For what felt like the thousandth time in the last half hour, my gaze drifted first to my phone and then out into the darkness of the forest. My phone, just like all the other times before, showed no new messages. The view into the woods revealed nothing new either. The more time passed, the more uneasy I felt in my stomach.
Worry kept me from sleeping; the thought that Paul or one of the others might have come to harm wouldnât leave my mind. I didnât want to think about it at all. Perhaps they were already home and hadnât found the time to let me know, exhausted from the search or the fight. Yet even the positive thoughts I tried to convince myself with offered little comfort.
I tried again to close my eyes, hoping that sleep would finally come. But suddenly, there was a knock at my window. I jumped up and immediately looked over. Despite the darkness, I could make out Paul, pulling himself up onto the windowsill. At first glance, he seemed to be fine. I quickly ran to the window and opened it. Paul swung himself in without much trouble. His hair was tousled, but otherwise, he seemed unharmed. Relief washed over me as I sank onto my bed.
Then I turned on the small bedside lamp, and Paul flopped down beside me. He looked exhausted and briefly closed his eyes before looking at me.
"Everyone is okay," Paul said weakly, then added, "We didnât catch the bloodsucker. Itâs a scent we donât recognize. So we have no choice but to increase patrols. Iâm asking you to not leave the house alone for the next few days so I know where you are. Otherwise, I wouldnât be able to sleep for worrying."
I nodded in understanding. After the worries of the evening I had experienced, I could relate to how he would feel if he didnât know where I was. Maybe, I thought, it would be even worse for him because of the imprinting.
"Will you stay with me tonight?" I asked him in a nearly shy voice. The worries of the evening tightened my throat. Paul seemed to feel the same way. He simply nodded silently as he lay down beside me on the bed, pulling me close to him. Finally, after such a long time, sleep seemed to overpower me, wrapped in Paulâs warmth.
In the following days, Paul kept his promise. He not only stayed with me at night but also made sure I was always near him at school and during my free time. It was a kind of protection that I initially felt was excessive, but the more I thought about the situation, the more I understood why he acted this way.
The pack and Paul patrolled tirelessly to ensure the safety of the village and its inhabitants. A feeling of uncertainty hovered over us like a dark shadow, and I could almost feel the tense atmosphere in the air. It was as if the world around us remained in a constant state of vigilance, and every glance into the distance seemed to underscore the ever-present threat.
When I wasnât with Paul or at school, I often found refuge with the Uleys. Along with Kim and Emily, one of the wolves was always nearby. It often fell to Seth since he was the youngest. And even though he thought it unfair, I was somehow glad that the teenager was kept safe. Yet my heart longed for Paul, who, as often as possible, was by my side. I knew, however, that the safety of the village took precedence over my own wishes.
Kim, Emily, and I had become good friends. Emily helped us with our homework, we baked together, or we watched TV. But above all, we waited for our wolves, whom we all missed equally. Through the chosen wolf who always stayed with us, we at least had a connection to them and knew if they were okay and what was happening. Still, a shadowy feeling of worry and fear lingered in our hearts.
With each passing day without finding the vampire, the nervousness in the pack increased. Paul transformed more frequently against his will; his fiery nature made it difficult for him to maintain his composure and control himself. It was as if the tension surrounding him was taking on a life of its own, affecting us all.
Although the vampire seemed to be circling La Push, no one could say for sure whether this would remain the case or what dark plans he was concocting. This uncertainty made the days feel longer and more unbearable. It wasnât just the concern for the boys, who were in constant danger, but also the fear for our families, who lived blissfully unaware in the darkness and knew nothing of the threat that was silently approaching.
Thus, I was almost relieved when my parents announced one day that they would be visiting my grandparents again. My grandmother had slipped while trying to climb a ladder and twisted her ankle. Now my parents were going to see how they could help my grandparents. Both had taken vacation time and planned to stay with them for two weeks. This meant I would have the house to myself and, at least, one less worry.
Despite my excitement about the time alone in my home, the feeling of unease lingered within me as my parents set off for my grandparentsâ house. I stood at the door and waved goodbye as they drove away from the driveway. The silence that followed in the house was almost palpable. It was a silence marked not only by the absence of sounds but also by a suffocating uncertainty. I had discussed with Paul that I would head to Emily and Samâs house right after my parents left.
A darkness seemed to be descending over La Push, bringing with it an eerie chill. I closed the windows and drew the curtains, as if I could keep the outside world away from my safe haven. Yet thoughts of the bloodsucker potentially lurking nearby wouldnât leave me. I imagined him creeping through the woods, his eyes searching for a vulnerable target. This image made my heart race.
I had already packed my bag, planning to stay with Emily and Sam or with Paul for the time being. This way, I wouldnât have to spend the nights alone. I walked into my room and grabbed my bag, a gnawing feeling in my stomach. Suddenly, the howl of the wolves broke the silence of the day. My heart stopped; I tightened my grip on the bag as I stood still and listened. The howling seemed to be getting closer.
Quickly, I rushed down the stairs, grabbed my house key, and hastily put on my shoes. I packed my bag again and nearly tore the door open.
But then something hit me with full force, as if I had collided with a wall. I felt myself being thrown back into the house. The bag slipped from my hands, and I found myself face-to-face with a red-eyed man. A chill ran down my spine as I realized this was the vampire the pack was hunting. The hopelessness of my situation washed over me like a cold wave.
Barely had I registered my predicament when I felt a burning sensation in my throat. A few seconds later, I heard a deep growl and the howling of the wolves. Then the vampire vanished, and I lay on the floor, disoriented and in pain as it slowly radiated through my body. I didnât know what was happening, but one thing was clear: it was not good.
It felt like an eternity before Paul appeared in my line of sight. He looked worried and furious. âNo!â he repeated desperately, âthis canât happen.â Then I wanted to hold him back, but a loud tearing sound broke the silence, and I knew what that meant: he had transformed. A pain-filled howl echoed that pierced through my very bones. Donât be sad, I wanted to shout. It will all be okay. But no sound came from my throat, and the painful darkness enveloped me as everything faded to black.