The real-life Quileute Nation lives in a tsunami zone. Help them achieve their mission to move to the safe zone by donating to their Move to Higher Ground project, you can find the link in my profile.
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.
The reservation's corner store had run out of Dad's favorite sauce, so he asked me to grab one at Forks' on the way home. He also asked me to buy some snacks and cleaning supplies. So here I was, browsing the aisle of non perishables, when I noticed a nose burning smell. At first I thought some worker was cleaning the floor with bleach, but as I got closer to the cashier, I realized that the source of the smell was actuallysomeone.
A girl with a pixie-like complexion was the last in line. She had a good taste in fashion, but obviously a bad one at choosing a perfume. I tapped her lightly on her left shoulder. She was unexpectedly cold.
She stiffened before turning to look at me. "Yes?" I was momentarily stunned by her beauty, but something about her felt off. Her features were too angular to be natural, and the yellow contacts were weird. I wondered if it was a new trend in fashion.
I leaned in and said in a low voice, "I don't mean to be rude but, girl to girl, I think you should change your perfume. It doesn't smell very good."
"Thanks. I really appreciate it. I will make sure to pick up a new one later." She said with a smile and gave me an apologetic look.
The line moved slowly. I unbuttoned my shirt and fanned myself, I was sweating profusely despite the fan blowing at full speed. Summer in Forks was not usually this hot.
After long agonizing minutes it was finally the pixie's turn to check out. I didn't know why but being around her made me uncomfortable. I tapped my foot impatiently while she piled her stuff on the conveyor belt. When she was done I checked out and hastily bagged my purchase.
I exited the store and saw the girl talking to an equally beautiful pale guy with blond hair. They seemed to be arguing about something. Was she mad at me for telling her she smelled bad? They gave me weird looks and hopped into a fancy car. No one rides that kind of car here. Then something clicked in my brain,the Cullens.
I turned on the AC to full swing, and even that couldn't help the way my body was burning. My hands and feet were trembling slightly as I drove the familiar path to La Push. I was afraid I would crash.
I wasn't usually like this, I've accepted that mom was gone a long time ago, but being back home brought painful memories. I wouldn't be here if I didn't need a place to crash before my job interview, and admittedly I have missed my father and my brother. I took deep breaths like my yoga instructor taught me. I breathed in slowly and deeply through my nose, allowing my chest and belly to expand as air fills my lungs. Then I exhaled slowly through my nose. It calmed me down and my trembling subsided a little.
I hesitated when I reached my house. Should I knock or unlock the door with my own set of keys? My dad solved the dilemma, he opened the door with a bright smile. My heart ached at the sight of his lined face. His smile was the same, warm and comforting, but he has obviously aged since I left 3 years ago. I gave him a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Hi, dad. I missed you."
"Rach, I missed you too. Are you alright? You're quite feverish." He assessed me for a couple seconds and put his hand on my forehead.
"I'm fine. How about you?"
"Better now that you're here." He smiled.
He rolled back into the house to allow me access. The delicious smell of food invaded my nose and my stomach grumbled. "Wow, dad, you don't have to do this." I gestured at the feast on the table.
"Your aunts Connie and Jennie insisted, saying they wanted to do something for The Graduate." He grinned proudly. My chest swelled in gratitude. It was sweet of my family, of course, but my dad had the tendency to brag about his kids' achievements.
"Where are they? And Jake?"
"Your aunts are at work, but they'll be here once they get off. And Jake is at the Ateara's."
It felt nice being home, even though every corner of the house reminded me of mom. We ate and talked casually. Dad asked me about my journey, and he filled me in about the res's current hot topic.
"You remember Charlie's daughter, Bella?" I nodded. "She's getting married to one of the Cullens." His lips curled into a snarl at the mention of their name. I rolled my eyes. He's always been so superstitious.
"I don't get why you dislike them so much. I met one of them in the store, actually. Nice enough people, I guess, if you can ignore the smell of their crazy expensive perfume." I wrinkled my nose at the memory.
Color drained from his face. He didn't move for a few seconds until I squeezed his hand.
