Chapter 11
Carlisle POV
Jasper left a bit over 3 months ago and I think everyone could see how it affected the family.
Rosalie, who had come out of her shell so much these last few months had now started to slowly crawl back in there. She almost completely stopped talking except yelling at Edward. Sometimes she would talk to Emmett in his room but never to me or Esme.
Alice was the same in her own way. Although she still talked to us her siblings she seemed to have almost completely lost her bubbly personality. She was a lot quieter.
The rest of my children didn't seem like they were affected much by Jasper's disappearance but Emmett sometimes whined about how he missed Jasper's jokes when they played video games.
And Edward, he finally noticed how much good Jasper had brought to the family. He apologized over and over again to Rosalie but of course she had none of it.
Even Bella missed Jasper and she barely knew him.
All of us barely knew him, Rosalie included. We didn't have the time to get to know him.
I was too quick to trust Edward's judgment and that eventually drove Jasper away. And that's something I would never forgive myself for.
Jasper never reached out again after that one phone call and no one ever picked up when we tried to call.
I tried to call Charlotte again a few times but she too never picked up.
I didn't have much of a choice but to trust Jasper when he told me that he was fine.
The way he talked about himself, how he thought that he didn't fit in and that he had to leave. None of that was true and the fact that Jasper obviously thought it was troubled me deeply.
I also thought that Rosalie was upset with me for not keeping my promise to bring her brother back. She probably thought I had given up.
I didn't. I just didn't know what to do next. I talked to the police, I filed a missing person report and I was at the end of my wits.
I sighed and shook my head in an attempt to focus on the paperwork in front of me. I had trouble concentrating lately.
Someone gently knocked on my door and Esme stuck her head through the door.
"I just wanted to check if you need anything.", she said and smiled gently at me. I smiled back and motioned her to come inside. I pulled her onto my lap and lay my head on her shoulder. I felt her chuckle softly and she started playing with my hair.
For a few moments I allowed myself to get lost in the feeling of her fingers running through my hair and over my scalp. But all too soon I pulled my head back.
"Thank you! That's all I need.", I smiled and kissed her gently.
"Have you heard anything from Jasper?", she asked me quietly. I shook my head.
"The police is looking for him but so far they have nothing. Jasper's smart. He doesn't want to be found so he won't draw attention to him.", I said defeated. "Esme, I don't know what to do! I really want to bring him home, not just because I have to keep my promise to Rosalie but because I really miss him!"
"We all do!", Esme said quietly and gently touched my cheek. "Maybe he'll call soon."
I smiled at her.
"Well, you have to go back to work and I have to prepare dinner!", she cheered and got back to her feet. She kissed my cheek and went back downstairs.
I sighed and once again tried to focus on my work.
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It was two weeks later when there was finally news.
My phone rang while the children, Esme and me all sat in the living room watching a movie together. It was a forced event, a desperate try to have some quality time together. It was Esme's idea and that's probably the reason none of the kids said no.
I quickly excused myself and went into the kitchen to pick up.
"Hello?"
"Dr. Cullen?"
"Charlotte!? Is that you?", I asked hopefully.
"Yeah. Dr. Cullen I think we need your help!", Charlotte said in a worried voice. I felt my stomach drop. I signaled Edward to pause the movie as I walked back into the living room. I immediately had all eyes on me.
"Ok Charlotte, from the top please. What's wrong?", I asked her calmly. Rosalie's eyes widened when I said Charlotte's name. She looked at Alice who had a similar expression on her face.
"Well, when you first came by I told you that Peter had made the wrong kind of friends, remember? And that Jasper isn't as strong as he seems."
"Yes.", I said as I could feel dread building up inside of me.
"Yeah well, when Jim beat him up so badly he was in so much pain and he didn't want to go to the hospital but then James said he could help him and I didn't want him to suffer any longer so I agreed and I really didn't think it would be a problem. Peter doesn't trust you but even he can see that Jasper has a problem and I said that you may be able to help but he doesn't trust you but I called anyway. I'm sorry if...", she rambled without pausing to breathe.
