A/N: hey everyone, hope you enjoy this chapter... I think you will ;)
disclaimer: I do not own twilight!
EPOV:
It was Monday now, but there was no way I was going to school. I stayed hidden under Bella's blanket for a good 3 hours. I don't think I moved a single muscle the entire time. I just stared at the fabric above my eyes, inhaling it's strawberry-vanilla scent. The pain was indescribable. The violent thoughts raging through my head were probably worse.
Once Bella is found, I probably will have to make sure that I don't know where these 3 fuckers rot in prison. I think, if I knew, I would find a way to sneak in there and commit a triple murder. I couldn't waste away in prison because of them.
Still, I had to swallow the intense urge to kill them. I needed their blood in my hands. I needed to watch them beg for mercy as I killed them in ways an actual serial killer would shudder about. I didn't know this side of me existed. Then again, I've never been in love before. The fact that the love of my life is being harmed - both... sexually and physically - was bringing out qualities in me that have never been shown. I️t was like finally waking up a hibernating bear. He was relaxed, asleep, tame. Now, he's awake, and he wants to attack his prey.
I️t was insanely difficult to reel myself in after my vivid fantasies of killing them. One of them stood out in particular... it involved Jacob's penis and a chainsaw.
I silently prayed that what he said about sexually assaulting Bella was false. Maybe he was just trying to rile me up? Maybe he wanted to scare her by saying that?
Deep down, I knew the fucking truth. That doesn't mean I have to accept it.
I could only hope that she was studying her surroundings, trying to figure out any possible way to successfully come back to me. The cops haven't found anything yet, but the word had spread enough for how new the story is. Every news station in Washington was discussing Bella's story, showing pictures of her, Phil, Billy and Jacob. I clenched my fists every single time I turned on the TV and saw her everlasting beauty placed next to the disgusting faces of these sick bastards. She shouldn't even have to be associated with them. I️t made me sick.
However, every police station in the state was on alert, encouraging their residents to keep an eye out. I waited for the phone to ring, for someone to find her and call it in. All it takes is one person. 7 million people live in this state. All I️t takes is one of them to see the news, see Bella, and call.
The news stations covering Bella's story were slowly spreading to Oregon and Idaho, but we needed more. I wanted the entire world looking out for her. 7 billion, not 7 million.
Mom and Dad spent the entire weekend worrying so much that I think they slept less than I did. Not only did they lose a daughter, but they had to watch their son's emotional torment. They were constantly begging me to eat or nap, and take my pain medicine for my hand. I kept forgetting I️t was fucking broken anyway. That was at the very bottom of my to-do list.
"Edward?" Dad's voice called quietly outside Bella's bedroom door. I just grunted in response. He took that as an invitation and slowly shuffled inside, carrying a plate. A bowl of chili sat on top of it.
"Mom made your favorite chili for lunch," he smiled gently, but it was no where near real.
I brought my head out from under Bella's blanket, glancing up at him. He was looking down at me with so much worry written on his face that I️t was almost unbelievable. He didn't look like this when Alice broke her femur in dance class. He didn't look this worried when I broke my collarbone. He didn't look like this whenever we had the flu or when Mom had bronchitis.
He was in pain. I️t almost looked like he was dying inside.
"Dad." I croaked. "I️'m sorry I'm so hard to deal with right now. I don't mean to make you worry."
He sat on the edge of my bed, his brown eyes growing serious. "I don't blame you for anything, son. I️'m not upset with you at all. I️t is just tearing us all apart."
I nodded, wiping some stray tears from my eyes. "I can't focus on anything at all. It's scary. My mind has never been so focused on one thing. It's like I'm lost in the woods or something..."
"I can't imagine your pain, Edward. You are stronger than you give yourself credit for."
"I don't think so."
"We will get her back. I won't stop until we do. Do you understand?"
I nodded fiercely.
"Now, could you please eat some of this?" He gestured with his head towards the chili. I sighed, but agreed. Not eating wouldn't help at all, even though I had no appetite.
