CHAPTER 20

EPOV

Stupid cell phones. Why can't they work in Canada? We are nearly at Williams Lake and the family will be joining us soon. We will be able to cover more territory if all of us are here.

"Alice do you think we'll find her?" I asked sullenly

"Edward I still see you guys together. I don't know if it is today or not." she replied

"But you still see her as a vampire?" I asked.

"Yes." she answered.

"Who Alice? How does this happen?" I ask pained. I now know if she is to be changed I want to do it. It should be me.

"Edward I can't see it."

"Search Alice! Please!"

"I'll try." she said as she leaned her head back.

I was alone with my thoughts. What had happened to Bella? Did she leave because I left her? Does she hate me? Is she with another vampire? These questions all tear at my heart because I know that I left her. Whatever happened I left her to fend for herself. I didn't protect her and now she is going to hate me.

The signs showing the distance to Williams Lake now showed under 10 km. Just over 6 miles.

"Alice." I called her, "Alice we're going to be there in a minute. How far behind us are the others?"

"Carlisle, Esme and the boys will be here in an hour. Rose is..... fuzzy."

"Fuzzy like Bella?" I asked

"Not the same but similar. I can't see her clearly. I see her future but not her present. This is so frustrating. What is wrong with me???"

"Alice don't beat yourself up. If it weren't for you I'd still me moping in South America." I said silently.

"Ok Edward we have an hour." she said, "Stop here and let's sniff around."

We started searching but found no scent. Alice and I returned to the car to wait for the others. After about 2 minutes they arrived. We broke the small town into sections. Two of us at a time. I was with Emmett, Jasper with Alice, and Carlisle with Esme. Their thoughts were all very calm and determined. They wanted to find Bella as much as I did.

"Hey guys I stopped and got us some Canadian cell phones so we can be in touch. Each phone is programmed with the other numbers."

"Okay, any scent of Bella and you call me." I said.

We took advantage of the dark streets and vampire speed. Carlisle and Esme took the motels in town. Alice and Jasper took the library and local mall. Emmett and I were taking the food stores and a little strip mall we had seen.

It wasn't long before we caught her scent. It was only a day or two old. Following the scent proved impossible as it ended in the parking lot. Her trail was older at the next grocery store we found and of course I could find her scent at the local book store.

"Seriously Dude! The girl goes into hiding with books?" Emmett asked stunned.

"Emmett just because you don't like books doesn't mean the rest of us don't." I said, "Bella loves to read."

"So we are at a dead end with these places. Where do we go next?" he asked still shaking his head.

"There is a little strip mall up ahead. We saw it coming into town. I don't think it will add up to much, there isn't anything there that Bella would be interested in." I said.

We ran up to the place and I caught her scent instantly, but more so I caught the scent of a vampire.

"Rosalie!!" Emmett roared. "Rosey has been here recently."

I called Carlisle and Alice and they were there instantly. Both scents led into a real estate office.

"Do you object to a little B & E?" Alice asked slyly.

"Don't break anything Alice. We're just looking. Emmett you stay outside." Carlisle said

Alice is the master lock pick! Man the girl is fast. We were in the office in seconds. Both Bella and Rose's scents were in here. Rose's scent was much newer.

"Alice could Rosalie have changed her?" I asked her.

Alice's eyes clouded instantly as she looked.

"I think she could have. I can't see it but she was determined for Bella to be a vampire, thinking it would solve a lot of problems." she said.

I sighed and looked around the office. The light on the answering machine was blinking. I pressed play. It was Rosalie's voice.

BEEP Hi Dave. It's Bella's sister here. I just wanted to ask you to look after the place for us for a couple of weeks. I know this is a lot to ask but Bella is very worried about the animals. There is an envelope on the kitchen table for you. We will be in touch soon. Thanks! BEEP

"Rose is using her charming voice." Jasper said.

"Where is this place? Someone find out. Check the files." I begged

Alice ran to the filing cabinet and started to look.

"It's sorted by last name. It isn't under Swan." she said.

"Cullen?" asked Carlisle

"Nope, " Alice said.

What was Phil's last name?" Esme asked

"Dwyer." I said

"No." Alice said

"Masen?" I asked.

"Bella Masen I got it!!" Alice yelled

"Where is she Alice?" I sighed

"She's in a cabin just outside of town. I've got the address and directions. Let's go!!" she squeaked

I hopped in the car with Alice, who was driving, and the others followed. It was only 2 minutes until we turned off the highway. As soon as I saw the cottage I jumped out of the car. I could see Rosalie's car around the side. I raced to the door and opened it. I couldn't wait to see my Bella.