Charlotte - discontinued

One: Where's Bella?

"Dad, have you seen Bella?" I ask, emerging out of my room for the first time since I had gotten home from school. Edward had showed up for her after school, took her for a walk into the woods, and rather alarmingly, she still isn't back.

"Is she not in her room?" Dad replied, meeting me at the bottom of the stairs. I shook my head no, both of us paling. It was no secret that neither me or Dad liked Edward. I mean, it was only last week that she returned from his house with stitches all up her arm. How does that happen at a birthday party. I'm thankful that they decided not to throw me one.

"She was with Edward, but his car's gone, and she's not home."

"Call Billy, let him know. I'm gonna call some of my friends from the station," Charlie ordered, pushing me towards the phone. I quickly dialed the number, reading off of the note on the door. After the second ring, it was Jacob who picked up.

"Hey Charlie! I'll pass you over to my dad now."

"Thanks Jake!"

"Oh Charl, hi, what's up?"

"Can you pass the phone to your dad please Jake? It's an emergency." He agreed, but sounded almost hurt, like he was disappointed that I hadn't wanted to talk. Oh well. He knows where I live if he wants to ever talk.

"Mini swan, everything okay kiddo?" Billy's warm voice met my ears, and I already felt calm. Since moving to Forks in March, I'd spent a lot of time with the older man. I was always happy to tag along to his and my dad's meals, football games, and general meet ups.

"Bella's missing. Dad said you might be able to help."

"Is it in the woods by your house? I'll be there soon." And the phone hung up. I immediately headed outside to my dad, leaning against him.

"Your friends on the way Dad?"

"Yeah, I assume Billy is as well." I hummed in response, and the two of us lapsed into silence, waiting for anyone to show up.

It was Dad's work friends that arrived first, flashing lights and sirens accompanying them. Billy, Jacob, and Harry Clearwater followed not far behind, all in Jacob's almost ancient car.

"Wow Dad, I didn't know you had this many friends." Dad simply laughed, quickly returning to serious mode. Most of the police force that had turned up was already in the forest, doing a sweep of the area closest to us. It was the very tall, tanned man, that Billy brought, who offered to go further in.

"Sam Uley," He introduced himself to myself and Charlie, acknowledging our concerns. We immediately refused for him to go into the woods, but Billy and Harry insisted.

"This is what he does on the Rez, looks out for people," Harry explained, but the duo had a knowing look in their eyes. A look that Sam also shared. But still, he went off into the woods, completely shirtless.

"Why's he shirtless?" I asked, moving towards Jake. I settled myself next to him, shivering from the cold. Poor Bella, she must be freezing, wherever she is.

"He always is," Jake replied, rolling his eyes, "do you want my jacket?"

"No, it's yours, and it's cold. Thank you though." He took it off anyways, draping it around my shoulders. It was so warm, and it smelt so good - like pine. I found myself snuggling into the coat, it was so comforting. I also found myself shuffling closer to the boy who had given me the jacket, his warmth attracting me (and his muscly arms).

"I've tried calling the Cullens again," Dad muttered, joining myself, Jacob, Billy, and Harry around one of the cruisers.

"The Cullens left town Charlie," Billy replied, his tone almost regretful, as if he was scared to let myself and my dad down.

"What if she's with them?" It wasn't as if she had a history of disappearing on us for the Cullens, oh wait, she does. Dad didn't reply, probably thinking similar to me. It was definitely an option. We lapsed into silence, an uncomfortable silence at that.

Minutes turned into hours, as officers rushed by us, and we watched the forst line eagerly. Me and Bella may have never been best friends, but she was my big sister, and she always will be. We were, admittedly, very similar - both shy, awkward and downright antisocial. I just had more energy than she did. Looks wise, we weren't the most similar either. Bella has hair the colour of chocolate, whereas mine was so dark that it was almost black. Her eyes were a similar colour to her hair, but mine looked more like our mothers, an icy blue. We both were so pale, honestly we could pass as vampires. Bella was also taller than me, only by 4 inches though. She was 5'4.

Stood next to Jacob, I definitely felt my height. The coat practically drowned me, but it was ridiculously comfortable. if he doesn't ask for it back, he ain't getting it back.

"I found her!" A voice called, and our heads shot up. Dad ran towards Sam Uley, who had emerged from the treeline, Bella in his arms. I followed closely behind, fussing over Bella as dad took her into his arms. I pulled her coat around her tightly, my lip trembling ever so slightly.

"She's okay, she's okay," Sam reassured. I don't know who he was trying to reassure, but it definitely worked on me. This man gave me such an overwhelming sense of familiarity.

"Thank you Sam," I muttered, grabbing the man's arm. God. He was hot. Not like attractive, like his temperature, he was boiling,

"Are you okay, you're burning up?"

"I'm okay thanks, I just run hot," he wouldn't meet my eyes, focusing intently on Jake, who I knew was stood a few feet behind me.

Strange.