Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns everything Twilight related. No copyright infringement is intended and there is no financial gain by myself in this story. The original characters, plot, and setting are the property of the author, NTJB. Please do not reproduce this story without the express permission of the author.
Reader discretion is advised: for adult situations, language, sexual content, drug reference.
Chapter 6- Salvation
He was just as sweet as I remembered, covering my bare shivering shoulders in a warm terry-cloth robe. It was indigo blue with ten ducks on it. Not my favorite bird at all but nude beggars can't be choosers.
"Bella, you look well today. Are you ready for your session?"
"Yes," I blushed. His hand on the small of my back sent shivers up my spine. He led me to a cushioned seat and pushed it in for me like a gentleman. Dr. Cullen was always so gracious. Emmett used to do the same for me no matter where we were. Edward did, too. Edward did everything right, in fact. Dr. Cullen had taught his sons well.
As he sat down across from me, I looked down at the table in awe. There was a gigantic puzzle with moving pictures on each piece. It was in disarray, with some pieces on the floor. Some of them were as black as night, with turbulent wind gusts swirling. Others were bright yellow and fluffy. I stroked one of those, catching Dr. Cullen's eye. He grinned, resting his chin on his folded hands.
"I have never seen a puzzle like this before. Where did you get it?" I asked him.
"You."
"What? How?" I sat back, totally confused. I had never seen the puzzle before in my life.
"This is the answer to all of your problems: the drugs, the men, the sex. By solving this puzzle, you will find your way out."
He had said something very similar a long time ago. But back then, the puzzle was more complex and took a year of therapy. I did not like what I had found, back then. There had to be another solution.
It looked like it would take hours— maybe even a day— to put it back together. But Dr. Cullen kept smiling, as if he knew what it was already.
"Why won't you just tell me what it is so that I can solve it?"
"You know what it is, Bella. You've known all this time."
My heart sank. "No. It can't be."
"Yes, look. See? It's already forming."
The pieces began moving on their own, congealing as if they were all made of liquid metal.
"Stop it! Stop moving!"
The puzzle followed my command like I thought it would, but I had a feeling it was only temporary. Whenever it would start up again, I just had to be as far away from it as possible.
I stood up, backing away toward the door. "You can't expect me to believe there's only one way out of this. There are always choices. Life is about choices."
"That's right, Bella," Dr. Cullen said from behind me. I jumped, turning around to face him. He pushed my hair off my shoulder, whispering, "And you chose wrong that day, didn't you?"
"I couldn't carry him," I said, slapping his hands away. "What the fuck was I supposed to do, transport him? I didn't have enough power back then."
Dr. Cullen stood with his arms akimbo, tapping his loafers on the lush beige carpet. "That's Edward talking. I know you two have spoken about this a lot. He's told me about it. But that's not how you feel. You feel just as responsible for your young friend's death as you do your mother's."
"Don't you dare bring my mother into this. She has nothing to do with it!"
"Oh, but doesn't she?" Dr. Cullen sighed walking up to me. He held my face in his hands so that we were inches apart. I refused to look into his eyes, staring out the window instead. The infinite fantasy was right outside those sunny windows.
"Bella, look at me."
"No! And we are not going to discuss my mother. And she is not the answer to my problems." I crossed my arms, livid that he would bring this up again.
"Bella, look at me," Dr. Cullen whispered softer this time.
"Dr. Cullen, I just need Edward-"
"Look at me."
I grimaced, shutting my eyes, about to wish him away. But I could not use magic to get out of this. It was my mother's rule. He was trying to help me, not hurt me.
When I opened my eyes, Dr. Cullen was at his seat again. The room was dark and chilly. The puzzle was still on the table.
"Bella, Edward cannot help you here. Only you know the way. Come on now, sit. The puzzle is nearly solved."
I grumbled, holding the robe closer around my body. I could never say no to Dr. Cullen. He was the first man in my life I had trusted. I used to love him with all my heart, no matter how much I tried to fight it. But it took falling in love with Edward for me to see that what I felt for Dr. Cullen was gratitude, not love.
I plopped down in front of him propping my elbows up on the table and cupping my face with my hands.
"Fine, let's see who it is so I can go back home to Edward."
Dr. Cullen's forehead furrowed with worry.
"What? What is it?"
But before he could answer, the last piece of the puzzle came together. I groaned.
"What the fuck, Dr. Cullen? Fuck you! This is such bullshit!"
"Look into your old friend's eyes and you will see the path to your salvation."
"My salvation? I don't need to be saved! I need Edward, OK? Not him!"
Dr. Cullen shook his head, then stood up. Walking toward me, a vivid memory flashed across my mind. Even though it happened twenty years ago, it felt like it was yesterday.
"Oh God."
"That's right, Bella. All these years, you wanted to know why you are the way you are and now you know. Now, you see: it's because of Jacob."
A/N Well damn, Jacob Black has entered the building. But wasn't Dr. Cullen nice? Awwww.
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