1 twilight暮色-第12部分

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up　enough　tantrums　to　end　the　fishing　trips　by　the　time　I　was　eleven。　

〃Are　they　here？〃　I　examined　the　girls　at　the　ocean's　edge；　wondering　if　I　
would　recognize　them　now。　

〃No。〃　Jacob　shook　his　head。　〃Rachel　got　a　scholarship　to　Washington　
State；　and　Rebecca　married　a　Samoan　surfer　—　she　lives　in　Hawaii　now。〃　

〃Married。　Wow。〃　I　was　stunned。　The　twins　were　only　a　little　over　a　year　
older　than　I　was。　

〃So　how　do　you　like　the　truck？〃　he　asked。　

〃I　love　it。　It　runs　great。〃　

〃Yeah；　but　it's　really　slow；〃　he　laughed。　〃I　was　so　relived　when　Charlie　
bought　it。　My　dad　wouldn't　let　me　work　on　building　another　car　when　we　
had　a　perfectly　good　vehicle　right　there。〃　

〃It's　not　that　slow；〃　I　objected。　

〃Have　you　tried　to　go　over　sixty？〃　

〃No；〃　I　admitted。　

〃Good。　Don't。〃　He　grinned。　

I　couldn't　help　grinning　back。　〃It　does　great　in　a　collision；〃　I　offered　
in　my　truck's　defense。　

〃I　don't　think　a　tank　could　take　out　that　old　monster；〃　he　agreed　with　
another　laugh。　

〃So　you　build　cars？〃　I　asked；　impressed。　

〃When　I　have　free　time；　and　parts。　You　wouldn't　happen　to　know　where　I　
could　get　my　hands　on　a　master　cylinder　for　a　1986　Volkswagen　Rabbit？〃　he　
added　jokingly。　He　had　a　pleasant；　husky　voice。　

〃Sorry；〃　I　laughed；　〃I　haven't　seen　any　lately；　but　I'll　keep　my　eyes　
open　for　you。〃　As　if　I　knew　what　that　was。　He　was　very　easy　to　talk　with。　

He　flashed　a　brilliant　smile；　looking　at　me　appreciatively　in　a　way　I　was　
learning　to　recognize。　I　wasn't　the　only　one　who　noticed。　

〃You　know　Bella；　Jacob？〃　Lauren　asked　—　in　what　I　imagined　was　an　
insolent　tone　—　from　across　the　fire。　

〃We've　sort　of　known　each　other　since　I　was　born；〃　he　laughed；　smiling　at　
me　again。　

〃How　nice。〃　She　didn't　sound　like　she　thought　it　was　nice　at　all；　and　her　
pale；　fishy　eyes　narrowed。　

〃Bella；〃　she　called　again；　watching　my　face　carefully；　〃I　was　just　saying　
to　Tyler　that　it　was　too　bad　none　of　the　Cullens　could　e　out　today。　
Didn't　anyone　think　to　invite　them？〃　Her　expression　of　concern　was　
unconvincing。　

〃You　mean　Dr。　Carlisle　Cullen's　family？〃　the　tall；　older　boy　asked　before　
I　could　respond；　much　to　Lauren's　irritation。　He　was　really　closer　to　a　
man　than　a　boy；　and　his　voice　was　very　deep。　

〃Yes；　do　you　know　them？〃　she　asked　condescendingly；　turning　halfway　
toward　him。　

〃The　Cullens　don't　e　here；〃　he　said　in　a　tone　that　closed　the　subject；　
ignoring　her　question。　

Tyler；　trying　to　win　back　her　attention；　asked　Lauren's　opinion　on　a　CD　
he　held。　She　was　distracted。　

I　stared　at　the　deepvoiced　boy；　taken　aback；　but　he　was　looking　away　
toward　the　dark　forest　behind　us。　He'd　said　that　the　Cullens　didn't　e　
here；　but　his　tone　had　implied　something　more　—　that　they　weren't　
allowed；　they　were　prohibited。　His　manner　left　a　strange　impression　on　
me；　and　I　tried　to　ignore　it　without　success。　