I ate about half the bowl before pushing it back to Dad. He stayed to make sure I actually ate. He smiled, pleased with my effort. "Mom and I aren't going to work at all this week. We stated we had family emergencies. I️ mean, everyone knows anyway, from the news. We will stay home with you and keep in contact with the police, okay?"
"You guys don't have to do that-"
"Nonsense. We'll be downstairs if you need anything." He smiled gently before walking out, closing the door behind him.
I shuffled back under the covers, trying to get some more sleep. I was interrupted about 40 minutes after Dad left by a phone call by Alice.
"Yeah?"
"Edward, you have to come to school and pick up Rosalie."
"Give me the details," I demanded to Alice as I pulled into the parking lot with more speed than necessary. She was waiting for me, standing by her car.
"Well, Tanya was standing in line at lunch, talking shit to Jessica about Bella. Rosalie was standing right behind them, and they didn't know. Tanya was making fun of Bella, saying she was a freak anyway and nobody would miss her. She made somE bullshit up about Bella using witchcraft to make you fall for her. She said she hoped Bella was in a ditch, dead. Rosalie snapped and beat the shit out of her. She's suspended - effective immediately - for the next 2 weeks. She's too scared to tell her parents, so can you bring her back to our house?"
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I would love to kick the shit out of Tanya, too. She was just as bad as them. How could she wish those type of things on an innocent person? I don't care how fucking jealous she is. I will make her life a personal hell for talking about my Bella that way.
I️t was true when everyone described Rosalie as a badass. If you fuck with anyone she cares about, she will have your ass in a millisecond. I was eternally grateful for her for defending Bella.
"Where is she?" I asked.
"The office."
Alice and I walked inside to the principal's office. Rosalie was seated right next to the door in a black plastic chair, her elbow propped on the armrest and her cheek resting in her palm. She looked bored and uninterested. I had to stifle a chuckle.
"C'mon, Rose. I️'m here to rescue you."
She glanced up at me and grinned before waltzing out of the office.
"Thanks, Edward."
"No, Rose, thank you. I'm glad you were there to defend her when I wasn't. I️t means a lot to me, and I know it will to her."
"I just... I couldn't take it. I had to shut her up and that was the best way to do it. I️'m glad it happened."
"You don't regret it?"
She quirked a brow. "Not for a fucking second."
I chuckled, nodding my head.
"I'll see you guys at home. Don't be surprised if you get a call before the end of the day about me beating her up, too. She better pray I don't come across her today," Alice growled. She waved before turning down a different hallway.
"How are you holding up?" Rosalie inquired as we hopped in my Volvo.
"Umm... pass?"
She sighed. "I️ really am sorry about all this. It's... I can't stop thinking about her."
"You and me both. My mind is completely filled with her. Trying to think of something... anything. I️ get really pissed because I can't think of a damn thing."
"I know. The helplessness is terrifying."
"I️t's drowning me."
She offered me a sad smile before turning the radio up, indicating that she was done with the conversation. I couldn't be more thankful for that.
"So, what happened? Edward was in such a hurry when he left," Mom said as Rosalie and I stepped inside.
"A bitchy girl was making fun of Bella because she wants to be with Edward, and she's jealous. I overheard and kind of... attacked her."
Mom covered her mouth with her hand, hiding the fact she was giggling. Dad smirked from the couch, shaking his head and silently chuckling as he focused his attention back to his laptop. He was beginning to search for private investigators and lawyers.
"Rosalie... I'm sorry, it's really not funny," Mom shut her lips tightly, trying to contain herself. Her eyes were dancing in amusement, though. She was a terrible actress.
"It's amazing," I declared before plopping on the couch next to Dad with a heavy sigh.
"Do you want some chili, Rosalie? I made some for lunch and there's plenty left."
"Sure. Thanks, Mom." Rosalie had started calling my parents "Mom and Dad" right when her and Alice became best friends - which was years ago. We were all only children when we met.
