Chapter 6: The East Side

AN: Thanks to all who reviewed. If you haven't reviewed, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the story. Also, sorry I haven't been updating frequently. I'm in the process of moving back to school, so once I get back, I'll (hopefully) write more.

EDWARD

I rolled over on my bed as I heard the phone in my house ringing. Who in the hell could be calling me at this hour?

I walked over to my phone and looked at the caller ID: Tanya. I smiled. Tanya was the only good thing that came out of my relationship with Sasha. I had been married to Sasha for three years before she finally decided to leave me. In the course of those three years, we had produced one daughter—Tanya.

After our divorce, Tanya became the most important lady in my life. Because of my job, I moved around a lot, but I always made sure to spend time with my daughter. I wondered why she was calling me now.

"Hey, sweetie," I said, answering the phone.

"Hi, Dad!" she said excitedly.

"To what do I awe this phone call in the middle of the night?" I asked.

"Oh, sorry, Dad. I forgot about the time difference."

"It's okay, darling."

"I just had to call you. I have the most exciting news!"

"What's that?" I asked.

"Edward proposed!"

"What happened?" I asked, stunned.

"Edward asked me to marry him! We were out at dinner, and he just asked me! Can you believe I'm going to be Mrs. Edward Cullen in a month?"

"A month? Don't you think you're rushing things a bit?" I asked her. "After all, you've only been dating four months. Shouldn't you wait a little longer, to make sure he's the right guy for you?"

"Daddy, I know we haven't been together that long, but I've never been more sure about anything in my life. I know Edward is the one."

"I thought that about your mother, but look what happened to us."

"Daddy, you and Mom weren't right for each other. Edward and I are perfect for each other. He makes me happy and makes me whole. I love him more than anything in the world. Besides you, of course," she added quickly.

I laughed. "Okay, if you're sure. I still have yet to meet your wonderful fiancée," I reminded her.

"I know, I know. It's just been so crazy for us. Edward's been busy with his residency and now I'm going to be preoccupied with moving to LA."

"You're moving?" I asked her.

"Yeah. Edward has his residency in LA, so I'm just going to work on opening a new store in LA and leave Alison in charge of the one here."

"Honey, you've lived in Washington your whole life. Are you sure about this?"

"I've never been more sure about anything in my life."

"I don't know," I said. "It just seems that everything is moving too fast. I mean, I haven't even met this guy."

"Do you want to talk to him?" she asked. "He's right here."

"Okay," I said. I heard the phone rustling. "Edward?" I asked.

"Hello," he said unsurely. He sounded nervous.

"Hi, this is Tanya's other father. I know you've probably met David, her stepdad, but I'm her birth father."

"It's a pleasure to finally talk to you, sir. Tanya has told me so much about you."

I smiled. "Well, that's a good thing to hear. From what I've heard, you seem to be in love with my daughter."

"I am," he said. "She's the most important thing to me. I know it may seem like we're rushing things, but I see no reason to wait. We're in love. We're not getting any younger, and we want to start a family."

I sighed. "I guess you're right, Edward. You sound like a great guy, but I want to make sure you're the right guy for my baby girl."

"Sir, I promise to never do anything to hurt Tanya. I love her, and I would never do anything to prevent her from loving me."

"Okay. It was nice to finally talk to you, Edward."

"Likewise, sir. Goodbye." We both hung up the phone, and I sunk into my favorite chair. Edward seemed like a nice guy, but if he ever did anything to Tanya, he would be sorry.

********

EPOV

"So, if we go around this way, we should remain hidden from anyone who would be there," Eva was saying, pointing to a passage on the map.

"Are you sure?" I asked, looking wary. The place she indicated didn't look well hidden. In fact, it looked like it was all out in the open. "I mean, there're no trees or anything there. How can we be sure we won't be seen by anybody who could be there?"

"Edward, I've been living on this island for the past eight years. Don't you trust me?" she asked, her eyes boring into me.

"Yes, I trust you," I mumbled.

"Good. I say we head out tomorrow morning to search. That way, if they are there, we can catch this monster who took your kids while he's still asleep."

"Good plan," Emmett said, cracking his knuckles. I knew all he cared about was causing this person as much pain as was humanly possible.

