So Cold
Part IV
Author: Mrs Ronald Weasley
Rating: PG-13 for this part, NC-17 overall
Pairing/s: Edward/Bella
Category: Angst/Drama
Spoilers: Twilight
Warnings: Rape/Non-con
Summary: While the Cullen's are away Bella takes a trip down to Port Angeles and runs into someone she never wanted to see again.
A/N: This part was difficult for me to write, in short I think it's because when I was sixteen a close friend of mine was raped by a man she trusted. At the time I never really understood what she was going through, but I do now.
I lay, panting and crying uncontrollably on the ground in the alleyway. I knew I had to get out of here, knew that I couldn't stay here. I reached for my dumped purse, searching for my cell phone, still sobbing.
I stopped suddenly, my heart racing in my chest when I heard soft footsteps approaching. Fear clouded my senses when I realized that it wasn't Edward, he wouldn't be walking that slow.
Shaking wildly in pain and terror, I lifted my head when the footsteps stopped. The sight that greeted me sent me into a spiral of overwhelming horror; so much that my head began spinning. He was back, the man had returned. He stood a few feet away from me, a wicked grin on his face, and a loaded handgun pointed at my head.
"I'm sorry Isabella," he said, "but if you thought I was going to let you escape, you were seriously wrong."
I frantically tried to push myself to my feet, but his finger tightened on the trigger. Bang!
I screamed, my eyes shot open, my heart racing and my breathing erratic. "No!"
"Bella?!"
I collapsed into the stone arms that held me tightly as tears poured down my face. "Shh, shh," Carlisle soothed as he held me to his chest. "Everything's alright, you're safe. I won't let anyone hurt you."
I clawed at him desperately wanting the pain to go away. "Shh, it's only Edward," he said, stroking my hair.
I lifted my head from his chest. "Edward?" I croaked, turning around, my eyes frantically searching for him. He appeared in the doorway a second later; his golden eyes, wild, softened immediately when they met mine.
Edward moved slowly over to us, he sat down beside me. His eyes questioned me.
I turned in Carlisle's arms and he let go of me, I fell forward into Edward. He caught me and pulled me onto his lap. Crying once more I clung to him; he pulled me tighter to him and laid his head on my shoulder.
"I'm sorry Edward," I cried, gasping for breath through the sobs. "I'm so sorry."
"I know, I know," he muttered, his own sobs tearing through his chest. "And I'm sorry too, for leaving you." He lifted his head and kissed my forehead. "Shh, it's okay love," he murmured, rocking me back and forth in his arms. "You're safe now."
Somewhere, deep inside of me, I managed to find comfort in his words and I sucked in a few deep breaths, forcing myself to stop crying. When I finally did, I felt weak and my chest and throat hurt. I leaned faintly against him, completely numb.
"How bad is she?" Edward asked Carlisle after a few moments of silence.
"I gave her Demerol for the pain," he replied quietly. "I haven't examined her yet, she requested that we wait until you returned."
Edward nodded. He bent his head and his liquid ochre eyes met mine, he looked at me warily for a second. "Bella?" he asked gently.
My heart accelerated as I realized what he was asking me. I glanced at Carlisle, his gaze was apologetic. "I won't hurt you," Carlisle said, his eyes now sincere. I didn't reply, my fear keeping my brain from allowing my lips to form words. "Bella I know that you're scared, but I can't leave you untreated." His voice was suddenly pained and he frowned, "I won't."
Something swelled inside me at his words, nearly removing the fear, was it love? Whatever it was, it was enough. I nodded just once.
Carlisle smiled slightly. "Can you take her upstairs for me Edward?" he asked.
"Of course," Edward replied, as he stood. I closed my eyes when pain shot through me briefly. "I'm sorry love." He looked down at me apologetically before turning back to Carlisle. "Is there anywhere-?"
"Wherever Bella feels most comfortable," he replied. "I'll be up in a few minutes."
"Would you like me to walk?" Edward asked as he moved slowly towards the stairs.
I ached with every step he took. "No," I whispered, "run, please. I'll close my eyes." The smooth movement of his running was much less painful. He stopped after only what seemed like a second, setting me gently down on the bed in his room.
"Bella?" Edward asked suddenly.
"Yes?" I replied as he sat down beside me, taking his hands in mine.
