The White Feather
Disclaimer; all characters and copyright belong to SM.
Chapter Three
Billy shook the elder awake. "Jake's gone, Quil." He said desperately.
The old man shook his head to clear it. He pushed his baseball cap higher on his forehead as he looked at Jacob's empty bed. The covers had been pushed back and the window was wide open, letting in a cool breeze. It was the cold air streaming into the room which had disturbed Billy from his exhausted slumber.
"This is impossible." Old Quil rose to his feet slowly. He groaned as his knees cracked with the effort. He shuffled over to the empty bed and examined it. "He couldn't have transformed without us knowing about it."
Billy was nearly tearing his hair out with worry. He was blaming himself for falling asleep. Sarah would be so disappointed in him. He was supposed to be keeping their son safe. He had failed to protect her from danger, now he had failed his son again, too. "What do I do? I need to track him down." He looked around hopelessly.
The elder put a steadying hand on his shoulder. "First of all you need to calm down, Billy." He said sternly. "You are not thinking rationally."
"How am I supposed to think rationally?" Billy cried. His hands tugged at his long hair. "My boy is out there all alone, suffering."
The phone rang shrilly, startling both men. "I'll get it." Old Quil said gravely. "Wait here and try to calm down. We'll find him, Billy. I promise."
Charlie had been shocked to find young Jacob Black in his daughter's room. He had gone to investigate, his heart hammering in his chest as he envisioned all sorts of scenarios. The last thing he expected to see was his best friend's son curled at the end of Bella's bed, sleeping like a baby. Bella was at the other end, hidden beneath a mound of blankets. Only the top of her hair poked out. Charlie had been at a loss what to do. He was completely dumbfounded. How the hell had Jacob ended up in his house. How had he gotten in? He immediately dismissed him climbing up the tree. Jacob was not four yet. Had he left the front door open by mistake? But then how had the boy travelled all that way alone? There was no sign of Billy. It was a complete mystery. Charlie scratched his head. He hated mysteries.
Not wanting to disturb the children until he had time to figure out what was going on, Charlie closed the door quietly. Jacob was roused by the click of the door as it shut. He thought he had heard someone come in. He could hear the heavy tread of Charlie's boots and his loud breathing. Jacob had thought it was a dream so had remained perfectly still until the older man had left. He sat up now though and rubbed his eyes. He was wired and full of energy after his satisfying nap. He crawled across the bed and tapped a sleeping Bella on top of her head.
"Bella Angel."
Bella mumbled in her sleep and dived further under the covers. Jacob laughed and poked her in the side. Bella's head shot up suddenly, her mass of hair falling in a tangled wave around her shoulders. She stared blearily at Jacob. He was grinning at her as he bounced up and down on her bed. "Bella Angel. Brekkie?" He looked at her hopefully as if she could produce food out of thin air.
Bella yawned and pushed her hair back from her face. She was still disorientated. She looked from Jacob to the opened window. Daylight was streaming through the parted drapes. It stung her eyes. She squinted against the bright glare, trying to get her mind to work. Jacob was still bouncing up and down on her bed. He was a bundle of energy. His dark eyes were bright and sparkling. Was it her imagination or had he grown again in the night?
"You were supposed to go home, Jacob." Bella whispered to him frantically when she had recovered her wits.
"I sleep." Jacob cocked his head to one side and rested his cheek on his hands as he mimicked himself sleeping.
"Oh no." Bella was flustered. This wasn't good. Even in her young mind she knew that Jacob's presence here would be questioned.
"I hungry, Bella Angel." Jacob declared loudly. His tummy rumbled in protest. He was getting impatient to be fed.
"Hush!" Bella put a finger on her lips to quieten him. "Daddy might hear you and come in."
Jacob became still. His eyes slid to the closed door. "Daddy already see." He confessed guiltily.
Bella closed her eyes in defeat. It was too late now. There would be questions. She wondered how she was going to answer them. If she told the truth no one would believe her. They never did. Grownups always thought she was a bright child with a vivid imagination. Her mommy was always telling her she lived in fairy land. "You have to grow up one day, baby girl." She would scold her after hearing one of Bella's tall tales as she called them.
"I'm sorry, Bella Angel." Jacob hung his head. His shoulder length black hair swished around his face. He was picking up on Bella's worry and it made him anxious.
"It's okay." Bella hated seeing her new friend looking so sad. She crawled over to his side and put her arm around his shoulders. It was a struggle. It wasn't her imagination. He was definitely bigger. "Can you keep a secret?" She whispered to him.
"Yes." Jacob nodded eagerly.
"You must promise never to tell about last night." Bella warned him.
"Why?" Jacob was confused. His mommy and daddy always told him to tell the truth. Although he knew his sisters lied all the time. But they were mean and good at hiding when they were naughty.
Bella didn't have the words to explain. So she gazed up at him pleadingly. "Please." She begged him.
