FOUR

8:48 AM

It was morning, but my alarm didn't wake me like it normally did. I didn't want to move, I felt physically ill recalling the events of the night before. A note beside my bed was from Charlie.

Didn't wake up on time, came to check on you. Had a fever. Called the school said you were sick, Sue sent up some chicken noodle soup for you to heat up and eat later. See you after work

Get some rest

C.S.

I didn't feel any of the warmth, turning over, I felt something beneath my pillow shifting slightly so I sat up, I pulled it out. It was a small lock box, a key stuck out of it. Opening it were the photos I had taken of the family the day of my birthday. While my heart ached painfully I was happy to have them. There was a note on the very bottom of the pile of photographs, my heart twisted painfully recognizing the handwriting in its beautiful elegant scrawl.

Masen doesn't know that we kept you in the know. It'll stay like that. Make sure you keep these out of sight and where she can't see them. Jasper has another set of eyes on you from afar, don't worry. You're taken care of. We love you.

Be safe.

R.

Another note behind it had me crying.

My heart is left with you, always. Stay safe, we'll be together again soon.

I love you

Jasper Whitlock

I put the photos and the letters back in the box and closed it, the key was on a delicate silver chain, and was elaborate like the old styled keys with the fancy handles. Locking the box I placed the key around my neck, and sat up. I was also happy to find that my ring and charm bracelet still remained.

I felt numb, but I knew I needed to push myself. I couldn't let myself wallow in pain or it would consume me. I set the box in a locked portion of my desk. The house was strange, foreign almost as I wandered down the hall into the bathroom. I didn't look at my reflection as turned the shower on and let it get to temperature. Once it was warm enough I stripped and stood under the spray for a long time, my thoughts drifting in and out, mindlessly I washed my hair and body before standing under the spray again, the water feeling almost too warm for my skin.

Only when the water become cold did I get out of the shower and pattered back into my room. I put on my fluffy pajama bottoms the one I reserved for sickness or sad and mopey moments and Jasper's sweater. His scent clung to it, it was almost like he was there with me. With the ring on finger and bracelet around my wrist, I brushed my hair and plaited it. With fluffy socks on my feet I headed down into the kitchen. I was hungry, but part of me didn't want to eat. Seeing the soup on the top level of the refrigerator I decided I would have that later. Eventually I decided on a bowl of fruit loops, and carried it to the living room where I curled up on the couch and turned on a movie.

I must have fell asleep at one point because I when I woke back up the TV was off, I frowned, I don't remember turning it off. I heard clinkering in the kitchen.

"Dad?" I mumbled.

Sitting up, my wrist felt light. Glancing down, my bracelet was missing.

"No, no, no, no."

I lifted the blanket and searched for it, nowhere. My eyes darted to my ring, it was still there but the charm bracelet I had gotten for my birthday was GONE.

Masen…that slimy no good son of a -

"You're awake,"

Charlie came into the living room and had a worried look on his face.

"Have you seen Bella?" he asked.

I blinked looking at the clock, 6:45 PM. I shook my head.

"I've been asleep here…" I mumbled.

Charlie's brow furrowed. He held up a note that looked suspiciously like Bella's handwriting but the wording was too wrong. Too formal.

"She went for a walk with him after school. She should have been back by now…"he said.

"Should I go look for her?" I asked worried.

He really wouldn't have left her in the forest would he? That would be cruel, even for him.

"I'm going to call some people," Charlie muttered.

Even from the living room I could hear the worry and franticness in his voice. Bella was missing. Minutes later he came back into the living room.

"I'm going out to look for Bella, she can't have gone far from the house,"

"I'll go with you," I said standing.

He shook his head.

"No, Jake's coming now, he'll wait with you. Some of the other boys from the reservation are coming to help. "

"They know the forest better than most," I murmured.

He nodded.

"Spare shotgun is by the front door," he called.

I nodded.

"Be safe," I called back.

The front door clicked shut and my mind whirled. Bella was missing, a walk in the woods to break the news to her and leaving her there was cruel. He must have known she wouldn't have taken it well. Hell I didn't take it well. Then there was the fact that my bracelet was missing. The ass actually took it. I was so lost in thoughts that the knock on the door a half an hour later made me jump out of my skin. Opening the door I kept a firm handle around the aluminum bat by the front door. I released the breath I had been holding when I realized it was just Jake.

"You look like you needed a friend,"

I gave him half smile and let him in. Once the door was shut he gave me a hug, his warmth warmed me soothingly and I felt the tears try to renew in earnest.

"He's gone…."

Jake didn't say anything but just hold me as we sat on the couch, I cried, I worried, I'd feel ok for a minute, then cry some more. If my mood swings bothered him, he didn't say anything. He just held me, as I clung to him like a sobbing teenager over the loss.

Bella was found almost well past midnight. She was soaked from the rain, and a blubbering mess. Dr. Gerandy came and checked on Bella and I. Jake stayed the night and we had a sleepover like old times. I learned the cover story for their leaving was that Carlisle got an offer in L.A. and had to make an immediate decision, apparently Edward hadn't told Bella, I told Charlie I only found out shortly after he left for work that morning a text from Jasper. It had actually come from Jasper, about four or five texts long, saying that he'd be back for me. I locked that message in my phone. Jake, bless his heart, didn't ask about him, didn't speak about him, but kept me distracted. I almost felt normal, but there was that lingering empty sensation. But he seemed to fill the void slightly…things were going to be ok.

OCTOBER

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NOVEMBER

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DECEMBER

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