Jacob　interrupted　my　meditation。　〃So　is　Forks　driving　you　insane　yet？〃　

〃Oh；　I'd　say　that's　an　understatement。〃　I　grimaced。　He　grinned　
understandingly。　

I　was　still　turning　over　the　brief　ment　on　the　Cullens；　and　I　had　a　
sudden　inspiration。　It　was　a　stupid　plan；　but　I　didn't　have　any　better　
ideas。　I　hoped　that　young　Jacob　was　as　yet　inexperienced　around　girls；　so　
that　he　wouldn't　see　through　my　suretobepitiful　attempts　at　flirting。　

〃Do　you　want　to　walk　down　the　beach　with　me？〃　I　asked；　trying　to　imitate　
that　way　Edward　had　of　looking　up　from　underneath　his　eyelashes。　It　
couldn't　have　nearly　the　same　effect；　I　was　sure；　but　Jacob　jumped　up　
willingly　enough。　

As　we　walked　north　across　the　multihued　stones　toward　the　driftwood　
seawall；　the　clouds　finally　closed　ranks　across　the　sky；　causing　the　sea　
to　darken　and　the　temperature　to　drop。　I　shoved　my　hands　deep　into　the　
pockets　of　my　jacket。　

〃So　you're；　what；　sixteen？〃　I　asked；　trying　not　to　look　like　an　idiot　as　
I　fluttered　my　eyelids　the　way　I'd　seen　girls　do　on　TV。　

〃I　just　turned　fifteen；〃　he　confessed；　flattered。　

〃Really？〃　My　face　was　full　of　false　surprise。　〃I　would　have　thought　you　
were　older。〃　

〃I'm　tall　for　my　age；〃　he　explained。　

〃Do　you　e　up　to　Forks　much？〃　I　asked　archly；　as　if　I　was　hoping　for　a　
yes。　I　sounded　idiotic　to　myself。　I　was　afraid　he　would　turn　on　me　with　
disgust　and　accuse　me　of　my　fraud；　but　he　still　seemed　flattered。　

〃Not　too　much；〃　he　admitted　with　a　frown。　〃But　when　I　get　my　car　finished　
I　can　go　up　as　much　as　I　want　—　after　I　get　my　license；〃　he　amended。　

〃Who　was　that　other　boy　Lauren　was　talking　to？　He　seemed　a　little　old　to　
be　hanging　out　with　us。〃　I　purposefully　lumped　myself　in　with　the　
youngsters；　trying　to　make　it　clear　that　I　preferred　Jacob。　

〃That's　Sam　—　he's　nieen；〃　he　informed　me。　

〃What　was　that　he　was　saying　about　the　doctor's　family？〃　I　asked　
innocently。　

〃The　Cullens？　Oh；　they're　not　supposed　to　e　onto　the　reservation。〃　He　
looked　away；　out　toward　James　Island；　as　he　confirmed　what　I'd　thought　
I'd　heard　in　Sam's　voice。　

〃Why　not？〃　

He　glanced　back　at　me；　biting　his　lip。　〃Oops。　I'm　not　supposed　to　say　
anything　about　that。〃　

〃Oh；　I　won't　tell　anyone；　I'm　just　curious。〃　I　tried　to　make　my　smile　
alluring；　wondering　if　I　was　laying　it　on　too　thick。　

He　smiled　back；　though；　looking　allured。　Then　he　lifted　one　eyebrow　and　
his　voice　was　even　huskier　than　before。　

〃Do　you　like　scary　stories？〃　he　asked　ominously。　

〃I　love　them；〃　I　enthused；　making　an　effort　to　smolder　at　him。　

Jacob　strolled　to　a　nearby　driftwood　tree　that　had　its　roots　sticking　out　
like　the　attenuated　legs　of　a　huge；　pale　spider。　He　perched　lightly　on　
one　of　the　twisted　roots　while　I　sat　beneath　him　on　the　body　of　the　tree。　
He　stared　down　at　the　rocks；　a　smile　hovering　around　the　edges　of　his　
broad　lips。　I　could　see　he　was　going　to　try　to　make　this　good。　I　focused　
on　keeping　the　vital　interest　I　felt　out　of　my　eyes。　

