*IMPORTANT NOTE: I'm unsure whether or not to continue with this story so I thought I'd post it and hopefully get some feedback. I can't decide if I should rewrite it in third or continue with first as it may get confusing later on with a lot of point of views.*

Our Search Collides With Hell

Chapter 1

She would discover who had made Hope, her little sister, vanish without a goodbye, even if it killed her. It wouldn't even matter to her if World War Three broke out because of her search; Hope was someone she cared greatly for. There would be many more sleepless nights if the answers were not uncovered and if something sinister had happened to Hope, the disgusting thing that had done it had to be brought to justice. Many more could fall victim to its hands if she failed...

Forks/La Push

unknown name

Not many would ever willingly move to such a small, cold place. However, I felt Forks was the right location for me as it was a drastic scenery change – it was so very peaceful in appearance and no drama, just mundane quiet life. A perfect place to wait and prepare for my bad feeling to make its long overdue debut. Forks was now my base, a place of refuge, for when I had no leads.

Now was the moment of resting as obviously I had no leads, not one single sodding lead. Pointless searching was, well, pointless and of course unaffordable. I could not let my emotions take control. Losing focus and becoming irrational was not going to find her.

Since that time she disappeared I gave up my whole entire life, even my family name, something I was very proud of. The only name that matters now is my missing sisters, Hope.

It was an evening when I moved in, strange I know, but I didn't want to attract attention as distractions would only waste precious time. However, my neighbours spotted me and they of course ended up being the nosiest fucking people ever. Rude too, they barged into my home carrying slightly burnt undecorated cakes made from shop bought mix. If I'm honest, I don't care if it is the thought that counts, I care that they're wasting my extremely limited time.

I kick them out and unpack before heading to bed. The cold damp cakes are left in the kitchen, kept trapped together in their tin. Maybe those cakes aren't too bad after all, they're better off than me anyway. I felt exhausted and managed to fall asleep for the first time since Hope's disappearance. I think it was because I'd just came back from a trip to Italy. We always said we'd go there together and now we are separated it made me feel just a tiny bit closer to her.

Where are you...?

Do you ever struggle to wake up? Not because you're tired but because you don't want to... because your life is painful. It's like that every day for me but still I force myself to get up because I cannot afford to waste time. Each second Hope is missing is taking time off of her life and mine too.

Today's main mission is to begin memorising every inch of Forks and its surroundings. But first, an easier mission. I must hunt for my breakfast!

The fridge contains milk, ham and tomatoes. On the table is bread and those cakes from last night. I haven't got a toaster for the bread or butter to spread on it. My mission for breakfast is a failure and that doesn't give me much confidence in completing my main mission if I didn't remember to bring more food with me.

I'd rather not go to the supermarket so instead I take a walk to work up my appetite further and find a place to eat. I can't help but fret over the time I'm wasting but in the end I would rather have a good meal than something awful I've made myself. I didn't want to attract too much attention anyway. People in diners will be too busy stuffing their faces to notice me so I'll be alone and not have any distractions. Of course I hope the staff notice me as I'd like to get served and not have to sit surrounded by mouthwatering smells.

I later find myself wondering around La Push, an interesting place near to Forks. My appetite has sky rocketed and conveniently a cosy place to eat is here. As long as the food doesn't taste like the complete shit I usually make then I don't care if it's overpriced. I just need food.

When I walk in, I can't help but swear to myself. This was a disaster, a catastrophe, the end of my already ending world... no free tables.

La Push

Claire

If my life was a book, I wouldn't be able to publish it as an autobiography. It would be considered bullshit fiction and removed from the shelf. I feel there is some force moulding my life into an insane play for its own selfish entertainment. I'm afraid one day things will get a little too crazy and collapse in on its self. The fragile foundation life is built on isn't meant to be tested with such horror and delight.

I manage somehow to continue with some normality. This is due to the fact most humans are unaware about exactly what inhabits their planet. I feel for them as I was like them, not for long though. They think they know exactly what can kill them and how to defend themselves from such.

Every night people go missing and the wrong species is blamed. Every night I go to bed and mourn their deaths. Even though the knowledge would probably never save a life, at least their families would not wrongly blame and accuse. No one should ever be imprisoned not guilty of a crime.

