Chapter Fifty One

Carlisle

As it was Charlie turned up on our doorstep two weeks later and he wasn't about to be given the brush off so I was forced to tell him everything.

"You lost my daughter? But you were looking after her. She'll be safe with us, that's what you said. Why did she run away? When? And why the hell didn't you tell me?"

I hesitated but although I wanted to tell him the lie I had been rehearsing when it came down to it I just couldn't.

"She had an argument with Garrett that became heated. He upset her unintentionally and we've been looking for her ever since."

"How is she eluding you? Don't vampires have super senses? Surely between you, you should be able to track her down."

"We are trying Charlie but it's not very easy, she's clever."

"I know, I know how clever my daughter is but she's a new vampire, surely she needs guidance so she doesn't get found out and just how long were you planning on stringing me along Carlisle?"

"We were wrong not to let you know but we aren't the only ones looking for her so I was hoping to have good news for you"

"Who else is looking?"

"Jasper and his friends, he seems to have a connection with her, he did sire her after all and he's a very good tracker."

"Well lets hope he has more success than you because if she causes problems then all the good will I had with the guardians will be gone and if they start looking for her it wont be to present her with a good behaviour plaque!"

"She seems to have perfect control of herself at the moment. Do you think she might have gone back to her mother?"

"Hardly, her mother is in Hawaii and Bella doesn't know that, nor does she have her passport. What happens if she loses it and kills a human, or more than one?"

"Then it will be easier to track her but so far if she is killing humans she's being very careful to hide the fact."

"I'm going to speak to the guardians, maybe they can find her."

"Charlie that's really not a wise idea."

"Really? Well I'm not getting much from you am I Carlisle and to be honest I'd make a pact with the devil if it would get my daughter back."

"I understand how worried you are but please give us a little longer Charlie. After all the guardians will kill her if they find her, you know that and I have to tell you that we found wolf tracks in the forest near where Bella went missing"

"And were you going to tell me about that?"

"I didn't want to worry you further Charlie. The wolf has gone so I don't think it is connected but we can't be sure. It does mean that it would be unwise to expect help from the guardians though. You know that.""

"Do I? I know you aren't getting anywhere and they might, that's all I know Carlisle, but prove me wrong by all means."

Charlie left very angry and I knew he would contact the guardians although I knew the Quileutes

were now a spent force. They had been taken apart by their leader and scattered to the four winds for their actions. They might find Bella first but she would never be safe among them. We had to find her before they did but I had no idea how.

Charlie

I couldn't believe this was happening, now Bella was missing again, a newborn vampire without any guidance and no one could find her. Well I would pull every string I could and to that end I rang Denali.

"Charlie? I wasn't expecting to hear from you again so soon. Is there something wrong?"

"Yes Annie and I'm desperate. I didn't know who else to contact but I need to speak to Johnny H."

"Oh, what's wrong?"

"Its Bella, she's gone missing and Carlisle tells me there were wolf tracks close by. Can he contact Sam or Leah and find out if they know anything?"

"Just a moment Charlie"

I heard voices then Johnny H came on the line,

"Charlie?"

"My daughter's gone missing after an argument and there were signs of a wolf nearby."

"I see well Leah made the decision to stay in wolf form but she wouldn't be able to harm Bella. She was given an Alpha command to stay away from the Cullens and anyone connected with them. If there were tracks then they are either old ones or it's another wolf but not a guardian."

"Would you check for me? Please."

"Of course, give me a little while, I'll get back to you. Where are you now?"

"I'm with the Cullens, or at least I just left. I've only just found out she's been missing for weeks. I thought they were helping her adjust but it seems my trust in them was misplaced."

"I see, would you like us to look for her?"

"Would you?"

"I can ask the guardian tribes to report any female nomads near them, it's the best I can offer but we do cover the country pretty well."

"Then thank you, yes"

"I'll get back to you as soon as I can"

All I could do now was wait to hear from Johnny or Bella.

Johnny H

I had no idea why the Cullens had kept Bella's disappearance a secret from her father but I understood how worried he must be and while I knew none of the guardians were involved I did send out an order for reports on any female vampires to be sent to me as quickly as possible. If Bella was alone and had been for some time then she wasn't a typical newborn or there would be bodies strewn all over the place. So presumably she was controlled in which case she had a reason to stay missing and the only reason I could think of that made any sense was revenge. I knew vampires were controlled to a large degree by their emotions especially new ones and Bella's greatest emotion could quite possibly be revenge which put her on a collision course with us, or at least the Quileutes. And talking of the Quileutes I remembered a message that had come through earlier that day. There had been an arson attack on the village which had destroyed the cabins and it had been started by a woman who had warned the remaining villagers to get out, was this the work of Bella Swan? If so who would be her next target? My money was on Sam Uley or the Quileute elders who were here in Denali. Would she really come here? To the heart of the guardian tribes?

I set extra watchers to look for her then rang Charlie back,

"That was fast"

"Only because I think I know where Bella was very recently and I have an idea where she's headed next. I think you should come back to Denali Charlie. You might be the only one who can stop her from killing the Quileute elders, or attempting to in any case."

"You think she's out for revenge?"

"I'm pretty sure of it, she burned down the Quileute village yesterday so who would your money be on for her next target?"

"I'm on my way but Johnny, please don't hurt her."

"We'll do our best Charlie"