"Charlotte!", I interrupted her. "What's wrong?" I tried to sound calm but I wasn't sure if I managed it convincingly.
"I think Jasper has started taking drugs.", she whispered. I closed my eyes in defeat.
"What kind of drugs, Charlotte?", I asked dreading the answer.
"I don't know. I don't know much about drugs but James gave him morphine when he was hurt. I don't know if it's still that or something else.", she admitted. "I'm sorry. I should have called you sooner!"
"It's not your fault! I'm glad you called me now. Where is he now? I need to see him to know how bad it really is."
"What's bad!?", Rosalie asked standing next to me.
"I'll text you the address! Thank you so much!", Charlotte said and hung up.
"I'm going back to Aberdeen!", I announced.
"I'm coming with you!", Rosalie immediately said but I shook my head.
"No, I don't think that's a good idea." She wanted to protest but I put my hand on her shoulder gently before she could talk. "I need you to prepare Jasper's room again. I hope I can take him home."
"Do you want me to come?", Esme asked.
"No, I think it's best I go alone. By what Charlotte told me, Jasper isn't in the best state at the moment. I don't want you to see that."
"What happened?", Rosalie demand.
"I'll tell you when he's back, ok?" I gently squeezed her shoulder. She nodded eventually but obviously wasn't happy with it.
"I'll call you when I'm on my way back!", I said and went to get my emergency bag just in case.
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The address Charlotte gave me was an old building in a more industrial part of town. It desperately needed some work done.
I parked the car a few blocks away and texted Charlotte that I would be there in 5 minutes.
I didn't dare ringing on the doorbell, after all I had no idea who else was inside. It was in the middle of the night but still I could hear music coming out of the house.
I kept my distance and waited for Charlotte to come outside. It took her a few minutes but eventually the front door opened.
"Dr. Cullen?", she whispered and closed the door behind her.
"I'm here!", I said.
"Thank you for coming! I hope I'm not bothering you."
"No not at all! Thank you for calling!", I said. "Where's Jasper?"
"He's inside with Peter. James and some of his friends have a party going on and I don't know when they're leaving.", she said apologetically. I nodded.
"It's fine. You can fill me in on what happened in the meantime."
Charlotte told me about what had happened in every little detail. She told me how Jasper had protected her and Peter from Jim and how he payed for that. She told me how he refused to go to a hospital and how she had to patch him up.
Honestly, I was impressed. Charlotte seemed to be very skilled in that area.
"Have you ever thought about becoming a doctor or a nurse?", I asked her. She laughed dryly and shook her head.
"I always wanted to become a surgeon when I was a kid but when you grow up in the foster system you soon learn to dream of more realistic things.", she said.
"There are programs to get you into medical school. I'm sure you could make it!", I objected but she just shook her head.
"I don't think so. Not after dropping out of school and running away. No, it's a pipe dream."
I wanted to say something but her phone started buzzing. She quickly read the text message.
"Peter is asking where I am. I better get back.", she informed me. "How are we going to do this?"
"Well I think it would be best to wait until the party in there..." I pointed at the house. "... is over. I don't want to run in any of James' customers."
"I will call you once their gone, ok?", she said and after I nodded Charlotte went back inside.
I waited for another hour our two in my car and it was getting harder to stay awake. I should have taken coffee with me when I left Forks. I increased the volume of my phone so I would definitely hear it if it rang.
My eyes must have slipped closed at one moment because my loud ringtone startled me.
"Charlotte?"
"James and his guests left. We're alone.", she said quickly and hung up again.
I stretched my legs outside and yawned before walking towards the house. I left the emergency bag in the car since Charlotte didn't say anything on that matter.
She opened the door for me and ushered me inside immediately closing it again. There was a young man standing behind her eyeing me with distrust.
