I began, my voice coming out as little more than a whisper. "You're not going out with the rangers, are you? To track down the wolves?"

"I've got to help, kid. People are disappearing."

My hand shot out, carefully seizing him by the shoulder of his jacket.

Beau… let him go… you're going to hurt him, my angel whispered. I shivered, feeling her hand sliding along my arm, gently resting on my hand. I could feel her fingers gently ease mine back, making me let go.

I've never grabbed Charlie like that… like I was physically trying to force him to do something, and he turned to give me a startled look.

"Beau?" He said cautiously, watching carefully - looking for what's wrong. He eyed my hand as it fell off of his shoulder, worried.

"Don't go, dad," I said, my voice shaking, desperate, even as I tried to make it steady, calm… reasonable. "There are plenty of people out there already, aren't there? Stay in today… you just got home"

He looked at me with even more concern, then he shook his head slowly. "This is part of my job, Beau. I've got to go."

"It's dangerous… you don't know how… how big they were… how fast." I stuttered out. My effort of sounding reasonable was quickly vanishing.

"I'll be fine, kid," he said, gently putting a hand on my shoulder. "We'll be in groups - those hikers we've lost so far were picked off in ones and twos. And if you're going to La Push to see Julie… well you shouldn't worry about your old man." I could see the hope in his eyes. He probably thought I was going down there to ask her out. That I was moving on. That maybe my life threatening experience had woken me up from the depression.

I hesitated. I knew there was nothing I could say to make him stay, short of pretending I'm having a heart attack or something, and landing in the hospital - which would be a horrible idea, the doctors would probably question my new state of being. Even then, Chief Swan's sense of duty would probably have him out there eventually.

Charlie went to the door, and held it open for me. "You going?" He asked.

"Um yeah… yeah," I said distractedly. Slowly, I walk past him. Trying to figure a way out of this new mess.

"Oh… um, Beau," I heard Charlie call out, suddenly sounding nervous. I quickly turned back to him, as irrational as it was, I worried that he was hurt or something.

"Yeah?" I asked, watching as he tried to talk, like he was having trouble trying to find the right words.

"I called Renée," He eventually said, sighing with defeat.

My eyes went wide, and I felt the world kinda tip over a little. She was going to be in hysterics, a thousand times worse than ever before. I stood still, trying to just think, but Charlie had more to add.

"She's also flying in. Today," He said uncomfortably. My jaw dropped. We just stared at each other for a minute, neither one having a clue what to say.

Eventually, I take a breath, shuddering a little. "I guess… I guess that's fair," I said with a grunt, pursing my lips with a nod. I went missing for a week. Of course she's coming.

"I called her when you didn't come back home that first day. She wanted to come then, but I told her to wait a bit, just so I could focus on… on finding you," He said, rubbing the back of his. "I let her know while you were in the shower that you came back, so she's gonna be here… sometime today."

I nod my head again. "Yeah. Yeah, that's fine with me dad… I… Yeah."

Problem, after problem, after problem. I didn't mind that mom wanted to come by, I really didn't, but now I had someone else to take care of. Someone else to watch out for if Victor or Lauren came by, or if she happened upon a pack of ravenous monster wolves, or something.

This was starting to feel like too much, there were too many people I needed to stop, too many people to take care of. I licked my lips, breathing hard as I started freaking myself out. Charlie was watching with growing worry. I could hear his heart beat getting faster.

I needed to calm down, but I didn't know how. I was spiraling. It was just so much…

Until I felt my angel's arms wrap around me, hugging me from behind. I instantly let out a calm breath.

"Ok, um, I'll see you both tonight then… I'll make dinner." I said with a smile, turning to my truck before he could lay on any more bad news. He still looked at me like I was a bomb, but he nodded as well, not saying anything else as he let me go.

I had to focus on Jules. She needed help now. I could worry about mom later, when she was actually in the state.

Like last time, I pushed my truck to the limit, urging it to go faster.I needed to get there, if Charlie was right, then Jules was probably getting back into bed, meaning she's at Bonnies, meaning that there is nothing stopping me talking to her. I really hope he's right.

As I passed the forested area and neared the reservation, my eyes, which were on the road, noticed something. A lone figure, walking just along the edge. I could tell from the black hair and russet skin visible above the collar of a jacket that it was someone from the reservation. I froze, an irrational thought that maybe it was Jules crossed my mind.

When I got closer though, I saw that they were too small to be Jules, and I sank a little, but then I blinked. I did recognize them. I crossed the truck to the wrong side of the road and pulled up alongside her, cranking my window down and leaning my head out. When I did though… I could smell blood - she was bleeding.

Go Beau, drive. My angel quickly begged, grabbing my wrist. I ignored her. If she was bleeding, then she might be hurt. "Quil?" I called. "That you?" I asked with a little strain, and quickly held my breath after.

She paused where she was, and turned to look up at me. Her expression made me feel sick. Her eyes were distant, and there was a deep slash across her brow where it was creased with brooding worry. Though when she looked up at me, her face melted into shock.

"Beau? Is that you?" She asked. I guess she hadn't heard the news that I was back.

I swallowed, and tried to make my voice light. "Yeah, it's me… I didn't figure you for a hitchhiker," I said with a smile, trying to put her at ease.

