Chapter 22: Edwards Pov

Running, that's all it seems like I ever do these days that and dodging trees. It's been five days since we started the search. It's been three days since Carlisle had to stop searching for Bella and return to the Hospital, but he never stopped worrying for her. His thought always wondered about Bella and how she was doing. And it's been one day since everyone stopped believing we'd find her, everyone but me. I have no idea why we can't find her!

Alice has been a wreck as well. Jasper and her stay home while the rest of us, besides Carlisle, go out to search for Bella. But she never has a solid vision; everything that she sees is all blurry. The last thing she saw was Bella's body lifeless on the ground in the woods somewhere. It was lying beside a tiny stone cottage, seems like Bella's been living there for awhile. However, as lifeless her body seemed to be; I knew she was still alive. But everyone has lost all hope.

It's 6:30 am Friday morning. Esme's forcing us back to school. Not that we've missed much I know everything even more than the teachers back at school. All I want to do is go and look for Bella. It's unbelievably frustrating that we haven't found her yet. We're seven vampires with senses like animals and three of us have powers yet we can't find a human girl.

"Edward?" came a knock at the door.

"Yes, come in." I answered the person.

"Dude, Mom said get ready you have to go." Said my big lug of a brother as my siblings filed into my room.

"I'm ready, lets just go" was all I said as I walked pass them through my door. I hadn't realized the time that flew past me. It was now 7:30 and school started soon. Esme was at the bottom of the stair case smiling lovingly at me. I gave her the best smile I could muster which turned out to be more like a grimace. I walked passed her and into the garage where my beloved Volvo sat.

"Don't worry Esme we'll find Bella" my mother thought to herself.

My siblings piled in with Emmett in the front and the three in the back. The car ride was silent and I really mean silent. I couldn't even hear any thoughts from their minds. It was like I was in a car of lifeless bodies. I drove slower than I have before going the speed limit like a normal human. No one even commented on the fact of how slow we were going. I pulled into the parking lot just as the bell rang.

"They're back." The on lookers going to class whispered. I didn't really care though. I just wanted to get through school so I can go back to finding Bella.

I made it to class hearing the shock of the student body that I passed. No one said anything but "They're back" or "It couldn't have been them". I made it to my first class without being stopped by anyone. I just headed to the back where my seat was with Alice following close behind. I couldn't help but stare at the spot where Bella was meant to be sitting at this very moment.

"They couldn't have done it then right? Like whose stupid enough to commit a crime leave then show your face like nothing happened?" said a girl few chairs down from me to the boy in front of her.

What the heck do they mean commit a crime? Who committed a crime? They can't be talking about us right?

"Oh, Mr. and Ms. Cullen please, go and see the principal right now. I believe your siblings will be there as well."

I got up without saying a word. We haven't been ditching I mean we have an excuse for our absences why would we need to go see the principal? I stared at Alice with a questioning look. She just shrugged and continued to walk towards the office. As we hit the school's court yard Alice stopped mid step. As my mind was flooded with a vision.

"Where is she you guys? You were the only people she ever got close to. She was last seen near the Newton's store with a few bags full of stuff. What the heck did you guys do with her? I was told by my wife she was going camping with you guys and she'd meet you at the Newton's store. Then you're gone for more than a week and only your father returns? What did you do to my daughter? Come on tell me where she is!" Chief Swan interrogated my siblings and me.

"Edward" Alice cried. "They think we've killed Bella!"

"Don't worry Alice, Carlisle will come and back us up, don't worry." I wrapped my arm around my sister's shoulders and continued walking to the principal's office. We're not guilty of anything. We've been at home "sick". Well actually we've been out in the woods looking for Bella. Why didn't I think of it before; we should've searched the town for her. We've been hanging on the forest lead we didn't think of the most common sense thing to do. Today we'll go searching the town and the woods near the Newton's store.

As told the rest of my siblings were seated in the office waiting for us and the principal. I could hear everyone's confused thoughts.

"Why are we here we've done nothing wrong." Emmett thought.

"Stupid humans how can a school be operated by such stupid people" Thought Rose.

"Mrs. Cope is feeling a bit on the edge. She hasn't even said a word to us she just directed us to these empty seats and continued working she didn't even make eye contact. What the heck is going on here?" Jasper thought to himself.

I removed my arms from Alice so she'd go and sit next to her beloved husband. I felt so alone right now; I practically felt my heart shatter. Each of my siblings had the console of another while my arms were bare. I took a seat next to Alice that was the closest to the door. I let my mind wander trying to figure out how we can get out of this mess. Also where my Bella maybe and if she's alive.