I looked over at Bella, and saw she looked as worried as I felt. I motioned for her to follow me, and the two of us walked down to the water's edge on the beach.

"What's wrong?" I asked her. I knew my wife so well, I could always tell when something was bothering her. Now was one of those times.

"I don't know," she sighed, sitting on the sand. I sat down beside her and put my arm around her shoulders. "Something's not clicking. It feels like the first time when we met Eva. Remember, something didn't seem right then, and we were right. I feel like she's hiding something important from us. And I know our kids aren't on the east side of the island."

"What? Do you know something I don't?" I asked her, looking at her with shocked eyes. How could she possibly know that? We hadn't left the camp at all since we had arrived.

"Call it mother's intuition, but I have this gut feeling they're not there. Not Emily and Olivia, at least," she added. "Edward, I know our daughters. I've raised them since they were babies, and I feel like I can sense where they are. And they are not on the east side of the island. My feeling is telling me they're at the native's old camp."

"Bells, you heard Eva: the old camp is destroyed."

"Yes, the camp is destroyed. The land, however, is still there. What's to say this guy, whoever he is, came to this island and built some kind of place to bring our kids to?"

"Bella, that would take extensive planning," I reminded her.

"You think whoever did this did it on an impulse? He planned this, Edward. He was watching us. He knew exactly where the kids were. He's been planning this."

"Are you sure?" I asked her.

"Positive. Edward, look at the facts. This guy knew where we all were and knew where our kids were. He was watching us. He also wanted us to end up back here."

"But that woman Joanna said—"

"Edward, she was lying."

"What? How do you know that?" I asked her. I had no idea how Bella could know Johanna was lying.

"She looked to the left when she told us about what her boss had said."

"So?"

"So she was making it us. People look to the right subconsciously when they're recalling or remembering things. When they look to the left, they're constructing or creating things. Her boss never told her to demand money from us—she made it up."

"Why would she make that up?" I asked, still stunned.

"Probably to hide her boss's true motives. I bet he wanted us to come back to the island so he could fuck with us. For some reason, this guy doesn't like us. I bet he took our kids to lure us here and get revenge or vengeance or some shit like that."

"How do you know this?" I asked her, shocked. I loved Bella with all my heart, but I had never seen her so smart.

"Edward, I'm a mother. I may not be extremely intelligent, but I can put things together when my daughter's lives are at stake."

"Well, what do you think we should do?" he asked.

"I say we go over to the native's old camp and get our kids back."

"Okay," I said, smiling at her. "Let's go tell the others." I helped Bella up and the two of us walked back over to everyone, hand in hand.

"Guys," Bella said as we joined the group. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked up at us. "We had an idea about where our kids could be. No offense, Eva, but I don't think they're on the east side of the island. I think they're back at the native's old camp."

"But I told you—"

"We know what you told us," I said, cutting her off, "But we think whoever did this was planning this for a long time. Months, maybe even years. We think he came here, built some kind of place to live and hold our kids, then snatched them at the wedding and brought them here."

"Don't you think that sounds a little far-fetched?" Emmett asked me.

"I know it sounds ridiculous," Bella told him, "But it's just a feeling I've been having. I know it sounds crazy and paranoid, but it's the only explanation for what my gut is telling me."

"Bella, don't you think I would have heard them building on this island? I have been here for eight years, after all," Eva reminded us.

"I know, I know. All I'm saying is we check out the old camp. If nothing's there, fine. But I would hate for them to be there and us never even look."

"Okay, how about we do this," I suggested. "Why don't we go to the east side first, then head to the old camp. How does that sound?" I asked.

"That sounds…fair," Bella said reluctantly. "I mean, we should check everywhere for them."

"Okay, good. Now let's get to bed. We need to head out early tomorrow," I reminded everyone. We all headed into our island homes. I kicked off my shoes and lied down on the bed Bella and I shared on the island. She crawled into bed and snuggled up next to me.

"Do you think everything's going to be okay?" she asked me.

"I'm sure it will all be fine," I said, extinguishing the candle. "We'll go to the east side and the old camp. Hopefully, Emily and Olivia will be at one of those places."