I watched as she blushed for some reason - making me inch back a little, but her embarrassed look quickly turned to one of tired defeat. Quil had always seemed like the type who never let anything get her down, but her eyes were downcast, focusing on the road just a few feet in front of her. "I'm not… usually." she said.

I looked at her for a long moment. "You okay?" I asked gently. I wanted to say more, to try and crack a joke or comfort her in some way, but my throat burned more each time I did.

She didn't answer for a minute.

"Hey," I said, gesturing for her to come, "You want a lift? I'm heading over to the reservation anyway."

She hesitated for a second, looking at me. I smiled again, and she ended up blushing even harder… maybe this wasn't the best idea. She shrugged , finally said indifferently. "Sure, I guess."

I waited until she had gone around to the other side of my truck and slid into the seat, weirdly not questioning the disarray it was in and told me which direction her house was, on the north side behind the store, before I started back down the road, crossing back over to the correct side. I kept my eyes firmly on the road, trying to ignore the intoxicating aroma.

You beautiful fool… just hold on… you're almost there, keep holding your breath… my angel said. I could feel her leaning against me, like she was trying to make a physical obstacle between me and Quil. I smiled gently… it's never felt so real.

So," I said with what I hope was a casual tone. "Seen anything of Jules lately?"

Quil didn't look at me, her eyes staring out the side window. "I saw her a bit ago. From a distance."

"A distance?" I said, quirking my brow.

"Yeah." She rapped her fist lightly on the side of the truck door, with restless agitation. "I caught a glimpse of her and Em together, just on the edge of the forest. I think I saw Sam and the others too. I know she saw me - we made eye contact for just a second, but she didn't wave or anything, she just kinda ignored me. Then they all took off. I thought maybe I could catch up so I followed, but they lost me. I just kept on going… I just barely found the road again."

"Hmm," I said, my mouth set in a deadly line. "So… Sam did get to her then. I thought so."

Quil's eyes drifted back to me, sad, but with a touch of surprise. I noticed her usual carefully styled hair was a mess, and the usual black makeup around her eyes was smeared a little, as though she'd been crying. "You… know about that?"

I nodded. "Yeah, the gang, cult, whatever it is. Jules told me about it… before."

Quil eyed me for a long moment, then stared out at the road. "We… talked about it. I mean with Jules. She really didn't want any part of it - or Em, either. Now… I just don't understand what could have happened. Maybe it's drugs or something, but I just can't picture it. I'm almost afraid it's something worse. And I'm afraid…"

She suddenly pressed a hand against the side of the truck, and her eyes were wide with fear as she stared out the front of the windshield. "...I'm afraid that I'm going to be next."

I turned to look at her fast. "You won't be," I said with a growl, the smell of her blood completely forgotten, instead replaced with anger at the thought of her… just like Jules.

She jumped in her seat hearing the sound I made, but she glanced at me, then back at the trees beside the road. "Yeah, like you'd be any help," she muttered. "You can't even fix a car."

I let the car fall into silence for a second. "I can do a lot more than that," I say softly, trying to keep myself from mangling the poor steering wheel anymore. "I'm going to get Jules away from Sam, whatever I have to do," I insisted. "We're going to get her back."

Quil shook her head, smiling without humor. Her eyes were hopeless as she continued to stare out the window.

"Quil… I will keep you safe. If you ever need an escape, you can come by my place - no one will get to you. I promise."

She looked back at me tentatively. I could still see the hopelessness in her eyes… but she gave a little nod.

We were at the reservation now, and I slowed. Quil quickly told me to let her out, as her house was only a little further down the way, and I stopped. I watched her slam the truck door, then trudge along the shoulder of the road, arms folded head bent against the light wind.

The fear on Quil's face and, even worse, her hopeless resignation, continued to replay in my head as I made a wide u-turn and headed back toward the Black's house. I stopped in the gravel and cut the engine.

I decided that I should do this diplomatically. Bonnie probably doesn't know what's going on… even if she was being an oblivious… I shook my head. Jules needed my help, and right now, barging into her house, demanding to know what's going on is just gonna piss her off. I have to handle this gently.

I hopped out, running up to their porch, and eagerly knocked - careful not to knock it off its hinges. I waited, shuffling from one foot to the other as I held my breath. I wasn't that concerned with losing control right now - I would need to hunt soon, just to be on the safe side; but that wasn't why I was holding my breath.

It smelled like wet dog again, but so much worse for some reason, like a wet dog mixed in with old laundry. It sucked, but a bad smell wasn't gonna stop me from seeing my friend, and I knew that both of them were in there. I could hear their heart beats, and they were moving around inside.

"Hey Bonnie, is Jules here? I really need to talk to her." I called through the door, knocking again. I listened as Bonnie quickly wheel around in her home, she was picking up her phone, she dialed a number and I could hear her talking under her breath.

"Please, please, please." She mumbled to herself, sounding scared as it rang. Was she calling the police? I know she has superstitions, but that would be ridiculous. After a second of listening to it ring, I heard someone pick up.

"He's here," Bonnie whispered frantically. I heard someone on the other end saying, "we're coming." Then like that, Bonnie hung it up. Ok… I don't know what that was. I knock again.

"Bonnie, honestly, this will just take a second and then I'll be out of your hair." I called. Everything was still in the house for a second - then I could hear Jules walking to the door.

I know she needs my help - I know that she's in trouble, but I haven't seen her in so… so long. I had a big stupid smile on my face, and I straightened my back, more than ready to see my friend again.

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