So you wonder where this is going and to tell you the truth I have no idea. I should know but I don't. My future has been known since the day he looked me in the eyes. My past, present and future loyal companion, soon to be boyfriend, who I've know since I was only two years old.

Now the time is nearly upon us. The time I fall in love should be happy but instead it's clouded with loss, revenge and defiance. I know I'm being childish but I can't help but rebel as now is really not the time!

"Claire, why can't you stay out of the woods?" Quil asked as he approached wearing his pissed off expression.

"God, Quil, it's not like I'm gonna get hurt or anything."

"Yeah, because pushover Quil is always patrolling in case you decide to go on any more reckless night time hikes."

I scowled and carried on staring off into the dark.

"Claire," Quil said softly after a few minutes, "Claire, please, you're killing me. I know things are... a bit... awkward between us, but you can still talk to me,"

I stared at him and said, "I don't want to talk to you,"

Hurt flashed in his eyes and he hid it too late.

"Well, who do you want to talk to then?"

Anger built up in me, "You know damn well who I want to talk to!"

"I'm sorry Claire but I can't work miracles."

"Well go then. I don't want you here at the moment."

And for once he listened and left. Of course, he wasn't too far away since I'm his imprint. Quil is really protective to the point of annoying. It's understandable though, considering the times we now live in. I wonder what it was like to not have to live in fear...

I should remember but I don't. The pain of recent times has erased it all. I decide to stay in the woods near home until morning, there is no point infecting other people with my negativity.

That doesn't go quite to plan. I find myself after two hours being dragged by a tired Quil. I knew he wouldn't like me and him staying out here, he never likes any of my ideas. I don't understand what's so bad about them though.

"I called Sam," Quil says in our struggle out of the woods.

"And why the hell did you do that?" I say as I cling to a tree.

"He and Emily need to know that you're being difficult, again."

Quil lets go of me, expecting me to follow. In fact he knows I will follow as he and I both knew I wasn't going to drop this. I let go of the tree and jog to catch up with him as not all of us have long legs.

Jogging in the dark doesn't always work out well for me though. Just as I'm a little way behind him I trip and find myself flying through the air at a great speed. I fall into his back knocking a tired Quil and an annoyed me to the ground. Damn it. Though, it was pretty funny.

"Oops!" I laugh quietly, "Sorry, Quil."

"It's okay." Quil says, voice muffled as he's lying face down in the mud.

There's silence then and I get lost in it until a minute later Quil brings me back to planet Earth.

"Claire...?" Quil asks confused.

"Huh?" I reply back confused.

"Can you get off me, please?"

"Huh?"

"You're lying on top of me."

"Oh... Oh!"

I roll off Quil and jump to my feet my face red. What a great time to go off into a daydream. I watch him get up brushing the dirt of his clothes he turns to me and grins. I'm instantly transported back in time to a blared memory that felt so warm and happy. I smiled back briefly and helped wipe the dirt of his face. It must suck to face plant in to who knows what.

Quil carries me on his back for the rest of the way and as we arrive at my home we share another small laugh. What had happened earlier was forgotten until we entered the house. The lights were still on shining brightly so my guardians, Aunt Emily and Sam, were awake.

The only way I could get through this without much of a punishment was to keep my mouth shut but the odds on that happening were slim. Sam just got on my nerves sometimes, well all the time. He only cares about me because Emily does. If Sam hadn't imprinted he wouldn't give a crap.

"Claire!" Emily jumped up from her chair and hugged me. She always did this each time I came home late.

"I'm fine, I was with Quil," I say hugging back.

"I know, I just can't help but worry about you Claire," Emily said letting go of me and taking a step back, "You're going through a tough time and I just wish I could understand you better."

"You're grounded Claire and from now on Quil must be with you at all times," Sam said sternly from behind Emily.

"Quil's already with me at all times," I mutter under my breath annoyed.

Sam goes to leave the room but stops and turns around briefly, "You're banned from the woods too,"

"That's not fair!"

"You know Claire, there's a saying, do you need reminding?"

Life isn't fair.

I ignore Sam and leave the room pulling Quil behind me.