"Okay." Jacob agreed. He would do anything for his angel. He was rewarded with a bright smile. He basked in the glow of Bella's happiness as he smiled right back.
Old Quil shook his head in disbelief. It couldn't be true. He had just had the most bizarre conversation with Charlie Swan. He plodded back to Jacob's room where he found Billy pacing up and down anxiously. "Jake is in Forks." He told him bluntly.
Billy halted abruptly. He stared at the old man as if he was losing his marbles. "Say that again."
"Charlie just called. He found young Jake curled up on the end of his daughter's bed, fast asleep. Right now he's watching the two children eat breakfast." Old Quil watched as Billy sank onto his son's bed in confusion.
"This is impossible." Billy breathed. "Just impossible."
"Impossible but true." Old Quil was troubled. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Somehow Jake escaped from his room and travelled to Forks all on his own and climbed the tree under Bella's window."
Billy looked up at the elder in alarm. "Did he phase? Is…I don't…" He ran his fingers through his long hair repeatedly. "None of this makes sense, Quil. How did he even know the way? And Charlie? What the hell do I tell him?"
"Charlie has had the good grace not to question young Jake and Bella about it. He thought it best to treat the situation as if it is no big deal." Old Quil pulled up one of the chairs and eased himself into it. His arthritis was playing up.
"He's a good man." Billy murmured. He swallowed thickly as he tried to pull himself together. "What do I do, Quil? I don't know what to do."
"I wish I had the answers, Billy." Old Quil said gruffly. "But I don't. This has never happened before. I think the best course of action when we go to collect Jacob is to plead ignorance."
"We can't lie to Charlie. Not after this." Billy was incredulous.
"We're not lying." Old Quil insisted. "It is true. We don't know for sure what happened." He sighed wearily. "Do you really think that a practical man like Chief Swan will believe us if we did tell him the little we do know?"
Billy didn't know what to think. He was still grieving. He was tired and emotionally drained. His main concern was his son. He decided to abide by the elder's counsel. It wasn't like he was in any frame of mind to think of any other options. Anyway, the old man was right. Charlie Swan would think he was delusional if he did try and explain.
Charlie couldn't believe the changes in Jacob. The boy had shot up overnight. He towered over Bella, but then again his little girl had always been small. Jacob could be mistaken for a seven year old now, only the day before he had struggled to see over the top of the table and had to use a booster seat. But now he sat in an adult chair easily, swinging his legs back and forth as he ate enthusiastically. The kid was already on his third helping of cereal.
"You alright, kiddo?" Charlie asked as he turned his attention to his daughter. Bella was watching Jacob eat with a small smile on her face. "Do you want any more cereal?"
"No thank you, daddy." Bella said politely as she pushed her half eaten breakfast away from her.
Charlie took it from her in bemusement. He just didn't know what to think. He hadn't asked the children any questions. He doubted he would get much sense out of them anyway. Only the night before Bella had been babbling about Jacob and a wolf. He sighed heavily. During the course of his career in law enforcement he had to deal with a few children around Jacob and Bella's ages who had been witness to a crime. Even trained professionals struggled to get any useful information out of them. He didn't stand a chance.
Jacob finally finished his third portion. He grinned cheekily as he pushed his bowl toward Charlie. He had spied the chocolate chip cookies on the counter. "Cookie, please." He asked hopefully.
Bella slipped off her chair before Charlie could respond and padded toward the kitchen counter. She stood on her tiptoes to try and reach the plate of cookies, but struggled. Her tongue poked out in determination as she tried again. Her fingers couldn't quite reach it. She sighed, blowing a strand of hair out of her eyes. Moisture welled in Charlie's eyes as he watched her. She was so endearing. Then he heard a chair scrape back. Jacob darted over to her side so quickly that he seemed to blur in Charlie's vison. The older man rubbed his eyes to clear them.
"There, Bella Angel." Jacob easily reached the cookies and grabbed one for himself and one for Bella. He shoved his in whole while she took a delicate bite. Then as if reading each other's minds they joined hands and ran into the front room to watch television.
"Well I'll be." Charlie muttered in mystification as he stared after them.
"Just take a deep breath, Billy." Old Quil cautioned him. He could see that the younger man was on edge. "Just remember what we agreed."
"Alright." Billy braced himself as he knocked on the Swan's front door. He counted to ten in his head to calm his nerves before Charlie opened it. "Hey, Chief." He greeted his oldest friend.
"Hey, Billy. Hey, Quil." Charlie greeted the two men. He motioned for them to come inside. The television was playing in the background loudly. "The kids are watching Spongebob." He said with a sheepish smile. "It seems to be keeping them occupied. Young Jake keeps telling me I look like Mr Crabs." He tapped his chin. "I don't think that's meant as a compliment somehow."
Billy smiled falteringly at Charlie's attempt at humour. "That's my boy."
