Chapter 3: Fallout

After my conversation with Embry, I made Charlie promise that he'd look more into the situation.

It wasn't until Thursday evening that he brought it to my attention again, although it hadn't left my mind in the last few days.

"I talked to Billy today about those kids from the Rez," Charlie said while rubbing a hand across his face. He looked tired but the station was keeping him occupied. There had been a report of an animal attack from a few towns over and he had made it his responsibility to help in anyway he could.

I convinced myself that these animal attacks were different this time around, because I knew what some 'animal attacks' actually meant, even if no one else did. It wasn't possible though. That time of my life was over and all vampires were far from forks.

Charlie continued, "He basically told me to mind my own business and that what happened on the reservation wasn't the business of Forks or anyone else other than their own people."

I processed this information quietly, wondering what was forcing Billy to be so uptight with his best friend. I can't say I'm not surprised. Billy always had this way of being uptight.

"I don't think you have to worry though Bells. Billy told me that those boys have done nothing but right for their people. He mentioned something about being the people's 'protectors' from the bad in the world. It doesn't make much sense because they don't seem to have much to be protected from but they come from a different culture than us. It all appears to be harmless so I wouldn't worry about it anymore."

Protectors. The familiarity from that word stirred unease beneath my surface. I had heard it before but I couldn't remember exactly where from.

I texted Embry later to tell him what Charlie had told me but I didn't get any response back. I figured I'd just talk to him tomorrow.

By the time Friday came, I was more than ready to get out of the house and spend time in the presence of my friends and more-so, talk to Embry about what Charlie said, but by that evening, Embry was nowhere to be found.

Jake and Quil entered Tyler's house looking distressed, tension rolling off their shoulders.

"Where's Embry?" I asked after hugging the two of them.

"He's sick," Quil spat out, confusion laced in his words. He uttered them in a way that made me believe he was repeating what was rehearsed to him.

"Is he okay?" I asked Jake as we all took seats around the table in the dining room.

My friends had already got a jumpstart on the night and were lost in their own world of beer pong and other games consisting of plastic cups I didn't know the name for. No one noticed us sitting down at the table having our serious conversation.

"He's okay… I think," Jake sighed angrily. Their obvious worry was making me nervous.

"You think?" I asked him, sitting on the edge of my seat as I waited for him to respond.

Jake took a deep breath. "It was strange and happened so fast. Embry had told us that he hadn't been feeling good but we all just shrugged it off because he looked fine. Then around lunchtime yesterday, he came into the cafeteria looking beyond pissed off. Apparently his teacher gave him a bad grade on one of his papers and that got him all riled up. We tried to calm him down but he just started shaking and swearing. Everyone was staring at us and then that asshole Paul showed up out of nowhere and dragged him outside into his car and drove off before we could do anything about it. It pissed us off because he just kidnapped him without saying anything so Quil and I ran to his house. Then it got weird. We showed up right after my Dad and Harry Clearwater were just walking inside. We tried to get in because we heard Embry screaming and moaning, it was freaking scary. I thought they were torturing him. We were basically shoved out of the house and kicked to the curb with no explanation, just told that he was really sick."

Quil continued on for Jake, "Then Sam showed up with Jared in tow and told us not to worry and to go home, that 'Embry will be fine.' I literally almost pushed his conceited face into a wall I was so mad," he said as he visibly shook. "Then Paul made some snide comments about minding our own business and they closed the door right in our faces. Like Embry isn't our business. It's bullshit, he's our best friend. He's not answering any of our calls and neither are his parents."

What. The. Hell.

"We tired to go back a few times yesterday but were just told to 'fuck off' from Paul. He's literally sitting out on the porch like a guard dog," Jake made a face of disgust at this. He got up from his chair and started pacing the small distance of the table. My worry grew by the second.

"None of this makes any sense, and now Sam and the gang are involved?" I said shaking my head. Embry didn't deserve any of this. He needed his friends, not some jacked up guys he didn't know. If he was just sick, why were they being so secretive and rude about it? I voiced my thoughts. "Why do they think it's any of their business if he's just sick?"

Quil and Jake shared a look of unease, both not having an answer. I sure as hell couldn't come up with any plausible reason for it.

I was silent after that, my mind racing. Jake and Quil continued their conversation about Embry but I was lost in thought.

"We went over to see him again today after school but no one would let us in the house. He's our best friend and those asshole outright refused to let us inside." Quil said as he angrily looked out a window. His fists were clenched in tight balls and I could see his straining tendons protruding out.

