Even with the firm shake that rattled the curtains adorning the window it was improbable that the noise would wake Renesmee. Not even the window sliding up. No, she only awakened from that exhausted slumber because her name was called twice, the first time farther away but the second right at her bedside.

Her eyelids only peeked open the slightest bit. Her hearing atoned to the sounds in the room. Mostly it was the wind whooshing in through the open window. But also a heart beating loudly.

“Jacob!”

Renesmee jolted up into a sitting position. She felt the chilling breeze slice through her warm skin and dug her toes further into the quilt.

To the side stood her tremendously tall best friend. Several strands of his long hair were windblown, falling over his shoulders loosely. She began to reach for the lamp on the nightstand before he detained her.

“What is it?” Renesmee measured his solemn dark eyes.

Yet, his response did not give her enough information.

“You don’t need to be afraid,” he said in his low, raspy voice.

A little crease formed between Renesmee’s eyes as she struggled to grasp what Jacob meant.

“Afraid?”

Jacob only sank onto the bed. “I’ll stay,” he insisted.

While she continued staring at him quizzically, several possibilities began to emerge in her mind’s eye for this unexpected night visit. Many of which consisted of perilous occurrences.

“What happened? Are my parents all right?” rising up into a kneeling position to be level with his eyes, she demanded. Her voice rose a few octaves higher with panic. “Is Alice-”

“Shh…” Jacob reached his hand out to rub his hot thumb against her cheek, “Don’t be afraid,” he repeated.

Renesmee sighed, frustration taking the place of panic.

“Why won’t you tell me what’s wrong?” she cried, because she could see that something clearly was not in its rightful place. It seemed mostly that Jacob was trying to hide it from her.

He inched closer. “Just lie back down, honey,” he whispered. Renesmee shook her head stubbornly. She glared at him with a look that swore if he didn’t let her know at that very second she would hop off the bed and go find out for herself what was going on.