Forks Page 7

  Completely freaked, I fumbled with the keys and started the SUV. It roared to life. I hit the lock button, slammed the SUV into reverse, and punched the gas. Gravel spewed in the air as I quickly backed out of the drive. My feet barely touched the pedals and I tried to see over the steering wheel. Once in the road, I slammed on the brakes. I looked out the window down the drive. All I could see was my car. Idling, I sat in the middle of the road…

  An unholy noise came from somewhere in the woods.

  With shaking hands, I put the SUV in gear and hit the gas. The wheels squealed on the wet pavement as I sped toward home.

  The Cult blared out of the speakers suddenly. “Ahh,” I screamed. Fumbling with the dials, I shut it off.

  Nothing made sense. The rain had started again, making it even harder to see but somehow I made it to my street in one piece. Slowing slightly, I pulled into my driveway and killed the engine. The Deputy was still here. I jumped out of the SUV and ran inside.

  Throwing open the door, it banged against the wall.

  The living room was empty. “Son of a …”

  Without thinking, I ran up the stairs to the second floor. I could see my mom’s light on under her door. I ran down the hall and knocked crazily.

  “Deputy Warren?” I called. There were a few explicit words uttered and then the door swung open. Mom stood there, with her fuzzy robe wrapped securely around her, looking frazzled.

  “Amber…” She pushed out the door. “What are you doing?”

  “I need the Deputy, something happened to Viktor.”

  “What?” She gaped at me, like I was a pod person.

  “Mom, I don’t have time.” I tried to shove past.

  “Amber, stop.” She blocked me.

  Ken finally made an appearance. His shirt unbuttoned, revealing a surprisingly bare chest. He raked his hand through his molded hair. “Amber, what’s the matter?”

  “Something, this thing, and then he told me to go and I came here. I didn’t know what to do.” Incoherent words rushed from me.

  The Deputy blinked stupidly at me.

  “Did you hear me?” I yelled.

  “Amber, what are you talking about?”

  “Viktor needs you.”

  That perked Ken up. He stood straighter; pushing back his shoulders like the Queen had just entered the room. “Tell me again what happened,” he said all business now.

  “We were fixing my tire and then Viktor told me to leave and I saw this thing in the driveway that wasn’t right and he made me leave and come home. I don’t know what is out there but it looked like a big animal—but it was the size of a person. I think.”

  “Where is he?” Ken asked, looking freaked.

  “Ah, we were in Mr. Fergusons driveway.”

  “What were you two doing in old man Fergusons driveway?”

  “That’s where my car is.” I tried to keep it together. “Does it even matter?” I pulled at my hair in frustration. “You have to go and help Viktor.”

  “Calm down, Amber,” Ken said in a surprisingly soothing tone. “I will drive out there and take a look.”

  “I will go with you.”

  “No!” his voice raised an octave. “This is a matter for the Police department.” He lowered his voice. “You will only get in the way.”

  “But…”

  “Listen,” his tone was placating now, “this is what I am paid to do.”

  “Okay.” I relented. “Hurry.”

  “Eileen…” He gave her an apologetic look.

  “Be careful out there.” She stepped forward and pressed her body against his for a lot longer than necessary.

  “I will.” He kissed her forehead.

  It was really sweet actually but seriously? Now was not the time.

  “I will take care of it Amber, don’t you worry,” he assured me. “You did the right thing.” After he got his gun and jacket out of the bedroom, he left.

  seven

  The air smelled like the ocean and dead leaves. Bundled in my jacket, I sat outside my room on the balcony. I set up a little folding chair I got for the beach with an umbrella clipped to the back to stop the drizzle from hitting me, waiting for Ken and Viktor to come back.

  Mom had waited up with me for a while but finally went to bed. She said Ken would call her if he heard any news. That was the thing about my mom she could sleep through all kinds of stuff. Nothing fazed her really, at least not the normal things that should.

  Mist crept out of the woods, giving the area a strange dreamlike quality. My television blared from my room; I could hear snippets of the local news and the forecast for the weekend. It was going to rain…again.