Old Quil quickly took over the conversation. He could see that Billy was already floundering. "We appreciate this, Charlie. Thanks for looking after Jake. We've been worried."
Charlie looked at the two of them keenly. Billy's face was ravaged with grief. His friend looked like he hadn't slept for days. A lump lodged in his throat. Now was not the time for questions. He nodded at Old Quil. "Anytime." He shrugged, acting as if Jacob had just come for a pre-arranged sleepover. "Your boy certainly has an appetite, Billy. He had three helpings of cereal this morning and ate a whole plate of cookies." He paused, cheeks reddening. "Um…perhaps I should have held off letting him have the cookies."
"No…that's fine, Charlie." Billy replied huskily. He exchanged a discreet glance with Old Quil. He felt sick inside. Jacob's increased appetite was just another sign.
"He seems to have gotten over his illness." Charlie continued absently. "He's as right as rain. He's shot up, too." His brow furrowed. "It seems to have happened overnight. He towers over Bells."
"It's in the genes. Right, Billy?" Old Quil said quickly to cover Billy's silence.
"Yeah, good genes." Billy echoed him. He was having trouble looking Charlie in the eyes. "Can I see him?" He asked.
"Yeah, of course." Charlie led the way into the front room. "Jake, your dad's here."
As Billy entered the room after his friend, two heads bobbed up. Instead of sitting on the sofa, Jacob and Bella were sitting on the floor, hiding behind it. Billy was sure that he and the others had interrupted a conversation. The two kids looked wary as if they had been caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Bella was the first to dart to her feet. With her lustrous hair fluttering behind her like a banner she ran over to Charlie and cuddled his legs. She darted a nervous glance up at Billy and Old Quil.
"It's alright, kiddo. This is Billy Black. He's Jake's dad. And this is Quil - a good friend." Charlie patted his daughter's head gently.
"Hello." Bella whispered faintly.
"Hello there." Billy bent down and held out his hand. Bella hesitated before putting her small hand in his and shaking it. "It's nice to meet you, Bella. Thanks you for looking out for my boy."
Bella nodded. She shrank behind Charlie again and sucked on a tendril of hair. Old Quil was studying her curiously. He had never seen such a pretty child. She was almost ethereal looking. She was very small and delicate for her age. She had an abundance of hair that fell to her waist and large brown eyes. She was gazing up at him worriedly as if expecting him to scold her about something. Old Quil winked at her to put her at ease and he was rewarded with a small smile.
"Daddy." Jacob launched himself into Billy's arms like a firecracker. Billy was rocked back on his heels by the force of his son's greeting. It took him a moment to compose himself. Jacob had changed. His boy had grown inches overnight. He hugged his son tight and lifted him off the ground. Jacob was like a ball of heat. It was like holding onto a space heater. Billy was desperate to get him home. "I better now." Jacob said happily. "I see Bella Angel now."
"You mustn't wander off like that again, Jake." Billy told him gruffly. "I was worried." His eyes flicked to Charlie. He could see the burning curiosity on his friend's face. "I should get him home, Chief. I'll call you."
"Yeah." Charlie didn't push it. Billy was suffering enough. Instead he lifted Bella up in his arms and carried her as he walked the others to the front door. "Jake is welcome to stay here anytime." He offered.
"Thanks, Charlie." Billy was having difficulty holding it together. His friend was being so supportive and kind for not pushing for answers. Billy felt guilty and began to rethink his promise to Old Quil. Perhaps they weren't giving Charlie enough credit. "I'll see you soon."
"Bye, Billy. Bye, Quil." Charlie replied. He reached out and ruffled Jacob's hair. "When you come over let me know next time, huh." He teased the boy lightly.
Jacob grinned before looking at Bella. His face fell as it suddenly dawned on him that he was going to be separated from his angel. "Bella Angel come?" He asked anxiously.
"You'll see her again soon." Billy promised him. "You need to say goodbye for now."
"I don' wanna say goodbye. Hate goodbye." Jacob's eyes filled with tears.
Seeing Jacob cry made Bella upset. Her lower lip wobbled and she hid her face in Charlie's shoulder. He patted her back gently. "It's alright, kiddo."
Old Quil was fascinated by the children's reactions. They were clearly connected in some inexplicable way. He found it intriguing and was determined to observe them more when they were together. But now was not the time. "We'll leave you now, Charlie." He said instead. He put a hand on Billy's shoulder and steered him toward the front porch.
It was all Billy could do to comfort his son. Jacob was wailing. Tears were streaming down his face as he called for his angel. He was forced to wrestle Jacob into his truck and clamp him in place with his seatbelt. It was hard, Jacob was very strong now. Billy shut the door. Old Quil looked at him meaningfully before he eased his body into the passenger seat. In the distance Billy could see Charlie standing on the front porch, holding onto Bella. She was crying just like Jacob. It tore at Billy's heart. With a heavy sigh he turned away and climbed into his truck.
A/N-thank you for reading!