Chapter 33

After what seemed like one hundred unsuccessful attempts to call Luciana and Peter, the Cullens sat brainstorming together, joined by the Denali family and almost all of the Quileutes.

Sam had showed his support wholeheartedly and vowed that his pack would do anything to get her back safely. Jacob, obviously, had agreed to do the same.

Seth had originally wanted to take off after them, but no one knew where 'after them' was. Alice had been unsure of their location, though continually gave out landmarks they she could somewhat pinpoint. It was difficult because she was certain Peter was doing all he could to stay off the radar.

"The original plan she had last time we to go strait to Italy," Michael informed them, "That was what she intended to do if she got ahold of Lucy."

Alice shook her head, "I haven't seen that in my visions yet. Were there any other places that Olivia went, or that you guys went to aside from that camp?"

He thought for a minute, "That was our primary location. Other than going some ten miles east, west, whatever, it was pretty much a tight radius."

"We need to send a few people there," Carlisle said.

"I don't think it's where they are," Alice told him, "But I'm not certain, so I agree. We could send a group in that direction."

Seth stood up from where he was sitting, "I'm in. Who else?"

"I am," Jacob told him, looking at Renesme.

"So am I," Sam agreed, he looked at Paul who crossed his arms and nodded.

"Me too," Leah said finally.

Masen rubbed her knee, "I'll go with them."

"Me too," Renesme said.

Edward and Bella looked at her.

"I'll take care of her," Jacob said, "Alice told us they probably won't be there."

"He's dangerous," Edward shook his head.

"We'll be fine," Masen told him. He looked at his parents, who at the moment, remained neutral. Carlisle knew that if Seth was going, that meant Leah was going, which in turn meant there was no stopping Masen from going either.

"It's settled then," Sam said, "The packs will go, along with Nessy and Masen."

"Wait," Bella and Esme said at the same time.

"It'll be fine," Masen told his mother firmly, but respectively, "I promise."

Jacob walked up to Edward, "I don't want her to come."

"But I am Jacob," Renesme's voice indicated her mind was made up, "If you try to say no I'll just follow you regardless."

Bella shook her head, but understood her daughter's mindset. If it were her and Edward, she would feel the same way.

"I will not let anything happen to her," Jacob assured him, "You know that."

Edward looked over to Bella, who gave him a nod as if to say it was okay. They silently agreed.

"I should go so I can show you the exact location," Michael told them.

"No!" Alice said suddenly, "You need to stay here and help me figure this puzzle out. You're the only one who really knows Olivia. She's behind this. We need to figure it out. If we get lucky, they'll find her where we met her last time, but I don't believe that's where they're going."

"We'll be in touch," Sam told everyone, scanning the group before leaving with everyone who would take the trip back toward Lake Superior.

"Wait!" Edward called.

They all stopped and he ran over to hug Renesme, "I love you. Be safe. Pick up whenever we call." Bella followed and hugged her goodbye.

Masen gave a closed mouth grin to his parents and threw up a peace sign very casually. He knew this wasn't what they wanted and made his way over to hug them. Esme waved Leah toward her and gave her a tight squeeze, "Be smart. Be safe."

"We will," Leah told her.

Alexandra hugged her brother tightly, "Be careful," she whispered.

"We will," he told her, "We'll get her back." Masen grabbed Leah's hand and the two of them joined everyone else who had just walked out the door.

"What are we going to do about Aro?" Emmett asked.

"We'll talk about that later," Alice said, "We need to think now, because the hour glass has already started."

"What's that mean?" Alexandra asked.

"That we only have so much time," Edward explained, knowing she wasn't familiar with the expression.

"So much time until... you mean..?" She didn't finish the question, though everyone knew what she meant. "How long do we have?"

Alice thought for a second, "The leaves are starting to change colors. The paper read September 22..." Her eyes scanned her visions for answers, "We have until the fall equinox."

"So what would happen after the equinox?" Bella asked.

Alice didn't feel the need to explain with words. She shrugged and nodded.

"What paper?" Carlisle asked her, "What was the name of the paper with the date?"

