Chapter 10: Shadows in the Rain
Bella watched the rain fall in thick curtains on her bedroom windows while she waited for Charlie to change the tires on her truck. Her concern had been turning his stomach for days. She hadn't seen either Edward or Ethan in a while, and although she didn't want to admit it, their absence was beginning to affect her more than she expected. Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions, but what disturbed her most was that she couldn't stop thinking about Ethan, although she couldn't ignore the attraction she felt for Edward either. She was torn between two worlds and although she tried to convince herself that she just wanted to work things out with Ethan so she could move on, she knew it was more complicated than that
"I'll figure it out today," she thought as she. He adjusted his jacket. After school, she would go to the reservation. She needed to talk to Ethan. "Maybe this way I could close that chapter."
His thoughts of her were interrupted by the sound of the truck's engine. Her father got out of the car and walked quickly over, getting wet from the rain in the process
"I'm going to be late today," she said, with a serious look. They called me from Mason County. Apparently, an animal attacked a factory worker. It completely destroyed him.
Bella felt a chill. She knew that strange things were happening in Forks and the surrounding area, but this news stirred something inside her
—An animal? "She," she asked cautiously.
Charlie nodded, her eyebrows furrowed. I'm not so sure. It may be a bear, but we won't know until we see more. Anyway, don't worry. I'll be back late. See you at dinner
—Take care, Dad.
Bella watched him get into her car and drive away into the rain. For a moment, her mind wandered to what Charlie had told her, but she then pushed him away from her. The important thing now was Ethan.
---
At school, the day passed monotonously until her Biology class, where she was surprised to see Edward sitting in her usual spot. . Bella paused for a second, feeling a magnetic pull that forced her to look at him. Her emotions stirred strongly; That same tug she had felt the first time she saw him was intensifying. Because? Bella didn't want to feel that way, but she couldn't help it. Edward looked up and his golden eyes met hers. Edward seemed to struggle with something inside her, but finally smiled forcefully as Bella sat down next to her
"Hello," Edward said, his voice soft, yet filled with a strange tension. I wanted to apologize for my behavior. I was... rude and strange.
Bella, taken aback by her change of attitude, looked at him cautiously.
"I noticed it," she replied, halfway between surprise and humor. But it's okay, I guess.
"No, it's not okay," Edward insisted, his tone firmer this time. It's just... there were things she didn't expect.
Bella raised an eyebrow, still not fully understanding. Something about the way she said it made her feel like there was something he wasn't willing to reveal. However, before she could probe further, Edward smiled again, this time more warmly, and the conversation between them flowed naturally. Despite the initial discomfort, Bella felt a growing attraction towards him. There was something about Edward that she couldn't ignore, something that caught her, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it yet. Was it possible that she was already leaving behind what she felt for Ethan?
---
After class, Bella made a decision. Heart pounding, she drove toward the reservation, determined to talk to Ethan. Things couldn't go on like this, with so many issues unresolved. Upon arriving, she was greeted by Billy Black, who was sitting outside her house, and Jacob, who was working on her motorcycle in the garage where she has her makeshift workshop
—. Hello, Bella! —Jacob shouted over the noise of the rain, smiling.
Bella smiled back, but her mind was elsewhere. After exchanging greetings, she decided to get straight to the point
—Where is Ethan? —He asked, trying to sound casual.
Jacob frowned, drying his hands on a rag before approaching her
"Ethan...I'm not sure, Bella. Lately he's been... weird
—Strange? —Bella felt a knot in her stomach—. What do you mean?
Jacob sighed, looking towards the house where Billy was watching them from a distance. He seemed like he was hesitating about what to say, but he finally made up his mind
— he has distanced himself from everyone. He has been missing classes and disappearing for long periods of time. I've tried talking to him, but... he's not the same. Sometimes I think... well, maybe he's into something dangerous
—What do you mean? Drugs? —The word left Bella's mouth in disbelief. She couldn't imagine Ethan doing something like that. Not after everything that had happened.
Jacob shrugged, a shadow of doubt in his eyes
—It's the only thing I can think of. He's more aggressive, distant... it's like he's a different person
Bella felt a current of anxiety run through her body. "Ethan wouldn't do that...would he?" But before she could probe further, Billy's firm voice cut through the air
"Bella, you better go home." When Ethan gets back, I'll tell him to see you at school. I'm sure he will.
Billy's tone gave no room for argument, and although Bella sensed there was more behind her words, she decided not to press it any further. As she walked away from her, Jacob's words echoed in her mind. Was Ethan really using drugs... or was there something else, something much darker that she couldn't see?
---
Meanwhile, in the heart of the reservation, Ethan received the news of the attack in Mason County. Something inside him told him that it was not a simple animal attack. He was a vampire. And if they didn't take action, Forks could be the next target.
He met with his pack at the edge of the forest, his faces reflecting the worry and tension of the moment. Ethan, as alpha, spoke up.
—This is not an accident. We've seen it before. There are vampires nearby and we cannot let them cross into our territory. Let's split up and patrol. Jared, Embry, you guys are going north. Paul will go with Quil you are heading east, as Quil recently transformed he will need guidance, Paul. Sam, I'm counting on you in the south, you already have more experience, you will go alone. If anything happens, let us know immediately. I will take care of the west and check the borders.
The group nodded, transforming into wolves one by one. Ethan's muscles tensed before he took the final step. His body transformed into an imposing wolf figure, disappearing among the trees. As his companions headed to their respective areas, he ran toward the border, his thoughts occupied with the vampires... and Rosalie. He couldn't help it. Despite everything that was happening around him, she was still there, in her mind, a constant presence. But now was not the time to think about that. Now, there was a bigger threat he must face.
Night was falling quickly and the rain continued to fall as Ethan patrolled silently, vigilantly.