"I came as soon as I could." Carlisle said as he walked through the office door.

"Oh my…still as handsome as ever" Mrs. Cope thought. "It's ok Dr. Cullen we've been waiting for you. I'll go ahead and let Principal Greene and Chief Swan know you're all here now." She got up and walked over to the Office way in the back.

Why hadn't I heard Chief Swan's thoughts? It seems like ever since Bella came into my life I've been able to tune out everyone's thoughts around me simply by thinking of her. Could that be the reason I can't read her mind? That fact that every fiber of my being revolves around her in result I'm too distracted to hear her thoughts?

"If you could please come behind the desk and follow me into the conference room where this meeting will be held?" Mrs. Cope said as she came and held the counter door open for all of us to enter. "Will your wife be joining us Dr. Cullen?" She asked my father sickeningly sweet. "Oh I hope not that way I can stare at him all I want."

"No Mrs. Cope she will not be joining us for it seems she has caught the flu the kids had a few days ago. I guess that's the down fall of being a mother to five kids." He chuckled to her.

"YES!"

We all took our seats around the table while Mrs. Cope took her seat in the corner behind a type writer like the one they use in court to note down what is being said. There was only a moment of silence before Principal Greene and Chief Swan had walked into the room taking the seats at both ends of the table. Here we go with the interrogation.

"Do you know why we've asked you here?" Principal Green started but continued after the reply of silence. "Where have you been these past few days?"

"We've been at home sick" Emmett answered.

"Right... 'Sick'" Chief Swan chuckled."Where is she you guys? You were the only people she ever got close to. She was last seen near the Newton's store with a few bags full of stuff. What the heck did you guys do with her? I was told by my wife she was going camping with you guys and she'd meet you at the Newton's store. Than you're gone for more than a week and only your father returns? What did you do to my daughter? Come on tell me where she is!" He yelled at us.

"Do you really believe we had something to do with her disappearance?" Alice asked.

"Alice I've always liked you and your family. I would never have thought you were capable of hurting anyone especially with the career your father is in." Chief Swan answered. "But all the facts lead to you all. Especially after what my wife had told me." He seemed to calm down more but the pain and sorrow still emanated from him as he took his seat and hung his head down.

"Charlie could you honestly believe my kids had something to do with this?" Carlisle stepped in doctor/friend/father mode. "Could you honestly believe what Renee is saying is true?"

Chief Swan slowly lifted his head up to look at Carlisle. "Are you implying my wife had something to do with this?" with a bit of hostility in his voice.

Carlisle stared at him long and hard as if having some kind of silent conversation with their eyes. This time I wanted to listen to his thoughts. "I need to get my family out of here. We're not guilty of anything. Could he really believe his wife was telling the truth after all that has happened between her and Bella?"

"Charlie, I'm not implying anything" Carlisle said but with his eyes he signaled Charlie about something. "But my children have been very sick. I took leave for awhile to help them out as well. I understand the feeling of being hopeless from my kids. I know it's not quite the same but I can't imagine not being able to do anything for them; especially if they are physically hurt in some way." Carlisle told Chief Swan. I get it now Carlisle was hinting to Chief Swan that he knew about Bella's beatings.

"What they knew? Did Bella tell them? Did someone notice the marks on her? O Gawd I've been such a horrible father; my sweet innocent baby girl. Ok I need to let these kids go but they cant stay in school. Principal Greene believes the facts. I need to keep them out until they're proved innocent. And I'm gonna need to talk to Carlisle maybe the kids alone, without witnesses outside of this family."

"Carlisle, my wife has nothing to do with her daughter's appearance. She has been devastated since her disappearance. I'm sorry but you're children are under suspension until further notice." Chief Swan told my father.

"I understand Charlie. The police must do what they think is right, correct?" Carlisle said to him as he received a measly nod from the Chief. "Feel free to visit our house anytime. We'll gladly answer any of the questions you may have. But if you excuse me since we have came to an understanding if you will then we'll be on our way. I must check on my wife explain what happen then return to the hospital. I'm sure Esme will be devastated to hear of Bella's situation. Give my regards to Renee. Good day to you all." With that Carlisle motioned for us to walk out of the room and towards the parking lot. We didn't say anything to each other as we piled into our cars and on our way home.

We entered the house silently and filed into the dinning room to talk. We took our seats Carlisle at the head of the table with me to his right than Alice and Jasper. Emmett was seated across from Jasper and Rose across from Alice. Esme glided in with a shocked surprise that all of were here but to her rightful place across from me.

