The Twilight Saga 2: New Moon Chapter 10 THE MEADOW

JACOB DIDNT CALL.The first time I c eit hered, Billy answered and told me that Jacob was still in bed. I got nosy, checking to hire genuine that Billy had taken him to a doctor. Billy verbalize he had, alone, for whatsoever reason I couldnt nail voltaic pile, I didnt really believe him. I called over again, several times a twenty-four hours, for the next two days, still no one was ever there.Saturday, I decided to go see him, invitation be damned. But the brusk red ingleside was empty. This frightened mewas Jacob so sick that hed unavoidable to go to the hospital? I halt by the hospital on the way can home, unless the sop up at the scarer desk told me neither Jacob or Billy had been in.I machinate Charlie call Harry Clearwater as soon as he got home from micturate. I waited, anxious, while Charlie chatted with his old friend the conversation seemed to go on forever with step forward Jacob even being mentioned. It seemed that Harry had been in the hospital . . som e kind of tests for his heart. Charlies hilltop got all pinched together, and Harry joked with him, b milding it dispatch, until Charlie was laughing again. Only then did Charlie ask astir(predicate) Jacob, and now his side of the conversation didnt give me muchto work with, and a lot of hmms and yeahs. I drummed my fingers against the counter beside him until he put a hand over mine to stop me.Finally, Charlie hung up the reverberate and false to me.Harry hypothesises theres been some trouble with the phone lines, and thats wherefore you pitchnt been able to get done. Billy excessivelyk Jake to the doc down there, and it sayings wish he has mono. Hes real tired, and Billy said no visitors, he reported.No visitors? I demanded in disbelief.Charlie raised one eyebrow. Now dont you go making a pest of yourself, Bells. Billy knows whats best for Jake. Hell be up and around soon enough. Be patient.I didnt push it. Charlie was too worried codaly Harry. That was clearly th e much than important issueit wouldnt be right to seed him with my lesser concerns. Instead, I went straight upstairs and turned on my computer. I bring a medical site online and typed mononucleosis into the search box.All I knew astir(predicate) mono was that you were supposed to get it from kissing, which was clearly not the case with Jake. I read through the symptoms quicklythe fever he definitely had, but what about the rest of it? No horrible sore throat, no exhaustion, no gunpointaches, at least not before hed gone home from the movie hed said he felt fit as a fiddle. Did it really shape up on so fast? The article do it wholesome comparable the sore pressure showed up first.I glared at the computer screen and wondered why, on the button, I was doing this. Why did I feel so so suspicious, like I didnt believe Billys write up? Why would Billy lie to Harry?I was being foolish, in all likelihood. I was vindicatory worried, and, to be honest, I was afraid of not bei ng allowed to see Jacobthat made me nervous.I skimmed through the rest of the article, looking for more(prenominal) information. I stopped when I got to the part about how mono could last more than a month.A month? My mouth fell open.But Billy couldnt enforce the no-visitors thing that long. Of course not. Jake would go crazy stuck in bed that long without whatsoeverone to call down to.What was Billy afraid of, whateverway? The article said that a person with mono needed to avoid physical activity, but there was nothing about visitors. The disease wasnt very infectious.Id give Billy a week, I decided, before I got pushy. A week was generous.A week was long. By Wednesday, I was sure I wasnt exhalation to live till Saturday.When Id decided to leave Billy and Jacob alone for a week, I hadnt really believed that Jacob would go along with Billys rule. Every day when I got home from school, I ran to the phone to check for messages. at that place never were any.I cheated three times by difficult to call him, but the phone lines still werent working.I was in the support much too much, and much too alone. Without Jacob, and my adrenaline and my distractions, everything Id been repressing started creeping up on me. The dreams got lumbering again. I could no longer see the end coming. full the horrible nothingnesshalf the time in the forest, half the timein the empty fern sea where the white house no longer existed. Sometimes Sam Uley was there in the forest, observance me again. I paying him no attentionthere was no comfort in his presence it made me feel no less alone. It didnt stop me from screaming myself awake, night later night.The lot in my chest was worse than ever. Id perspective that Id been getting it under insure, but I found myself hunched over, day after(prenominal) day, clutching my sides together and gasping for air.I wasnt handling alone well.I was relieved beyond measure the morning I woke upscreaming, of courseand remembered that it was Saturday. Today I could call Jacob. And if the phone lines still werent working, then I was vent to La Push. One way or another, today would be let on than the last lonely week.I dialed, and then waited without high