Bella's POV
I woke to a pounding headache and stifled a groan as I tried to sit up on my bed. It was worse than usual, but not to the point where I couldn't get up thankfully. I wondered how long it would take before my body couldn't handle anymore and I would finally die. My body protested as I walked toward the bathroom. I tried to forget the horrors of the night before, but was reminded when I looked in the mirror I saw the beginnings of a large bruise that covered the left side of my jaw and a black eye. I quickly looked away; that bruise going to be hard to cover up. I started the shower, wincing as I bent down. My back stung from when I was thrown against the stairs.
(flashback)
I heard the slam of the front door and glanced at the clock. 4am. As he approached me I noticed he hair in disarray, his clothes untucked and crinkled, and lipstick smudged down his lips and neck.
Rage consumed me and I went up to him and slapped him hard across the face and screamed, "Where the hell have you been, are you cheating on me?!"
I instantly recognized my mistake. He lunged at me and I felt my neck snap to the right, black spots dancing in my vision. I pulled my arms up in a defensive stance, then I felt my body fly and hit the bottom few steps of the stairs. Next thing I know he is dragging me up by my hair to my room…
(end flashback)
"Isabelle."
I shot up, instantly chastising myself for letting my guard down, and started shaking.
"Isabelle, what… hell do you think you're doing." James slurred with narrow eyes. Crap, he is not only in a bad mood, but also drunk... I quickly reviewed what I could have done to anger him recently, and then I remembered back to yesterday morning.
(flashback)
I was attempting to clean through Renee's old office. Mountains of paperwork were scattered everywhere along with dirty coffee mugs, old gum wrappers, cigarettes, and a tipped over ashtray. I used to avoid this room because of the memories of my mother that it held, but James was getting angry because I wasn't doing my responsibility of cleaning the house. I rubbed the part on my arm he hit after yelling at me about it. I sighed and started to organize the pile nearest to me, as my mind wandered to the day my mother died. I involuntarily winced, guilt started to build up, which triggered tears to stream down my face. I shaked my head to clear the memories from flooding back. I refocused on my task and started to go through the most recent mail, and then I saw my name and the date of my birthday on one of the envelopes. Curious, I wiped away my tears and opened the envelope.
Dear Bella,
Happy Birthday! I wasn't sure what you wanted, so I just enclosed 200$, it's not every day you turn 17. I hope you and Phil are doing well, but should anything ever happen; I just want to tell you again that you are more than welcome at my house. Your brothers Emmett and Jasper were wondering if you wanted to come down for a bit these next few months so they could get to know you over summer break. I know you are angry at me, but I would love it if you could come. If you would rather stay in Arizona with Phil, I understand.
Love,
Charlie, Jasper, and Emmett
P.S. Again, fell free to call if you need anything. 206-555-3465
I sat there in shock for a moment then read over it again. I couldn't believe this; Renee had told me that Charlie didn't want anything to do with me. From this letter it sounds like he has written letters to me before. Why would she hide them from me? I looked at the envelope for a return address. Forks Washington. I went toward the old laptop sitting in the office. James was at work and shouldn't be home for at least five hours.
Longer if he goes to the local whore house again, I bitterly thought.
I turned the laptop on, and searched for Forks Washington. I was a tiny little town a few hours from Seattle. I started to wonder, my birthday was only last week. Would I dare think that I could escape this hell? Was it too good to be true like last time? Charlie seemed sincere, I wondered why he would keep writing if I never once wrote him back. Heaven knows I'm not worth it, he probably just pities me.
I shutdown the laptop, hid the money and memorized Charlie's number and address before setting the letter and envelope aflame in the ashtray. As it burned I dared to fell something I hadn't in nearly two years. Hope.
(end flashback)
"I… I… I was 'bout to… to take a shower.." I stuttered, and then tried to reach for a robe to cover my body, but he grabbed my arm.
"Who the hell do you think you are, you little slut!" He screamed in my ear. I was shoved up against the corner of the bathroom and his other hand closed around my throat. "Why the hell would you go and Google some little dumb ass town in Washington and think I wouldn't find out! You will NEVER leave me, do you understand?! You're MINE!" His other hand closed around my throat.
Over the years I had learned that to fight meant I was more likely to die, but this was different. My vision started to tunnel and he wasn't letting up. I gaged and instead of stopping, he let go of my wrist and started choking me with both hands.
But I don't want to die yet, I thought desperately, I know it's selfish and deserve it, but I don't want to die!
Adrenaline filled my body and I lashed out, kneeing him in the groin. His hands loosened and I was able to struggle out of them. He moaned and fell to the ground where I then kicked in the head, causing him to lose consciousness.
Gasping for breath, I ran out of the bathroom and scrambled to pick up my previously packed bag in anticipation of this moment. I changed into some clothes quickly, and put on some glasses to cover my eye. I mercifully ran, not fell, down the stairs and hesitated, I never dreamed I would get this far. I shook my head, Come on Bella, think! I suddenly remembered Charlie's birthday money I hid and retrieved it from its hiding place.
What if he no longer wants me? Fear of rejection made me pause, and then I thought how I probably wouldn't be able to survive the next beating because I actually fought back and won. I quickly punched in Charlie's number and nervously waited for him to pick up.
"Hello, this is Charlie speaking."
"Oh… umm hi, it's umm… Is-Isabella…" Wow, great first impression.
"Bells? Bells! Why… ummm, how are you?" He doesn't sound angry, a bit nervous, and maybe a little exited! Don't get your hopes up, I reminded myself.
"I was just… I was just wonderingifIcouldstaywithyou."
"Oh my, of, of, of course! Of course, absolutely you can stay with me! But Bells, why have you suddenly talked to me let alone want to stay with me? Don't misunderstand, im so glad you called, so glad!" He paused.
"I ummm.." I quickly decided to tell him the truth, and just omit things. "Phil kicked me out and I found the birthday letter you sent me…"
"What?! Phil kicked you out?"
"Yeah, he got a new job offer that makes him travel a lot and I don't want to drag him down. He said I should call you and showed me the birthday letter you sent me."
"Can I speak with him?" Crap, he sounds pissed….
"He… he is at work right now."
"…Fine, so when do you want me to book your flight?"
I sighed with relief, "I umm… is this afternoon too soon?"
"Oh, not at all! Ill have your brothers Emmett and Jasper pick you up tonight. Don't worry, just go to the airport now and I will make sure they will have your ticket there for you. Do you need me to call a cab for you?" My brain was on overload, he actually wants me to come and is paying for my ticket no less. Don't get your hopes up, he doesn't even know you and you will probably have to pay for it later.
"No, you're getting me a ticket, I can call a cab." I HATE owing people. They always expect something in return.
"Alright, and Bells? Thank you for calling, and asking to stay with me, I know you were kind-of forced to, but it means a lot! I'll see ya tonight, ok?"
"O-ok, bye."
Oh. My. Gosh. I couldn't believe it, I was actually getting out of this hell! I mentally reviewed our conversation, I tried to not lie to him, Phil did kick me out, but he did it a year ago, right after Mom died. I really don't blame him, I deserved it. I was so selfishly happy though that my boyfriend, James, told me he would take me in his house and take care of me. Mom never liked how I dated a guy 5 years older than me; in fact, our last conversation was us fighting about that…
I snapped out of my reverie when I heard a moan coming from upstairs. Crap! I quickly grabbed my bag, ran through the door, and toke my first steps toward freedom.
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