Authors Note: Nice reviews are better than chocolate.
Two
Edward drove past the Italian restaurant on his right and sighed. The tables were filled with couples that had free time on Fridays, date nights. He couldn't wait for his photography exhibit to be up and rolling. I miss Bella. It was a dream come true when the curator of the museum called to say they were interested in his photography. Taking pictures was his secret passion, but he never truly imagined he could make a living doing it.
When he got off the phone that day, he turned to see Bella standing beyond him in the entryway to the kitchen, arms crossed. "I told you so," she grinned playfully. Edward flew the few steps to her and picked her up, kissing her soundly. There were no words for how happy he was at that moment.
Over the next few weeks as preparations were made, he realized just what he'd gotten himself into. It was exhilarating, he had to admit, but he was ready for that part to be over. He wanted his pictures to be made public. Two weeks from tonight! The museum was planning a big party to honor him and two other photographers they had chosen. Edward had assured Bella there would be no dancing and her reservations about going were put aside. She even bought a new dress. A dark blue one, just tight enough to let his imagination wander…
He pulled up in front of Bella's store, Current, and got out of the car. It was clear no one was there, but he went to the front entrance anyway. Edward cupped his hand to the glass and looked inside. He sighed heavily, she never listens. Taking a long look down either side of the street, he got back into his car. At least it's a nice night for walking. Edward rolled down both front windows, enjoying the crisp fall breeze that ruffled his messy hair. He drove slowly around the north perimeter of the park and didn't see her. He passed their townhome and looped around the south end. Is she home already? I thought it took longer…Edward went around the north end once more and then made his way south, stopping outside their home. "Oh," he pulled out his phone and got out of the car, realizing that she'd probably tried to call him during his meeting.
"Hi, I got your message. I can't wait for the exhibit to open so things can get back to normal. I'm just going to walk; it's such a nice night out. Don't be mad, I love you." He pressed 'end' and walked up the front steps to the front door. Unlocking it and stepping inside, he put his phone down and noticed the lights were all off.
"Bella?" The alarm was noticeable in his voice. If she cut through the park, she'd be here by now. Unless…Edward didn't allow himself to finish the thought. He was out the door in an instant.
He raced into the park, cursing to himself. I should have just left, the meeting wasn't that damn important. Dammit, dammit! Edward grew frustrated when he didn't see her form on the walking path that made an almost direct line to their house. "Bella?!" He sprinted a few more paces and stopped, looking around, trying to focus. It was completely dark off the pathways, almost impossible to make anything out. He ventured left, toward the south end of the park, his breath quickening. "Bella," he called out, hoping she'd jump out from behind a tree. Gotcha! He knew she'd never do that to him though. Edward felt his heart pumping in his chest, his hands beginning to shake. He kept walking, slower now, looking from left to right. There were no paths here until the very end of the park, it was totally dark.
He was trying to convince himself that she was probably safe somewhere, maybe a friend surprised her on her way, took her to dinner. But he knew she'd call if that were the case. Then he heard a rustling farther ahead of him. He stopped and listened for it again. When he heard it the second time, he walked toward it, trying to stay calm.
Edward did not want to believe what he saw.
Her purse lay a few yards away from her prone body, cell phone inches from her hands. Bella's coat was torn and she had only one arm in a sleeve. She lay still, unconscious, and for a moment, Edward was grateful. Her hands were bound with what looked like a plastic zip tie; they were laying above her head, still. Bella's eyes were closed, a thin line a blood dripped from her mouth. Her shirt was on, but pushed up over her chest, her skin practically glowing in the moonlight. Her skirt was bunched up around her thighs. For a split second, Edward only saw Bella. He saw her eyes flutter open.
Then he saw the men.
One paced anxiously back and forth on the opposite side of Bella from Edward, the other kneeled down in front of her, undoing the fly of his jeans.