postations.It caught me off guard when Billy answered on the second ring.Hello?Oh, hey, the phone is working again Hi, Billy. Its Bella. I was solely calling to see how Jacob is doing. Is he up for visitors yet? I was call ining about dropping byIm sorry, Bella, Billy interrupted, and I wondered if he were watching TV he sounded flurry. Hes not in.Oh. It took me a second. So hes feeling fall in then?Yeah, Billy hesitated for an instant too long. Turns out it wasnt mono after all. Just some other virus.Oh. So where is he?Hes giving some friends a ride up to Port AngelesI think they were going to catch a doubly feature or something. Hes gone for the whole day.Well, thats a relief. Ive been so worried. Im glad he felt good enough to get out. My share sounded horri bly counterfeit as I babbled on.Jacob was better, but not well enough to call me. He was out with friends. I was sitting home, wanting him more every hour. I was lonely, worried, bored perforatedand now also desolate as I realized that the week apart had not had the same effect on him.Is there anything in particular you wanted? Billy asked politely.No, not really.Well, Ill tell him that you called, Billy promised. Bye, Bella.Bye, I replied, but hed already hung up.I stood for a moment with the phone still in my hand.Jacob must accommodate changed his mind, just like Id feared. He was going to take my advice and not waste any more time on person who couldnt authorize his feelings. I felt the blood run out of my face.Something wrong? Charlie asked as he came down the stairs.No, I lied, hanging up the phone. Billy says Jacob is feeling better. It wasnt mono. So thats good.Is he coming here, or are you going there? Charlie asked absentmindedly as he started poking through the fridg e.Neither, I admitted. Hes going out with some other friends.The tone of my voice finally caught Charlies attention. He looked up at me with sudden alarm, his hands frozen around a package of cheese slices.Isnt it a precise early for lunch? I asked as lightly as I could manage, trying to distract him.No, Im just packing something to take out to the riverOh, seek today?Well, Harry called and its not raining. He was creating a stack of food on the counter as he spoke. Suddenly he looked up again as if hed just realized something. Say, did you want me to stay with you, since Jakes out?Thats okay, Dad, I said, working to sound indifferent. The fish bite better when the weathers nice.He stared at me, perplexity clear on his face. I knew that he was worrying, afraid to leave me alone, in case I got mopey again.Seriously, Dad. I think Ill call Jessica, I fibbed quickly. Id rather be alone than have him watching me all day. We have a Calculus test to study for. I could use her help. That part was true. But Id have to make do without it.Thats a good idea. Youve been spending so much time with Jacob, your other friends are going to think youve forgotten them.I s stat mid and nodded as if I cared what my other friends thought.Charlie started to turn, but then spun back with a worried expression. Hey, youll study here or at Jesss, right?Sure, where else?Well, its just that I want you to be careful to stay out of the woods, like I told you before.It took me a minute to understand, distracted as I was. More bear trouble?Charlie nodded, lower. Weve got a missing hikerthe rangers found his camp early this morning, but no sign of him. there were some really titanic animal prints of course those could have come later, comprehend the food Anyway, theyre setting traps for it now.Oh, I said vaguely. I wasnt really listening to his warnings I was much more upset by the situation with Jacob than by the casualty of being eaten by a bear.I was glad that Charlie was in a hurry. He didnt wait for me to call Jessica, so I didnt have to put on that charade. I went through the motions of gathering my school-books on the kitchen table to pack them in my bag that was probably too much, and if he hadnt been eager to hit the holes, it baron have made him suspicious.I was so busy looking busy that the ferociously empty day ahead didnt really crash down on me until after Id watched him drive aside. It only took about two minutes of staring at the silent kitchen phone to decide that I wasnt staying home today. I considered my options.I wasnt going to call Jessica. As far as I could tell, Jessica had crossed over to the dark side.I could drive to La Push and get my motorcyclean appealing thought but for one minor problem who was going to drive me to the emergency room if I needed it afterward?Or I already had our make up and compass in the truck. I was pretty sure I understood the process well enough by now that I wouldnt get lost. possibly I could eliminate two lines today, putting us ahead of schedule for whenever Jacob decided to honor me with his presence again. I refused to think about how long that might be. Or if it was going to be never.I felt a brief twinge of guilt as I realized how Charlie would feel about this, but I ignored it. I just couldnt stay in the house again today.A hardly a(prenominal) minutes later I was on the familiar dirt road that led to nowhere in particular. I had the windows rolled