Chapter One – Disappearances
I woke up to the sound of my alarm bleeping angrily in my ear. Its harsh sound made my jump; I wasn't used to being woken up by an alarm since Edward started staying over. I wondered casually where he had gone. I was sure he had a valid excuse for not being here, though he would apologise far too much for it, no doubt. I quickly scanned the room, searching for a sheet of paper bearing his perfect handwriting, but my eyes only fell upon my empty dresser. My stomach twisted; that was odd. He never disappeared without leaving a note. I shivered; was it cold? As I reached to wrap my arms around myself, I realised I had fallen asleep fully clothed. Again. I should really ask Edward to let me go to sleep at a reasonable hour once in a while.
I decided instead to call him. He'd pick up right away, of course. In fact, knowing Alice, he would probably be waiting by the phone right now. I quickly typed his number into my cell phone. I dialled wrong the first time, my hands were still clumsy from having recently woken up. I hung up and started over, this time chanting the number slowly in my head to make sure I got it right. I held the phone close to my ear, anxious to hear his flawless voice. I heard the first ring, and held my breath. After the second, third and then fourth, however, I was struggling to hang on. I breathed out slowly over the fifth and sixth ring, my hands beginning to shake as I heard the final one. No-one was picking up. Why was no-one picking up? I angrily threw my phone into my jeans pocket and hurtled down the stairs. Unusually, I skipped breakfast. That could wait. Right now, the important thing was to find out exactly where Edward had gone, and why he hadn't told me.
I practically flew out of the front door, tripping over the front step as I went. I scraped my knee a little, but it really didn't hurt. I kept running until I arrived at the side of my truck. I pulled myself inside, and began to drive to the Cullens' house. My thoughts had reached a frantic level by the time I had arrived at the turnoff to their house, I was so worried about Edward. About all the Cullens, actually. I pulled up outside their house, and almost shifted instantly into reverse. I must have taken the wrong turn; there was no house here. I decided, against my gut feeling, so remain a little longer at this scene, though. I found myself recognising the patterns of the trees, the marks in the ground, and even the horizon behind where the house should be. But I couldn't be in the right place, could I? There was no house here! Their house couldn't just disappear overnight. That was impossible.
I manoeuvred the truck around so I could drive back onto a main road, and search for somewhere else, anywhere else, that could be the turning to the Cullen house. But another turning did not exist. What was happening? And where were they all?
