gest sign； in
brilliant green； was the name of the bar—One…Eyed Pete's。 I wondered if there
was some pirate theme
not visible from outside。 The metal door was propped open； it was dimly lit
inside； and the low murmur
of many voices and the sound of ice clinking in glasses floated across the
street。 Lounging against the wall
beside the door were four men。
I glanced back at Jessica。 Her eyes were fixed on the path ahead and she moved
briskly。 She didn't look
frightened—just wary； trying to not attract attention to herself。
I paused without thinking； looking back at the four men with a strong sense of
déjà vu。 This was a
different road； a different night； but the scene was so much the same。 One of
them was even short and
dark。 As I stopped and turned toward them； that one looked up in interest。
I stared back at him； frozen on the sidewalk。
〃Bella？〃 Jess whispered。 〃What are you doing？〃
I shook my head； not sure myself。 〃I think I know them〃 I muttered。
What was I doing？ I should be running from this memory as fast as I could；
blocking the image of the
four lounging men from my mind； protecting myself with the numbness I couldn't
function without。 Why
was I stepping； dazed； into the street？
It seemed too coincidental that I should be in Port Angeles with Jessica； on a
dark street even。 My eyes
focused on the short one； trying to match the features to my memory of the man
who had threatened me
that night almost a year ago。 I wondered if there was any way I would
recognize the man； if it was really
him。 That particular part of that particular evening was just a blur。 My