Chapter Eight: Discovery
God, he is so slow, she thought. If only I didn't have a lazy bum for a husband. She loved everything to do with the outdoors, but she especially loved hiking. And camping. He knew that, of course. For his wedding gift to her, they moved up here. There were plenty of forests and mountains to explore.
Today, she decided to explore a new area. Every so often, she would tie a ribbon around a tree, just in case they got lost. She never stuck to paths. The most beautiful things were those untouched by humans. Up ahead, she could see a clearing through the tree line.
"Oh, George! I think we should come this way more often!" She looked back towards her wheezing husband.
"Why?"
"There's a gorgeous meadow up ahead!" Luckily, they were up so high that they'd broke through the cloud bank that frequently shrouded Forks. The sun was shining as she stepped out onto the field scattered with wildflowers. She inhaled the sweet scent and turned to look for George. It wasn't until he husband stepped through the tree line and say the look of horror on his face that she noticed someone else in the field. Someone, a girl was laying in the field.
Only something was wrong.
She stepped closer and pulled out her radio as her police senses took over. Even though she was off duty, she always carried her radio with her when she went hiking. It was the only way to contact someone out here. Today, it turned out to be a blessing. If she hadn't had it, she would have never been able to notify the chief that a girl had been mauled in time for the girl to be saved.
The girl was just barely alive.
Charlie Swan sat at his desk and booted up his computer. The clock on the wall showed the time to be 6:30AM. Being a police chief had its downfalls sometimes. He pulled out the lunch Sue Clearwater had made for him and went to put it in the fridge.
As he headed back to his desk, he heard the radio static start. Already? We live in Forks, not Chicago. Who would be committing a crime at this hour? Wonder what it is now? Charlie picked up the radio. "Yeah?"
"Chief Swan? It's Lieutenant Hartley. Over."
"It's your day off, right? Over." This was strange. No police officer ever called on their days off, let only radioed in.
"Yeah, and I was on a hike with George. I have a Code 10 here. Looks like an animal mauling. Over."
A mauling? Well, crap. Probably wasn't a mauling, but one of those "animal attacks" the Cullens "deal" with.
"The victim still alive? What are your coordinates? Over."
"Yes. Heart rate is low. Breathing shallow. 47.9511° N, 124.3847° W Over."
"I'm sending an emergency team your way." Charlie sighed. He wondered if he should call the Cullens or the pack to let them know what happened just in case it was an "animal attack."
"Thanks, Chie-" she stopped short.
"Lieutenant? What's wrong? Over."
"Charlie…" She rarely ever called him by his first name. They were friends, but at work it wasn't casual like that, especially in an emergency. "Charlie, I recognize her. Oh, God."
"Lieutenant? Who is she? I'll notify the family. Over."
"I think I just did. Charlie, it's- it's your granddaughter."
Renesmee.
Panic swept through Charlie. It definitely wasn't an animal attack then. The girl could take down a stampeding elephant even if it surprised her. No, this definitely was no accident.
He grabbed his jacket and ran for his cruiser, snatching his cell phone off the desk as he flew by. "Jack!" he yelled at the Sergeant working the front desk. "I'm taking the rest of the day off! Family emergency! And send an emergency unit to 47.9511˚ N, 124.3847˚ W!"
Blowing through the door, Charlie punched in the familiar number on his cell. A light and musical voice answered, "Hey, Dad!"
"Bells, it's Ren."
"Oh! Did she stay at your place? I was worried when she didn't call or come home last night, but I figured she went somewhere safe. And Edward said she went to meet Seth. I take it he dropped her off with you."
"I wish that's why I was calling. My Lieutenant just called in an animal attack. She identified the victim as Renesmee. She's alive. Barely. Emergency response is on the way."
"What?! Oh my God! Edward!" Charlie could hear Bella shouting away from the phone. "Edward! Renesmee's hurt! We have to go! Dad? What- Where should we go? I mean we could easily go find her in the forest-"
"No. I think it would be strange if you just showed up like that. Go to Forks Hospital. That's probably where they'll take her, especially since Carlisle works there. Is he working today?"
"My baby. Oh, my God. Yeah, yes he's working. I'll call him. Thanks for calling." With that she hung up.
Charlie was speeding down the highway a few minutes later when he realized there was someone else he should've called. He quickly pulled over and punched in his best friend's number.
"Billy? Is Jacob around?" he asked when Billy answered the phone.