I was asked a couple of questions about this story—I'll answer them here. I do always appreciate questions, they're very welcome!

1. Yes, it is All-human. I did say that, in the 's necessary-- if Bella was taken, and Edward a vampire, he could have her back in like, ten minutes.

2. Regarding Breaking Dawn, Jacob and the Devil Spawn, I hated all of them. None will have a part in my story, quite frankly. I thought Renesmee was always a bit half-arsed, which is one of my reasons for keeping this all-human—I have nothing against Bella and Edward having kids, I just don't think that it worked within the parameters of Ms. Meyer's novel. But who am I to judge? Just a pathetic fan… Breaking Dawn was a disappointment. Even the much-anticipated fight scene was wimpy. I've come to expect so much more from the villainous Volturi…

And Jacob? I never really liked him. Alright, so he was okay before he became a dog, but he just became way too cocky and arrogant. He just pisses me off, generally. The one exception to that being his chapter titles in BD, which were pretty cool. But apart from that… the whole imprint-on-a-baby thing sort of creeps me out, too. But whatever. So he and Renesmee wo't be making an appearance, unless anyone can persuade me to use them... there's a challenge for you...

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A Twilight FanFiction
By Becky Scarlett-Cullen

Chapter 2
--"You never know where it'll take you."

Hour two—10am, January 1st, 2009

EPOV

I dial Alice's number. I'm a little anxious, naturally… I can't help but worry.

My youngest sister picks up, and she sounds like she's just got out of bed. It I wasn't so worried, I might have found it funny.

"Hello?"

"Ally, it's Edward—"

"Aw, hey, Eddy. Happy new year."

I frown, momentarily distracted. "How much exactly did you drink last night, Alice?"

She pauses, and I roll my eyes. Typical Alice. I have to keep reminding myself that she's not some rebellious teenager any more, she's married. And she has a daughter. Still… some things never change. Like Alice's partying.

"Not that much. Anyway, that's not what you called about."

"No. Do you know where Bella is?"

Alice snickers down the line. "What, you've lost her? That was careless, Eddy."

"I'm serious, Alice. She's disappeared. Is she around there?"

"No. I haven't seen her. Sorry."

"If you see her, let me know, yeah?"

"I'll talk to Jazz about it too, if you like."

Jasper's the head of my security. He has a military background, which makes him ideal. And the fact that he's married to my sister is great, too—he's always easy to reach.

"That would be great, Al."

"No problem, Ed."

"Thanks."

"S'alright. Bye."

She hangs up. That told me nothing.

I try Rosalie instead. She gets on well with Bella—that's probably where she is. I dial the number, feeling hopeless. What are the chances of Rose seeing Bella, especially at this time in the morning? My sister-in-law and brother won't even be up, yet.

But I have to try, and so I do, keying in the last number and lifting the phone back up to my ear.

No-one answers. That doesn't mean they're gone too, though—it just means they're asleep. Silently, I curse them. I know it's not fair—this is hardly their fault, after all—but the worry for my family seems to be messing with my head. I slam the expensive phone closed, and toss it across the room in frustration.

Anxiously, I run a hand through my hair. Bella's not hurt. Bella's fine. And so are the kids.

In a last ditch attempt, I retrieve the phone and dial my father's number. Perhaps they'll know where my family has apparently disappeared to.

"Dad?"

"Edward, how are you? Happy new year, son."

"Uh… thanks. I'm… well, I'm a little worried, actually… you haven't seen Bella, have you? Or the kids?"

I can almost hear he frown in my father's voice when he speaks again. He's worried too, because he knows Bella. He knows that this isn't like her. At all.

"No, I'm sorry… she hasn't been here…"

I close my eyes in frustration. I can't think of anywhere else she would be—her family is still in America. Dad seems to sense what I'm feeling.

"When did you last see her, Edward?"

"Uh…" I think back. Just before breakfast. She disappeared with Jack and Sam. I relay this information to my father, who pauses, considering.

"What about Lexy?"

"She's gone, too. I went upstairs to find Bella, and then when I came back, she had disappeared as well."

"Does Jasper know?"

"Yeah, I called Alice, and she said she'd talk to him. I tried Emmett too, but I assume he and Rose are still asleep or something, because there was no reply." I pause. "Do you… do you really think that this is a matter of security?"

He hesitates, before speaking again. I guess he doesn't particularly want to upset me.

"Perhaps… it'd be better to have all of the bases covered anyway though, right?"

"Do you think they've been…"

I can't bring myself to say it. Kidnapping is a bit of an occupational hazard, for me… but it doesn't make it any easier to accept. The static fills the air between us. Apparently, this is a bad line.

"It's possible."

I feel myself begin to panic. My father seems to realise this, and does his best to calm me down.

"Edward, it's fine. They'll be fine. It's probably not that, anyway…"

I have to keep repeating that to myself, even after I've hung up, as I do another search of the suite. But I'm definitely alone. Our room is empty. The living area and kitchen are empty, the pancakes cold now, under the cloth. I feel a pang as I see the little wooden spoon, the one that Lexy had been using not so long ago. The bathrooms are empty. I re-enter the children's bedroom… and that's when I see it.

A scrap of paper. It's small enough to be reasonable that I missed it before. I snatch it up; studying the words that are scrawled in a mess hand across the paper, black ink contrasting with the white.

You have twenty-four hours. Get to Windsor Castle, and they have a hope. Stay where you are, and they will be killed. Do not dawdle.

I stare uncomprehendingly at the words. They swirl across the page, and I have to make myself focus, and they run through my mind again and again. They will be killed. They will be killed.

My family… my wife, and my children… I could not allow them to be taken like this. This was all of my worst fears being realised, in one fell swoop. But I would not—could not—allow this to happen. I dressed swiftly, running over my options in my mind. They were few, and far between.

But there was only one available to me, and I would take it. No matter the cost.

So stuff is getting a bit more exciting, huh? Sorry, this is a bit of a slow-starter. Fortunately, for all of our sanities, it's getting more exciting. I promise. Really. Would I lie to you?

Don't answer that.