Thank you again for all of the reviews! I am so glad that people seem to be liking this story! I am sorry if there are some typo's, since I haven't done any edit work at all yet, just straight from my head to your screen. Still looking for a BETA. So as promised, here is the next chapter! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns everyone and everything.
Chapter 4: Frustration
EPOV
"What else are you suggesting, Mr. Cullen? You are my English teacher, so you can't very well bring me anywhere. It wouldn't be looked well upon. There's no other option, but we both go on living our lives. Thank you for trying, but it's not worth it. You are better off ignoring me like everyone else. " She was already opening the door as she finished in a tiny voice "I'm not worth it."
I wanted to stop her from leaving, but she had the door shut, and was walking away before I could even process. I didn't know what I was suggesting. I didn't know what to do. Usually I was pretty sure of myself, but right now, I was lost.
This was a lot worse than I had expected, and I knew I still didn't know the full situation. I was over my head.
I also couldn't ignore another thing she said. I had to tread carefully. I knew that this feeling of protectiveness I was developing for her was not normal for a teacher student relationship. If anyone looked too closely, a lot could be at stake. I could lose my job for starters.
I couldn't do nothing though. This person, who I was assuming was probably her father, seemed to be high up in the police ranks from what she said. I would have to look into it more thoroughly. Maybe I could ask my dad.
I finally pulled away from her driveway, and started driving to my place. When I got inside, I locked the door, and ran my hands through my hair, pulling slightly. This was frustrating. Why hadn't anyone noticed before? Why am I the first one to see that something's wrong? The other teachers couldn't even remember her name, and no one even looked in her direction. How had this gone on, and been so obvious at my first sight, but invisible to everyone else? Why did she have to face the so entirely alone?
I pulled out my cell phone, and dialed the one person I could think of who might have answers for this impossible situation, my father. He was a well respected doctor in this town, and probably even knew her father. I could get more of an idea on him if anything. Maybe he could offer more.
I pressed the phone to my ear as it rang. Carlisle picked up on the second ring. "Hello?" his voice inquired.
"Hey dad." Even I could hear the anxious tone in my voice.
"What's wrong Edward?" He asked, his voice turning immediately serious.
I sighed, gathering my thoughts a moment, trying to best figure out how to explain the limited information I had. "Is there someone on the police force with the last name Swan?"
"Yes, the Chief. He's a good man. Charlie does his best for this town. Some even say he is the best Chief Forks has ever had. Why do you ask?"
I cringed at his matter of fact voice. "He has a daughter, right? Named Isabella."
"I think I have heard him mention her before. I heard him say she has some sort of mental instability or something. I don't know the specifics. You still haven't told me the why, son."
"There is nothing mentally instable about her. She is one of my students. Someone is hurting her, badly. I don't know what to do. I can't leave it alone, and I shouldn't."
"Why has no one done anything before this?" He asked.
"No one notices her. I don't know how she does it, but she has managed to make herself all but invisible to everyone. Even the other teachers can't remember her name. "
"Maybe a defense mechanism; hiding to protect oneself from further harm. What kind of injuries have you noticed?"
"I don't know exactly, but she has been limping a lot, I think she is being starved, and she came in with a black eye and a split lip today. She fainted a few days ago. I gave her a ride home today, and when I put her seatbelt on, it seemed to cause her a lot of pain. "
"And no one has noticed?" Carlisle asked in disbelief.
"No one that I have noticed."
"Do you have any idea who may be hurting her?"
"Her father. Chief Swan." I spat his name, it leaving a bad taste in my mouth.
"Are you sure? I mean, Chief Swan? He's always been good to the people of Forks."
"I don't know for sure, but I think so. It would make sense with what she said."
"So she told you all of this."
"Kind of, in a way." I sighed, and relayed the conversation to him.
After a few minutes of thoughtful silence Carlisle finally spoke. "This is a tricky situation. She's right. It won't be easy, especially since he has made her out to be mentally ill to everyone. If we take steps to get him arrested, obviously he will know she told someone. I am afraid what he may do to her at that point. "
"So there's nothing we can do?!" I asked, feeling like a lead weight had dropped into my stomach.
"I didn't say that. But this won't be easy. Getting him arrested is not a guarantee. We have to be discreet, he can't know anything. You will only be endangering her life if you act in haste."
"Her life is already in danger." I said through gritted teeth.
"Let's start with what we can do definitely. Find a way to get her here. I want to do an exam, and treat what I can. Also, it could go as evidence. We will go from there." He said with a note of finality.
"Alright. I will bring her there, as soon as I can." I said, relief washing over me that something was going to be done. Maybe we could help her.
"Just remember, don't do anything rash. I will talk to you soon." He said, before hanging up.
I put my phone down on the counter and sighed, running a hand through my hair, before going to my couch and sitting down. I was exhausted mentally. I certainly never thought I would be getting into a situation like this.
I closed my eyes, leaning my head against the back of the couch, and saw her tortured chocolate brown eyes. "I'm not worth it." She had said. I didn't understand how she could think that. Everyone deserved to be safe, happy. It physically hurt to think that she thought so little of herself.
Even as physically broken as she was, she was absolutely beautiful. I felt a connection the first time I talked to her. That obviously wasn't why I was doing this though. I could never act on that connection. It would be wrong. She was still only sixteen or seventeen. She was still a child. I was her teacher. I would need to keep reminding myself of that. I could not cross that line, especially if I wanted to help her.
I would help her. There was no other option. I would make sure Bella Swan was safe, no matter what.
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