I spend some time ranting to Quil before shoving him out of my room. There was no way he was staying! Though if I wanted him to I doubt Sam would say anything and even if he wanted to he couldn't. Sam did say Quil was to stay with me at all times...

And so it turned out Quil was to stay with me at all times. Of course there were exceptions like when I was in the bathroom or getting dressed. Sam is such a ass hole sometimes!

A minute after leaving Quil came back. His expression was fearful like I was going to attack him. Well, I did hit him with a magazine but Sam was going to get worse. I can't believe he was being serious! This no privacy thing was going to get old fast.

Quil sleeps for a little while on my bed while I sit on the floor and stare at the ceiling. I couldn't be bothered with anything at the moment. I was tired but I knew I wouldn't be able to if I tried, I'd only wake up screaming.

A few hours later I change and wash my face before waking up a grumpy Quil. The dark under his eyes makes me feel bad for keeping him up late the night before.

I skip breakfast with Emily, Sam and some of the pack and head to the diner with Quil after getting Emily to persuade Sam to give me a second chance. I managed to grab the last table and everything was going fine until he gets a text message.

"Sorry Claire bear we have to go to go back, Sam's orders," Quil sighs.

"Aw, he ruins everything!" I complain.

"I agree, I'm starving," Quil said annoyed, "But maybe... never mind,"

"What was that? Did you have a master plan?"

"We could just maybe pretend my phone was off and I didn't get the message..."

"Yes!"

So we were having breakfast at the diner after all. Sam was going to be pissed but the to die for food at the diner was worth it. Though Emily too was a good cook but I bet Sam would force us to have cereal.

What I expected to be just breakfast with Quil turned into an interesting meeting with a girl who had an interesting story to tell. One with a mystery and a whole lot of danger. Sam was sure going to ground me for a century if I got myself involved but who cares!? I know I don't! Well at least at the moment anyway.

La Push

unknown name

Most of the tables were full apart from one with a moody looking girl and a shirtless guy at it. They looked like an interesting pair to sit with. I just hoped I was not going to interrupt anything romantic.

"Excuse me, can I sit here?" I ask the couple.

The guy looks like he wants to object but the girl laughs and nods, "Sure,"

I sit down next to the muscular dude. No wonder he wasn't wearing a shirt, I'd want to show those off too!

"Thanks, I hope I've not interrupted anything,"

"Oh no, we're not like that,"

"Really?"

The guy, again, looks like he wants to object. I can't help but feel bad but at least I stopped him confessing at a diner. He should be thanking me.

"I'm Claire and this is Quil, best friend and bodyguard," Claire said to me, "What's your name?"

Shit... what should I give them as my name? Maybe I should stop acting like a bad ass with the whole no name thing or give a fake one. It's only my second name I've changed officially so I should still give out my first. I want to leave as little evidence of the real me though.

"My names... J... Jane...," is that a weird name?

"Wow, suspense. Did you just make that up or do you have to kill us now?" Quil laughed.

Claire punched him from across the table, "We're not in a movie, dumb ass!"

Damn, he got me... Okay, okay, calm and cool expression with a serious voice will stop them from laughing at what I'm about to say, "I don't use my real name."

Quil and Claire's faces had looks of confusion on them. Great... I'm going to have to make a cool reason up.

"So you're a spy?" Quil whispered to me.

Claire sighed, "Idiot,"

Then she punched him again and he howled in pain as blood dripped from his nose.

"Oh gosh, Quil!" Claire cried out grabbing tissues to clean his bloody nose.

I really, really hate blood. It's absolutely disgusting.

"It's okay, just an accident," Quil comforted her as he stood, "I'd best go and get cleaned up, stay here and don't go wondering off."

"Of course, I wouldn't want us to get in trouble with Sam."

I moved to Quil could leave and as he left the waitress came to take our order. We forgot about poor Quil for a moment and focused on ordering our food. It wasn't like he was going to die. If anyone was going to die it would be me, from hunger.

"I feel so bad...," Claire said quietly.

"You didn't mean to hurt him, so don't worry," I said smiling, "He looks like a tough guy anyway,"

"He is. You wouldn't believe some of the things he has been through,"

"Sounds interesting,"

"It is but I can't tell you...,"

"I understand."