"Peter, right?", I assumed and offered him my hand. He just looked at it and then back at me.
"I just want to tell you that I don't trust you.", he hissed.
"Yes thank you, Peter. You've made that quite clear.", Charlotte said and rolled her eyes.
"I don't get it! Why do you trust him so much? If he and his family were so great then why is Jasper upstairs high as a fucking kite?", he asked her and my heart clenched. He's what?
"You don't have to like me! But I think I would be able to help Jasper. You have to understand that we never wanted him to leave. And we have tried everything we could to bring him back home. No one blamed him for what happened.", I explained to Peter in a calm voice. He snorted.
"Yeah? What about Edward?", he asked dryly.
"Edward has since noticed his mistakes and would very much like to apologize.", I said. "But I'm not here to discuss my family with you, no offense. I'm here because Charlotte is worried. Now if you two are as close as it seems you should trust her judgment more. I know that you probably just want to protect your family but Jasper is part of my family as well."
Peter didn't say anything for a while but only stared at me.
"He's upstairs.", he said eventually, squeezed Charlotte's hand, turned around and walked into what I assumed was the living room.
"I'll take you upstairs.", Charlotte said and I followed her up the stairs. "At first Jasper and Peter shared a room but once I moved in as well Jasper moved upstairs into the attic. I hardly ever go up there, to be honest. Jasper doesn't talk to any of us a lot anymore. He just spends his time in his room.", she explained to me while we walked upstairs. I just nodded.
Charlotte stopped in front of the door to what I assumed was Jasper's room and knocked gently. She stuck her head through the door.
"Jasper?", she called quietly. "Are you awake?" No one answered.
Charlotte sighed and fully opened the door. I followed her into the room and sighed.
I had hoped that I had worried unnecessarily. But I hadn't.
Jasper lay on an old mattress seemingly in a deep sleep. His chest was moving way to slow for my liking.
Besides the mattress there wasn't much else in the room. There was a backpack in a corner with some clothes but no furniture.
On the floor next to the mattress were a candle, some smoked cigarettes and a bottle of pills. I tentatively picked it up and read the label.
I closed my eyes in defeat and sighed.
"Oh Jasper...", I mumbled.
I knelt down next to him to check his pulse but as soon my fingers touched his neck Jasper flinched and his eyes shot open.
He grabbed my wrist and stared at me with big frightened eyes for a second before he recognized me.
"Carlisle?", he asked with a frown.
"Hello Jasper.", I nodded awkwardly not knowing what to say. He sighed and pulled himself into a sitting position.
"What are you doing here?... Wait how did you even know where to find me?" He looked at Charlotte accusingly and she winced apologetically.
"Peter and I are worried Jasper! We tried to talk to you but you never let us. I didn't know what to do anymore.", she justified herself.
"Did you bring Rose?", Jasper asked me.
"No. I came alone.", I shook my head and he nodded. He slowly got to his feet, picked up the pills bottle and walked towards the open door. I stopped him by taking his wrist again and he turned around.
"What?", he glared at me. I was taken aback. The Jasper I knew was very careful to be polite, he ever snapped at any of us. Jasper sighed.
"Look, I appreciate it that you're worried. But I'm fine! So thanks for stopping by but I don't need any help.
"Then what's that in your hand?", Peter asked who had appeared in the door frame leaning against it. Jasper glared at him. "Remember when you judged me for occasionally joining James when he had fun downstairs."
"I remember.", Jasper hissed. "And I also remember you calling me a hypocrite at the time. Who's the hypocrite now?" Peter's eyes narrowed but before he could say anything I stopped him.
"Jasper, please. We all miss you, especially Rosalie! Please let me take you home. We can work all of this out together. I can help you.", I said in a calm and gentle voice.
"I don't need help! Now, if you don't mind I'll go and take a shower!", he said and promptly stormed off.
"That went well.", Peter mumbled.
A/N: Thanks for reading. Please leave a review and tell me what you think. See you next time!