〃Do　you　know　any　of　our　old　stories；　about　where　we　came　from　—　the　
Quileutes；　I　mean？〃　he　began。　

〃Not　really；〃　I　admitted。　

〃Well；　there　are　lots　of　legends；　some　of　them　claiming　to　date　back　to　
the　Flood　—　supposedly；　the　ancient　Quileutes　tied　their　canoes　to　the　
tops　of　the　tallest　trees　on　the　mountain　to　survive　like　Noah　and　the　
ark。〃　He　smiled；　to　show　me　how　little　stock　he　put　in　the　histories。　
〃Another　legend　claims　that　we　descended　from　wolves　—　and　that　the　
wolves　are　our　brothers　still。　It's　against　tribal　law　to　kill　them。　

〃Then　there　are　the　stories　about　the　cold　ones。〃　His　voice　dropped　a　
little　lower。　

〃The　cold　ones？〃　I　asked；　not　faking　my　intrigue　now。　

〃Yes。　There　are　stories　of　the　cold　ones　as　old　as　the　wolf　legends；　and　
some　much　more　recent。　According　to　legend；　my　own　greatgrandfather　knew　
some　of　them。　He　was　the　one　who　made　the　treaty　that　kept　them　off　our　
land。〃　He　rolled　his　eyes。　

〃Your　greatgrandfather？〃　I　encouraged。　

〃He　was　a　tribal　elder；　like　my　father。　You　see；　the　cold　ones　are　the　
natural　enemies　of　the　wolf—well；　not　the　wolf；　really；　but　the　wolves　
that　turn　into　men；　like　our　ancestors。　You　would　call　them　werewolves。〃　

〃Werewolves　have　enemies？〃　

〃Only　one。〃　

I　stared　at　him　earnestly；　hoping　to　disguise　my　impatience　as　admiration。　

〃So　you　see；〃　Jacob　continued；　〃the　cold　ones　are　traditionally　our　
enemies。　But　this　pack　that　came　to　our　territory　during　my　
greatgrandfather's　time　was　different。　They　didn't　hunt　the　way　others　
of　their　kind　did　—　they　weren't　supposed　to　be　dangerous　to　the　tribe。　
So　my　greatgrandfather　made　a　truce　with　them。　If　they　would　promise　to　
stay　off　our　lands；　we　wouldn't　expose　them　to　the　palefaces。〃　He　winked　
at　me。　

〃If　they　weren't　dangerous；　then　why…　？〃　I　tried　to　understand；　
struggling　not　to　let　him　see　how　seriously　I　was　considering　his　ghost　
story。　

〃There's　always　a　risk　for　humans　to　be　around　the　cold　ones；　even　if　
they're　civilized　like　this　clan　was。　You　never　know　when　they　might　get　
too　hungry　to　resist。〃　He　deliberately　worked　a　thick　edge　of　menace　into　
his　tone。　

〃What　do　you　mean；　'civilized'？〃　

〃They　claimed　that　they　didn't　hunt　humans。　They　supposedly　were　somehow　
able　to　prey　on　animals　instead。〃　

I　tried　to　keep　my　voice　casual。　〃So　how　does　it　fit　in　with　the　Cullens？　
Are　they　like　the　cold　ones　your　greatgrandfather　met？〃　

〃No。〃　He　paused　dramatically。　〃They　are　the　same　ones。〃　

He　must　have　thought　the　expression　on　my　face　was　fear　inspired　by　his　
story。　He　smiled；　pleased；　and　continued。　

〃There　are　more　of　them　now；　a　new　female　and　a　new　male；　but　the　rest　
are　the　same。　In　my　greatgrandfather's　time　they　already　knew　of　the　
leader；　Carlisle。　He'd　been　here　and　gone　before　your　people　had　even　
arrived。〃　He　was　fighting　a　smile。　

〃And　what　are　they？〃　I　finally　asked。　〃What　are　the　cold　ones？〃　

He　smiled　darkly。　

〃Blood　drinkers；〃　he　replied　in　a　chilling　voice。　〃Your　people　call　them　
vampires。〃　

