Chapter 1- REALIZATION

EPOV

I had never seen her look this bad. She had often come to school with bruises but she had always given believable explanations.

She was very clumsy and was always falling over and hurting herself. We always laughed and joked about what a klutz she was.

But this, this was different. This was worse than all the injuries she had ever had put together, and that was from a distance.

You could not even try to imagine what was right in front of me.

She was limping up my driveway, doubled over in pain clutching her ribs. I felt furry building up inside me.

What had happened? Who had done this to her?

As soon as I saw her, I ran for the door. I could smell her blood before I even opened the door. I quickly stopped breathing.

'Block it out. Block it out.' I kept telling myself. But I had to smell it again.

I flung the front door open and sucked a huge breath through my mouth.

It was like being underwater for too long and then finally being able to come up for a breath.

'Shit, you idiot. What the fuck are you doing? Bella needs your help.' I said to myself.

I didn't know what had happened. Her scent had overcome me and it was like nothing else mattered but having the taste of her blood in my mouth.

I shuddered, glad that I had talked sense into myself before anything had happened.

I left the doorway and sped over to her. With my speed I was there in two seconds flat but I still felt like I couldn't run fast enough.

"Fuck, Bella? Bella, what's happened?" I asked as I took in her appearance.

It made me feel sick looking at her. My stomach twisted itself into knots and I wanted throw up. She had blood everywhere, like she had jumped in a huge blood bath.

I could see tears begin to drip down her face, cutting through the blood stains.

"Edward…I…he…they…" she broke down sobbing and fell to the ground.

I was so shocked by her that my body didn't even move to stop her from falling. She let out a pained whimper as she hit the ground.

I didn't know what to do. I was just standing there gawking at her like an idiot. Everything felt so surreal. I couldn't believe that something like this had happened to Bella. My Bella.

In the end I came to my senses. I scooped her up, carried her inside and lay her gently on the couch. She looked so small and vulnerable. How could anyone have done this to her?

I began to examine her. She was wearing shorts and a t-shirt which was a bit weird for Forks. But the sun did come out for a while today so it had been a little warmer. That's why I hadn't been at school today.

I found myself wondering if Bella had gone to school today. How long had she been in this state? Did it happen last night. Today? After school? Judging by the blood, which was fresh and wet it had only just happened.

I could see fresh blue and black bruises all over her bare arms and legs. I could also see the dull fading yellowy brown ones from when she fell out of bed last week.

Well, I was beginning to wonder. Maybe she had not fallen out of bed at all. Maybe she was being hit all this time and I hadn't even noticed. What good was I?

I was meant to be her best friend and I had not even realized this. If I physically could cry, I would have. Why hadn't she told me?

I forced myself to look at her face, what I could see of it anyway. Most of it was covered in blood. Her once beautiful brown eyes were swollen and puffy. From her crying or from her injuries? I couldn't tell.

There was blood everywhere. What should I do? I had no idea. All I knew was that I should not breath. What would Carlisle do? It would have been really bloody good to have him here right now.

'But he's not here so you're on your own,' I told myself.

I need to get some of this blood of her. I began to walk to the bathroom to get some warm water and a washer when I heard her call out meekly.

"Edward? Don…don't go. P…please don't l…leave me here."

I walked back to her and gently stroked her hair. I hoped she had no injuries on the top of her head. She didn't react so I must have guessed right.

"I'm just going to get some stuff to clean you up. I'll be back in two minutes." I promised.

"O…ok." she stammered.

While I was gone I saw Esme's digital camera sitting on the cupboard. Maybe I should take some photos of her for evidence and show them to her dad. He's the Chief of Police here in Forks. He will put a stop to this.

Whoever has been doing this to Bella will be going down. I just hope he finds the culprit before I do otherwise I'll probably end up doing something I'll regret later.

I slipped the camera into my pocket and grabbed the stuff from the bathroom.

I realized that Bella had fallen asleep as I heard her soft snores and relaxed heartbeat coming from the living room.

I fled back down the stairs, slowing as I reached the bottom, so as not to disturb her.

I entered the room quietly. Bella looked so peaceful and vulnerable sprawled across the couch sleeping.

As I stood there watching Bella sleep I only had three words in my mind.

WHO?

WHY?

WHERE?

Who had done this to Bella? I wracked my brains trying to think of anyone that could possibly have any motive to do this.

Bella had no enemies. She was the sweet, shy girl who never stood out but never faded into the background either. She just blended in perfectly.

The only person I could think of that had a slight grudge against her was Lauren Mallory. She was always making some snide remark about Bella behind her back.

I gathered from her mind that this was because she liked me but the only girl I ever really talked to or kept company with was Bella. But even Lauren wouldn't do something like this.

Why the hell would someone to this to Bella? She had never done anything to anybody. She never ever got messed up in any shit. She was the 'hug a tree, save the whales' type.

Where the fuck is the person now? My fists clenched tightly and my blood began to boil. All I wanted to do was find the person that did this to Bella and just beat the crap out of them.

I couldn't and wouldn't do that though. That would make me no better than them. I needed to calm down so I could look after Bella.

I took a deep but unnecessary breath, unclenched my fists and walked over to stand next to Bella.

Authors note: I don't usually like reading other characters POV's because sometimes they can be very repetitive but I would like to do some chapters in Bella's POV if people want me to. I will try not to make the different POV's to similar.

This is my first fan fic so review and let me know what you think of it. Also let me know about Bella's POV : )