down and I drove as fast as was healthy for my truck, trying to enjoy the wind against my face. It was cloudy, but almost drya very nice day, for Forks.Getting started took me longer than it would have taken Jacob. After I parked in the mutual spot, I had to spend a good fifteen minutes studying the modest needle on the compass face and the markings on the now listless map. When I was reasonably certain that I was following the right line of the web, I set off into the woods.The forest was full of life today, all the little creat ures enjoying the momentary dryness. Somehow, though, even with the birds chirping and cawing, the insects buzzing noisily around my head, and the occasional scurry of the field mice through the shrubs, the forest seemed creepier today it reminded me of my most recent nightmare. I knew it was just because I was alone, missing Jacobs carefree whistle and the sound of another pair of feet squishing across the damp ground.The sensory faculty of unease grew stronger the deeper I got into the trees. Breathing started to get more difficultnot because of exertion, but because I was having trouble with the stupid hole in my chest again. I kept my arms tight around my torso and tried to ostracize the ache from my thoughts. I almost turned around, but I hated to waste the effort Id already expended.The rhythm of my foot footsteps started to numb my mind and my disquiet as I trudged on. My breathing evened out eventually, and I was glad I hadnt quit. I was getting better at this bushwhacking thing I could tell I was faster.I didnt realize quite how much more efficiently I was moving. I thought Id covered possibly four miles, and I wasnt even kickoff to look around for it yet. And then, with an abruptness that disoriented me, I stepped through a low arch made by two vine maplespushing past the chest-high fernsinto the meadow.It was the same place, of that I was instantly sure. Id never seen another clearing so symmetrical. It was as perfectly round as if someone had intentionally created the flawless circle, tearing out the trees but leaving no evidence of that violence in the waving browse. To the east, I could hear the stream bubbling quietly.The place wasnt nearly so stunning without the sunlight, but it was still very beautiful and serene. It was the wrong season for wildflowers the ground was recondite with tall grass that swayed in the light breeze likeripples across a lake.It was the same place but it didnt hold what I had been searching for.The disappointmen t was nearly as instantaneous as the recognition. I sank down right where I was, kneeling there at the edge of the clearing, beginning to gasp.What was the point of going any farther? Nothing lingered here. Nothing more than the memories that I could have called back whenever I wanted to, if I was ever entrusting to endure the corresponding painthe pain that had me now, had me cold. There was nothing special about this place without him. I wasnt exactly sure what Id hoped to feel here, but the meadow was empty of atmosphere, empty of everything, just like everywhere else. Just like my nightmares. My head swirled dizzily.At least Id come alone. I felt a rush of thankfulness as I realized that. If Id discovered the meadow with Jacob well, there was no way I could have disguised the abyss I was plunging into now. How could I have explained the way I was fracturing into pieces, the way I had to curl into a ball to keep the empty hole from tearing me apart? It was so much better that I didnt have an audience.And I wouldnt have to explain to anyone why I was in much(prenominal) a hurry to leave, either. Jacob would have assumed, after going to so much trouble to locate the stupid place, I would want to spend more than a few seconds here. But I was already trying to find the strength to get to my feet again, forcing myself out of the ball so that I could escape. There was too much pain in this empty place to bearI would crawl away if I had to.How lucky that I was aloneAlone. I repeated the word with grim satisfaction as I wrenched myself to my feet despite the pain. At precisely that moment, a figure stepped out from the trees to the north, some thirty paces away.A dizzying array of emotions shot through me in a second. The first was surprise I was far from any trail here, and I didnt expect company. Then, as my look focused on the motionless figure, seeing the utter stillness, the pallid skin, a rush of piercing hope rocked through me. I suppressed it viciously, fighting against the equally sharp lash of agony as my eyes continued to the face beneath the disgraceful hair, the face that wasnt the one I wanted to see. Next was fear this was not the face I grieved for, but it was close enough for me to know that the man facing me was no stray hiker.And finally, in the end, recognition.Laurent I cried in surprised pleasure.It was an irrational response. I probably should have stopped at fear.Laurent had been one of Jamess coven when wed first met. He hadnt been involved with the hunt that followedthe hunt where I was the quarrybut that was only because he was afraid I was protected by a large coven than his own. It would have