I am still in shock... I never thought I'd get all those reviews for just one chapter! Wow... I'm just going to stop writing this author's note now cause I'm just so lost for words... WOW!
"Missed me, Bella?" he asked mockingly, raising one eyebrow.
I couldn't breathe. How had he found me here? I began to hyperventilate, and I tried to breathe normally, but I couldn't. Phil. Was. Here. He was here, and I was going to die because I had no one to help me.
But I couldn't help but feel glad that Charlie had gone fishing. At least he was safe, if I wasn't. Because Phil was young, and Charlie was older. Charlie would never stand a chance against Phil. At least my father was okay. Of course, he would be overcome with grief when he found out that I was dead, but he would still be alive. I breathed easier, knowing this fact.
"Aren't you going to invite me in?" asked Phil, still mocking me. He had a teasing smile on his face, as if he enjoyed causing me terror. Which he probably did.
I couldn't move, let alone say something. But then a soothing thought came to me: I could be with my mom. I would see Renee again. Phil frowned, and I knew it was because he was wondering why my lips were curving upwards into a smile. I knew I was crazy; I couldn't help it. This new idea was irresistible.
"Hmm... you're not afraid?" asked Phil, who was frowning now. "That's a first."
Then I felt a stab of anger. My mother would have been scared. Very scared. And he would have laughed while he killed her. She would have cried out in pain many times, which would've made him laugh harder. I felt a sudden urge to cause him as much pain as possible. He seemed to grow tired of teasing me, because he suddenly grabbed my arm and twisted it. I screamed in pain. He then forced me back into the house, coming in himself and closing the door behind him.
He threw me against a wall roughly. I stifled my scream this time, not wanting to show weakness. "You're going to die, Bella," he said quietly. "I'm going to kill you just like I killed your mother. First, I did this." He stomped on my hand hard with his foot. I couldn't help myself; I screamed. "Funny... that's exactly what she said!" he laughed.
I began to feel very weak. I was losing blood fast and I was feeling dizzy.
"Oh, no, don't faint yet! I haven't had all my fun!" whined Phil. He stomped down on my other hand, causing me to lose even more blood. I cried out in terror and pain. He laughed even harder than before. He grabbed my leg and twisted it around. I heard a crack; it had broken. If he had been laughing hard before, it was nothing compared to him now. He was practically shaking with mirth. "I've been waiting a long time to do this, Bella," he informed me.
"I broke into your house after you'd left and I found out your father's address in your address book. Your mom had mentioned him during our date, and I figured that's where you would be. I needed to wait until the right time to get to you. You were always with someone. In school, you were surrounded by your friends, and at home, your father was always there.
"But I saw him go out this morning carrying fishing equipment. I knew he wouldn't be back for a long time, so I decided that I would strike while he was gone. I would have come in faster if it weren't for the boy." He spoke the last part with a growl.
"That boy was hanging around your house for a long time and just wouldn't leave. Do you know him?" he asked me suddenly. "He had long black hair and he looked like he was an American Indian."
Jacob. I wouldn't say I knew him, of course. No need to put my friend in danger. Not that I would've been able to talk anyway. I could barely breathe.
"Well, I guess it doesn't matter now," said Phil. "I'm going to kill you in a few moments, so it doesn't matter."
He advanced toward me again, his movements slower than before. I knew he was going to savor the moment and cause me as much pain as possible. He wasn't going to just let me die quickly.
Just before he was going to strike, he fell over. My eyes widened in surprise. How could he have fallen over? I blinked, and then Phil was gone. I heard screams coming from a distance.
Then, I couldn't take it anymore, and I blacked out.
***
I opened my eyes. It took a few seconds for my eyes to adjust to the bright lights in the place I was in. When I could see clearly, I recognized my surroundings. I was in a hospital room. I had been here many times due to my hopeless clumsiness.
"Bella!" exclaimed a very relieved voice that I soon recognized as Charlie's. "Call the doctor, Jake. She's awake!"
Jake was here too? I heard the door open and then close again. As I closed my eyes again, I remembered what had happeneed to me. Phil had tried to kill me. And then he had mysteriously been stopped by something. But what? I could feel my curiosity coming back to me. My burning desire to know smothered all of my other feelings.
The door opened again, and someone came in and said, "Great, she's awake. Don't worry Charlie, she'll be fine."
This voice was unfamiliar to me. It was probably the doctor. I tried to sit up so that I could tell Charlie that I was fine, but the doctor put a hand on my shoulder. "Just make sure she relaxes for a long time," he said firmly. I sighed and lay back down.
"Bella, honey? Are you okay?" asked Charlie, still worried.
"Yeah," I said. My voice was unnaturally croaky. I tried to clear my throat, which was hurting bad.
"Is she okay, Doctor Cullen?" Charlie asked the doctor, obviously not satisfied with my answer.
Cullen. Edward Cullen. This must be Doctor Carlisle Cullen, Edward's father.
"Yes, she'll be fine, Charlie," replied Doctor Cullen, a little wearily, as if he had been asked that question a lot.
"Are you sure?" asked a voice that I recognized as Jacob's.
"Yes, Jacob," Doctor Cullen assured him. "She'll have to stay in here a few more days, and then you can take her home. She'll have to use crutches since her right leg is broken, though."
"And her arms?" asked Charlie cautiously.
"Her arms aren't broken," said Doctor Cullen. "Don't worry," he added, probably for Charlie's sake.
I began to feel very drowsy. Doctor Cullen must have somehow given me painkillers without me noticing. Good thing, too because I hated getting them.
Charlie asked the doctor something else, but I didn't hear him because I was already asleep.
That last part in which Bella was in the hospital was just to assure you guys that Bella is okay. Plus, I thought it wasn't fair to give you another cliffhanger since you had such a big one for the last chapter.
I knew I said not expect updates everyday, but you guys surprised so much with your enormous number of reviews. For some reason, I started to laugh hysterically when I saw your reviews. It must be impending paranoia.
I'm sorry Edward wasn't in this chapter. Initially, I had decided to have him in here but I decided against it because I didn't think it was necessary. But don't worry, there'll be lots of Edward and Jacob in the next chapter!
Review! :)