Before he could answer, his cell phone rang, making me jump. He looked at me sadly before answering it. "Alice I know, I'm sorry," he said, "she's here now and she's safe." He flipped it shut as Carlisle appeared in the doorway.
"Alice?" Carlisle asked as he sat down the edge of the bed.
"Yes," Edward replied almost sorrowfully. "They're on their way home."
Carlisle nodded and then turned to me. "Are you comfortable enough here Bella?"
I nodded and he slipped off the bed. "Do you have an extra sheet Edward?" he asked.
"I do," Edward said moving over to his closet and pulling out a white sheet.
"Bella," Carlisle said, "I'll be right back. I need you to remove the shirt for me; you can use the sheet to cover up." He turned and left the room.
"Would you like me to leave as well?" Edward asked, setting the sheet down beside me.
"No," I whispered desperately. I didn't want to be left alone. "Stay please." I reached for him and he sat down beside me.
"I'll close my eyes," he said, as I leaned against his stone chest. I looked up and true to his word, his eyes drifted shut.
My hands were shaking so badly that I couldn't get the buttons undone. Giving up, I pulled it over my head instead, tossing it to the floor and pulling the sheet over myself. "Okay," I muttered as leaned back into him.
He opened his eyes and ran his hands soothingly up and down my arms. "Everything's going to be alright Bella," he whispered, reaching down to lift my chin. "I promise."
I wanted to believe him, I really did. But how could it? I'd been violated in the worse way possible. Nothing could possibly be the same ever again. The thought of this brought my pain back and I choked on my breath as the tears returned. I clutched at his shirt and bent my head, squeezing my eyes shut and inhaling his sweet scent. It seemed to calm me slightly.
I heard the sound of movement and looked up to see that Carlisle had returned. He set a stool down by the side of the bed, and plugged a small lamp into the wall socket nearest us. Carlisle switched it on and it illuminated the darkness.
Edward reached for a pillow behind us and shifted so that we were lying across the bed. "Can you lay on your back for me Bella?" Carlisle asked gently.
I obeyed, untangling myself from the sheet as I did so. Edward turned on his side and laid his head on my shoulder. "It'll be alright love," he whispered soothingly to me as he threaded our hands together.
Carlisle sat down the edge of the bed. "Okay?" he asked. I nodded and he reached for the top of the sheet and pulled it down to my waist. I would've blushed if I wasn't so ashamed of what I knew I looked like.
Carlisle didn't say anything though and I turned my head onto Edward's shoulder. I winced as he cleaned the bite mark on my collarbone. "You have bruising," he said. "But otherwise," he pushed gently on my ribs. "Nothing's broken."
He pulled the sheet back up and then sat down at the end of the bed. He looked at carefully, his eyes remorseful. "I'll work as fast as I can," Carlisle said softly, "but I don't have the proper instruments. If you feel uncomfortable at any time Bella, let me know."
I nodded, closing my eyes. Edward began to hum quietly, comfortingly. I felt the cool air as Carlisle lifted the sheet.
He let out a sigh and my heart accelerated suddenly. "Just relax Bella," Carlisle soothed, "I'll do this as quickly as possible."
I looked up at Edward. His eyes were fixed on Carlisle; I tried not to worry about what Carlisle was thinking.
I flinched suddenly when Carlisle did something that stung. "I'm sorry," he said. "I know it stings." I took deep breath, Edward's sweet scent filling my nose and I relaxed once more.
A few minutes passed, in which I was able to ignore what Carlisle was doing. I listened to Edward's steady, even breathing. "You're going to need some stitches," Carlisle said, reaching into his bag. I winced when he injected the anaesthetic, but was otherwise glad when the numbness took over and all I could feel was the gentle tugging.
"There," Carlisle said softly, standing and moving away from me. "I'm done Bella." He paused and regarded me for a moment. "I'm afraid that will have to go to the hospital. But," he added before my fear could return, "it'll only be for some standard tests. Nothing more, I assure you."
"Thank you Carlisle," I muttered. He smiled and nodded, leaning down to kiss the top of my head before gathering his things.
"You need to rest now Bella," he said as he moved towards the door. "You've been through a lot today."
"I know," I replied quietly as he left, closing the door behind him.
"Are you alright love?" Edward murmured.
"I'm tired," I muttered.
Edward wrapped his arms around me and pulled me onto my side. I rested my head against his chest. "Sleep Bella," he ordered, before he began humming my lullaby. I obeyed.