been different if that wasnt the casehed had no compunctions, at the time, against making a meal of me. Of course, he must have changed, because hed gone to Alaska to live with the other fine-tune coven there, the other family that refused to drink human blood for ethical reasons. The other family like but I couldnt let myself think the name.Yes, fear would have made more sense, but all I felt was an overwhelming satisfaction. The meadow was a magic place again. A darker magic than Id expected, to be sure, but magic all the same. Here was the connection Id sought. The proof, however remote, thatsomewhere in the same world where I lived he did exist.It was impossible how exactly the same Laurent looked. I suppose it was very silly and human to expect some kind of change in the last year. But there was something I couldnt quite put my finger on it.Bella? he asked, looking more astonished than I felt.You remember. I smiled. It was ridiculous that I should be so elated because a vampire knew my name.He grinned. I didnt expect to see you here. He strolled toward me, his expression bemused.Isnt it the other way around? I do live here. I thought youd gone to Alaska.He stopped about ten paces away, cocking his head to the side. His face was the most beautiful face Id seen in what felt like an eternity. I studied his features with a strangely greedy sense of release. Here was someone I didnt have to pretend forsomeone who already knew everything I could never say.Youre right, he agreed. I did go to Alaska. Still, I didnt expect When I found the Cullen place empty, I thought theyd roleplayd on.Oh. I bit my lip as the name set the raw edges of my wound throbbing. It took me a second to still myself. Laurent waited with curious eyes.They did move on, I finally managed to tell him.Hmm, he murmured. Im surprised they left you crumb. Werent you sort of a pet of theirs? His eyes were innocent of any mean offense.I smiled wryly. Something like that.Hmm, he said, thoughtful again.At that precise moment, I realized why he looked the sametoo much the same. After Carlisle told us that Laurent had stayed with Tanyas family, Id begun to picture him, on the rare occasions that I thought of him at all, with the same golden eyes that the CullensI forced the name out, wincinghad. That all good vam pires had.I took an involuntary step back, and his curious, dark red eyes followed the movement.Do they visit often? he asked, still casual, but his weight shifted toward me.Lie, the beautiful velvet voice whispered anxiously from my memory.I started at the sound of his voice, but it should not have surprised me. Was I nor in the worst danger imaginable? The motorcycle was safe as kittens next to this.I did what the voice said to do.Now and again. I tried to make my voice light, relaxed. The time seems longer to me, I imagine. You know how they get distracted I was beginning to babble. I had to work to shut myself up.Hmm, he said again. The house smelled like it had been vacant for a whileYou must lie better than that, Bella, the voice urged.I tried. Ill have to mention to Carlisle that you stopped by. Hell be sorry they missed your visit. Ipretended to deliberate for a second. But I probably shouldnt mention it to Edward, I suppose I scarcely managed to say his name, and it twist ed my expression on the way out, ruining my bluff he has such a temper well, Im sure you remember. Hes still touchy about the whole James thing. I rolled my eyes and waved one hand dismissively, like it was all quaint history, but there was an edge of hysteria to my voice. I wondered if he would recognize what it was.Is he really? Laurent asked pleasantly skeptically.I kept my reply short, so that my voice wouldnt betray my panic. Mm-hmm.Laurent took a casual step to the side, gazing around at the little meadow. I didnt miss that the step brought him closer to me. In my head, the voice responded with a low snarl.So how are things working out in Denali? Carlisle said you were staying with Tanya? My voice was too high.The question made him pause. I like Tanya very much, he mused. And her babe Irina even more Ive never stayed in one place for so long before, and I enjoy the advantages, the novelty of it. But, the restrictions are difficult Im surprised that any of them can keep it up for long. He smiled at me conspiratorially. Sometimes I cheat.I couldnt swallow. My foot started to ease back, but I froze when his red eyes flickered down to catch the movement.Oh, I said in a faint voice. Jasper has problems with that, too.Dont move, the voice whispered. I tried to do what he instructed. It was hard the instinct to take safety valve was nearly uncontrollable.Really? Laurent seemed interested. Is that why they left?No, I answered honestly. Jasper is more careful at home.Yes, Laurent agreed. I am, too.The step forward he took now was quite deliberate.Did capital of Seychelles ever find you? I asked, breathless, desperate to distract him. It was the first question that popped into my head, and I regretted it as soon as the words were spoken. Victoriawho had hunted me with James, and then disappearedwas not someone I wanted to think of at this particular moment.But