Summary: Isabella Swan was the victim of a kidnapping when she was seventeen years old. Years later, she is returned home, but she's different than she used to be. She struggles to discover if her infatuation with her kidnapper is the result of the mental affliction Stockholm Syndrome, or if her feelings are the real deal. Love and deception aren't always black and white. Rated NC-17 for extremely dark and mature themes. Based on the album "Absolution" by Muse. AU, AH.
I'm trying something different with this here story. I'd been working on it for a good eight months before I finally made the decision to post it, so I do hope it's worth the wait. I've seen a wide variety of "Darkward" characters in fanfics, but I've yet to see something quite like this Edward; I'm sure you'll see what I mean soon enough.
This story is about the confusion of the mentally unstable, and finding out who you truly are and who you're meant to be with. I think.
I hope you enjoy the ride...
STOCKHOLM SYNDROME
Intro
There was a loud noise in the main part of the house, and I was instantly worried. Edward was always quiet when he got home. I wanted to go check to see if he was alright, but I knew that I shouldn't.
Edward had always warned me about doing things like that. (Never leave yourself exposed, Bella. If people see you, then people will hurt you.)
I just sat trembling in the chair in the corner of my room. Waiting, hoping, wishing.
Heavy footsteps were heard overhead. Too many. Edward wouldn't have brought anyone home with him, would he have?
Of course he wouldn't. (Other people only cause harm, Bella. There's nobody else you can trust. I am all you have, and I am all you'll ever need.)
I faintly heard them talking above. The vibrations of several deep voices could be felt if I leaned my head against the wall. They weren't even bothering to be quiet. They were coming, just as Edward always warned me they might, and he wasn't even here to save me. He had promised he would always protect me from them.
Had they hurt him before they came here? The thought made me queasy. If Edward didn't stand a chance against them, what hope did I have? How could I save myself, if he couldn't?
What could I do now?
(Go in your closet, Bella. There's a false back wall with a space just big enough for you to fit in. Stay there until I come for you.)
Unless they've hurt you, and you can't come for me.
(I'll always come for you, Bella. I love you always.)
I took stock in those memories, and followed the directions Edward had given me in case this ever happened. The door inside the closet was built well. I wouldn't have known of its existence if I hadn't been expressly told.
I started to panic when I heard the group hurrying down the stairs. I closed myself in the closet, and pushed the hidden door open. Edward was right. There was just barely enough space for me. I had to squish into the far corner so I could close the door back up, and then I scrambled to find a way to barricade the door in the dark.
(Never turn on the light in that space, Bella. They will find you if you do.)
The door to my bedroom slammed open, and voices were everywhere. I pressed my body weight against the door, knowing it wouldn't be enough if someone found this space and tried to force their way in.
"Open the curtains, get some light in here!" called out a voice that I assumed was the leader of the group. "Look under the bed, open that trunk, check the closet-" the man continued to give out orders.
I held my breath and braced myself as I heard the outer closet door open.
"Nothing in here, sir." Echoes of the same phrase were heard throughout the room. I sighed in relief.
"No," the leader spoke again. "This is the only room with perpetually drawn shades, and the others have cleared the rest of the house. Check the floorboards or something."
The outer door closed again, and even though they hadn't given up yet, I was still safe. I tried to tempt myself to sneak into the main closet to perhaps get a peek at the perpetrators, but I knew that the risk wasn't worth it.
(Don't ever put yourself out there, Bella. Stay hidden. Stay safe. For me.)
And I would do anything for Edward. I stayed hidden as best as I could. I even held my tongue and didn't scream when I felt a spider crawling on my hand. Edward knew I was deathly afraid of spiders. But I still didn't scream. Instead I cried silently. I really hoped that they hadn't hurt Edward before they came here.
Thatthought made an audible sob escape me, and I instantly regretted it when the room fell silent around me.
"Did you hear that?" the leader asked. Murmurs either of the affirmative or negatory responded before the resounding silence resumed. I winced when the first footstep thunked against the wooden floor, and again when another one stepped closer to me.
They knew I was here.
(Never let them know where you are, Bella.) I'm sorry, Edward.
The outer closet door slammed open again, and I bit my lip to keep from making any noise as I pressed as hard as I could against the hidden door. I had thought that maybe he might only press lightly, and if nothing happened...
I was sorely mistaken. The leader told his men to shut up when one of them tried to say he had already checked the closet.
"Masen had an educational background in construction and architecture. He could have easily..." I heard the sound of my dresses being roughly pushed to the side on their hangers.
Then I saw the faint outline of light coming in through the thin cracks, as if someone was shining a flashlight. My mouth opened in horror.
(Never let them find you, Bella.) I've failed you, Edward.
There was a slight weight against the door, opening it a couple inches. I panicked and pushed with my entire body, slamming it back closed.
"She's in here!" the leader called, and he shoved the door open as I hid behind it. "What the-" he began, seeing the supposedly empty space, and I took the opportunity of his confusion and kicked as hard as possible, hearing a crack as the door hit the face of the intruder as it closed back up.
"Shit!" I heard him say and I gasped. Edward would never approve of that kind of language. The door opened again, and an arm reached behind it to grab hold of me, forcing me out into the open.
The light shined in my eyes so brightly that water leaked out. I hadn't seen a light that intense in years.
(Keep the curtains closed, Bella. It's not safe to be out in the sunlight.)
There was a gasp from the person who came barging into my home, destroying my life. I was satisfied to see blood dripping down his russet colored face, and that his nose was broken.
"Isabella Swan?" he asked, looking at me, seeming surprised for some reason.
I was confused. Of course I wasn't Isabella Swan; I was Bella Masen.
But the voice didn't wait for confirmation. The large fellow tightened his grip on my arm and started dragging me out of the room.
(Don't ever let anyone take you away from me, Bella.)
"No! NO! Let go of me! Please!" I shouted out uselessly, trying to kick at my abductor.
"I'm bringing you home, Isabella, where you'll be safe. It's going to be okay."
"Leave me alone!" I screamed, kneeing the man hard in the groin.
He crumpled to the floor as I tried to run away, but another set of arms grabbed hold of me. Then another as I continued to struggle. Then a third. Soon I felt a sharp pain on the inside of my elbow, and my movements felt sluggish as my fight stopped.
"I'm sorry, Edward," I slurred as the blackness took over. I had never intended to leave him this way...
This chapter is short, yes, but that's because it's a sort of prologue. It sets the stage for the entire rest of the story, so I hope you enjoyed it.
Please leave your thoughts, questions, and comments. I'll answer you to my best of my ability, my dears.
~MuffN.
