Wild (Jacob Black)

Chapter 12

"You can't catch me." I giggled, running around the backyard. Mom and I were playing our game of chase.
   
"I give up Lillian. You're too fast." She sighed, exhausted.
    
I stopped running and caught my breath. She laughed as I spun around spastically waving my arms. We went inside and sat at the kitchen table. She grabbed two slices of bread, and the tub of peanut butter and jelly, fixing a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She put it on a paper plate and handed it to me. A knock came from the front door.
    
Mom's head flicked toward it, eyebrows folding sharp lines on her forehead. "You stay right here." She disappeared into the living room.
    
"It's my day to see my daughter." Dad's voice mumbles through the walls.
    
"It used to be the day when you saw your daughter, but I have full custody of her now, Austin," Mom said. "I have to ask you to leave before I call the cops."
    
"Now why would you do that? There isn't anything wrong happening."
    
"Austin, let go you're hurting me." Mom gasped.
    
"Come on, Lillian. Let's go!" He yelled.
    
I quietly slipped off the chair and left the kitchen, tiptoeing to the bathroom.
    
"Stop, Austin. Leave," Mom growled.
    
"Move, Allison. Get out of my way." Dad's voice boomed. "Lillian, let's go, princess." He called again. I walked faster.
    
"She isn't here."
    
I shut the door as quietly as I possibly could, but it wasn't quite enough.
   
"You're lying." His words slushed together. I heard a smack and mom gasped in pain. I locked the bathroom door and slowly backed away. Dad banged his fist against the door.
    
"Unlock the door, princess."
    
I sat with my back against the wall and watched the door. The knob jiggled, the wood knocked as he hit it, and my vision blurred. The banging grew louder and louder as my tears fell harder and harder.
    
"Shh, Lillian. You're okay." A familiar voice whispered. I opened my eyes to find Jacob sitting on my bed surrounded by darkness.

I sat up. "What are you doing here?"

"That doesn't matter," he said. "Just go back to sleep. You're okay now." He places his thumb on my cheek wiping away a stray tear that escaped while I was sleeping.

I adjusted my sleeping position, trying to get comfortable. Jacob's hand rested on my hip. "Please don't leave," I whispered. My voice was unable to get any louder.

"I won't, I promise."

I smiled and closed my eyes, drifting to sleep once again.

~

As if I blinked, I was awake with the sun shining through the windows. I stirred around and saw Jacob had left. A cool breeze flowed into my room—he left the window opened. Probably to prove he was actually here. I smile to myself. Just the thought of his face makes me all warm inside like an orb of protective calm exploded.

"Hey, Uncle Charlie?" I asked walking into the kitchen.

He sat at the table cleaning his guns. "Hmm?"

"Could I go over to Jacob's house?" My shoulders tensed, waiting for the blow of rejection.

"Sure. Just be back for dinner. If your plans change, call me." Well that's a different answer than I expected.

"What? You're going to let me go?"

"Your phone is on the counter." He lazily gestured with his hand. "Leave before I decide to change my mind."

I grab my cell phone and dart towards the door. Jacob answers on the second ring.

"Hey, Jacob. Can you meet me in the woods?"