the question did stop him.Yes, he said, hesitating on that step. I actually came here as a favor to he r. He made a face. She wont be happy about this.About what? I said eagerly, inviting him to continue. He was glaring into the trees, away from me. I took advantage of his diversion, taking a furtive step back.He looked back at me and smiledthe expression made him look like a brown-haired angel.About me killing you, he answered in a seductive purr.I staggered back another step. The frantic growling in my head made it hard to hear.She wanted to save that part for herself, he went on blithely. Shes sort of put out with you, Bella.Me? I squeaked.He shook his head and chuckled. I know, it seems a little backward to me, too. But James was her mate, and your Edward killed him.Even here, on the point of death, his name tore against my unhealed wounds like a serrated edge.Laurent was oblivious to my reaction. She thought it more appropriate to kill you than Edwardfair turnabout, mate for mate. She asked me to get the lay of the land for her, so to speak. I didnt imagine you would be so easy to get to. So maybe her plan was flawedapparently it wouldnt be the revenge she imagined, since you must not mean very much to him if he left you here unprotected.Another blow, another tear through my chest.Laurents weight shifted slightly, and I stumbled another step back.He frowned. I suppose shell be angry, all the same.Then why not wait for her? I choked out.A mischievous grin rearranged his features. Well, youve caught me at a bad time, Bella. I didnt come to this place on Victorias missionI was hunting. Im quite thirsty, and you do smell simply mouthwatering.Laurent looked at me with approval, as if he meant it as a compliment.Threaten him, the beautiful delusion ordered, his voice distorted with dread.Hell know it was you, I whispered obediently. You wont get away with this.And why not? Laurents smile giganticned. He gazed around the small opening in the trees. The scent will wash away with the next rain. No one will find your bodyyoull simply go missing, like so many, man y other humans. Theres no reason for Edward to think of me, if he cares enough to investigate. This is nothing personal, let me hold in you, Bella. Just thirst.Beg, my hallucination begged.Please, I gasped.Laurent shook his head, his face kind. Look at it this way, Bella. Youre very lucky I was the one to find you.Am I? I mouthed, faltering another step back.Laurent followed, lithe and graceful.Yes, he assured me. Ill be very quick. You wont feel a thing, I promise. Oh, Ill lie to Victoria about that later, naturally, just to placate her. But if you knew what she had planned for you, Bella He shook his head with a slow movement, almost as if in disgust. I swear youd be thanking me for this.I stared at him in horror.He sniffed at the breeze that blew threads of my hair in his direction. Mouthwatering, he repeated,inhaling deeply.I tensed for the spring, my eyes squinting as I cringed away, and the sound of Edwards furious roar echoed distantly in the back of my head. His name burst through all the walls Id built to contain it. Edward, Edward, Edward. I was going to die. It shouldnt matter if I thought of him now. Edward, I love you.Through my narrowed eyes, I watched as Laurent paused in the act of inhaling and whipped his head abruptly to the left. I was afraid to look away from him, to follow his glance, though he hardly needed a distraction or any other trick to overpower me. I was too amazed to feel relief when he started slowly backing away from me.I dont believe it, he said, his voice so low that I barely heard it.I had to look then. My eyes scanned the meadow, searching for the interruption that had extended my life by a few seconds. At first I precept nothing, and my gaze flickered back to Laurent. He was retreating more quickly now, his eyes boring into the forest.Then I saw it a huge black shape projected out of the trees, quiet as a shadow, and stalked deliberately toward the vampire. It was enormousas tall as a horse, but thicker, much more musc ular. The long muzzle grimaced, uncover a line of dagger-like incisors. A grisly snarl rolled out from among the teeth, rumbling across the clearing like a prolonged retard of thunder.The bear. Only, it wasnt a bear at all. Still, this gigantic black monster had to be the creature causing all the alarm. From a distance, anyone would assume it was a bear. What else could be so vast, so powerfully built?I wished I were lucky enough to see it from a distance. Instead, it padded wordlessly through the grass a continent ten feet from where I stood.Dont move an inch, Edwards voice whispered.I stared at the monstrous creature, my mind boggling as I tried to put a name to it. There was a distinctly canine cast to the shape of it, the way it moved. I could only think of one possibility, locked in horror as I was. besides Id never imagined that a wolf could get so big.Another growl rumbled in its throat, and I shuddered away from the sound.Laurent was backing toward the edge of the tree s, and, under the freezing terror, amazement swept through me. Why was Laurent retreating? Granted, the wolf was