I know Beth Crowley has told Tyler the same thing, so don't act like I'm the bad guy - oh, good morning, Bella," she said when she caught sight of me, brightening her tone quickly. "You're early."

Karen Newton was the last person I'd think to ask for help in an outdoor sports equipment store. Her perfectly highlighted blond hair was always smoothed into an elegant twist on the back of her neck, her fingernails were polished by professionals, as were her toenails - visible through the strappy high heels that didn't resemble anything Newton's offered on the long row of hiking boots.

"Light traffic," I joked as I grabbed my hideous fluorescent orange vest out from under the counter. I was surprised that Mrs. Newton was as worked up about this Seattle thing as Charlie. I'd thought he was going to extremes.

"Well, er . . ." Mrs. Newton hesitated for a moment, playing uncomfortably with a stack of flyers she was arranging by the register.

I stopped with one arm in my vest. I knew that look.

When I'd let the Newton's know that I wouldn't be working here this summer - abandoning them in their busiest season, in effect - they'd started training Katie Marshall to take my place. They couldn't really afford both of us on the payroll at the same time, so when it looked like a slow day . . .

"Just what she wanted," Emmett smiled. "More time alone."

"I was going to call," Mrs. Newton continued. "I don't think we're expecting a ton of business today. Mike and I can probably handle things. I'm sorry you got up and drove out. . . ."

On a normal day, I would be ecstatic with this turn of events. Today . . . not so much.

"Okay," I sighed. My shoulders slumped. What was I going to do now?

"That's not fair, Mom," Mike said. "If Bella wants to work -"

"No, it's okay, Mrs. Newton. Really, Mike. I've got finals to study for and stuff. . . ." I didn't want to be a source of familial discord when they were already arguing.

"You don't want to be the source of any discord... no matter how small," Edward smiled.

"Thanks, Bella. Mike, you missed aisle four. Um, Bella, do you mind throwing these flyers in a Dumpster on the way out? I told the girl who left them here that I'd put them on the counter, but I really don't have the room."

"Oh, how considerate she is," Alice said rolling her eyes. "I bet she knew that she was never going to keep them there... she should have just said no."

"Sure, no problem." I put my vest away, and then tucked the flyers under my arm and headed out into the misty rain.

The Dumpster was around the side of Newton's, next to where we employees were supposed to park. I shuffled along, kicking pebbles petulantly on my way. I was about to fling the stack of bright yellow papers into the trash when the heading printed in bold across the top caught my eye. One word in particular seized my attention.

I clutched the papers in both hands as I stared at the picture beneath the caption. A lump rose in my throat.

SAVE THE OLYMPIC WOLF

"That just brilliant," Edward groaned, shaking his head and Emmett cheered. "Is the whole world working against me?"

"Relax, Edward, it's not like this is the end of the world," Emmett chuckled. "So, she sees the pup..."

"I don't really care about that... it's just that... it seems like everything is working so that she has to see him," Edward groaned. "It's rather annoying..."

Under the words, there was a detailed drawing of a wolf in front of a fir tree, its head thrown back in the act of baying at the moon. It was a disconcerting picture; something about the wolf's plaintive posture made him look forlorn. Like he was howling in grief.

"See... even the stupid picture," Edward grumbled, making Emmett laugh even harder.

And then I was running to my truck, the flyers still locked in my grip.

Fifteen minutes - that's all I had. But it should be long enough. It was only fifteen minutes to La Push, and surely I would cross the boundary line a few minutes before I hit the town.

My truck roared to life without any difficulty.

Alice couldn't have seen me doing this, because I hadn't been planning it. A snap decision, that was the key! And as long as I moved fast enough, I should be able to capitalize on it.

"Hmph... she knows my weakness already," Alice mutter bitterly.

I'd thrown the damp flyers in my haste and they were scattered in a bright mess across the passenger seat - a hundred bolded captions, a hundred dark howling wolves outlined against the yellow background.

I barreled down the wet highway, turning the windshield wipers on high and ignoring the groan of the ancient engine. Fifty-five was the most I could coax out of my truck, and I prayed it would be enough.

"How could you not catch her if she's going that slow?" Edward asked.

"How do you know that I don't?" Alice asked.

"Because the world is conspiring against me," Edward grumbled again.

"You know it takes a few minutes before I get the vision," Alice reminded him.

I had no clue where the boundary line was, but I began to feel safer as I passed the first houses outside La Push. This must be beyond where Alice was allowed to follow.

I'd call her when I got to Angela's this afternoon, I reasoned, so that she'd know I was fine.

There was no reason for her to get worked up. She didn't need to be mad at me - Edward would be angry enough for two when he got back.

"Yeah, and he's likely to be angry at me too for letting you escape like that," Alice said.

"Probably," Edward tried to joke, but his focus was all on the book.

My truck was positively wheezing by the time it grated to a stop in front of the familiar faded red house. The lump came back to my throat as I stared at the little place that had once been my refuge. It had been so long since I'd been here.

Before I could cut the engine, Jacob was standing in the door, his face blank with shock.

"Naturally. Who knew a mortal could get away from a vampire so easily?" Emmett chuckled.