  “What else is new,” I grumbled, hunkering further down in my chair. The temperature dropped drastically and my breath came out as a white cloud.

  All I could think about was Viktor and whatever that thing was. I didn’t get it. Why would he want me to leave and not come with me? No matter how many ways I twisted it in my mind I kept coming back to the same answer. Somehow, he knew what it was and somehow he knew it put me in danger…but what about him?

  Time passed really slowly, like it always did when you were waiting for something to happen. The steady drone of the rain hitting my umbrella lulled me and my eyes drifted shut. I kept them closed, merely listening for the sound of a car. My thoughts turned to Vincent and how he had acted earlier.

  It was weird. Why did he leave without saying goodbye? I suddenly wished I had his number so I could call him and ask or just talk to him. My stomach twisted with worry.

  The wind picked up, howling through the trees. A scratching sound came from beside me. Jolting upright, I looked around for the source. My heart beat rapidly against my ribs. I got up and leaned over the railing. One of the branches of a tree beside the house scrapped against the siding.

  “Stupid tree,” I muttered and finally climbed back inside the window. I was damp and cold and had lost the feeling in my toes and fingers. Once inside I didn’t know what to do, so I decided to take a quick hot shower to warm up and kill some time. Grabbing my toiletries, a pair of yoga pants and a few other things to wear, I headed to the second floor. The stairs groaned under the weight of my feet. I glanced down the hall, my mom’s light was on, but that was nothing new. She slept with it on most of the time…she usually fell asleep with a book in her hand. Maybe after I showered I should try to read to help take my mind off of Viktor.

  I stayed under the hot spray of water longer than I intended. Once the water started to cool, I turned off the faucet and climbed out. The tiles were damp under my feet. Hitching the towel under my arms, I quickly dried my hair. Glinda’s number was still in bold black on my arm with some kind of black bird underneath she had doodled. I would have scrubbed off the number but wanted to program it in my phone.

  After getting dressed and brushing my teeth, I left the bathroom and went back upstairs.

  Opening up my door, I stopped. Cool air wafted across the room. The big circular window squeaked, blowing forward in the breeze.

  “I thought I shut that.” I set my stuff on the upholstered chair I used for reading in the corner. Rubbing my arms, I walked over to the window and looked out. The fog was thicker now, obstructing my view of the street. There was still no sign of Viktor or Ken. Giving up, I shut the window and climbed in bed. My phone was blinking. My heart raced. I scrolled to the number and froze. It matched the one on my arm. I hit voicemail and listened.

  “Amber this is Glinda,” she giggled. She sounded drunk. “What are you dooooing…? There was another eruption of laughter, and then dial tone.

  I debated whether to call her back and programmed her number in my phone. What I would like to know is how she even got my number. Lifting a pillow, I pulled it into my lap, hugging it and stared at the phone.

  Nothing happened.

  Not that I thought it would but I had a strangest feeling of being watched. Shivering, I climbed under my comforter and pulled it up to my chin. I looked a
t the television. Twilight was playing… again.

  “Ugh!” I smothered my face with my pillow.

  A cool hand slid over my face. I opened my eyes and Viktor was there. A shroud of darkness surrounded him. His beautiful face inches from my own. His breath warm against my skin. The smell enticing, it drew me closer.

  “How are you here?” my voice came out muffled, sounding strange. His black hair fell forward over his brow as he leaned closer to me.

  Somewhere deep down I knew this couldn’t be real but it certainly seemed real. So I went with it.

  His lips came down on mine but they weren’t warm—like I expected. They were cold…so cold. I tried to pull away but his hands held me down—trapping me in place.

  He barred his teeth and his beautiful eyes were no longer gray, they glowed in the darkness. A sharp stinging sensation shot into my neck and blood poured from the open wounds. I felt it leaving my body and I was growing weaker, falling deeper into an abyss of nothingness.

  “Why are you doing this?” my voice vibrated in my ears.