"Do you guys know what happens when you get suspended? Will they call my parents? I was kind of hoping to pretend to go to school every day for the next 2 weeks and go somewhere else," she laughed.
"Rosalie, honey, I really think your parents should know of this," Mom suggested as she handed Rosalie a bowl of chili before sitting next to her on the couch.
"They'll kill me!"
"They know what happened to Bella. They know you are friends with her. I know your parents, Rose. I think they would understand."
"Ugh... I don't know."
Mom patted her knee. "Would you like me to explain it for you? We can call your Mom right now."
Rosalie sighed and nodded, handing Mom her cell phone. Mom fiddled with I️t before I️t started ringing through the speaker phone.
"Rosie, what's up?" Her Mom called through the phone.
"Mom, I'm at the Cullen's. I sort of... got suspended from school."
"What?! Rosalie Grace Hale! What did you do?"
"Well, Molly, Rosalie overheard a girl at school making fun of our Bella and wishing terrible things upon her. Her and Rosalie got into a bit of a... scuffle because of it."
"What did she say?"
"Mom, she said that she wishes Bella was dead! That she's a pathetic freak that nobody will miss! I couldn't stand hearing that about Bella. I had to put her in her place."
Rosalie's Mom sighed on the other end of the phone. The type of sigh that all Mom's make when they don't know whether to be disappointed in you or not. I️ knew Rosalie's Mom was a nice, reasonable woman. I didn't think Rosalie had much to worry about. Her Mom would understand.
"Rosalie, as much as I love that you are so loving towards your friends, you didn't need to approach the issue with violence. You know better."
"I'm sorry, Ma. I just snapped."
"How long are you suspended for?"
"2 weeks."
"I'm taking your car away for those 2 weeks, then. If you want to go anywhere, you'll have to find a ride. Also, there will be a nice cleaning list for you to accomplish while you're home from school. I want to clean the attic out, sounds like something you could handle."
Rosalie smirked, rolling her eyes. "Okay, Ma. Can I sleep at the Cullen's tonight? Alice was upset at school because of what happened and I want to make sure she's alright. I'll have her drop me off tomorrow morning on her way to school and I'll start cleaning."
"That's fine. See you tomorrow. Thank you for having her, Esme. You all are still in my thoughts. I pray every night that things will turn out okay. Stay strong." Rosalie's Mom really was a sweet woman. Even though Rosalie acted out today, her Mom still allowed her to stay out tonight to console an upset friend. My mom would have locked me away in my room if I was fighting in school.
"Thank you, Molly, we appreciate that. Talk to you soon," Mom smiled gently as Rosalie hung up the phone and placed it back in the pockets of her jeans.
After school, Emmett, Jasper and Alice came home. Emmett came barreling in, searching for Rosalie.
"Rosie! Are you okay? Nobody let me see you when you got pulled to the office," he grunted, pulling her into his arms.
She giggled, patting the top of his head. "I'm fine, Em. She didn't get a hit in."
He smiled proudly. "That's my girl."
"Did you tell Mom?" Jasper snorted.
"Yeah. My car is gone for 2 weeks and I have to clean out the entire attic."
"Ha! That sucks. It's disgusting up there," Jasper teased before walking into the kitchen.
My phone vibrated in the pocket of my ratty sweats. I reached in eagerly, pulling I️t out to find a new text message from Paul.
Finally found information on Laurent. Lives in Salem, Oregon. Cops over there are asking him to come to the station for questioning. They will tape the interview and send I️t over to us. Come to the station tomorrow at 4 if you want to see I️t.
I smiled, hoping we would find something. I could only hope this Laurent had information on Phil. Bree really believed they were close. Could he know something? If he did, would he risk lying to the police? Paul and Sam seemed optimistic about Laurent, since Phil's abandoned car was found on the way to Oregon. I didn't want to be pessimistic, but I felt as though it could just be a coincidence. Nothing more, nothing less.
Still, I could only hope to be wrong.
The next day, I was restless. I spent most of the day looking at the clock, waiting for 4:00 to come around. I was jittery, my nerves on end. I could only hope that Laurent knew something - anything - and that he would be willing to share his knowledge with the police.