"I feel bad though, he has difficult responsibilities and I just cause trouble for him but I just... I just hurt so much."

The look on Claire's face was heart breaking. It looked like she was keeping a lot bottled up, too much for her age. It was most likely even too much for anyone. I was happy now that there were no free tables else I wouldn't have met Claire and Quil. I had a feeling Claire and I would be good friends while I was living here. Maybe we could help each other, it seemed like we both needed somebody. She was obviously close to Quil but it seemed at the moment she couldn't talk to him about the problems she was having. I wonder if he is part of it...

"It can sometimes help to talk about it though I can't promise it will help much...," I say smiling.

"Can I trust you though? I don't even know your name," Claire replied unsure.

"My names Audrey, I'm new around here. I'd prefer not to give out my second names for now but it isn't right to not know the first name of a friend, right?"

"Right."

So it began, the start of what I knew would be a very interesting friendship. One I didn't expect to find in a place like this and one I also don't have time for but oh well. I suppose now I don't have to act friendly towards my neighbours as I now officially have friend from La Push! For once I felt normal, like my life had not completely stopped. I couldn't forget what I was here for though.

La Push

Claire

I knew it wasn't the best idea. To trust someone you have only known for five minutes isn't easy for anyone yet I felt that I could trust her with a little of my story. It would only be the parts that are mine to share though, and that won't make me sound too insane.

For the next few days we hung out even though I was supposed to be grounded. Thanks to Emily's kindness and Sam's weakness I got out of it (again)! It was difficult to find ways of getting rid of Quil, who was told by my uncle to stay by my side at all times, but we managed. Eventually Quil got the message that we wanted rid of him and would leave and wait somewhere nearby but out of hearing range.

The best place to start for most stories is at the beginning. My story was no different, of course I had to edit out the secrets which was challenging. I'm sure Audrey knew I was cutting things from my life story but she didn't say anything. I was glad she understood that I wanted to keep some things secret. Everyone has secrets they want to keep after all and I'm pretty sure Audrey is hiding a lot from me too. I'd have to ask her about it later but for now I had to tell my own story.

"My name is Claire Young..."

My life was simple and ordinary up until I was two years old. Me and my sister, we were visiting our aunt Emily with... mom. That day I met Quil Ateara and from then on almost every single memory I have has had him in it by my side. That's because Quil is shape-shifter. He changes into a wolf to protect our tribe from a very specific threat, vampires.

Him being a wolf means he has the ability to imprint. If Quil meets his soul mate he will involuntarily imprint even if he is in love with somebody else. This means if Quil meets his soul mate he will be bound to them forever. All other ties to people will barely matter at all as the tie between him and his imprint will be too powerful. If the tie is ever severed by death then he will sink into depression, if he is rejected he will hurt but accept their decision.

Quil Ateara imprinted on me that day. It was a long time ago now and he has been waiting patiently never ageing, carrying out his duties as a protector, and not moving forward with his life until I grew up. I'm still keeping him from moving forward now that I'm of age. It makes me feel so awful but I just can't, not yet.

I can't imagine all those years without Quil there. If he hadn't have imprinted on me my life would have been much emptier and there would have been no reason to remember. I think most people long to have those childhood memories back as they all forget. But I don't forget so that makes it harder sometimes. Life was good then, really good. Sure, there were bad days too but Quil always made everything better.

I monopolised all of his time and he monopolised mine. I missed out on many moments with my family because of our strong bond. However, I wouldn't be able to survive now without it. Without Quil life would be unbearable. The routine of life which causes deja-vu. Every activity carried out at the exact same time every single day. The same conversations and the endless expectations. If you can not integrate into society and do what everyone else does there is no place for you.

Quil helps me to survive, to breathe and to ultimately be myself. I owe him a lot really. He distracted me from the problems of the world and protected my innocence. It was all for nothing though as I'd eventually find out how cruel this world and the creatures on it could be. I found out in the worst way possible.

They all died and I saw it all.

A majority of the countries around the world were in crisis. It seemed that soon the whole world as we knew it once would be far from reach. We'd never see it that way again... It was far from perfect but it was better than what was to come. We were in the middle of change, a terrible change.