"What happened at the school? Why did they ask if I was able to come down as well?" Esme asked Carlisle.

"Because Bella's still missing and they believe our children has something to do with it. They believe that since everyone was absent from school and only I was the one who showed up for work that our children kidnapped Bella. But I told Charlie that it may have to do with Renee. Charlie might be coming over sometime soon. In that case you children will be up in your rooms doing whatever you want but not loudly. And Esme you must lie down in our bed pretending to be sick." This earned a few chuckles from around the table. "You need to pretend that you had caught whatever I children had so that Charlie doesn't have a reason to question what happened. Just mess up your hair, put some make up on, and cough a bit just in case he'd like to see you. I'm sure Alice could make you look sick and try to make you less beautiful." Carlisle said in attempt to be a bit romantic to his wife.

"Carlisle you're so sweet. I'm sure I can look like the living dead as I lie there" Esme laughed at how ironic her act is.

"What about Bella" Rose voiced breaking up the couple's touching moment.

"We'll look for Bella later Rose. We have to wait 'til I at least have spoken with Charlie. We don't want to seem suspicious or give him any reason to believe we had a part in her disappearance." Carlisle answered her.

"We should check the woods around the Newton's store. Maybe she set up some kind of camp there." I answered.

"Why didn't we check the town in the first place?" Emmett whined.

"Because Em I saw her in the woods. Town didn't seem likely that she'd be there besides wouldn't the police look there for her? I'm sure Chief Swan has already been searching the town like crazy." Alice answered him exasperatedly.

"Then why should we check the woods out by the Newton's? Shouldn't that have been the first place the cops would've looked?" He countered.

"Yes Em, they probably went to talk to the Newtons' but that doesn't mean the searched the woods out back." I answered him this time.

"Well than the cops are stupid." He retorted some what pleased with his comment.

"Esme I think we should get you upstairs now. The Chief will be pulling up in 10 minutes" Alice answered in a matter of fact. With that being said Esme and Alice got up from their seats and headed to Carlisle and Esme's bedroom.

"So what will you tell Chief Swan, Carlisle?" Jasper asked intrigued by the events taking place.

"Whatever he wants to know and I'm sure he'd like to speak with Edward alone since he was the only one at the house with her." Carlisle answered and I gave a nod of understanding.

Soon we could hear a car slowing down and driving through our long forest driveway accompanied by one heart beat. Alice came bouncing back down the stairs and took Jasper's hand motioning him to follow her up to their room. Emmett and Rosalie followed in their footsteps.

"What do I do? What do I do?" I heard Chief Swan chant in his head. "How can I have been such a horrible father? Could Renee have something to do with Bella's disappearance? Nah! She couldn't have Renee's not capable of murder. Well its show time." He thought to himself as he parked and approached the front door.

Ding dong

Carlisle got up to answer the door and let Chief Swan in. "Hello Charlie thank you for coming." Carlisle said as he led him to our living room.

"I wonder where the kids are." Charlie thought "Hey Carlisle where are the kids?"

"Oh they're up in their rooms. They're taking Bella's disappearance very hard. They all loved her like she was part of the family. Even Esme thought of her as a daughter. You know when you went on the week trip to Seattle. Esme scolded her like our own kids when they've had too many sweets." Carlisle began to chuckle and Chief Swan joined in.

"Yes, Isabella had a very sweet tooth." Chief Swan shared.

"Why do you call her that?" Carlisle asked getting serious.

"Call her what? Isabella?" Carlisle nodded to his answer. "Well that's her first name."

"Yes, but why do you call her Isabella when she tells us to call her Bella?"

"Oh I don't know why. She's never told us to call her that. I figured it was what she preferred her friends to call her. Like it's a new hip thing."

"I see" was Carlisle's reply.

"Yes well I think we should get down to business and why I am here exactly." He was now in cop mode while Carlisle turned into doctor mode. "How do you know about the…difficulties between my wife and daughter?"

"Well you see while you were in Seattle with your wife I went over to your house to meet you. Bella answered the door and I got a good look at her face. She told me that she fell down the stairs but as an experienced doctor I knew it was inflicted by someone else. I even examined her ribs they were too tender to be caused by a measly fall. But the main reason is the day you arrived back. Edward is very observant. He wasn't listening or peeping at what happened but he could tell by the way you and Renee were acting that something bad was happening to Bella. We had no hard evidence that Renee was abusing your child but I'm guessing with what happened today our suspicions are correct." Carlisle said while watching how Chief Swan was reacting.