Alice pressed her eyes shut and thought, seeing it again.

"Come on Alice," Jasper urged.

"It was... Kennebec," she spelled out the name, "The Kennebec Journal."

"Go google it," Rosalie said aloud to no one in particular, then looked at Emmett.

"It's a county in Maine," Carlisle told him.

"Really?" Alice asked.

"Yes," he nodded, "Kennebec County," he turned to Emmett, "Go google it just in case."

Emmett left and returned within a second with the laptop in hand. He found a spot to sit comfortably and browsed the name.

"The Kennebec Journal, of Kennebec County, Maine," he read aloud, "It's a local paper."

"You're sure that's what you saw?" Edward asked.

Alice nodded, "Positive."

"Should we call the wolves and Ness and Masen back?" Emmett asked.

"No," Carlisle said right away, "I don't to leave any stone unturned. You never know how things could change course. Let them take on that lead," he looked at Esme, "Call Masen and tell him what we just found out."

Michael was thinking hard and Alice picked up on it, "What?" she asked.

He shook his head, "I'm trying to think if Olivia ever mentioned Maine before. It sounds somewhat familiar but I can put my finger on it."

"Keep thinking," Edward urged, "Because we'll still have some ground to cover over there."

"We've just narrowed it down by a lot," Carlisle said, "But we have to stay smart and come up with something as we go. We need to leave now. Soon."

"Don't bother packing," Jasper told them all, "We need to get a move on."

"Should anyone stay back?" Carmen asked.

The Denalis had been quiet in the discussion and Edward could see that they felt personally responsible for what had happened. He could also read his father's thoughts. He truly believed that it wasn't their fault for Peter's actions and Edward thought it was important to share that information with all of them.

"No one blames you," he said, looking toward their faces, "You've all helped us so much throughout everything. We just really need your help now."

Garrett shook his head, "It's my fault. I lead him into our group. He was surfing the same waves as me and seemed friendly enough, even took on the lifestyle we do. I know how difficult that can be so I thought he was honest. I had no idea."

"It's not your fault," Carlisle told him sincerely, "It's nobody's but his. We just have to do what we can from here on out. And Carmen," he continued, "I do think it would be smart to have some people stay here in case they decided to return, or if Lucy was able to get away."

Esme looked at him before he could say anything, "I'm not separating from you again after what happened last time, Carlisle. It was nearly the death of me."

He smirked and put a hand on her face, "I won't suggest that you stay, or that we separate. Okay?"

"Okay," she said.

He gave her a quick kiss reassuringly.

"Rosalie, why don't you stay with William, Maddy and Alex?" Emmett suggested, "If this does come to blows with Aro then I don't know if seeing these two after what happened last time would be a good idea."

"Carmen can stay too," Eleazar volunteered his wife.

"No," she told him.

"I'm not staying," Alexandra said angrily, "I want to see Peter."

"Alexandra-" Carlisle started.

"No, Dad. You were right about him." Frustrated tears welded up in her eyes but she didn't let them fall, "I hate him. I want to make him pay for putting us through this. For taking Luciana... She's my friend."

"I understand, but-"

"Please," she begged, looking him in the eye, "I have to do this."

"I'm not sitting it out either," William protested, sounding very much like Emmett.

"I understand what you mean," Emmett said, "When you were a baby me and Garrett had to sit one out. It sucks, I get it. But you have to stay here in case she comes back. Mom's staying with you."

Rosalie turned to him, "Even though I'd like to rip Peter's head off myself."

"Does she have anyone else with her?" Carlisle asked Alice, "Olivia."

She shook her head, "No. It's just her. And she doesn't care about her life. Her plan is to inflict as much pain as possible on other people - emotionally; particularly you or Aro. It could be a lose-lose situation."

"I'm going," Alexandra said again, "And just like Nessy told Jake, if you leave me behind I'll just follow you."

Carlisle and Esme looked at each other.

"Let her go," Rosalie said, "She needs this. You'll be there to make sure she's alright."

Alexandra looked at her parents again, "I need this."