"My Dad is no better. He didn't even come home last night, just stayed at Embry's house and told me to watch my back. I don't understanding anything, it's infuriating."

I was pissed off at Billy's involvement in the ordeal. There was something going on besides a kid being sick. What was so important that would cause him to act like this? Somewhere in the back of my mind whispered, you already know, but I pushed it out and let on with my annoyance.

Something was wrong and I was going to find out what it was. We were going to find out. I stood up abruptly, causing Jake and Quil to startle a bit at my sudden movement.

"Come on, let's get out of here and see if we can't sneak in his house or something. I'm sure this will all blow over in the next few days and Embry will be back and chipper as ever but in the meantime, let's see if we can lend a hand and get him away from those delusional people."

I drove down the road following Jake's directions. They were both quiet, besides the occasional mumble about Sam ruining everything, from Quil. I ignored the nagging feeling in the back of my mind as we pulled up to a small house at the end of a road.

"Stop here," Jake said as he jumped out of the truck as I came to a stop. We walked in silence to the front door. I kept looking around, half expecting Paul to jump up and start screaming profanities at us but as we climbed up the porch, no one came.

I stepped forwards and knocked while we all waited in suspense. A woman in her late forties slowly opened the door after a minute, peeking her head out cautiously. As soon as she saw Jake and Quil standing by my side she visibly relaxed, although her eyes seemed saddened; her shoulders drooping with unseen weight.

"He's not here boys," the woman, who I think was Embry's mom, sighed with grief.

"Where is he then?" Quil craned his neck to see inside, most likely hoping to get a glance of Embry, not believing her.

"He left with Sam a little while ago."

That was all we needed to hear. Jake quickly stormed off down the steps. Quil turned to follow after giving the woman in the doorframe a small, sad smile. I stared at her, trying to see something, anything that would help us, in her eyes.

Instead, I saw myself. I saw what I looked like months ago. I saw someone suffering in silence and feeling hopeless over something she couldn't control.

I didn't want to look anymore so without a word, I went after my friends.

I dropped Quil off at his house first, hugging him tightly while whispering promises I knew I couldn't keep. No one had to say it but I knew we were all thinking along the same lines. Embry most likely wasn't coming back. Quil disappeared inside and when he did, Jake sighed noisily.

I wanted to be happy with my friends again and not think about what happened in the last few days. I wanted to forget.

Jake was silent as I made my way to his house. The drive was fast, as he only lived a few streets away, yet it seemed like a lifetime.

"You know Bella, you're something special," Jake said, disrupting the silence as I stopped in front of his house.

"I'm nothing special Jake, just glad I have friends like you and Quil by my side."

Jake continued after hesitating, "I'm serious though. You're a great, fun, caring person. Thank you for helping Quil and I; most people wouldn't care like you do. Yesterday and today haven't been easy but somehow, you made it bearable. You're just so selfless, it's special. I'm glad I have you in my life."

"I'm glad I have you too, Jake. You're one of the best friend's I have." Jake tensed at the word friend, but quickly shoved it off with a smile. We didn't need to say more.

I drove home deep in thought, still worried for Embry but happy I had people with me.

The next two weeks passed the same as before, minus having Embry at our side. He had made an appearance to Jake and Quil the Monday after the weekend we went to his house. Jake and Quil informed me on everything that happened that day while we were sitting in Jake's garage surrounded by our bike project.

"At first I didn't recognize him. He looked different... he looked like them."

"Not to mention that he was following Sam like he was his bitch," Quil said as he chucked a small pebble across the garage. I wasn't that surprised to hear this, especially after the way Sam and his followers acted when he got sick.

"So did you talk to him?" I tried to picture what could have changed Embry so much that caused his friends to barely recognize him. I shuddered as I saw Sam's massive form in my mind.

"We tried. Quil yelled his name across the parking lot but he didn't even turn, just kept following behind Sam."

"It pissed us off that he ignored us so Jake and I ran after him and once we got close, Embry spun around and glared at us. I've never seen him that mad at us before, and for no reason! He told us to 'get lost,' but I wasn't having it so we continued following him, yelling that he couldn't just ditch us for people he doesn't even know," Quil paused, most likely remember the scene I wish to have seen with my own eyes. "Once I said that he started trembling and got in my face and said, 'You don't know anything.' I honestly was scared and I've never been scared of Embry."

"What happened then?"

Jake scoffed, "Sam came and put his hand on his shoulder and pulled him off again. That was it. I tried calling him after but all I got was voicemail. I shouldn't be surprised though, Embry has always tried to fit in with the crowd, I just don't know what we did to piss him off so much. The hostility is unnecessary."