monstrous in size, but it was just an animal. What reason would a vampire have for fearing an animal? And Laurent was afraid. His eyes were huge with horror, just like mine.As if in answer to my question, suddenly the mammoth wolf was not alone. Flanking it on either side, another two gigantic beasts prowled silently into the meadow. One was a deep gray, the other brown, neither one quite as tall as the first. The gray wolf came through the trees only a few feet from me, its eyes locked on Laurent.Before I could even react, two more wolves followed, lined up in a V, like geese flying south. Which meant that the grey-haired brown monster that shrugged through the brush last was close enough for me to touch.I gave an involuntary gasp and jumped backwhich was the stupidest thing I could have done. I froze again, hold for the wolves to turn on me, the much weaker of the a vailable prey. I wished briefly thatLaurent would get on with it and crush the wolf packit should be so simple for him. I guessed that, between the two choices before me, being eaten by wolves was almost certainly the worse option.The wolf closest to me, the reddish brown one, turned its head slightly at the sound of my gasp.The wolfs eyes were dark, nearly black. It gazed at me for a fraction of a second, the deep eyes seeming too intelligent for a wild animal.As it stared at me, I suddenly thought of Jacobagain, with gratitude. At least Id come here alone, to this fairytale meadow filled with dark monsters. At least Jacob wasnt going to die, too. At least I wouldnt have his death on my hands.Then another low growl from the leader caused the russet wolf to whip his head around, back toward Laurent.Laurent was staring at the pack of monster wolves with unconcealed shock and fear. The first I could understand. But I was stunned when, without warning, he spun and disappeared into the trees.He ran away.The wolves were after him in a second, sprinting across the open grass with a few powerful bounds, snarling and snapping so loudly that my hands flew up instinctively to cover my ears. The sound faded with surprising swiftness once they disappeared into the woods.And then I was alone again.My knees buckled under me, and I fell onto my hands, sobs building in my throat.I knew I needed to leave, and leave now. How long would the wolves chase Laurent before they doubled back for me? Or would Laurent turn on them? Would he be the one that came looking?I couldnt move at first, though my arms and legs were shaking, and I didnt know how to get back to my feet.My mind couldnt move past the fear, the horror or the confusion. I didnt understand what Id just witnessed.A vampire should not have run from overgrown dogs like that. What good would their teeth be against his granite skin?And the wolves should have given Laurent a wide berth. Even if their extraordinary size had ta ught them to fear nothing, it still made no sense that they would pursue him. I doubted his icy marble skin would smell anything like food. Why would they pass up something warmblooded and weak like me to chase after Laurent?I couldnt make it add up.A cold breeze whipped through the meadow, swaying the grass like something was moving through it.I scrambled to my feet, backing away even though the wind brushed harmlessly past me. Stumbling in panic, I turned and ran headlong into the trees.The next few hours were agony. It took me three times as long to escape the trees as it had to get to the meadow.At first I paid no attention to where I was headed, focused only on what I was running from By the time I collected myself enough to remember the compass, I was deep in the unfamiliar and menacing forest. My hands were shaking so violently that I had to set the compass on the muddy ground to be able to read it. Every few minutes I would stop to put the compass dowr and check that I was s till heading northwest, hearingwhen the sounds werent hidden behind the frantic squelching of my footstepsthe quiet whisper of unseen things moving in the leaves.The call of a jaybird made me leap back and fall into a thick stand of young spruce, scraping up my arms and tangling my hair with sap. The sudden rush of a squirrel up a hemlock made me scream so loud it hurt my own ears.At last there was a break in the trees ahead. I came out onto the empty road a mile or so south of where Id left the truck. Exhausted as I was, I jogged up the lane until I found it. By the time I pulled myself into the cab, I was sobbing again. I fiercely shoved down both stiff locks before I dug my keys out of my pocket. The roar of the engine was comforting and sane. It helped me control the tears as I sped as fast as my truck would allow toward the main highway.I was calmer, but still a mess when I got home. Charlies cruiser was in the drivewayI hadnt realized how late it was. The sky was already dusky .Bella? Charlie asked when I slammed the front door behind me and hastily turned the locks.Yeah, its me. My voice was unsteady.Where have you been? he thundered, appearing through the kitchen doorway with an ominous expression.I hesitated. Hed probably called the Stanleys. Id better stick to the truth.I was hiking, I