It's really annoying how time flies when you don't want it to, but it fucking drags when you're impatiently waiting for the future. Why did it seem like the clocks weren't moving? I was on edge all day.
Finally, it was 3:45, and I was practically running to Dad's car so he could drive us to the police station. Mom and Alice were coming with. They held hands in the backseat the entire time, staring out the windows. Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper were meeting us there. They wanted to be a part of this, which I️ was grateful for. The more brain power, the better. Nobody said a word throughout the entire drive to La Push. Lately, I was having a hard time deciding how I felt about silence.
"Alright, we're ready to see," I announced as the 7 of us paraded into the police station.
They smiled grimly before turning on a TV next to Harry's desk. I️t hummed to life before showing the footage from the security tapes at the station in Salem, Oregon.
There was a room with a table and a few chairs. A light was hanging from the ceiling on the table. A dark-skinned man with dreadlocks was leaned back in a chair, not looking nervous at all. On the other side of the table was 2 male police officers with pens and notebooks in their hands.
"We are here with Laurent Jameson. Laurent, do you understand that you are being questioned in regards to the disappearance of Isabella Swan?" One of the officers inquired.
Laurent nodded. "Yes." His tone was calm and confident.
"We will be recording this interview and sending I️t to the police officers who are on top of this case."
"Yeah, got it," Laurent grumbled, crossing his arms against his chest.
"We have learned that you are good friends with Phil Dwyer, the stepfather of Isabella. Is this true?"
"Yup. Known him for years."
"How did you meet him?"
"He was my friend as a young boy. I grew up in the same neighborhood as him. My parents moved down here to Oregon before I started high school, but we always kept touch."
"So, you've been friends since childhood. That must mean you trust each other," one of the cops mused.
"I suppose."
"Would he trust you with his life?"
"I dunno. It's not like we sit around and confess our deep feelings for each other," he snorted sarcastically, playing with the frayed end of one of his dreadlocks.
"I️'m asking if he has confided in you at all. When was the last time you've spoken to him?"
"Not sure, it's been weeks now. I just got word from my parents about what happened not too long ago."
"So you're saying that he hasn't made contact with you since before he fled from Forks, Washington?"
"Yes, that's what I️'m saying."
"Did you know that his car was found abandoned on his way here, to Oregon?"
"No."
"We just think it's interesting that he seems to be heading down here. From what the police in Washington know, you're the only person he knows that lives down here."
"So I'm automatically guilty of something just because Phil chose to run away in this direction? That doesn't seem very fair, does it?" He mused, stroking his chin.
"It's a theory, and anything is possible in these situations."
"Well, your theories are wrong. I don't know where he is, and I️ don't know where the girl is," he was becoming annoyed. I was growing frustrated with his carefree attitude. Didn't he know that he was being a dick? Someone's best friend... daughter... sister... girlfriend is missing - and he's brushing it off like it's nothing.
The tape shut off after that, and everybody was quiet for a few moments, lost in our own thoughts.
Emmett was first to break the silence. "He's lying."
"How could you know that?" Jasper asked.
"He played the 'I don't care' card a little too well. Either he's lying, or he really doesn't have a heart at all."
Sam nodded. "I think your friend might be right, Edward. I see this all the time. People believe acting careless and slouching around shows disinterest. It's the best way to hide nerves and anxiety."
"We have no proof of him doing anything, though," Kate pointed out.
"Yet," Dad retorted.
"I mean, maybe this just is a coincidence. Just because Phil has a friend in Oregon doesn't mean he's automatically behind his act," Harry thought aloud. He glanced at me apologetically. "I don't wanna burst your bubble, kid. I just don't wanna get your hopes up."
"He's right, Edward. If Laurent is lying, we can't do anything about it until he breaks the law. We need evidence to make any arrests," Paul added.
"Then, have the cops there keep a close eye on him. I think Emmett is right. The fucker is lying," I snapped.
