EDWARD
Life has no meaning without Bella. But if she is thriving, then my new life is worth it. It is a price I will happily pay. How can I know how she is doing? If I go back to check on her, I will never be able to leave. If I ask one of my family members to go they will. However, then I might have to explain what I said to her or allow them to hope that we can go back. I guess I could ask Alice to look into my Bella's future, but only the very near future. But if I know where she will be one day, then I don't know if I can keep myself away.
Carlisle and I go home after yet another forced hunt. My father just wants me to be happy. In order for that to be an option, I need to not starve myself. I get ready to use my voice for the first time since I used it to say terrible lies and broke the heart of my one love. However I don't have to find Alice as she and Jasper, followed closely by the rest of my family, are waiting for Carlisle and me.
Everyone's thoughts come at me in a jumble. The confusion has an edge of panic to it and that concerns me. Carlisle picks up on the mood of the room and looks to Esme. She looks very worried as her gaze flicks briefly to me. This is the point that I start to feel my own panic.
"What's going on?" Carlisle asks gently.
"I know Edward asked me not to, but I tried to look into Bella's future. Carlisle, I can't see her at all," Alice responds quickly. It is like she can't get through this fast enough.
"We haven't been gone long enough for that to happen. That concerns me," Carlisle says. His face shows that he wants to say something, but instead he looks at me. Okay, everyone is looking at me. I need to respond, but my panic is making that almost impossible.
"I need to go check on her," I finally force out. My voice is so rough from lack of use that I don't even recognize it as my own. Surprisingly, they all look relieved to hear me say that.
"Don't be stupid Edward. We are all going to check on her. Right, Carlisle?" Emmett is the first to voice what everyone is thinking.
Of course, Carlisle agrees that we all will go. I can't believe that Alice can't see Bella. Maybe now that we are entering Forks, she might have better luck. As I look at her though, I can see that Alice is getting more and more upset. Frustration and panic are vying for dominance on her face and in her mind. That is a bad sign. Now that we are in Forks, she should be able to see something.
Carlisle and Esme insist that we settle in tonight because tomorrow is a school day for Alice and me. Apparently Alice and I will be attending high school again. That will be awkward if I don't have a chance to see Bella first. After I beg and plead, Carlisle relents and goes check on Bella. However, he insists that Alice will go with me. I will take what I can get. Alice is worried about what we might find. She thinks that I will do something drastic if things are not the way that I want them to be. While she might have a valid point, I wish she would try a little to think about something else.
We make it to Charlie's house. Bella's truck isn't there. I can't smell her. Alice can't see her. Her bedroom looks like just a spare room. There is a bed, mirror, desk, and a dresser. There is nothing left of Bella's stuff. Even if she has moved in with her mother again, the room would look different and her scent would be here. It would be weak, but it would still be here. I can feel that familiar panic coursing through my veins and painted on Alice's face. Maybe we need to take a more direct plan of action to get our answers.
Alice knocks on the door and talks to Charlie while I wait. Apparently I still look like shit. However, we had to prepare for the different receptions that either of us might receive from the Chief. Hopefully Charlie will still be amiable towards Alice. Please, please let him tell Alice where Bella is… and that she is totally fine. If she's fine, then I will not go after her. Okay, I will. I just can't live without her.
Unfortunately Charlie only seems to know Alice as Carlisle's adopted daughter. Worse, he informs her that he does not have a daughter. I can't believe it. He is being completely sincere. My panic is growing, even though I thought it was all-consuming before. We need to check the records at the school and hospital. I know there is nothing to be found. How can something like this be? What happened to my Bella?