I　stared　out　at　the　rough　surf　after　he　answered；　not　sure　what　my　face　

was　exposing。　

〃You　have　goose　bumps；〃　he　laughed　delightedly。　

〃You're　a　good　storyteller；〃　I　plimented　him；　still　staring　into　the　
waves。　

〃Pretty　crazy　stuff；　though；　isn't　it？　No　wonder　my　dad　doesn't　want　us　
to　talk　about　it　to　anyone。〃　

I　couldn't　control　my　expression　enough　to　look　at　him　yet。　〃Don't　worry；　
I　won't　give　you　away。〃　

〃I　guess　I　just　violated　the　treaty；〃　he　laughed。　

〃I'll　take　it　to　the　grave；〃　I　promised；　and　then　I　shivered。　

〃Seriously；　though；　don't　say　anything　to　Charlie。　He　was　pretty　mad　at　
my　dad　when　he　heard　that　some　of　us　weren't　going　to　the　hospital　since　
Dr。　Cullen　started　working　there。〃　

〃I　won't；　of　course　not。〃　

〃So　do　you　think　we're　a　bunch　of　superstitious　natives　or　what？〃　he　
asked　in　a　playful　tone；　but　with　a　hint　of　worry。　I　still　hadn't　looked　
away　from　the　ocean。　

I　turned　and　smiled　at　him　as　normally　as　I　could。　

〃No。　I　think　you're　very　good　at　telling　scary　stories；　though。　I　still　
have　goose　bumps；　see？〃　I　held　up　my　arm。　

〃Cool。〃　He　smiled。　

And　then　the　sound　of　the　beach　rocks　clattering　against　each　other　
warned　us　that　someone　was　approaching。　Our　heads　snapped　up　at　the　same　
time　to　see　Mike　and　Jessica　about　fifty　yards　away；　walking　toward　us。　

〃There　you　are；　Bella；〃　Mike　called　in　relief；　waving　his　arm　over　his　
head。　

〃Is　that　your　boyfriend？〃　Jacob　asked；　alerted　by　the　jealous　edge　in　
Mike's　voice。　I　was　surprised　it　was　so　obvious。　

〃No；　definitely　not；〃　I　whispered。　I　was　tremendously　grateful　to　Jacob；　
and　eager　to　make　him　as　happy　as　possible。　I　winked　at　him；　carefully　
turning　away　from　Mike　to　do　so。　He　smiled；　elated　by　my　inept　flirting。　

〃So　when　I　get　my　license…〃　he　began。　

〃You　should　e　see　me　in　Forks。　We　could　hang　out　sometime。〃　I　felt　
guilty　as　I　said　this；　knowing　that　I'd　used　him。　But　I　really　did　like　
Jacob。　He　was　someone　I　could　easily　be　friends　with。　

Mike　had　reached　us　now；　with　Jessica　still　a　few　paces　back。　I　could　see　
his　eyes　appraising　Jacob；　and　looking　satisfied　at　his　obvious　youth。　

〃Where　have　you　been？〃　he　asked；　though　the　answer　was　right　in　front　of　
him。　

〃Jacob　was　just　telling　me　some　local　stories；〃　I　volunteered。　〃It　was　
really　interesting。〃　

I　smiled　at　Jacob　warmly；　and　he　grinned　back。　

〃Well；〃　Mike　paused；　carefully　reassessing　the　situation　as　he　watched　
our　camaraderie。　〃We're　packing　up　—　it　looks　like　it's　going　to　rain　
soon。〃　

We　all　looked　up　at　the　glowering　sky。　It　certainly　did　look　like　rain。　

〃Okay。〃　I　jumped　up。　〃I'm　ing。〃　

〃It　was　nice　to　see　you　again；〃　Jacob　said；　and　I　could　tell　he　was　
taunting　Mike　just　a　bit。　

〃It　really　was。　Next　time　Charlie　es　down　to　see　Billy；　I'll　e；　
too；〃　I　promised。　