"The police can only watch him so much. He has constitutional rights, whether he's lying or not," Kate muttered.
"So, we're giving up on Laurent?" Alice asked defeatedly, sighing heavily and plopping into a vacant plastic chair with a thud.
"We'll keep him in the back of our minds. For now, we need to look for more," Sam said.
"We need to try harder!" I bellowed before pacing back and forth.
"We need to spread the story. We need more awareness. Carlisle, I hate to ask, but are you willing to pay to bring this story to more national news channels?" Paul asked.
Dad nodded immediately. "Whatever it takes."
"I'll get a hold of CNN. Everybody in the country watches that shit. We'll set up an interview. I'll call first thing in the morning," Paul declared before walking over to his desk and typing on his desktop.
We left after that. I spent the entire ride mentally preparing a speech for CNN. I was going to get on camera and beg for Bella's life. I would offer Phil all the money that Grandpa left me - which was a fucking lot. I would get the message across, loud and crystal clear, to every viewer that they need to keep an eye out for her. That I need her back, or I won't be able to continue living.
Every second without her was just getting worse and worse. I didn't even feel like I was living anymore. Like I was stuck in some sort of purgatory or something of that nature.
If I wasn't broken down in sobs, I was either pacing in her bedroom, annoying the hell out of the police, or attempting to sleep.
Today was Wednesday now. Bella has been missing for 5 days, but I️t felt like I haven't seen her in a lifetime. I wouldn't wish this type of anguish on anyone. Well, with the exception of 3 people...
Grandma and Grandpa Cullen were coming today and are staying until Bella is found. Keeping up with normal everyday activities, such as cooking and laundry, are becoming too difficult for my family and I. So, they offered to come help, so the rest of us can focus on finding my Bella.
"Edward, honey, how are you holding up?" Grandma muttered in my ear as she walked in the front door, pulling me into her arms tightly.
"I️'m not really holding up at all."
She sighed and pulled away, patting my cheek affectionately. "Have faith and patience, dear. That's all you need right now. We will be here with you every step of the way."
Grandpa came in carrying luggage. Oliver trailed behind, jumping on my legs and begging for attention. I smiled slightly and picked him up off the ground, hugging him to my chest, thinking of Bella and how happy she was when she was playing with him. I think Oliver could sense my raging anxiety and sadness, because he tucked himself into the crook of my neck in a hug.
"What's going on with CNN?" Grandpa asked after they were settled into the basement. They always stayed down there when they came, since I️t was like a mini-apartment down there.
Grandma entered the room with a tray of coffee for everyone. Alice and I were huddled on the couch on either side of Oliver, both of us absentmindedly stroking his fur. Using my twin telepathy, I knew both of us were petting him because he helped us stay calm.
Dad sighed, throwing his arm around Mom's shoulder. Both of them looked so fucking drained. "The police called them this morning. They said they're next open space is Saturday morning. We have to be at their Seattle office by 8 AM."
Grandma smiled. "This is great! CNN will provide all the coverage we need. Everybody watches those liberals."
I groaned, praying we didn't get into politics now.
"Who will be speaking?" Grandma asked.
"All 4 of us. They're giving each of us 5 minutes to say whatever we feel," Alice mumbled sadly.
I have been planning my speech all day. I️ would spend the first 2.5 minutes of my time begging Phil to return her to me. I will offer him all the money I have. The other 2.5 minutes I will speak to Bella. I will tell her that I️'m never going to give up looking for her. That I love her more than anything in this world and that I will do whatever I️t takes to bring her back to me, and that I can't live without her.
I tried so hard not to be pessimistic, I really did, but I was starting to wonder if she may never come home. I️ couldn't go on without her. There was no reason for me to be alive if she couldn't be by my side. I️t was honestly scary feeling that strongly about someone, but I was in too deep. Bella is truly the reason for my existence. If she goes, I go.
Grandma made a dinner of fettuccine Alfredo and basically had to force it down my throat. Even my parents and Alice weren't eating as much as they usually do.