Fury ripped through Edward's chest like a knife and he let out a low growl, deep in his throat. He didn't look for weapons, didn't pull out his phone to call the police, didn't call out for help; he attacked.
Edward went first for the one kneeling over Bella, barreling into his body. He pushed him hard to the ground and heard the man's breath let out of his chest in a hard whoosh. Edward punched him in the face, trying to knock him unconscious. No, trying to kill him. He grabbed the man on either side of his head, lifted and then slammed his head into the hard ground. Again. Again. Before he could do it a fourth time, the second man grabbed him around the neck and pulled him back. Edward struggled in the second man's strong, solid grip. Out of the corner of his eye, Edward saw that the first man lay still on the ground. With a deep inhale, Edward shoved his head back hard, hitting the first man's nose with a loud crunch. His grip loosened, Edward spun around to face him.
Bella didn't become aware of what was going on until she saw Edward, straddling one of her attackers on the ground. His back was to her and he was pounding the man's head into the ground. Regaining her senses, she looked around for her phone. She grasped it between her two, locked hands and dialed 911. She scrambled back from the scene and told the person on the other end what was happening. Bella was in hysterics, one of the men looked passed out, but the other seemed to be getting the upper hand on Edward. He punched Edward in the stomach, then in the face; Edward doubled over from the pain. He fell to the ground and met her eyes. "Bella! Run!" The attacker ignored Bella and kept his attention on Edward. She couldn't move; she couldn't leave him there.
She stood up on shaking legs, still holding her phone. The dispatcher was faintly telling her to stay on the line. Bella charged forward toward the man. She didn't make it. Grabbing her around the waist, the man she thought was passed out pulled her back, throwing her down like a rag doll. He straddled her stomach and punched her squarely in the face. That was all it took to knock her out.
She didn't know how long she was passed out. The next thing she saw were flashlights, men in uniform surrounding her. She swallowed hard and opened her eyes all the way. Memories flashed across her mind and she sprang up, trying to stand. An officer held her arm, steadying her when she began to fall. "Edward!" Bella spun around, not caring about maintaining her balance. "Edward!" She couldn't see him anywhere. She looked at the officer still holding on to her, "where is he? In an ambulance?!" She walked in the direction the ambulance she saw parked on the curb at the park's edge. The officer tugged at her arm, Bella yanked it out of his grasp. "Is he hurt?! Tell me something!"
"Miss, I need you to calm down a little, why don't I take you to the ambulance and you can sit down. You're in shock." A second officer came up, mumbled something to the first. "I think she's in shock, we need to get her checked out."
"I'm not in shock! Where's Edward?!" Her voice rose, becoming frantic. The officer half dragged her to the ambulance, which had its back doors open, empty inside. She leaned against its edge and looked expectantly at the officer.
"I need you to stay here for a minute, ok? I need to talk to a couple of the officers and then we can talk. Let the EMT's take a look at you; I'll be back in a minute," he backed slowly away, facing Bella as if waiting for her to jump up. When she didn't, he turned and walked toward a group of officers.
Bella's teeth chattered, she clenched and released her hands compulsively on her lap while the EMT's looked at her split lip, her bruised cheekbone, stained a dark purple already. They asked her questions, where does it hurt? Can you take a deep breath? Look at the light. Were you ever unconscious, do you think you were raped? She nodded and shook her head appropriately. They told her she had a bruised rib, but that was the worst of it. She didn't take her eyes off the police officer that promised to talk to her, straining to hear, willing the EMT's to stop talking. When they moved away, Bella stood up, walking cautiously to the police.
"We've swept the park twice, he's not here. It's just the girl. We're moving to the outlying areas now." The first officer sighed heavily, turning, already knowing she'd be there.
"He's not here," her voice shook.
"We're going to need you to come with us, we have some questions. I'm sorry, I've got all my officers here, we'll find him –"
"He's not here!" She felt her eyes well up and she looked around, thinking she'd see him walk out of the darkness. He never did.