  “Because I’m a Vampire …”

  Wrenching upright, my pillow fell to the floor. Chest heaving, I looked around my room. Early morning light spilled in through my window. I put my hand to my neck expecting blood to be gushing out but when I pulled my hand away there was none…

  “Just a dream,” I told myself. I took a deep breath and could swear I smelled cinnamon.

  Throwing off my comforter, I ran to the window, and looked out. Peggy Sue was in the driveway and his SUV was gone. I pushed open the window and cool air blew against me. Shivering I looked out at the dreary landscape. The air was cloying with the smell of decomposing wet leaves. I shut the window and tossed on my hoodie, and went down to my mom’s room. The door stood ajar. Faint light streamed into the hall. I pushed open the door and Mom was sitting up with her glasses on, reading.

  “Mom,” I called quietly as to not scare her, hugging the doorframe.

  “Amber,” she said, looking surprised and pulled off her glasses. “What are you doing up?”

  “Did Ken come back?”

  “No, but he called me.” She turned the page and put back on her glasses.

  “Well?” I gaped at her. “What did he say?”

  “Oh,” she said, glancing up from the page. “Everything is fine. He’s coming to see me tonight.” She blushed.

  “Mom, what about Viktor?”

  “Amber, what is your problem?”

  “My problem is, I am waiting for you to tell me what happened, and all you keep doing is reading.”

  “Sorry.” She gave me a sheepish smile and tapped her book. “I am at a really good part.”

  “Mom, I don’t care.”

  “Well, you asked.” She pursed her lips.

  I took a breath trying to find some patience. She wasn’t acting any different but right now it was really starting to make me angry. “And what happened to Viktor?”

  “I suppose he is all right, Ken didn’t really say.”

  “Who brought the car back?”

  She glanced back down to the page. “I guess someone brought it back.”

  “Oh my God, you are ridiculous.” I stomped away. Talking to my mom was like pulling teeth sometimes. I climbed the stairs back to my room and tossed off my hoodie. Climbing back in bed, I laid there, staring up at my ceiling, feeling anxious. Of course, I didn’t have his number so I couldn’t check on him to see if he was okay. I shut my eyes and tried to go back to sleep but I kept replaying the night in my mind.

  Irritated, I got up and went downstairs to make some coffee. After I brewed a pot, I poured two cups of coffee and took one up to my mom, too. I was hoping to lure more information out of her.

  “Oh, thanks honey.” She took the cup and cradled it, her eyes scanning quickly across the page of her book.

  “What time is Ken coming over?”

  She beamed, her book forgotten. “He’ll be here after work, around seven, I think.” She took a sip of her coffee.

  Well that was helpful…not. “Okay.” I walked toward the door.

  “Amber,” she called.

  “Yeah,” I said and turned.

  “I am sure Viktor is all right or Ken would have said.”

  “I guess you’re right.”

  “You like him?”

  I frowned. “I don’t know” I sighed. “I really don’t know him well enough to form an opinion yet.”

  “He’s awfully cute.”

  “Yeah,” I smiled, “he really is.”

  “What do you think of Ken?”

  “Um, he seems nice.”

  “Isn’t he gorgeous?” she asked. “Did you see his muscles?” She wiggled like an excited kid.

  This conversation, some would consider inappropriate, but my mom acted more my age than I did most of the time. She was what my dad used to call a free spirit. I wasn’t sure about the spirit part but she was certainly “free” in other ways. But hey, she was an adult and it was her life. I just hoped things worked out with Ken, if not…well I wouldn’t think about that now. I didn’t want to jinx it for her.

  Trudging back up to my room, I pushed open my door and walked to my desk. Setting down my cup, I sat, and flipped on my computer. It made an abundance of clicking noises and finally flickered on. I looked up the history of Forks and the demographics. Assault and rape were really high compared to the standard. I couldn’t help but wonder if those were the “incidents” Ken was talking about. No wonder he didn’t want me going out alone.