"Dad? What is it? Shall we go to the hospital?"
"No. No hospital. What about their perfume?" He asked, suddenly interested in the people he believed to be evil.
"Nothing. Forget about it." I grumbled, agitated at his change of mood. I was enjoying our reunion until he mentioned the Cullens.
"Does it burn your nose?" He prodded. I ignored him and shoved a forkful of pasta into my mouth. "Rachel! I said does it burn your nose? Do they smell like bleach?"
"For goodness' sake! Yes, they smelled like bleach and it burned my nose. Happy?"
He mumbled something unintelligible. The phone rang and he rolled his wheelchair to pick it up. In his hurry to get to the phone, he bumped the table and a knife fell. With a surprising reflex, I caught it before it landed on his lap. Unfortunately, I was holding the wrong side. I cried as the sharp edge sliced my palm.
"Are you okay?" Dad asked with a panic stricken voice.
"Hmm." I grunted as I removed the knife with my other hand. I went to the sink to wash the wound. Dad came with first aid kits, and we gasped in unison. What we saw could only be described as crazy.My skin knitted itself together.
I began to panic, breathing heavily. What was happening? I went through every possible scenario, it was so unlikely of my family to poison me. What would they gain? Inheritance? The little money I've saved from waitressing all summer? My old sedan that was parked outside? I looked at my dad helplessly, who had abandoned the first aid kit and rolled his wheelchair to answer the still ringing phone. He told them to come as soon as possible and hang up.
"Dad? What's going on?"
Dad ignored me and called another number, they talked about me like I wasn't there. He mumbled things like "genes" and "phases". Rage filled me like never before. I felt my hands shake and a sound that I never knew I could make erupted from my throat. I stood in front of him with clenched fists.
"Dad, answer me." I said through gritted teeth.
He looked at my trembling hands and wheeled himself backwards with fear in his eyes. "Rachel, calm down. Sam is coming, he can help you-"
"Who the fuck is Sam and what the fuck has he got to do with me!" I was so mad I wanted to tear something apart. My shaking got worse and someone yanked me out the back door.
"Let me go!" I struggled to pull my hand from the stranger's iron grip.
"Rachel, follow me." He said with a weird timbre in his voice. I felt an overwhelming urge to obey, but something in me didn't like it.
"Don't fucking touch me you filthy asshole!" I hit his shoulder repeatedly as he dragged me deeper into the woods.
"Listen
"No wonder your mother left you, her daughter has an attitude problem." I stopped dead in my tracks and he let go of my hand.
"How dare you mention my mother, you bastard!" I yelled at him but I heard a hideous yowling instead. I looked around, terrified, and realized it came from my throat. I looked down at myself and saw hairy paws instead of hands. Panicking, I ran to the forest.
Wow, another girl?An annoying voice echoed in my head and I jumped.
Who are you? Why can I hear you?
My name is Paul Lahote, we are wolves and protectors of La Push.The voice stated proudly.And we can hear each other telepathically.
I'm a human and I'm not a damn protector of anything.
Rachel,stop.An authoritative voice said and I realized it was Sam Uley, my former classmate. A force stopped me in the middle of my stride, making me crumble to my belly. Jacob once told me about his suspected gang activity, and he had abandoned his long time girlfriend in favor of her cousin. Feeling a rush of anger on behalf of my childhood friend, and not willing to be part of his stupid gang any longer, I summoned every ounce of will in my bones and pushed the ground hard. I crawled on trembling legs, one foot after another. I could feel Sam's fear seeping through, and Paul's incoherent profanities.
Don't tell me what to do.With that, I was free of whatever shackle I was under.
AN:
Phew!It feels so good to finally publish this story. I have had the idea for a few months, but I wanted to write a few chapters before publishing. What do you think? Too fast? Too dramatic? Let me know in the comments!
And yes, Alice and Jasper were shopping to keep up with the appearances.
I apologize for any grammatical mistakes, I'm a non-native English speaker. I'm looking for a beta, if you're interested, please PM. Thanks for reading!
