PURSUIT // P. LAHOTE

[003]

Bella was still silent for days to come, and although she was coming out of the shell a little bit more she still withdrew from the rest.

Skylar had definitely concluded that a major event happened the night of their birthday, and mustered up the courage to ask Edward what went down. She didn't get the chance to that day, or the day after. It seemed, actually, that she wouldn't get answers from the Cullens any time soon.

It was as if they disappeared from the school completely. Edward's car no longer pulled up in the morning to greet Bella. The entire family was missing at lunch, forcing Bella to sit with her old group of friends. Skylar carried on as if everything were normal, as she didn't want Bella retreating even more. Still, she kept a close eye on her twin. In the morning before the bell rang, Bella would stand around with the others but constantly be looking around for Edward. At lunch, she looked almost lost as the rest were immersed in conversation. Bella no longer seemed to pay attention in class.

Skylar was about ready to force the location of their house out of Bella and drive up there herself.

It was the beginning of a new week and they were still no were to be seen. Mike, Jess, Eric and Angela were going hiking in the woods and asked both Swan sisters to join them. Skylar immediately nodded, eager at the idea. One look at Bella, however, and it was clear that she was nowhere near as excited.

"Actually," Bella shrugged. "I have to get home. Finish up some homework."

Skylar prodded at her sister. "C'mon, Bells. It will do you some good to get some fresh air." She looked expectantly at her, scowling when Bella shook her head again. "You guys go have fun. I'll come next time."

She sighed, upset, but motioned for the rest of the group towards the van. "I'll see you at home later?"

"Yeah," Bella nodded, shoving Skylar towards the rest. "Seriously, I'm fine. I'll be okay. Go have fun and we'll talk later tonight, okay?"

"I'll believe you if you pinky promise," Skylar smiled as she stuck out her pinkie. Smiling even wider as Bella tried desperately to hide her own. "What are you, ten?"

"Eleven, actually." Still, she twisted her pinkie around Bella's and swung their hands together gently. "Tonight?"

At Bella's nod, she turned towards the rest and climbed in the car, ignoring their protests. "Watch it, Sky! That's your elbow in my face."

"No," Skylar argued. "That's your face in my elbow. Show some respect, Mike." As they drove away, she glanced back to see her sister loading up in her truck. Worried, she still shook the feeling off as the reminder of Bella's promise flashed in her mind. Bella would be okay.

By the time they deemed they had enough, each teenager was soaked from head to toe. Well, expect Jessica who explained that her shoes were designer. Still, Skylar couldn't keep the smile off of her face, and the others laughing seemed to be contagious. It was just past the sun setting as the air suddenly seemed chillier than it had half an hour ago. "We gotta go or I'm going to catch a cold or something."

"You haven't been sick in years, Sky. I think you'll be okay," Angela pointed out with a smirk.

"Yeah, so if I do get sick tonight, I'm coming after all of y'all."

Still joking around with each other as they reached the car, Skylar picked up her phone. Knowing that it was going to get messy fast on the trail she had left it in the car. As she turned the device on, she instantly sat up as she saw the notifications. Numerous calls and dozens of messages from multiple people made her pat Mike's shoulder quickly. "We have to go, now."

As Skylar reached her home, her eyes widened even more. Cars were pulled up all around her house and twice as many people filled her yard. Rushing out, she spotted Charlie near his police car, listening intently to the radio. "Dad!"

Charlie's head whipped up at the sound of his daughter's voice and his shoulders sagged as she stood beside him. "Skylar, thank God."

"W-What happened," she asked, slightly out of breath though adrenaline rushed through her.

Charlie looked around before settling her gaze back on her. "Bella's missing. Nobody has seen her for hours."

"I saw her right after school ended. They invited us to go hiking but Bella didn't want to go. S-She said that she was heading home to do homework."

Billy pointed towards the truck parking on the side of the road. "She made it home, otherwise her truck wouldn't be there. No, she left afterwards."

Jacob pulled Skylar slightly into him, looking just as worried. Skylar leaned into his touch, comforted by the fact that he was here.

"Where the hell is she?" Charlie shouted, looking around wildly.

"We're going to find her," Billy said, reaching out for his friend. "We have to stay calm, okay. They're looking for her."

Shaking his head, Charlie reached for the phone. "I'm gonna try the Cullens' place again." Waiting a second, Billy looked up knowingly. "The Cullens left town, Charlie."

"Where'd they go?" He asked as he threw the phone back down.

Putting his arm around him, Harry glanced up as well. "We'll find her, Charlie."

Jacob and Skylar looked up at the same time, both hearing a rustling noise coming from the forest. "Dad!"

Coming from a clearing in the woods, Bella was being carried. As Skylar looked a little closer, she couldn't help but be shocked as she recognized him. The last time she had seen Sam Uley had been close to year ago, but now he looked almost completely different.

After recovering from the initial surprise, Skylar followed Charlie quickly.

"She's all right," Sam reassured, handing an unconscious Bella towards Charlie.

Cradling Bella close to his chest, Charlie gave Sam a nod of appreciation. "I got her. Thank you, Sam." He rubbed his cheek against his daughter's hair, and motioned Skylar to follow him and he rushed towards the house.

They had almost reached the driveway when Skylar peeked over her shoulder. Harry and Billy were conversing amongst themselves, constantly looking around. Shifting her gaze, she frowned when she saw Sam almost glaring at Jacob. Not being able to match the intensity in Sam's eyes, Jacob looked away and headed back towards his father.

Skylar forced her curiosity out of her mind, and instead trailed the two inside the house.