"Oh Carlisle you're correct. I've been such a horrible father for not protecting Isabella better. May I have a word with Edward before I leave?"

"Of course, let me go get him." Carlisle said as he stood up and walked towards the dinning room where I was still seated.

"Edward Chief Swan would like a word with you if it's ok?" Carlisle asked me though it was all for show.

"Of course" I stood up and followed my father into the living room where Chief Swan sat. I took a seat in the loveseat across from where he was seated.

"I'll leave you two to talk. I have to go check on Esme anyways. It was good seeing you again Charlie I hope the next time we meet will be on better terms." Carlisle said as he walked away towards the stair case.

"Hello Chief Swan" I greeted.

"Edward" was all he replied.

"Is there something you'd like to talk to me about?"

"Yes you little boy I wanna know what you've done with my daughter!" He thought to himself.

"Yes. Actually I was wondering what is relationship that you have with my daughter?" He asked while giving me that fatherly glare. Oh sure now he protecting her.

"We're just friends' sir. I think you're daughter is a very beautiful woman but I don't see her in that sort of way." That's true we are just friends there is no need for me to tell him that I'd like to make her my girlfriend.

"I see. My daughter usually shies away from people. How is it that you and the rest of your family got to be friends?"

"Ah that's an easy one sir…Alice."

"Your sister?"

"Yes sir. My siblings and I usually shy away from the rest of the student body as well. However, she caught Alice's eye. In a way Alice knew they were just going to be the best of friends. In that case we all tagged along with her and got to know your daughter a lot better. Then one day while you were in Seattle my siblings went over to your house to check up on her as she stated she wasn't feeling well. I was at home at the time because I had a bad cough. It was just my resting day I was all better I just wanted to lie in bed. But while my siblings were there someone had thought it'd be funny to pull a prank on Bella. They got her outside of the house down the stairs and onto the front lawn. A black car was there and rolled its window down. The person in the back seat pulled out a gun and let the barrel sit on the window. They began to shoot at her luckily Emmett got there in time to pull Bella out of the way before she got shot. But when he tackled her down he made her hit her head." I felt my face fall with grief I cant believe I made her hit her head. "They brought her to our house to be examined by our father. They didn't know she was hit 'til they got her to our house. It was fortunate that the bullets turn out to only be paintball pallets and not real bullets. But the pallets were strong enough to bruise her back. That's the reason she was staying with us fro the week you were gone. We didn't want to leave her there alone and risk the chance of something worse to happen." I finished.

"My daughter was shot at? That explains the paint marks on our front walls of the house. Maybe the people that shot at her had something to do with her disappearance?" He asked hopeful. "Do you as well know about the situation with my daughter and wife?"

"Yes I do sir. And I don't think it was the people who pulled the prank. They don't have the guts to use a real gun, for that I'm very grateful for, so I don't think they'd go to kidnapping her." I reasoned with him.

"Yes I suppose you're right, but my wife?"

"Chief Swan, your wife told you that she was going camping with us. We couldn't even leave the house because we were all so sick. Your wife also beats Bella, what reason do you have not to believe she is capable of having something to do with her disappearance?"

"Again I suppose you're right. You know Edward you are very smart and observant."

"Thank you Chief Swan."

"You're welcome. Well I guess I better get going and try finding my daughter. Let me know if you or your family has any news regarding Isabella. Tell your mother I said Hi and to get better." He said as we walked towards the front door.

"I will. I hope you find her Chief Swan." I said as I watched him get into his car and drive off down out forest drive way.

I closed the front door and headed back into the living room. I took a seat on the sofa as I let my mind drift to thoughts about Bella. Where could she be? I was about to get up and go to my room to get ready for our search; when our door bell rang. I could hear two heart beats. I walked over to the front door and opened it. The people there at the bottom of the porch stairs were people I never thought I would see here at our home. But something must be serious if they were here.

A/N There you have another exciting Chapter of I never thought. I hope you all have not given up on me. I just wasn't very motivated enough to write. But now I'm Back and I wrote a long chapter to make up for the past months. I was reading past reviews and that's what really motivated me. That and there are a few people who have recently read my story even if I've been MIA for the past months. So leave me a review and hopefully I'll be able to update sometime this week because I'll be on a two week trip in Canada for a wedding. So leave me an awesome review so I'm motivated to write before I leave. Ooh and in your review tell me how you found out about my story. Thanks for reading now go and review