Enchanted | Jacob Black

twenty

The clearing was quiet. Too quiet.

A thick fog hovered low over the grass, winding around my legs like smoke. The trees surrounding me were tall and dark.

Then I saw her.

Victoria stood across the clearing, her back to me. Her long, wild red curls blew gently in the breeze, but she didn't move.

Not until I noticed what she was standing over.

My heart dropped.

A massive shape, covered in russet fur, laid out on the ground, completely motionless.

"Jake?" I whispered, but the word barely came out.

I took a step forward, my breath shallow.

And then I saw them, his eyes. Lifeless. Dark and distant.

"No," I gasped, the scream tearing from my throat, but no sound came out. I tried to run to him, to move, to scream again.

And then I woke up.

My body shot up from the bed. My heart racing as if it were trying to escape my chest. I clutched the sheets around me, trembling.

It was just a dream. But I swear I could feel the fear stuck on my skin.

I threw off the covers, forcing myself to take deep breaths and calm down.

I needed to see him. I had to see Jake.

I rushed out of bed and ran to my closet, slipping on the first pair of shoes my hands reached for. I didn't bother changing out of my pajamas. I just grabbed a hoodie from the floor and threw it on.

I was unsure what time it was; it was still dark outside.

And that's when I saw him.

He was walking up the driveway. His eyes widened as he caught sight of me.

I wasn't thinking, I took off after him.

"Harper?" he called, but I couldn't speak. I collided with him, burying myself into him.

He held me instantly, wrapping me up in warmth and safety. "Hey," he murmured, running a hand down my back. "Someone's excited to see me." He chuckled.

I wanted to tell him about the nightmare and what I had seen. But I didn't want to bother him with something as silly as a nightmare when he was already going through one in real life.

I clutched him tighter, breathing in his scent like it would bring me back to reality.

"I was coming to see you before I left," he said quietly, pulling back just enough to see my face. "Wanted to say goodbye for now."

My eyes welled, but I was quick to blink my tears away, swallowing the lump in my throat. He cupped my cheek, brushing his thumb over my cheek. "I'll see you soon, okay?"

And then he kissed me, a fierce and passionate kiss.

I breathed as he pulled away, "I promise I'll be back."

He squeezed me tighter one more time before taking off back down the driveway.

I watched him go until he disappeared from my sight and into the woods.

I sighed, heading back inside. I glanced at the clock on the wall; it was barely four in the morning.

I don't even know what to do with myself. Sitting at home, worrying about Jake, seemed like the worst thing I could do to myself. I could go to Sam and Emily's house. Before I came home last night, he mentioned Emily would cook breakfast for everyone, and I could always join her. I guess that could work as a distraction.