"And he just came up and tried to lift the front of my shirt up"
"What did you do? Did you try call for help or try to fight him off?" the officer asked
"I tried to scream but he covered my mouth…so I kicked him"
"No one saw you or tried to help?"
"Not that I could see. It was raining out and the gas station was empty. It could have looked like we were just talking" I shrugged, not liking the memory
"Do you remember what the guy looked like?" he asked scribbling something in his notebook
"I didn't really get a good look at him" I looked towards the door, nervous that Edward was listening
He was home preparing my 'cell' or as he called it my room with Carlisle, the one thing I wasn't looking forward to. I didn't want him to know what happened.
"Anything at all can help…maybe he's done this before and someone else had pressed charges"
I nodded and tried my best to remember "He was old and had dark brown hair. He didn't look that strong but he was. He was… I don't know, just a big, old, and creepy man"
The officer pulled a card out of his pocket and handed it to me "Call me if you think of anything else. I'll be in touch if I have anymore questions"
"Thank you"
There was a knock on the door and I hurriedly stuffed the card into one of the magazines on the side table.
"Come in"
I was relieved when it was my mom who entered. Had it been Edward he would've sensed something was wrong.
"Hi, sweetheart" she gave me a kiss on the top of my head
"Hi mom" I smiled
She was helping me pack everything since they still didn't want me moving around. Plus Edward always wanted someone here with me. I told him that she would be here as soon as he left, when in reality I planned it so I would have about 30 minutes to talk to the officer.
"Who just left your room?"
"An officer was just dropping off some paperwork on my car"
She got right to work with packing up my things. She moved about the room quickly and I moved my bed back so I could get some more rest.
"Bella honey, do you want me to pack Edward's clothes up too?"
"No, he can do it when he gets back"
My fingers picked at the covering that was on my inner arm. All my wires were gone but the nasty holes on my arms had to be covered my bandages. My mom zipped the last bag and placed it on a chair by the door.
"I think that's everything" she placed her hands on her hips "Do you need anything else?"
"Nope" I smiled at her
She came over and gently placed a kiss on my forehead. I was so glad that she was able to come for a couple days. Edward hasn't hovered as much as he had been. I think with my mom being here he doesn't want to intrude.
I figured since my mom didn't know my condition that well, I could get away with walking around the room. I carefully swung my legs around the side of the bed and used the walker to help lift myself up. I slowly made my way over to the window and opened it slightly. I haven't actually felt the warmth of the sun in a long time or the cool breeze.
"I can't wait to get out of here" I whispered to myself
"Brace yourself honey"
I felt cold hands on my waist and I gasped slightly at the contact
"What are you doing up on your feet?" he asked
"Enjoying nature"
"Come on back to bed" he tugged lightly on my face to pull me away from the window "You got the okay to come home on bed rest, not to stroll around"
"I'm fine Edward" I moaned
"I know but last thing we need is for you to slip and fall making them keep you here longer"
"Sorry Edward" my mom laughed at his over protectiveness
He helped my get situated in bed again and folded up half the blankets I wasn't using before placing them by the door.
"It looks better in here" he commented looking around
"I packed away pretty much everything" she told him
I moved over on the bed and patted the space next to me. He smiled and slid in next to me. I reached over to intertwine my hand with his and leaned my head on his shoulder.
"Are you tired?"
"A little, but I just missed you…a lot"
He leaned down and placed a kiss on the top of my head. I pulled myself closer and closed my eyes. He laughed lightly
"You're allowed to sleep"
"I'm fine"
I moved to reach for the remote and flipped the station to comedy show. My mom quietly excused herself but she took some bags back to my house. They would just bring them over when I got back.
"How are you feeling?" he asked
"Ready to go home" I yawned closing my eyes
"Ready to go?" he asked smiling slightly
"More than ready" I laughed sitting up "How long was I asleep?"
"A while" Carlisle said coming into the room
He came over to the bed and lightly grasped my arms to help lift me from the bed. He checked all my charts again and asked a couple more questions. Edward slung a couple bags on his back once I was settled in the wheel chair.
"I'm so excited to go home"
"I'm excited to have you home" he leaned down to kiss me
Once we walked up to the car I immediately started panicking. I really didn't want to get in the car and that fear came back. But I thought if Edward knew how afraid I was then he might keep me here. Of course I should've known that he would sense my issue. He leaned down so only I would hear him.
"You're fine love, nothings going to happen"
"I'm fine" I assured him
I scooted in the back seat and Edward leaned down in front of me, placing his hand on my knee.
"You know that I'd protect you no matter what right?"
I nodded afraid to use my voice and he smiled kissing my forehead and he scooted in next to me.