His　grin　stretched　across　his　face。　〃That　would　be　cool。〃　

〃And　thanks；〃　I　added　earnestly。　

I　pulled　up　my　hood　as　we　tramped　across　the　rocks　toward　the　parking　
lot。　A　few　drops　were　beginning　to　fall；　making　black　spots　on　the　stones　
where　they　landed。　When　we　got　to　the　Suburban　the　others　were　already　
loading　everything　back　in。　I　crawled　into　the　backseat　by　Angela　and　
Tyler；　announcing　that　I'd　already　had　my　turn　in　the　shotgun　position。　
Angela　just　stared　out　the　window　at　the　escalating　storm；　and　Lauren　
twisted　around　in　the　middle　seat　to　occupy　Tyler's　attention；　so　I　could　
simply　lay　my　head　back　on　the　seat　and　close　my　eyes　and　try　very　hard　
not　to　think。　

===========================================================================　


7。　NIGHTMARE　




I　told　Charlie　I　had　a　lot　of　homework　to　do；　and　that　I　didn't　want　
anything　to　eat。　There　was　a　basketball　game　on　that　he　was　excited　
about；　though　of　course　I　had　no　idea　what　was　special　about　it；　so　he　
wasn't　aware　of　anything　unusual　in　my　face　or　tone。　

Once　in　my　room；　I　locked　the　door。　I　dug　through　my　desk　until　I　found　
my　old　headphones；　and　I　plugged　them　into　my　little　CD　player。　I　picked　
up　a　CD　that　Phil　had　given　to　me　for　Christmas。　It　was　one　of　his　
favorite　bands；　but　they　used　a　little　too　much　bass　and　shrieking　for　my　
tastes。　I　popped　it　into　place　and　lay　down　on　my　bed。　I　put　on　the　
headphones；　hit　Play；　and　turned　up　the　volume　until　it　hurt　my　ears。　I　
closed　my　eyes；　but　the　light　still　intruded；　so　I　added　a　pillow　over　
the　top　half　of　my　face。　

I　concentrated　very　carefully　on　the　music；　trying　to　understand　the　
lyrics；　to　unravel　the　plicated　drum　patterns。　By　the　third　time　I'd　
listened　through　the　CD；　I　knew　all　the　words　to　the　choruses；　at　least。　
I　was　surprised　to　find　that　I　really　did　like　the　band　after　all；　once　I　
got　past　the　blaring　noise。　I'd　have　to　thank　Phil　again。　

And　it　worked。　The　shattering　beats　made　it　impossible　for　me　to　think　—　
which　was　the　whole　purpose　of　the　exercise。　I　listened　to　the　CD　again　
and　again；　until　I　was　singing　along　with　all　the　songs；　until；　finally；　
I　fell　asleep。　

I　opened　my　eyes　to　a　familiar　place。　Aware　in　some　corner　of　my　
consciousness　that　I　was　dreaming；　I　recognized　the　green　light　of　the　
forest。　I　could　hear　the　waves　crashing　against　the　rocks　somewhere　
nearby。　And　I　knew　that　if　I　found　the　ocean；　I'd　be　able　to　see　the　sun。　
I　was　trying　to　follow　the　sound；　but　then　Jacob　Black　was　there；　tugging　
on　my　hand；　pulling　me　back　toward　the　blackest　part　of　the　forest。　

〃Jacob？　What's　wrong？〃　I　asked。　His　face　was　frightened　as　he　yanked　with　
all　his　strength　against　my　resistance；　I　didn't　want　to　go　into　the　dark。　

〃Run；　Bella；　you　have　to　run！〃　he　whispered；　terrified。　

〃This　way；　Bella！〃　I　recognized　Mike's　voice　calling　out　of　the　gloomy　
heart　of　the　trees；　but　I　couldn't　see　him。　

〃Why？〃　I　asked；　still　pulling　against　Jacob's　grasp；　desperate　now　to　
find　the　sun。　

But　Jacob　let　go　of　my　hand　and　yelped；　suddenly　shaking；　falling　to　the　
dim　forest　floor。　He　twitched　on　the　ground　as　I　watched　in　horror。　

〃Jacob！〃　I　screamed。　But　he　was　gone。　In　his　place　was　a　large　redbrown　
wolf　with　black　eyes。　The　wolf　faced　away　from　me；　pointing　toward　the　
shore；　the　hair　on　the　back　of　his　shoulders　bristling；　low　growls　
issuing　from　between　his　exposed　fangs。　

〃Bella；　run！〃　M