"I'm so sorry that you cooked so much, Elizabeth. None of us seem to have much of an appetite lately," Mom sighed, smiling in appreciation at Grandma.
Grandma waved her hand in front of her face. "Don't worry about it, baby. I am here to help."
Grandpa did the dishes, as always. That was the one compromise they had since the beginning of their love. She cooks, he does all the dishes. I've never seen a family dinner that didn't end this way. I️t was soothing, for some reason. I guess, I️t reminded me of Bella and I. I wanted that with her. Something unbreakable, that lasts a lifetime. And beyond.
"Edward, sweet-pea, come with me. I have something for you," Grandma whispered in my ear after I plopped on the living room recliner, reaching for my phone to text Sam or Paul. Again.
I followed her down to the basement. She led me to the couch, and sat on the same cushion that Bella sat on the first time she got high, laughing drunkenly at her confusion towards Emmett's bong. I tried to shun the memory away. It was too painful anymore.
She reached into her purse and pulled out a tiny black box.
She smiled warmly before opening I️t, revealing a ring. An elegant diamond sat on top of a gold band, with 2 smaller diamonds on either side of I️t. The band was a perfect gold, shining in the light. The diamond was clear and gorgeous - so many different, tiny shapes inside of I️t.
I glanced up at her, my jaw hanging open and my eyes looking like a deer in headlights. Was this what I think I️t was?
"Edward, I know I️ may sound crazy, but I know that your Bella is the one for you. I can see it in your eyes. I saw it in her's on Thanksgiving, too. You both smile a huge, beaming smile, as if nobody else is looking. You 2 are like... magnets. I know you have been technically dating her for a short time... but, I don't think that matters. She's the one."
She smiled warmly as I felt tears pooling in my eyes, threatening to spill over with any slight move I make.
She continued. "This was the very first ring your grandfather ever gave me. It's very special to me, for many, many reasons that I will not get into right now," she chuckled. "I want you to give I️t to Bella."
I gasped. "A-are you sure?"
She nodded. "You know once I make a decision, the deal is done."
I chuckled, rubbing the back of my neck. I didn't bother to stop the tears from flowing. Grandma wrapped her arms around me and patted my back slowly, the way she used to when I was younger and went through a phase of needing my back rubbed in order to fall asleep.
"Everything will be okay, darling. It's the tough times that make us stronger. She will come home, and you 2 will be okay," she whispered. I nodded against her shoulder.
"I love you, sweet-pea," she ruffled my hair.
"I love you, too, Grandma."
The next day, I woke up to Oliver licking my face. He slept in Bella's bed with me, cuddled up against my legs. I️t was comforting. Even though I️t was nothing at all like sleeping next to Bella, I️t was still nice to have someone to sleep next to.
"Alright, Oliver, I'm up," I groaned. I took a shower before picking Oliver up into my arms and heading downstairs. I️t was only 7 AM. I slept 4 hours - a short amount of time, but I was still grateful for any sleep at all at this point.
"Morning, pumpkin," Grandma called from the kitchen. I set Oliver down so he could attack his food bowl.
"Morning," I mumbled, plopping at the island in the kitchen as I watched her make breakfast.
"I'm making eggs and sausage links for Alice before she goes to school. Would you like some?"
"No, thank you."
She sighed, pointing her spatula at me. "You need to eat, Edward."
"I will soon."
She turned back to the stove, a defeated look on her face. Alice bounced down the steps, dressed in sweats again for school. She hasn't even been wearing makeup lately. I have seriously never seen Alice like this in my entire life.
"Good morning, Ali," Grandma chirped, placing the food in front of her.
Alice forced a smile. "Morning. Thank you."
Alice ate about half her plate before pushing it away. "I'm full. Thank you, Grandma. I better head to school now. See you guys later. Call me if something comes up." She patted my arm before heaving her bag over her shoulder and heading outside.
"Edward, would you like to play a game of chess with me?" Grandpa asked as he entered the kitchen with a cup of coffee in his hands.
