Lost in Forks

Chapter 4

(April 30, 2006)

The morning fog still clung to the trees as she saw through the window, Aurora wore a brown jeans and a white top with a black jacket and her old black converse to set out for another walk through the forest.

(what she wore)

There was a part of her that couldn't shake the strange feeling that the quietness of the town was hiding something much darker. She found herself drawn to the forest more and more, needing to escape spaces of the house and explore the mysteries just outside her door.

She walked deeper into the woods, following a trail she had discovered the day before. Her mind wandered to the things she had learned since arriving in Forks: her sister's constant warnings, the strange encounters with Finn, and her suspicions about the Cullens. There were secrets and she was determined to know all about them.

As she rounded a bend in the path, she froze.

Large, unmistakable paw prints were at the forest floor. But they weren't just any paw prints—these were huge. Bigger than any wolf she'd ever seen. They were deep, as if the creature that had left them was heavy, its steps powerful. Aurora knelt down. She hadn't heard any howls, but the size of the prints was enough to tell her that whatever had made them was no ordinary animal.

She followed the trail for a few minutes, heart pounding, her mind racing with questions. Was it a wolf? No, it had to be different. But she'd never seen anything this large. Maybe a bear? But there were no signs of bear claws. It had to be something else.

Then a rustle from the trees behind her snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked around, her breath unsteady, but there was no one there. Just the trees swaying gently in the wind. She stared at the spot where she'd heard the noise, her heart racing. Was it just the wind?

Her mind wouldn't let go of the thought. She had to find out what was going on. She quickly retraced her steps and went back to the house.

- (later that evening)

Aurora sat at the kitchen table, pretending to focus on her book but her mind was elsewhere. The footprints kept replaying in her mind. There was something so odd about them. She glanced over at Bella, who was in her own thoughts, her eyes dark with something Aurora couldn't quite place. Her sister had been distant lately—more than usual.

"Bella," Aurora started, trying to sound casual. "Do you know anything about wolves around here?"

Bella froze, her eyes looking up from her book. "Wolves?" she echoed, her voice had a hint of nervousness. "Not really. Why?"

Aurora hesitated. "I found some footprints out in the woods today... but they were huge, way bigger than a regular wolf's."

Bella stiffened, her gaze narrowing as if she were thinking how to respond. Finally, she said, "Wolves are common around here. They're just... different. Bigger, faster. But I wouldn't spend too much time out in the woods alone if I were you."

There was something in Bella's tone, a warning hidden beneath her words.
Aurora felt her curiosity deepen.

After dinner, she excused herself and retreated to her room, pulling out her laptop. She knew Bella wasn't giving her the full story, but she wasn't going to just drop and forget it.

If the footprints were connected to the wolves, there had to be more she could find. She quickly typed in "large wolf footprints Forks" and hit search.

Her screen lit up with results that made her heart race.

There were stories, rumors, and local legends about a pack of wolves in the area—huge, terrifying creatures that were said to be more than just wolves.

Some stories even mentioned strange occurrences: people vanishing, mysterious howls echoing through the night.

She clicked through a few articles, her stomach tightening as she read about the legends of the Quileute tribe and their supposed connection to the wolves. They weren't just wolves—they were shape-shifters.

As she dug deeper, the information grew stranger. According to what she found, the Quileutes were known for their ability to shift into wolves, their pack a protector of their people from an ancient enemy—the vampires.

The more she read, the more she realized that the town of Forks was steeped in supernatural history, one that was hidden beneath the surface.

Her heart hammered in her chest. Vampires? Wolves? Could it all be real? It seemed too crazy to believe, but she had no other explanation. The Cullens, with their odd behavior and unnaturally perfect features. Finn with his comments and guarded manner.

Everything seemed to fit, but she still couldn't wrap her head around it.

She continued to read, clicking through article after article until one caught her attention—an old story about a forbidden love between a vampire and a Quileute, the two sides at war with each other. A story that sounded familiar. Was this about Finn's father? Had he been one of those vampires?

Before she could think it through any further, the sound of the floor creaking downstairs interrupted her thoughts. Aurora quickly shut her laptop, her heart still racing. She could hear Bella's footsteps approaching.

- (May 1, 2006)

The next day, Bella seemed to notice the change in Aurora's behaviour. She sat with her at breakfast, eyes narrowed as if she was trying to go through her sister's thoughts.

"Aurora, I need to talk to you," Bella said, her voice softer than usual. "You're getting too curious about things you don't understand."

Aurora glanced at her sister, then down at her plate. "You mean Finn?"

Bella's expression flinched, but she quickly recovered. "I just want you to be careful, okay? Forks is different, I told you. There's a lot about this town you don't know."

Aurora frowned, pushing her plate aside. "So what is it, Bella? What's really going on here?"

Bella hesitated, then sighed. "I'll explain everything eventually. Just... give me some time. And don't go looking for trouble. I don't want you to get hurt, please."

Aurora's eyes narrowed as she stared at her sister. Something was going on, and Bella wasn't telling her anything. But after everything she'd discovered last night, Aurora wasn't about to let it go.

She'd seen the prints. She knew something was out there.

And now, she was more determined than ever to know what it was.

——

HIYAAAA thank you guys for 30 reads, never expected anyone to actually read this 😭 btw you guys will be meeting new people next chap;) 🫶🏻