CHAPTER 4
The next morning in Forks was different. The weather was the same stupid weather as always. But this day felt abnormal, dangerous...
A worker was running desperately; he knew something was chasing him. You could feel the tension. He was running for his life.
He was a security guard; he jumped and dodged obstacles while escaping, but what followed him was not human, not animal…
The guard reached a metal staircase, but he slipped and fell to the ground. Right in that moment, a hand grabbed him by his shirt and threw him into the air like he weighed nothing.
The guard let out a guttural scream, and everything filled with blood when those shadows attacked him from different angles.
He could not do anything. From the beginning, he was already doomed...
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> Cafeteria
Charlie had a brutal and delicious-looking steak in front of him. He shared the table with Bella, who watched him with a strange expression. Cora, the waitress, a woman maybe in her 30s, walked toward them.
"I can't believe how much you've grown… and how pretty," she told Bella with a kind smile.
A man, looking like he was around 50, approached them with a friendly face and said to Bella:
"Do you remember me, sweetheart? I was Santa Claus one year," he said, smiling at her.
"Waylon, she hasn't spent Christmas here since she was four," Charlie answered.
"I bet I made a good impression anyway," Waylon said, looking at both of them.
"You always do, trust me," Charlie replied with a small smile.
"Come on, let the girl finish her meal," he told Waylon, dragging him away.
"When you finish, I'll bring your favorite pie. Yes, your dad still orders it every Thursday," Cora winked at Bella and smiled at Charlie.
"That would be great, I would love that," Bella replied with a smile.
Cora left them alone. Charlie and Bella both reached for the salt at the same time, creating an awkward silence—neither really knew how to talk after so many years.
"So, you eat here every night?" Bella asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"It's easier than washing dishes," Charlie said, trying to make it sound like a joke.
"I can cook," Bella said quietly. "I used to cook all the time in Phoenix. Mom isn't very good, to be honest."
"I remember…" Charlie said, like a sudden memory.
They both laughed a little at the thought of those terrible dinners. But at least they were together.
"How's school going?" Charlie asked. "Did you meet anyone?"
"I met a few people… I have a friend, Logan Black. You know him, right?"
"Of course. He's a great kid, very polite. You two played a lot when you were younger. I think he told me you used to write each other sometimes, is that true?" Charlie asked, trying to get more information about Logan. "It's a shame about his parents. I also heard he had some problems with his uncle Billy lately and moved into an apartment."
"You should talk with him a little. It's hard being alone. I wouldn't mind if you visited him," Charlie added, his voice softer. "His father was a great man. A very good friend."
"I didn't know he lived alone… I'll talk to him for sure," Bella replied, looking a little sad. "Do you know the Cullens too?"
Charlie looked up and answered:
"People still talking about them? They moved here not long ago, that's why they're always a topic. Dr. Cullen is a great man. Forks is lucky someone like that works in this falling-apart hospital. Thank God Mrs. Cullen agreed to move here," Charlie continued. "At least their kids aren't troublemakers like some others around here."
"They always seemed reserved to me. I think they're good for Forks."
"I think they're fine too," Bella said.
Then they continued eating in silence, but it felt less uncomfortable than before.
---
The next day
Logan heard on the news about the attack from an "animal" that killed a security guard. This was serious; they wouldn't stop. But he couldn't do anything—he was no longer part of the pack. Still, one thing was certain: he would NOT let these vampires attack innocent people.
The day felt even more depressing, and the rain fell as if confirming something: everything was about to change.
When Logan arrived at school, his mind was all over the place. The guard's death had his senses at maximum. All he wanted was to leave school and go after whoever did this… but deep inside he knew it wasn't a good idea. Not yet. He needed to know what they were facing, and how many.
---
> In the cafeteria
Bella and Logan met at the entrance and greeted each other with small smiles.
"Bella, how are you today?" Logan asked with his best smile.
Bella looked at him, rolling her eyes in a sarcastic way.
"Who would've thought… you DO know how to greet people," she whispered.
"Come on, it's too early to fight," Logan replied.
Bella looked at him for a moment, then her expression softened.
"I had dinner with my dad yesterday. You remember him, right?" Bella asked, in a strange tone. "He remembers you. He told me to tell you that you can visit anytime you want."
"Aaah…" Logan sighed. "So you found out. Bella, don't worry, I'm perfectly fine," he said, tapping his chest. "Just a small problem with my family. We'll fix it, trust me. Living alone is not that bad."
"I just want you to know you can talk to me if you need," Bella said, giving him a small smile and a little tap on the shoulder.
"Don't even start, that won't work. Don't think I forgot how you used to make me eat dirt when we were kids," Logan replied with a grin. "Come on, let's go with the others."
Together, they joined Jessica, Mike, Eric and Angela.
Logan felt the day was sadder than usual, but that moment—and knowing you have people around you—made the weight a little easier to carry.
To be continued…