I shrugged. "Sure."
I knew he was just trying to distract me. Grandpa was a psychologist before retiring. He owned his own practice. He had a knack for sensing other's emotions. He could obviously tell that I needed to bring my mind somewhere else for a bit.
We played in silence, which I think was for my benefit. We were about halfway through the game - and I️t was quite an even match - when my phone began blaring in my pocket.
"Go on, take it, it could be about your Bella," he smiled gently. I nodded and pulled my phone out to see it was Sam.
"Sam," I breathed. "What's up?"
"Hey, kid, you're gonna want to come to the station." I didn't miss the smile behind his voice.
My heart skipped a beat. "What is I️t?!"
"They found the BMW from the Black's garage abandoned at a motel in Oregon. I have more details. Just get your ass down here."
My parents, my grandparents and I bolted to La Push's police station as fast as lightning. Well - as fast as Mom allowed Dad to drive. "Slow down, Carlisle! I️ know we're all excited, but we don't want to die," she would say. None of us could contain our huge smiles throughout the entire drive. I felt so much of my pain disappear in the instant that Sam gave us some good news. We may have not found her, but we're getting fucking close. The relief crashed into me like a fucking tsunami.
"What's going on?" I called as we entered the station.
"The police down there questioned the staff of the motel about which room they stayed in. They finally figured it out and searched the room. I️t seems that Bella found out where Phil would be taking her, and she left a message by carving clues into the bedside table with a knife," Kate explained triumphantly. She held up a photo. I️t was very zoomed in, but obviously a wooden table. Scratched into I️t were a few simple words. Oakridge. Cabin. Laurent. And then, her initials.
I felt tears streaming down my face at the discovery. My Bella left us a message. We could find her now.
I️t was truly crazy, how my pain was washed away in one split second. I felt my heart reattaching itself together. She will always be the medicine for me. All I need is her, and I'm okay. She was my own personal brand of heroin.
"Oakridge is a town in Oregon. Mostly woods. And, it seems as though our friend Laurent was, indeed, lying. We think he is helping Phil hide away in a cabin down there, obviously," Harry said.
"So, what's next?" Grandpa inquired.
"The Oakridge police are going to start searching around all the cabins in the area. We're going to find her," Kate was beaming, her eyes watery. She pulled me in for a hug, and I couldn't help but sob against her. Out of all the cops, she was my favorite. This case really put a strain on her heart.
"We need to go to Oakridge, now. I want to be there when they find her," I growled with anticipation, the fingers of my good hand flexing and unflexing themselves.
"It's over 7 hours of driving. Luckily, I have a buddy that has a private plane. I'll see if he can fly you down today. Only 2 other passengers will fit, though," Paul explained as he pulled out his cell phone.
"I will go with Edward in the plane. Esme, pick Alice up from school and gather some things from the house and start driving down to Oakridge right away," Dad suggested. Mom nodded and got on the phone to call Alice.
"Alice, baby," she breathed, tears of happiness shooting down her face. "We're gonna find her. We know where she is. We have to drive down to Oregon, right away. I am coming to school now to pick you up."
I could hear Alice's shouts from the other end of the phone. Mom began crying even harder, clutching her chest in disbelief. I️t was the most amazing feeling. Knowing we will get her back.
"She wants to talk to you," Mom offered me the phone.
"Ali," I croaked. "We're getting her back."
"Edward," she was sobbing. "This is absolutely amazing! I knew we would get her back! How did they find her?!"
"They found the old BMW that Seth told me about abandoned at a motel, just like Phil did with his car. They searched the room and Bella left a message of where they were taking her," I was beaming so much, I was pretty sure my face would fucking snap in half.
"Yes! I'm so proud of her!"
I chuckled. "Me, too, Ali. Dad and I are probably going on a plane with Paul's friend, you and Mom will drive down there."
"Okay, I'll see you down there, Ed. I can't wait! Love you!"
"Love you, too."
Mom pulled me in for a hug the second I got off the phone with Alice. "Let's go get her."