Clocks

Chapter 2. Vanishing Act

Third Person POV:

As Bella and Alice walked towards the cottage, the tension in the air was palpable, their footsteps echoing in the stillness of the forest. The sun had begun its descent, casting long shadows across the path as they hurried towards their destination. "Renemsee, it's time," Bella called out, her voice tinged with urgency as they reached the doorstep of the cottage. "We need to get you ready for the wedding." Alice held the wedding dress in her hands, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she imagined the moment Renesmee would slip into it. "You're going to look stunning, Renesmee," she said, her voice filled with anticipation. But as they entered the cottage, their excitement turned to confusion as they realized that Renesmee was nowhere to be found. Alice's brow furrowed in concern as she glanced around the room, her eyes searching for any sign of her niece. "Renesmee?" she called out, her voice tinged with worry. "Where are you?" Bella's heart began to race as she followed Alice's gaze, her mind racing with fear and apprehension. "She's not here," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "Edward, we need to find her." With a sense of urgency, Bella pulled out her phone and dialed Edward's number, her fingers trembling as she waited for him to pick up. When he finally answered, his voice was laced with concern. "Bella, what's wrong?" he asked, his tone grave. "Edward, it's Renesmee," Bella replied, her voice choked with emotion. "She's not here. We can't find her." Edward's breath caught in his throat as he processed her words, a surge of panic coursing through him. "I'll be right there," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. As they waited for Edward to arrive, the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on them, their minds racing with fear and uncertainty. And as Edward finally appeared in the doorway, his face a mask of determination, they knew that they would stop at nothing to find their missing daughter.  As Edward rushed into the cottage, his eyes scanned the room frantically, searching for any sign of his daughter. His heart pounded in his chest, fear gripping him like a vice as he tried to push back the rising panic. "Bella, Alice, what's going on?" he demanded, his voice tense with worry as he approached them. Bella's eyes brimmed with tears as she turned to face him, her voice trembling with emotion. "Edward, Renesmee's gone," she said, her words heavy with despair. "We looked everywhere, but she's nowhere to be found." Edward's jaw clenched in frustration, his mind racing with a million possibilities, each one more terrifying than the last. "We need to find her," he said, his voice low and determined. "Now." With a sense of purpose, Edward sprang into action, his mind already formulating a plan. "Alice, I need you to use your gift," he said, his tone urgent. "See if you can get any sense of where she might have gone." Alice nodded, her brow furrowed in concentration as she closed her eyes, reaching out with her mind in search of any clue that might lead them to Renesmee. Meanwhile, Bella's hands shook as she dialed Jacob's number, her heart pounding in her chest as she prayed for him to pick up. When he finally answered, his voice was filled with concern. "Bella, what's wrong?" he asked, his tone tense. "It's Renesmee," Bella replied, her voice trembling with emotion. "She's missing. We don't know where she is." There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, followed by the sound of Jacob's voice, his tone filled with determination. "I'll be right there," he said, his voice unwavering. As they waited for Jacob to arrive, the minutes stretched on like hours, each passing moment filled with unbearable tension. And as Jacob finally burst through the door, his eyes wild with concern, they knew that they would stop at nothing to bring Renesmee home. Inside the Cullen mansion, as Bella, Edward, Alice, and Jacob entered, the rest of the family turned their attention to them, concern etched on their faces. "What's going on?" Jasper inquired, his voice laced with worry as he looked at the group. Bella's voice quivered as she spoke, "It's Renesmee. She's gone." Rosalie's eyes widened in shock, her hand instinctively going to her mouth. She exchanged a glance with Emmett, a silent understanding passing between them. They knew what had happened, having helped Renesmee in her decision, but they had kept her secret. Emmett's jaw clenched with worry, his eyes flashing with determination. "We need to find her," he asserted, his voice carrying a sense of urgency. Esme's eyes brimmed with tears at the news, her heart aching for her granddaughter. "We'll do whatever it takes," she declared, her voice filled with resolve. Carlisle's expression was one of grim determination as he surveyed the group. "Let's split up and search," he suggested, his voice steady with purpose. "We need to find her before it's too late." With a shared nod, the Cullen family dispersed, each member determined to bring Renesmee home safe and sound.