admitted.His eyes were tight. What happened to going to Jessicas?I didnt feel like Calculus today.Charlie folded his arms across his chest. I thought I asked you to stay out of the forest.Yeah, I know. Dont worry, I wont do it again. I shuddered.Charlie seemed to really look at me for the first time. I remembered that I had spent some time on the forest floor today I must be a mess.What happened? Charlie demanded.Again, I decided that the truth, or part of it anyway, was the best option. I was too shaken to pretend that Id spent an uneventful day with the flora and fauna.I saw the bear. I tried to say it calmly, but my voice was high and shaky. Its not a bear, thoughits some kind of wolf. And there are five of them. A big black one, and gray, and reddish-brownCharlies eyes grew round with horror. He strode quickly to me and grabbed the tops of my arms.Are you okay?My head bobbed in a weak nod.Tell me what happened.They didnt pay any attention to me. But aftet they were gone, I ran away and I fell down a lot.He let go of my shoulders and wrapped his arms around me. For a long moment, he didnt say anything.Wolves, he murmured.What?The rangers said the tracks were wrong for a bearbut wolves just dont get that bigThese were huge.How many did you say you saw?Five.Charlie shook his head, frowning with anxiety, He finally spoke in a tone that allowed no argument. No morehiking.No problem, I promised fervently.Charlie called the station to report what Id seen. I fudged a little bit about where exactly Id seen the wolvesclaiming Id been on the trail that led to the north. I didnt want my dad to know how deep Id gone into the forest against his wishes, and, more importantly, I didnt want anyone wandering near where Laurent might be searching for me. The thought of it made me feel sick.Are you hungry? he asked me when he hung up the phone.I shook my head, though I must have been starving. I hadnt eaten all day.Just tired, I told him. I turned for the stairs.Hey, Charlie said, his voice suddenly suspicious again. Didnt you say Jacob was gone for the day?Thats what Billy said, I told him, confused by his question.He studied my expression for a minute, and seemed satisfied with what he saw there.Huh.Why? I demanded. It sounded like he was implying that Id been lying to him this morning. About something besides studying with Jessica.Well, its just that when I went to pick up Harry, I saw Jacob out in front of the store down there with some of his friends. I waved hi, but he well, I guess I dont know if he saw me. I think maybe he was arguing with his friends. He looked strange, like he was upset about something. And different. Its like you can watch that kid growing He gets bigger every time I see him.Billy said Jake and his friends were going up to Port Angeles to see some movies. They were probably just waiting for someone to meet them.Oh. Charlie nodded and headed for the kitchen.I stood in the hall, thinking about Jacob arguing with his friends. I wondered if he had confronted Embryabout the situation with Sam. Maybe that was the reason hed ditched me todayif it meant he could sort things out with Embry, I was glad he had.I paused to check the locks again before I went to my room. It was a silly thing to do. What difference would a lock make to any of the monsters Id seen this afternoon? I assumed the handle alone would stymie the wolves, not having opposable thumbs. And if Laurent came hereOr Victoria.I lay down on my bed, but I was shaking too hard to hope for sleep. I curled into a cramped ball under my quilt, and faced the horrifying facts.There was nothing I could do. There were no precautions I could take. There was no place I could hide. There was no one who could help me.I realized, with a nauseous roll of my stomach, that the situation was worse than even that. Because all those facts applied to Charlie, too. My father, sleeping one room away from me, was just a hairsbreadth off the heart of the target that was centered on me. My scent would lead them here, whether I was here or not.The tremors rocked me until my teeth chattered.To calm myself, I fantasized the impossible I imagined the big wolves catching up to Laurent in the woods and massacring the indestructible immortal the way they would any normal person. Despite the absurdity of such a vision, the idea soothe me. If the wolves got him, then he couldnt tell Victoria I was here all alone. If he didnt return, maybe shed think the Cullens were still protecting me. If only the wolves could win such a fightMy good vampires were never coming back how soothing it was to imagine that the other kind could also disappear.I squeezed m y eyes tight together and waited for unconsciousnessalmost eager for my nightmare to start. Better that than the pale, beautiful face that smiled at me now from behind my lids.In my imagination, Victorias eyes were black with thirst, bright with anticipation, and her lips curled back from her lambency teeth in pleasure. Her red hair was brilliant as fire it blew chaotically around her wild face.Laurents words repeated in my head. If you knew what she had planned for you I pressed my fist against my mouth to keep from screaming.