on a rocky ledge； much too close
to the precipice。 I
couldn't tell from the distance how old they were； but I assumed they were
men。 Despite the chill in the
air today； they seemed to be wearing only shorts。
As I watched； the tallest person stepped closer to the brink。 I slowed
automatically； my foot hesitating
over the brake pedal。
And then he threw himself off the edge。
〃No！〃 I shouted； stomping down on the brake。
〃What's wrong？〃 Jacob shouted back； alarmed。
〃That guy—he just jumped off the cliff！ Why didn't they stop him？ We've got
to call an ambulance！〃 I
threw open my door and started to get out； which made no sense at all。 The
fastest way to a phone was
to drive back to Billy's。 But I couldn't believe what I'd just seen。 Maybe；
subconsciously； I hoped I
would see something different without the glass of the windshield in the way。
Jacob laughed； and I spun to stare at him wildly。 How could he be so
calloused； so cold…blooded？
〃They're just cliff diving； Bella。 Recreation。 La Push doesn't have a mall；
you know。〃 He was teasing； but
there was a strange note of irritation in his voice。
〃Cliff diving？〃 I repeated； dazed。 I stared in disbelief as a second figure
stepped to the edge； paused； and
then very gracefully leaped into space。 He fell for what seemed like an
eternity to me； finally cutting
smoothly into the dark gray waves below。
〃Wow。 It's so high。〃 I slid back into my seat； still staring wide…eyed at the
two remaining divers。 〃It must
be a hundred feet。〃
〃Well； yeah； most of