  On the town’s main page there was a caption that said, “Come join us and celebrate Bella’s birthday.” I looked at the date. It was today. Since I didn’t have anything else to do, I decided to check it out. I grabbed a piece of paper, jotted down the different times for the events, and wrote down where the Quileute tribe member was giving a tour of La Push. Now that I had something to do, I shut off my computer and went to get ready. I didn’t want to admit what I was really hoping for—that I might run into a particular boy.

  eight

  A large crowd gathered out in front of Forks Visitor Center and the Forks Timber Museum. Across the street was an airport, although I didn’t think they used it much anymore. Pulling my jacket closer, I looked for familiar faces; I saw two, and groaned. Viola and Cressida were standing off to the side, taking pictures in front of Bella’s truck from the movie. There was even a cutout of Kristen Stewart inside. Seriously.

  Feeling weirdly out of place and alone, I pulled out my phone and dialed Glinda’s number. I bounced in place trying to warm up “Pick up. Pick up.”

  “I’ll be there in five,” she said and then nothing but dial tone. “What?” I stared down at my phone and then shoved it back in my pocket. Standing away from the crowd, I angled myself so Bella’s truck was behind me, and after Viola and Cressida left, I snapped a quick selfie.

  Sue me. There was no reason why I shouldn’t get into the Twilight craze too. I mean, everyone else was, so if you can’t beat’ em…join’ em, I always say. In the distance, I heard a bullhorn. The bus-taking people to the Swan’s house were leaving in five minutes. Edging my way to the line, I waited for Glinda. Cold hands snaked over my eyes.

  “Boo,” a little voice chirped. Hands lifted off my eyes.

  “What took you so long?”

  Glinda looked up at me, blinking. Her china blue eyes were even more alarmingly bright outside against the dreary backdrop. She had on a stocking hat with earflaps and little tassels, hanging down. Her curly blonde hair stuck out from underneath and she had a scarf wrapped around her neck. She reminded me of Tinkerbelle. She seemed to recover and giggled. “You got me.” She bumped shoulders with me.

  “How’d you know to meet me here?”

  She tapped the side of her head. “I had a feeling you would call.”

  I gave her a look of disbelief and then she giggled again. The sound reminding me of tinkling chimes. “I’m just messing with you. I was already on my way here. I come
every year.” She opened her jacket and showed me her Team Jasper t-shirt.

  “What no Edward or Jacob?” I laughed.

  “No.” She bit her lip and shook her head. “I am partial to the strong silent types.

  “Hmm.” I wasn’t sure exactly what she meant by that since I had never watched the whole movie or read the book. I guessed at some point I may want to, just so I knew what everyone was talking about.

  “Where are we going?” She nodded in the direction of the bus.

  “They said the Swan house.”

  “Ooo-Yay! I want to see it before Charlie moves.”

  “Huh?”

  She tilted her head to the side. “Oh, you don’t know.”

  “Don’t know what?”

  “The people who owned the house, well they are going to sell it. So, we just say Charlie might be moving.”

  “Oh,” I said and rocked back on my heels. “Good to know.” I widened my eyes and looked at some distant spot, not really seeing anything.

  “You don’t get us, do you?”

  “Um…” I pulled my lip in, contemplating my answer. “No, I guess not.”

  “It’s okay. You’ll get it, soon enough.”

  “Oh—kay.” It was colder out today and with the dampness from all the recent rain, there was a bite in the air. Clouds hung heavily and it looked like it might rain at any moment. I was just glad it wasn’t raining now. Glinda grabbed my arm and pulled me closer to the bus. I stood behind her and blew on my hands, trying to warm up my fingers—the tips were white. Finally, I pulled out my mittens and slid them over my hands.

  “So did you have fun with Viktor last night?” she asked suddenly. Her eyes glittered with humor.

  “How’d you know I was with Viktor?”

  She shrugged. “Just a lucky guess,” she said. For some reason I didn’t believe her.

  “Um, well,” I hesitated. I didn’t know if I should go into all the stuff that happened or not.