"I hope you're right," Bella said, planting a kiss on my cheek. We both drifted to sleep, dreaming of our daughters and hoping they were okay.

"J, it's Eva," Eva said into the walkie-talkie in her hut.

"Eva!" the voice on the other end exclaimed. "Is everything set for tomorrow?"

"We have a slight problem."

"Problem?" the man growled. "I thought you said everything was going smoothly, that they didn't suspect a thing."

"I still think they're clueless, but Bella just said she has a feeling the kids are at the abandoned camp."

"Did you tell them how it was destroyed?"

"Yeah, but she doesn't care. They all want to head over there tomorrow and check it out."

"Eva, we had a plan. We bring them to the east side, and then my men who are positioned over there take them out."

"I know, I know," Eva sighed. "They still want to head over, but I think they're going to be a little wary after tonight. Maybe you should keep them alive a little longer. You know, fuck with them a bit."

"You know, that's not a bad idea," the man said.

"I suggest you do something to discourage them from going to the old camp unless you want to be discovered tomorrow."

"Good idea. I'll radio me men with the new plan. You just take them through the path like I showed you. Got it?"

"Got it." Eva clicked off her radio and sat down on her mattress in her hut. She looked around the place. It was filled with video surveillance, communication devices, and weapons. Eva knew what her boss was planning to do to Bella, Edward, and the rest of the group, but she didn't care. These people had left her for dead and then blew up the boat she was on. In her mind, they deserved to die.

********

I heard my phone ringing and I looked over at the time. Who the hell was calling me at midnight? I walked over to my phone and picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Daddy!" Tanya sobbed on the other end.

"Sweetie? What's the matter?" I asked her, concerned. I had never heard Tanya like this before.

"It's Edward," she sobbed.

"What happened? What's wrong?"

"He left me!" she cried.

"WHAT?" I shouted.

"He just sent me divorce papers."

"Why?" I asked, stunned. As far as I knew, Tanya and Edward were as much in love as they were when they got married.

"He—he came home and I was with another guy."

"Tanya, why would you do that?"

"Daddy, he's never home! He's been living at the hospital the past month. I think I saw him once this week!"

"That's no reason—"

"I'm lonely," she said, cutting me off. "I don't have any friends here and his brother's always off chasing girls or training for football."

"Where's Edward now?" I asked. "Shouldn't you two try and talk this out?"

"He went on a trip with Emmett and Jasper to Japan. They're supposed to be coming back tonight."

"Honey," I said, trying to keep my voice calm, "Do you know what airline they were flying?"

"Japan Airlines. They're flying into LAX."

"He's not coming home tonight," I said softly.

"What? Why wouldn't he be?"

"Turn on the news," I told her. I couldn't believe she didn't know yet—it was all over TV. Japan Airlines flight 2232 from Japan to LAX had disappeared in midflight, all 267 passengers with it.

"Daddy, that's Edward's plane!" she shrieked.

"I know, I know. Listen, here's what you need to do. You need to organize a search for the plane with Edward's parents. You need to act like the devoted wife."

"But, why?" she asked. "Edward wants to get divorced."

"Honey, if they find him and he still wants to get divorced, people will take your side. If they don't, you'll get one hell of an insurance pay out. All I'm saying is don't sign the papers."

"Daddy, I don't know about this."

"Pumpkin, I promise you, this will work. If it doesn't, Edward Cullen will be sorry he ever hurt you."

********

"Wake up, Bells," I said, nudging Bella, who was still fast asleep next to me. She stirred, then opened her eyes.

"What?" she groaned.

"Get up. We're leaving in ten minutes," I said, walking out of the hut. I was already ready to leave. I was in a white tee shirt, jean shorts, and Timberland boots. I had my backpack packed with food, water, and weapons. After all, we didn't know how long we were going to be gone.

Emmett and Rosalie were sitting around the fire pit, talking. They both were dressed for a hike through the forest.

Seth and Cynthia were standing by the water. Cynthia had her head on Seth's shoulder, and the two of them were looking out at the ocean.

Alice and Jasper were emerging from their hut, yawning.

Mike and Leah were packing their backpacks.

Eva was sitting by Emmett and Rosalie, giving Rosalie a mean look. I guess some things never changed.

