Way Down We Go

Control and Chaos

Sam studies me in silence, his gaze steady, and my heartbeat stutters in my chest.
Then, slowly, he nods. „You're braver than I thought. And I think you're ready."

„Brave?" A bitter laugh escapes me. „I've done nothing but live in fear my entire life."

„That is exactly why." A faint smile touches his lips. „Courage doesn't mean you're not afraid. Courage means you move forward despite the fear. And that's what you're doing right now."

Emily steps closer, resting a gentle hand on my shoulder. „Sam will help you. You're safe here."

A lump forms in my throat, but for the first time in years, I feel a flicker of hope.
And most importantly, I don't feel alone.

Sam glances at the clock on the wall. „The boys should be back from cliff diving any minute now,"

My stomach knots instantly. „Then they can't know I'm here."

His eyebrows lift in surprise. „Why not? Paul would–"

„Exactly," I cut him off before he can finish. „I don't want to see him. And Jared wouldn't approve. If it were up to him, I would stay locked inside, waiting for you to solve everything for
me."

Sam holds my gaze for a long moment before nodding slowly.
„I see. But I can't promise anything. I don't know if they told you, but shapeshifters share a mind link. When we are in wolf form, we can hear each other's thoughts. I can try to shield mine, but there's always a chance they'll find out."

„Then I will take that risk," I reply firmly. „I just don't want to fight with Jared over what's best for me. Or worse, run into Paul."

An almost amused but understanding smile crosses his face. „Alright. Then let's get started."

We leave the house through the back door and head into the woods. The air smells of moss and damp earth, and somewhere in the distance I can hear the river rushing. My nervousness slowly shifts into something like anticipation.

„You know," Sam says after a while, „I never thought you'd come here on your own. I figured Paul had scared you off for good."

I shrug. „Maybe he did. But I'm not going to let him or anyone else control me anymore. If he's really a better person now,as everyone says, then he should be strong enough to accept that I make my own choices."

Sam chuckles softly. „You're more stubborn than he gives you credit for."

„And you say that with a hint of respect in your voice."

„Absolutely," he admits. „You remind me a little of Leah. She would say the exact same thing."

We walk in silence for a bit, the crunch of branches under our feet filling the air.

„Grace," he says finally, „you're stronger than you think. The fact that you are here today proves it. Most people would hide and hope someone else kept them safe. But you want to learn how to protect yourself. I respect that."

I glance up at him. „Thank you." And for the first time in a long time, I truly mean it.

We reach a small clearing surrounded by dense forest. The grass is damp from the rain and the silence is broken only by the whisper of the trees. Sam stops and turns to face me.

„Before we start, you need to understand something," he says seriously. „If it ever comes down to fighting a vampire, you don't stand a chance alone. No human would. But that doesn't mean you're helpless."

I nod, though a chill runs down my spine at his words. „So what am I supposed to do?"

„Two things matter most," he explains. „First, never freeze. Most people would die because they lock up. If you react, if you move, you have a chance to buy yourself time. Second, your goal isn't to win—it's to survive long enough for us to get there."