storm ◇ jasper hale ◇

chapter twenty-four ; human

Madej liked being around in the woods, the deep forests surrounding the town he lived in. It made things feel easier. Like he could control his powers better if he was in the forest, among the trees and the wildlife.

He didn't really pay much attention to where he was going. He wandered, mostly, trying to find hidden spots, see if he could spot some rarer wildlife that hung around deep in the forest somewhere.

The forest helped, when he needed time away from the general population. It felt like Madej was alone, in the way that he wanted, needed. It just ... eased him. Like the pain he felt was easier to cope with. He had even dared to take off his gloves - both of them now, because he was getting better at control - and found that it didn't hurt as much as it used to. It left him breathless and tired enough to sleep. But he had gotten better, stronger.

Sometimes it helped him forget about the dangers on his life. Even though he knew Victoria was hanging around Forks more often, becoming a bigger danger, he didn't know if he cared that much about it. He'd fight her, he knew that much. She was a danger to Bella's life, and he'd be damned if he let Victoria get away with trying to hurt Bella.

Madej sometimes wondered if he'd given up on life. He didn't want to; he had goals, had friends and family who cared. But it didn't ease the whole in his heart, where Jasper had hurt him so badly. He didn't want to think about Jasper, it brought back what he had said to him, how he'd claimed Madej didn't matter.

Maybe he didn't matter to Jasper, but that didn't mean he didn't matter to others. They had been there, supporting him, doing what friends did.

As much as Jasper had hurt him, Madej could feel the ache in his heart that longed for him. He knew Jasper and the others wouldn't return, would leave them until they were long gone. It just ... hurt, to know that after everything, they hadn't bothered to say goodbye. Hadn't cared enough like they acted.

Madej was pulled out of his head when he could smell the sea salt in the air. He had made his way to La Push, without even thinking about it.

Deciding it was better than just walking back right away, Madej made his way down to the beach. It left him panting, exhausted. His body ached more than he thought it would, and he wished he'd just turned around so he could go home and go to bed. But he was there now, so he wanted to make the most of things.

It was quiet on the beach, not quite enough warmth and sunshine for people to come, so he settled down in a spot he liked, arms around his knees as he stared out into the sea.

Just breathing the salty air made him feel better. Madej wanted to just dig his hands into the land around him, feel the energy, feel safe and at home. He felt free; no longer hunkered down by his powers. Now he was in total control, even if what he could do would grow stronger, he would too.

He was worried about Bella too. Even though their friend group often joined Bella at the Cullens' old lunch table, she wouldn't say a word - not until Jessica mentioned something about the movies, and Bella joined her. Jessica had come to Madej that same night, telling him Bella had gotten onto the back of some stranger's bike.

Madej had gone to Bella's, telling Charlie he just wanted to see Bella, and found that she couldn't stop talking about the rush it gave her. Madej had to remind her just how dangerous that was; risking her life with a man she didn't know. It had hurt him when she said she'd recognised him from the night she had almost been attacked, that she would risk another attack, more dangerous than the last, just to have an adrenaline rush.

His peace was broken when he caught the sound of people walking towards him. He looked to his left, hair whipping around his face, but he saw two boys, older than him. They had long hair like him, but weren't wearing t-shirts. They had shorts on, and were barefoot.