Hunted (A Twilight Fanfic)

Chapter 35

I expected him to run after me, I wanted him to run after me but he didn’t. Maybe he felt it too. I had changed in the month I had been gone. I grew up. But I didn’t really have a choice, did I? After living with vampires who were hundreds of years older than me for a month it would have been hard not to change. It would have been impossible to pretend that I knew what I was doing. I didn’t have a clue. I had come back because I had to. I went to the wedding because I had to. But leaving with Jasper, I didn’t have to do that and I knew how it would end. I would push him away, I would push all of them away before I’d leave for good. I had to, for their own good. I opened my car door and got in, pulling back onto the road and heading for La Push. There were a few people that deserved a proper goodbye. The people that I was giving my freedom up to protect. But even them I had to push away. I had to make sure that when I left they would never want to see me again. Because they couldn’t come looking for me. They could never learn the truth.

I slowed to the stop and turned my car off. I was back at the beach. I hadn’t planned on coming here first. I was going to see Leah and Seth and do my best to avoid Jake. But here I was, at the very place my life had changed forever. I got out of my car, leaving my shoes behind as I walked towards the water. I passed the log where I had left my dress after prom, when I went for a midnight swim. I shivered as the cold water touched my toes.

“Cold?” 

“Its colder than I remember,” I said quietly, not turning around. I knew who was standing behind me.

“I didn’t know you were back.” Jack stepped closer to stand beside me. 

“I got back in time for the wedding.” I glanced over at him. “Nice hair cut.”

“Thank, I did it myself,” he said, giving me half a smile. “I didn’t think you’d come back.”

“Neither did I,” I admitted looking back at the water. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” He asked.

“Everything. Leaving so suddenly. Bella…Bella and Edward.” I looked back at him. He looked older. Maybe we both had grown up.

“I’m not. Bella made her choice and she’ll have to live with it.” He stared at him, eyes taking in every detail. “You’ve lost weight.”

That I was not expecting. “Have I? I hadn’t noticed.” And I hadn’t. I had been to busy trying to stay alive to make sure I had three meal every day.

“How long are you staying?” He asked. It felt like he was trying to decided if it was worth his time to talk to me.

“I don’t know. Things have changed.” I looked away again. “Maybe a few days.”

“Where did you go?” He asked after a few moments of silence. “Why did you just leave? I needed you and you weren’t here. Did you even care that you broke my heart?”

“I’m sorry,” I said again, but I knew it wasn’t enough. Sorry would never be enough. “You deserve better, I left so you could relies that.” I glanced at him. “You deserve so much better than me or Bella.” 

“That’s for me to decide, not you.” He sighed. “I don’t need you to protect me.”

Yes you do, I thought. “I’m sorry, I did what I thought was best for both of us.”

“It wasn’t your choice to make.” He stepped in front of me, forcing me to look at him. “Why did you leave?”

“Jake,” I bit my lip, using the pain to stop the tears. “I…I had too.” 

“Don’t give me that crap Chloe, no one can make you do anything. You wanted to leave. Why? Was it something I did?” His eyes hardened. “Did Jasper hurt you?”

“What? No. He’d never do that.” I took a step back. “I didn’t belong here, I never did. So I left.”

“That’s it? You just decided to leave?” He demanded.

“Yes, that’s it.” I snapped. “Its my life, I can do what ever I want.” I took another step back. “I don’t even know why we’re having this conversation.”

“So what? Are you just going to run away again?” He demanded, almost yelling.

“Maybe I am.” I yelled. “Its not like you even give a damn about me. You never did.”

“That’s not true and you know it.” He grabbed my arm as I tried to run. 

“Let go of me,” I jerked my arm away, pulling the bandage off in the process. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?” I snapped, pushing past him. I couldn’t let him see my arm. He could see the perfectly shaped bite mark. 

“Chloe, damn it girl. Stop.” He grabbed my arm again, jerking me to a stop. 

“Let. Go. Of. Me.” I seethed. Giving him the death glare Jane had taught me. 

“No.” He glared back. “You’ve changed Chloe, and not for the better.”

“I could say the same about you.” I said, trying to stay mad at him. 

“I needed you,” he whispered. “When you left, I went crazy.” 

His grip on my arm had loosened. “So did I,” I said quietly.

“I missed you, so much,” he said as she wrapped him arms around me, pulling me against his chest. 

I closed my eyes. He smelled the same, like the beach and pine trees. I should have stayed away. “I’m sorry,” I said, apologizing for the pain I knew I would cause before leaving again. 

“Its ok,” he said. I felt him kiss the top of my head. “It doesn’t matter now, you’re back. That’s all that matters.”

I did not respond. I knew my voice would break if I did. He deserved so much better, after everything Bella and I had put him through, he deserved to be happy. And in that moment I whished that I could be the one to make him happy. 

A/N

Thanks for the votes and comments on the last chapter!! Sorry that this chapter isn't very good. 

Teaser for chapter 36: Bella and Edward come back

Next chapter will be up on either Friday or Saturday.