I agreed with him, working over the days before he was sick to see if I could fill in any blanks. I came up empty handed.

The weeks that followed went on the same. The boys only caught sight of Embry in passing and when they did, Embry only glared over at them. They stopped trying to contact him after I told them he wasn't worth being upset over anymore, even though we all knew I didn't mean it. If he wanted to contact us he would. I thought it was pointless to try and get caught up with anything involving Sam.

It wasn't until Wednesday night, almost three weeks after Embry's sickness, that I got a frantic call from Jake, changing everything.

I couldn't understand what he was saying and I started freaking out at how panicked he was acting. Did someone die? I kept hearing Quil's name followed by jumbled words. I made out a low moaning sound in the background.

"Jake calm down, you need to breathe and start over, I don't understand what you're trying to say." The other end of the line was filled with Jakes ragged breaths as he tried to calm himself enough to talk. He repeated what he said rapidly, but more clear so I could catch his words.

"I need you to come down to my house now. We were just playing video games and things got out of hand and we started arguing over something pointless. I was so mad about Embry and everything that happened and I said something out of line to Quil and he started shaking and screaming. I'm scared Bella and I don't want to call my Dad because I'm scared he'll shut me out like last time," Jake choked on his words as a sob was released. My heart broke as I realized the intensity of the situation.

History has a way of repeating itself. Embry's face flashed in my head as I heard Quil scream lowly in the background.

"Jake don't go anywhere, I'm on my way."

I hurried to get to my truck, almost forgetting to turn off the oven with Charlie's half-cooked meatloaf sitting inside. I sped down the road as I thought about Quil.

Pulling up to the house, I threw the truck door open and ran as quickly as I dared inside. I could hear Quil's screams before I even managed to open the front door.

I took in the sight before me with dread: Quil was laying on the floor, withering in obvious pain as he struggled to keep his screaming down. My heart rate sped up. Jake sat next to him, hands pulling at his hair as he stared helplessly at Quil. I rushed over to my friends, adrenaline taking over.

"Holy shit Jake, he's burning up!" I yelled as my hand brushed his forehead. This wasn't normal, Quil needed a hospital now. It was like touching a heated stovetop.

"Bella I don't know what to do. I didn't even mean what I said, I just wasn't thinking and Quil got this look in his face, like he wanted to strangle me. He shoved me once and then fell over screaming. I don't know. I don't know what to do," Jake kept murmuring closing his eyes in distress.

I leapt up making my way into the kitchen, remembering the first aid I was taught in the past. Not 10 seconds after I placed a bag of ice on Quil's forehead did the door burst open, revealing the people we dreaded to see the most.

It was definitely history repeating itself. I made eye contact with Sam, confused about his arrival, but he pushed past me.

"Move," Sam ordered as Paul, Jared and surprisingly Embry quickly followed behind. Billy came into view behind them, nervousness radiating off him. I glared at him.

"The hell I will! Quil doesn't need you bullshit right now so you can all just piss off and leave us alone," Jake screamed, standing at full height as he got close to Sam's face.

"What's going on? What's wrong with Quil and why do you think it involves any of you? He needs a hospital, not some local freakshow parading half-naked around him!" I didn't understand what happened next, as my eyes tried to follow the fast paced scene.

Paul started shaking, letting out a low noise. He stalked in the direction of Jake and I. I took a step back right into Jake's chest as he glared murderously at the two of us. Embry and Jared grabbed his forearms before he got any closer and dragged him out the back yelling along with him, "Fuck off Jake, you're just a stupid boy who gets into business you has no right to! And fuck you too leech-lover!"

They disappeared and a moment later, I heard ripping followed by loud noises. I made move to follow after to confront them, my anger getting the best of me, but was halted abruptly by Billy's wheelchair.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you Bella," I stopped mid-step, turning back around. Sam was leaning over Quil as Jake stood in the corner, glaring with hatred at the man in front of Quil. "Jake, take Bella home. I'm going to deal with Quil."

"What?! Dad, no! Not until I get an explanation." I nodded in agreement, stepping closer to Jake and putting my arm around himt. "You can't just cut me off and leave me hanging like you have been the last few months. Quil is our friend, you can't brush us aside!" Jake started shaking more and more as his speech went on. I squeezed his side and laid my head on his shoulder while he relaxed just a little. As angry as I was, I knew that I didn't want things to get even more out of hand then they already had.

"Jacob Ephraim Black. I won't say this again. Take Bella and get out of here. Now is not the time or the place to discuss this. Leave now and don't come back for a few hours. Quil will be fine, I promise you." Quil let out a loud scream and I cringed. I stood straight and looked directly at Billy in his chair.

