The Twilight Homicides Vol. 2 - Missing Persons (Twilight fanfiction)

Prologue | What you can't see | Jessica Stanley

It had been two weeks since the accident and everyone was hoping to see Tyler return home either today or tomorrow. I remember thinking how odd it was for him to be let out so soon. The doctors made it sound as if his head injury was far more serious than that, but after a few days, he was up and about the hospital, looking fit as a fiddle. It was as strange as the accident itself. I remembered seeing the van speeding sideways towards me and raising my arms like a shield when I lost my footing and fell to the ground, only for the van to go skidding towards Bella.

Speaking of Bella, I was leaving the school entrance when I encountered her sitting on the stone wall. She held a book in her hands but her attention was on an empty parking space. The Cullen's usual parking space. No one had seen them for over a week, which wasn't really surprising. They would often disappear for days at a time, especially when the weather was nice. Apparently, they would go out camping or travelling. Alice was heard saying something about going to Alaska. With so many absences over the years, it was no wonder the school teachers wanted a word with Mr & Mrs Cullen.

"They shouldn't be gone for long," I said. She looked up at me, caught off guard by my comment.

"Oh, yeah. I was wondering about them." She put the book down in her lap and moved to offer me a seat. "I'm sorry to hear what happened to your friend's grave. That's pretty crazy."

I sat beside her. "I still don't believe it. As if it wasn't bad enough that she was murdered, they had to dig up her grave and steal her body." I wanted to hit something as I thought about the news reports. It hadn't just been Lacey, but the other victims too.

"My Dad told me everything. Did you hear the news reports about the warnings being put out? Everyone is scared to venture into the forests or even go to the gym alone." She said.

"Yeah, I heard. Our parents forbade me and Angela from going to the Olympic national park last week. We were planning to go on the zip wire." I was so fed up with being stuck in the same place and constantly monitored by my parents. Just once, I wanted to blow off steam and forget everything.

"Maybe that's why the Cullens took off. Perhaps they just wanted to go somewhere they didn't have to be afraid." She said. I doubted that. The Cullens were absent so often, this just seemed like par for the course. But it was a good idea.

"Hey, Eric said something about going to La Push sometimes. If we all go as a group our parents would have less reason to worry. What do you think?" I asked her.

"La Push?" She asked.

"Yeah, the beach next to the Quileute ranch. Do you want to see if the rest of the gang is up for it?" I asked.

"I don't know." She said nervously.

"Oh come on we'll make a day of it." I was aware that I was being a bit pushy, but I was anxious to do something and clear my head.

"Ok. Let's do it. I'll call my Dad and let him know."

"Perfect," I said finally able to smile about something.

Once the rest of the gang arrived at the entrance, we all called our parents and with their permission, we were allowed to go to La Push. We already had our swimsuits and towels in our school lockers so there was no need to rush home. They got all excited and the boys jumped into my car while Angela, who was getting chatty with Bella, climbed into the truck beside her and we all sped off. During the drive, I noticed an odd look between Eric and Mike. I remembered them being strangely quiet since the news reports. Earlier, Mike came to the canteen, asking Eric if they could talk privately. I didn't think much of it at the time but now I was starting to feel curious but said nothing.

When we finally arrived at the beach, the sun was shining and there wasn't a cloud in sight. We had an awkward time getting undressed in the vehicles, covering up with towels as we did so. We usually came here in Tyler's van, which offered more privacy and movement. The car wasn't the greatest changing spot as me, Angela and Bella struggled to get our swimsuits on with one hand while the other held our towels up. The boys had an easier time as they quickly changed in the truck, and I could have sworn I saw Austin and Mike having a cheeky look in our direction. When we finally finished getting ready, we all ran down towards the Shore. The sand was hot under our bare feet and there was hardly a breeze in the salty sea air.

On the beach was a group of boys with surfboards, One of which Bella seemed to recognize. "Hi, Jacob." She called out to a long-haired native American boy. Smiling he ran towards us. He was gorgeous, tall and muscular.

"Hey Bella, are you going to introduce us to your friend?" Eric asked. I smirked as he eyed up Jacob with a lusty grin. It was about time he had a boyfriend, maybe this time he would get lucky.

"This is my friend, Jacob Black."

"Hi, nice to meet you." He said, greeting us with handshakes. "You want to go surfing with us?" he cheerfully asked, pointing out his friends in the water.

"Sure. I'm in." Mike agreed. Austin nodded in agreement.

"I'd like that," I said, looking out at the boys. Just like Jacob, they were buff and handsome.

"I hope that's all you 'like'." Austin had the look of a green-eyed monster as he put his arm around my waist and kissed me with a big grin on his face.

"Don't worry. I'm not going to up and dump you for a bunch of sexy, shirtless Indian boys, or am I?" I joked. He laughed as we head towards the water. Bella opted to stay onshore as she pulled Jacob to one side.

"I wanted to ask you about those old legends." I heard her say as we reached the water. The water was freezing as we swam out towards the others. I looked back towards the shore and saw the two of them walk along the beach arm in arm. I knew Jacob was already taken, not that it bothered Eric who was happy getting to know one of the other boys. The boy introduced himself as Jared Cameron as he climbed out of the water onto the surfboard and introduced us to Paul and Quil.

As we talked, another boy came running into the water and swam towards us. "Embry?" Jared said as the boy reached us.

"Have any of you seen Sam?" He asked.

"No. I thought he was back home, preparing for the party." Paul said.

"We can't find him. Leah wanted to talk to him before the party, but he was gone. We don't know where." Embry looked worried but the others didn't seem too bothered.

"He'll show up. He always does." Jared replied.