Why couldn't people just get along... why not sit down, talk and actually listen? The people who now controlled our world have no respect, they are selfish and are not afraid to use violence to get what they want.

It was my sister first, a school trip ending in tragedy, it was on the news, though compared to other things goings on it was nothing at all. It was reported locally though and people have never stopped talking about it here... The looks of pity, interest and the glares never end. The ones who glare and whisper, they call me an attention seeker; some even say I should have died on that trip too. They act like I'm the one who killed everyone because I survived. I don't understand their logic. I never, ever look for attention, in fact I loath it.

Every night I do wonder if I could have done something, anything, to have saved or prolonged my sisters short life. I don't need others making me feel worse... I need them to leave me alone. Along with the emotional pain I did suffer physical injuries. A bullet in the leg, cuts and bruises and a broken arm so I was extremely lucky. Sometimes, I don't feel like it though and I hate that. I hate myself for feeling that way but I can't help it, I really can't.

The weeks after that were hell. The months after that too were difficult. The years should have been better but they weren't. What happened next took away everything...

I looked up from my plate of cold food now mashed up on my plate. I couldn't eat now, I'd lost my appetite. Audrey's expression was one of compassion and understanding. She obviously had her own problems. Maybe she too needed someone to talk to. Audreywas most likely even more alone than me.

"I think that's enough for you today." Audrey said from across the table.

Her food was left mostly untouched like mine. It was a waste but it was too late now.

"What about you?" I ask taking a sip of my apple juice.

It was time Audrey told me something. I had barely learnt a thing about her. I felt selfish just talking about myself all the time when she too obviously had things weighing her down and driving her to breaking point.

"Me...? Oh, there isn't much to say," Audrey said casually knowing straight away what I was talking about, "I'm planning a search for my missing sister at the moment and that's about it,"

"Don't pass that off as nothing!"

"I don't want want to burden you with my problems,"

"But I've done that too you and I could actually physically help you with yours couldn't I?"

"I suppose, if you wanted to. It might be a distraction from everything,"

"I'm not doing it as a distraction, I'm doing it because a friend is in need."

"Thanks."

Audrey told me a bit about her sister Hope. She and Audrey had always wanted to visit Italy together which concerned me. I know I wouldn't want to visit there but of course Audrey and Hope didn't know the country was the home of the Volturi, the rulers of the vampire world. Audrey also explained what had happened before her sister had disappeared too. Hope had said something about a last minute flight and a dream job over the static filled phone. And, finally before she ended the call Hope had told Audrey she wouldn't be away for more than two weeks.

It has been a hell of a lot longer than two weeks. Where the hell was Audrey's sister? I don't believe she would have just gone and started a new life somewhere without telling someone. Nobody knew where she was and nobody except Audrey seemed to care.

It seemed Audrey and Hope's relationship with their family hadn't been brilliant so they soon gave up and the police were completely uninterested in the disappearance of a young woman. I suppose I could understand, there are more important issues than missing people but still they could have tried, even a little, to find Audrey some leads. They didn't matter now as she had me and I wasn't going to give up. We're friends and friends help each other.

"Hey, Claire, I just realised that Quil never came back to check were okay like he usually does." Audrey said confused after we had a few minutes of normal trivial conversation to distract from the serious crap.

"Oh, yeah... if I'm honest I had forgotten all about it." I remembered guilty.

Be both shrugged as if to say, 'oh well, who cares' and laughed. Despite some heavy conversation I felt relaxed and a little lighter than I had done earlier. Maybe talking did help... but for now, I was going to forget my own problems and concentrate on helping Audrey. A missing person couldn't wait but further conversation about my past and feelings could. I also understood how it felt to lose someone. If there is a chance Hope is alive I have to help Audrey no matter what.

to be continued (maybe)...

I hope you didn't find that too terrible. If you want some back story on Hope then read my story A Treasure in the Feast? Please review and give me feedback and alert/favourite so I know it is worth posting and writing more. If I post more the next chapter will most likely be in the point of view of Nessie and Claire. Also I may change the title later on if I come up with something better.