"Fine how Billy? Fine like Embry? Ignoring us for no reason? Pushing aside his friends and joining the local gang out of nowhere? That isn't fine. Not to me, not to Jake."

"This is beyond you Bella. It's beyond us all. You need to leave. Now." His parting words lingered in the air, filling it with ominous reasoning. The hairs on the back of my neck rose.

I didn't understand. From Sam's involvement with Quil to Billy practically kicking us out of the house, nothing made sense anymore.

I grabbed Jake's hand a steered us outside, Jake openly glaring from his father to Sam. Billy gave me a tense, small smile in what I think was gratitude.

The fresh air hit both of us as Jake allowed me to drag him into my truck, Quil's screams becoming softer in the distance. I drove to my house, assuming that was the best place to go to wait it out. The ride was quiet, both of us lost in thought and worry for Quil. I truly hoped that Billy knew what he was doing, not just for Quil's sake but for Jake's as well.

When we pulled up, I killed the engine and leaned back in my seat. We sat in silence for hours as the sky grew dark, stars making their way out between the breaks in the clouds. It was almost peaceful.

Eventually, Jake sighed and squeezed his eyes closed.

"Nothing makes sense anymore Bella. I was so angry when my Dad told me to leave. So, so angry. I've never felt that anger before, especially towards my own father. I feel like an alien in my own skin. First Embry and now Quil. God, Quil. I can't imagine what Sam and the others are poisoning him with. My Dad's words from a few weeks ago keep repeating in my head: 'You'll know soon enough.' But I don't know. I didn't know then and I still don't know now. It's killing me." It's killing me too. His sadness poked at my heart.

I didn't know what to say so I reached for his hand that was tugging his hair and held it between my own.

"We'll figure it out Jake. It'll be okay."

But in all honesty, it got worse from that point on. After I dropped Jake off at home hours later, Quil was nowhere in sight. Billy wasn't any help either, only repeating that Quil will be fine.

The days that followed went on the same and Jake was growing more nervous as the time ticked on.

I was on edge, becoming more distressed in my worry for Quil and Embry. We hadn't seen either of them since that night. No answers were given to us no matter how hard we pushed for them. I couldn't fathom up a reasonable explanation.

Jake tried asking Billy a countless amount but was brushed off everytime. I was angry now. Angry that this happened again to someone we love. It wasn't fair to us. It wasn't fair to anyone.

My friends at school tried to pacify me as I gave them a very nondescript summary on what was happening. I was hardly sleeping, too worried and angry to drift off. I directed my energy in projects: reorganizing my room, then the bathroom, then the family room. Moving the couch here, changing the order of pictures hung on the wall, redecorating the kitchen. It kept me busy but I was still worried. Jake kept me company most of the time; both of us needing the distraction.

The bikes were coming along great, as well as the random other projects we took to filling our time with. I called Quil's phone everyday but got no answer.

Saturday night I decided that Jake and I needed to have fun and get a better distraction from our thoughts. We found ourselves walking the beach with Mike and the others but it was hard to actually enjoy it.

The others didn't actually know how serious things were with Quil and Embry so we thought it better to keep it to ourselves.

Hours later we sat around a fire, passing drinks along. I found myself relaxing as I drank a little bit more than I had in the past. I saw Jake doing the same and pretty soon, we were smiling and laughing as Tyler told a story. For the most part, we forgot about our worry.

"You know Jake, everything will work out in the end," I said as I hugged him closer. We were walking along the shore line then, gazing up at the stars. "Everything always works out in the end."

Jake hugged me back, smiling as he gazed at the stars.

I completely believed what I said.

I just wish I knew how wrong I was when I said it.

Authors Note:

I want to start off by saying sorry that the story may seem to drag in some parts and skip ahead in others. There's a lot that will happen in this story so I don't want to spend too much time on pointless information but I also need to fill in the blanks that lead up to the juicy parts.

I also got asked if Bella and Jacob will develop a romantic relationship at some point. Absolutely not. I never liked the Bella/Jake pairing. This is a strictly Bella/Edward story, even if the Cullen's don't make their appearance for awhile.

Although, Jake and Bella do develop a deep connection and good friend relationship, better than they had in the books. I'm sticking to the book version of Jake who likes Bella in a different way than she likes him but no other relationship with them besides being friends will happen.

Review if you like it, because I want to know if it's actually worth continuing. I hope you're enjoying though, keep reading and wait until the next chapter!

cyanidemayhem