"Okay then lay down
He guided my head down so I was lying in his lap. He shrugged out of his jacket to spread over me. I grabbed onto his hand in a death grip and squeezed my eyes shut
"Relax Bella"
We finally made it home after the long and stressful ride. It was dark out and I could see the stars cover the sky, yet I wasn't tired. Must've been that extra nap I took before we left. We pulled up to the house and all the lights were still on. Edward came around to my side and helped lift me out of the car, keeping a firm hold on my waist.
I was ushered into the house and forced to sit on the couch while Carlisle finished getting the room ready for me to be prisoner in.
"The rest of the family should be home shortly. They didn't want to hover on your first night home"
He grabbed a blanket out of the closet and draped it across my lap. I flipped the TV on and the news was the first thing that came on. My eyes were wide open with shock when I saw old footage of my beaten up truck on the screen.
"Edward why am I on the news?"
"What are you taking about?" he asked handing me some water
"Look" I pointed towards the TV
"I'm live here in Forks where an accident occurred behind me about a week ago. We have got more information on what caused the accident and statements from the victim's family"
"Victim?" I was really confused
Edward sat down next to me, intently watching the screen. He must've known about this because he completely ignored me.
"As we had reported before, 27 year old Josh Williams was killed instantly after a brutal car crash that landed a young female in the hospital"
I couldn't believe what was hearing, I killed someone. I started shaking and Edward reached over to comfort me.
"I killed someone"
"No, Bella no" he kissed the top of my head "It was just an accident"
"Edward, I killed a human being" I cried
Because I wasn't paying attention, I cost someone their life. Their hopes and dreams, someone lost a son, a brother, and maybe even a father. Edward pulled me to him and the next thing I heard pulled me out of my thoughts.
"William's mother was in tears when talking about her son's death"
A small blond haired lady was crying into –I assumed her husband's shoulder. I braced myself for what she was about hear.
"This was a terrible accident and this just proves that something needs to be done for the way teens drive. My son was a very successful young man and he had a lot going for him. We will miss him dearly and I hope this gets everyone's attention on the recklessness of driver's. He will not be forgotten"
It then flipped to news reporter standing outside the gas station.
"A service will be held for the victim on this coming Thursday. Right behind me here is where the accident occurred. New information has come in that an arrest has been made on this man, 45 year old George Cyrus, who allegedly attacked the young female causing the collision. No word yet on her condition"
"Bella"
I shrunk into the corner; by that tone of voice I knew he was really mad. I really should have thought this out better. I knew he would find out eventually but I didn't think it'd be all over the news.
"Cyrus was known for attacking and then raping 16 year old Anna Smith of Seattle last month"
The power on the TV cut off and it was dead silence for what seemed like hours. I wiped a couple tears that I didn't even know had fallen.
"Edward"
He got up from the couch and started pacing the length of the living room.
"Why the hell didn't you tell me?" he yelled "That's a pretty serious thing Bella. Some old bastard tried to rape you and you didn't feel the need to tell me?"
"I didn't want you to freak out like you are now" I cried standing up shakily
Esme and Carlisle walked into the room, obviously hearing our argument.
"Of course I'm freaking out. Someone tried to touch you in the worst way"
"Nothing happened" I tried to reason
"Bella did you forget that you were in a damn car accident, of course something happened"
"I meant with that guy" I yelled back, my head getting all fuzzy
"He should count his blessings that the police found him first" he hissed
"Edward!" I gasped
"I never should have let you go see Jacob, none of this would've have happened" he argued back
"Don't you dare bring Jacob into this. It's not his fault I almost got raped- which I hit the guy by the way-, or that I got into the damn accident, and it's not his fault you have insecurities"
At that point Esme and Carlisle rushed over to calm us down. My face was beet red and I felt dizzy.
"Calm down dear, take a deep breath"
"My head hurts" I whined
I placed my hand on my head and she helped me lay down on the couch. She rubbed my arms trying to get my heart rate back down. Carlisle was whispering something to Edward and he looked at me panicked before pushing away from his father.
"What hurts?" his hands hovered over me
I just closed my eyes and didn't answer him.
"You guys need to stop all this arguing. Last thing she needs is to end back up in the hospital on stress" Esme asserted
He laid his head next to mine and quietly ran his cold fingers up and down my arms. My eyes remained closed; I hoped he would just leave this conversation for another day.
"Son, just let her rest right now and try not to get her heart rate up" I heard Carlisle say before leaving the room.
"I'm so sorry love" I felt him place his hand on my heart and listen for a minute before sighing "I didn't mean to get you worked up"
"I don't like when you're mad at me"
"I'm not mad at you, I'm just mad that something like this can happen to someone as loving and caring ad you"
"I fought him off Edward, I'm not helpless"
"And believe me Bella; I'm so happy that you did. I don't know what I would've done if that guy actually hurt you more then he did. I just wish that it wasn't needed to fight him off"
"I'm sorry I played the Jacob card on you" I whined
"I'm sorry I let it get to that"
"I'm sorry…"
"Hey, no more apologizing from you" he interrupted "Let's just concentrate on getting you better"