Bella came out of our hut, dressed and ready to go. "So, what are y'all sitting around for?" she asked, looking at everyone. "We have a group of kids to find. Let's go!"

We all headed into the jungle, following Eva. After all, she was the one who knew where she was going. Bella walked next to me with her hand in mine.

"Do you really think we're going to find them today?" I whispered to her.

"I know it," she said confidently. "I know Eva thinks they're on the east side, but I know they're at the old camp. They have to be there."

I smiled at her and gave her hand a squeeze. "I believe you, baby."

We followed Eva for a few hours before we came to a clearing.

"Is this it?" I asked.

"Yeah, this is the east side. We just follow this path to the beach. If your kids are here, I think they'll be on the beach. There're plenty of places to keep things in the trees right on the edge of the beach."

"Are you sure?" I asked her. This idea didn't make a lot of sense.

"Positive. Just follow the path."

"Wait, aren't you coming?" Rosalie asked.

"No. They're your kids, not mine."

"Okay, what's going on?" Rosalie asked. "You've been acting really weird ever since you arrives. First, you don't believe Bella when she says her Mommy senses are telling her the kids are at the old camp, and now you're ditching us. What are you hiding?" Rosalie was now glaring at Eva.

"I'm not hiding anything! I just thought you'd want to get your kids without me."

"You can go first," Emmett said, shoving Eva to the front of the group. She walked down the path with Rosalie and Emmett following her closely behind. The rest of us followed them, looking around cautiously.

The path was long, windy, and surrounded by trees. It was the perfect place for somebody to ambush us if they wanted to. I could see why Rosalie was suspicious.

"What was that?" Bella asked suddenly, staring at one of the trees.

"What's wrong, baby?" I asked her.

"I thought I saw something move in that tree," she said, still staring at it.

"I'm sure it was nothing. Let's keep moving," I said, pulling her along. She looked back with a confused look on her face. We kept walking when I felt something hit the back of my head.

"What the hell?" I said, turning around.

"What's wrong?" Bella asked.

"Something just hit me in the head," I said.

"Do you know what it was?" she asked. I shook my head. "Well, it was probably just some animal or something falling from a tree. Let's keep moving." We kept walking, following Seth and Cynthia.

"Ouch!" Cynthia exclaimed, jumping up. I looked at her foot and saw something was sticking out of her ankle. She reached down and yanked it out. I saw it was a tiny arrow.

"What the fuck is this?" Seth asked, staring at it.

"I have no idea. Let's get out of here. Quickly," I said, grabbing Bella and pulling her along. We were catching up with the rest of the group when I heard a scream ahead of us. I looked up and saw Alice and Jasper on the jungle floor, huddled into a ball. Around them were hundreds of stones.

"What the fuck is going on?" I asked.

"I don't know!" she cried. "All of a sudden, the trees started raining stones. It was surreal."

"AHH!" I heard a scream ahead that sounded like Rosalie. Bella and I sprinted forward and saw Emmett wrestling a huge snake away from Rosalie.

"What the hell?"

"It flew through the air and hit me," she was sobbing. "It didn't just drop—someone threw it."

"But who?" Bella asked. "There's no one here except us."

"I don't know," Emmett grunted, chucking the snake into the jungle, "But I want to get out of here as fast as we can."

"I agree," I said, grabbing Bella. The four of us started making our way out of the jungle, when I felt Bella pull on me. I turned around and saw her collapsing to the floor of the jungle. I caught her quickly in my arms. I didn't know why, but it looked like she was fainting.

"Bella, baby, what's wrong?" I asked, panicked.

"Neck—pain—losing—consciousness—" Her eyes closed and she said no more.

"Edward, what's that on her neck?" Rosalie asked, pointing to something. I carefully tilted Bella's head forward and saw something feathery sticking out of Bella's neck. I pulled it out and saw it was a dart.

"What is that?" Emmett asked.

"A tranquilizer dart," Rosalie said. We both looked at her. "What? I got to go behind the scenes at the zoo once. They use those."

"What's a tranquilizer dart doing in the middle of a jungle on an uncharted island?" I asked.

"I don't know, but someone shot that at us. And whoever they are, they're not friends to us, or our kids."