Lemon Water // Paul Lahote

seventy seven

Serena

Somehow, I fell asleep right away after changing, and didn't wake up when Embry came in like I usually did. I don't even know when they switched off, but by the time I woke up, Embry was in the kitchen attempting to make breakfast.

"I didn't know you can cook" I told him, standing next to him at the stove.

"I can't, but I figured after last night you might want a little pick me up" He replied, a light smile making its way onto his face.

"Here, let me finish this and you could set the table?" I asked him, taking the pan from his grasp, "Mom home?"

"nah, she left a note saying she picked up a double today"

"Dang, I feel like I never get to hang out with her, and I haven't even known her for that long"

"Yeah, its been that way my whole life. After Joshua left her to take care of us by herself, she really started to struggle. I remember when we were around six she worked from the 6am open shift to 1 am stocking shift like three times a week just to make ends meet"

"And adding a second kid into the mix isn't helping at all" I sighed

"hey, we may be struggling financially, but at least we're a family again. Plus, the council gives me some money every month because I can't really have a job while being a wolf protecting the tribe"

"You guys seemed so happy before I came here, I mean, look at all the pictures of you guys together"

"Honestly, most of it was all an act. Yeah, we may have seemed happy in those pictures, but in actuality we were living paycheck to paycheck and had to cut corners. There were a few weeks when we would have maybe one meal a day, but hey, I'm still here"

"Is that why you're so scrawny?" I asked as I plated breakfast

"Oh hush, I've bulked up since I phased. What about you? I'm afraid you're going to snap in half every time you get checked in one of your games"

We ate together slowly, relishing in the fact that a, despite his rough childhood, Embry was still kicking, and b, despite my rough childhood, I was still kicking. There's also option c, Embry finally had some time to spend away from the pack.

Our time was short lived; however, because multiple howls rang through the air as we were washing the dishes. "Are you fucking kidding me? Why can't I go ONE day without having to chase those nasty bloodsuckers away!" Embry exclaimed, rushing out of the house.

"EMBRY!" I yelled, and he turned around to glance at me, "Be careful please, I'd much rather be a family of three rather than a family of two"

He smiled at me and nodded quickly, then sprinted into the woods. For a few seconds I could hear him trampling through the forest, but the sound quickly disappeared and I was alone. Were they sending someone to watch after me? It was weird how there was nobody here right now, especially with what happened last night. Maybe hey got Luke and his possy, but Embry would have for sure old me if they did.

Honestly, he probably would have woken me up to tell the news.

So why the heck am I alone?

And when did I get to the middle of the woods?

What time was it? It looked like it was getting dark. 

I have no clue where I am. Despite wandering the woods with the guys for hours, there was no clear landmark that told me where the hell I was.

I began to wander, trying to find my way out, but the setting sun and unfamiliar territory were putting a wrench in my plan. I made a move to call for one of the guys, but no sound came from my mouth. Trying again, nothing came once again and I began to panic. Where the hell did my voice run off to?

Deciding to push off my concern for later, I started to rush around the woods, tripping over roots and getting scratched by branches as I ran. The trees seemed to be repeating, like I was going in circles over and over and over again. "Did I ever tell you I was gifted with more than one power?"  a voice rang out from above me, maybe?

Spinning around in a circle as I looked up into the trees, I could barely make out Luke's figure high up in one of them. I tried to yell at him, but once again nothing came out. "Ah, yes, your voice not working for you? Have you noticed how everywhere you go is the same thing over and over and over again? Yeah, there's a reason for that. I'm not really here, and neither are you. I like to call this my well. Once you're in the well, its really hard to get out by yourself. All it took was weakening your self esteem last night and POOF! You're plummeting down the deep dark hole"

I began to pace in frustration, unable to speak and unable to get out of this stupid forest. "Notice how its dark out? Yeah its dark in real time too. You've been stuck here literally all day while your precious wolves have been chasing Riley around. Listen, I'd hate to go so soon, well, not soon since its been hours, but your friends are back and I'm getting bored. I'll see you here again soon, best friend" Luke disappeared suddenly, and the forest around me started to disappear.

I stared into the darkness for a while, my surroundings not making themselves known to me. Finally, after who know how long, my senses started to return. "It looks like she's coming to again" I heard someone say, freezing cold hands being felt on my forehead.

My sense of smell came next, reintroducing me to the homey cedar and vanilla scent that could only be one place. Emily's house. Maybe my taste came after that? I have no clue honestly, but the last, and quite frankly my most needed one at the moment, sense came back.

As my sight slowly started to come back to me, I began making out the face of Doctor Cullen staring down at me. I was suddenly overcome with fear and anxiety, causing a huge wave of shock to take over my body, making me shoot up with a gasp.