Chapter 37 – Missing

It was dark and unusually cold (even for Forks) when Issy woke up the next morning. In fact it could have been the same night: she didn't know and there had seemed to be a power cut as none of the lights or clocks were working. She had woken up from a nightmare. What had happened in that nightmare she couldn't tell you in detail. All she could remember were those red eyes. Red like blood; fixed on her. Hungry and malicious.

Her breathing was ragged as she shook her head to clear it of that image. As she glanced towards the window she caught a glimpse of the outline of a body standing behind her curtains. Thinking it was one of her family she climbed silently out of bed and tiptoed over to where the figure was stood. As she drew the curtains in one fluent movement she realised too late that it wasn't a member of her family come to play a joke on her. As the figure turned she saw its face illuminated by the moon. Its red eyes bore into her own brown ones. And that was when she fainted.

Hours later when the sun had risen the rest of the Cullens got up, and went downstairs where they would prepare breakfast for when the youngest members appeared. First down was Hugo who was still in trouble from the day before. He was trying to be good so they might take him out hunting later. Unlike Issy, both Hugo and Elsa had developed a taste for blood and preferred it to the usual human food which they considered quite bland.

Elsa followed shortly after clutching her teddy bear called Mimi. This had been a gift from the Denali coven. She was in a happy mood, as her mother and aunt had promised they would only take Issy to the shops today and not drag her along too. Like her Auntie Bella, Elsa preferred just putting on something because it was comfortable; not because it was the latest trend. Finally Renesmee appeared looking quite baffled.

"I'm down before Issy?" she said in amazement.

"It looks that way my dear. She must be absolutely exhausted from yesterday," Edward said putting fried eggs on both his son and niece's plate.

Twenty minutes later Isabelle had still not appeared and Bella started to look anxious. Issy never slept in this long. It was so unlike her, unless she was ill.

"I'm just going to check on her," she said ascending the stairs.

Upon reaching her youngest daughter's room she found nothing but an empty, unmade bed and the window wide open.

"Edward," she shouted; anxiety in her voice.

Her husband was up the stairs in seconds:

"What is..." then he stopped.

"Oh my, where is she?" he said sounding just as anxious as Bella.

Everyone else had heard this and rushed up the stairs to see what was going on.

"Where could she have gone?"

"Who saw her last?"

"How long has her room been empty?"

"Why would she want to go: what could be her motive?"

The questions hung unanswered in the air. Bella looked desperately up at Edward as all her suppressed emotions came out as one as she briefly turned back into a human. The tears made rivers down her cheeks, and the dry sobs from the other female members soon echoed her own.

Meanwhile, in a cave somewhere Issy awoke feeling a large lump on her head. She looked around trying to take in her surroundings. All she could remember were those red eyes and then it had gone black. And now she was here. Was she alone or was that the sound of breathing in the corner?

"Hello," she said: jumping when her own voice reverberated off the surrounding walls.

"Ah so you're awake," a dry, old voice said as if he had been waiting for her to awaken.

"Yes. Who are you and why am I here?" she asked trying to make out any details that would reveal the strangers identity.

The figure stood up and stepped into the light that was coming from outside. The light was grey as the sun couldn't break through the thick blanket of clouds. He had blonde hair, pale skin and those menacing red eyes. There was only one answer to her question. He was a vampire. And not a vegetarian one at that.

"My name is Caius," the figure said, a thin smile crossing his lips.

"You're one of the leaders of the Volturi then?" Issy asked.

"Yes that's right. Your family must have taught you something at least," he said a dry laugh escaping his lips.

"Then why am I here? Jane and Aro are the only ones who have ever visited me," she said confused.

"You see my child, they come to visit because they love and adore you like the rest of the vampire population," he said, spitting the last words out in disgust.

"So are you saying you're here because you don't love me?" Issy asked furrowing her brow as she tried to get her head around what he was saying.

He laughed:

"You are quite a smart little one aren't you? I must say that they were right when they said you were the spitting image of your mother. She was quite the little fighter as well – never settled for anything except that which was beyond her reach. It nearly led to the killing of your sister. In fact it would have had I had it my way."

"What's Mummy and Nessie got to do with this? I know you tried to kill her, but that matter is resolved now. So why do you want me?" she questioned, starting to feel intimidated.

"Don't you see? You're such a naive little girl aren't you? Well let me explain. We as the Volturi may not be the worlds, how can I put this, may not be the world's favourite people. But, among the vampire race we are looked up to and respected by all; making us quite popular really. My point is that all the vampires seem to be losing respect for us. In fact there isn't one vampire I have seen who hasn't had something good to say about the darling Isabelle Cullen. You're becoming more popular than me and I don't like it!"

Back at the Cullen mansion the wolves had been rung and were going to meet them outside the house. They were then going to search for Issy. Everyone was anxious and worried about her welfare as well as where she was.

"Can we come and help find Issy?" Hugo and Elsa asked their grandmother.

"No my sweethearts, you cannot. Us three are to stay here whilst the others go out and search in case she returns," Esme told them.

"But why is everyone else going?" Hugo asked insistently.

"Well Hugo, they all posses something that may be necessary in helping to find your sister. Your Uncle Emmett is the strongest, Rosalie is a beauty, Edward reads minds, Bella creates shields, Carlisle can resist blood if she's bleeding, Alice can see the future, Jasper controls emotions and Renesmee can show you things she has seen," she explained to her pouting grandson.

"But Elsie can go invisible and I can tell you about someone's past," he persisted.

"I know Elsa and you posses talents too but, you're too young and we don't want any more of you going missing," she said more sternly than she had ever before: she too was seriously stressed about Issy.

"Well Esme, we're off. Ring us if you hear anything and we'll report back to you as well. Be good kids, and I love you Esme," Carlisle said affectionately but still with impatience about setting off after his treasured granddaughter.

And with that the search party set off into the horizon.

So, will they find Issy? Or will Caius have done something to her first? What do you think? Tell me what you think should happen and if you liked it. Thank-you. XxX