Chapter 11 – RPOV
As I looked out of the window of this fourth floor hotel room I wondered how all those people on the streets below could walk around as though nothing was wrong. They were oblivious to the fact that whilst their lives had carried on as normal, tragedy had struck my own. It made me think how many people out there must be suffering some sort of tragedy that no-one in the world knows about. How many news stories would there be if all our tragedies were broadcast? Yet people were still unaware of the dangers that this world possesses. Who would have thought that my husband would take my child away from me? And who would have thought that I could throw away the love of my life...
My family had been kind enough not to question me when I'd arrived at the hotel late last night with a bag of clothes and swollen eyes. Instead they led me to a room and left me alone which was what I wanted, though my Mother did come and sit with me as I tried to sleep. I knew that Emmett would never forgive me again; however, my family did keep trying to reassure me that he would come around with time. Somehow I knew better, and I realised that what I had said went deeper than just hurt.
"Rose, darling, do you want to go into work today because if not I'll call you in sick," my Mother asked as she came in to make my bed.
"No I'll go; I need to take my mind off this," I told her and went to brush my teeth.
"Darling are you sure you're alright?" she said as I let her brush my hair.
"No, I'm not alright and I won't ever be until I have my Bella back. But I need to stay strong and not just fall to pieces as I see so many of my clients do when they come in trying to gain custody," I explained and she smiled understandingly.
"I'll leave you to get dressed, then your Father said he'd drop you off before he goes to meet Milena Smith whom I believe is the social worker assigned to this case," she said and left me once more.
I got dressed and ready; fooling even myself with the appearance of calm, though that was far from the reality. Meeting my Daddy in the lobby we went down to his car as put his arm around my waist and pulled me close to him.
"It'll be aright Rose, I promise I'm doing everything," he whispered and I leant my head against his shoulder briefly before climbing in the passenger seat.
"Daddy when you go and see Milena today please be nice to her as she did nothing wrong and has always wanted to help us," I told him and he smiled at me.
"Of course I'll be nice sweetheart: you've told me so much about her on the phone that I feel I almost know her," he replied and I gave a small smile.
Once at the office I felt slightly out of place. I could feel the people looking at me; judging me because here I was, a Child and Family Lawyer who had not managed to gain custody of her own daughter. It was ridiculous to be honest, but for me it was reality. That's why I had to ask my boss Phil if he would represent me in court because if anyone was better than I was it had to be him.
"Ahh, my sweet Rose-petal, what can I do for you today?" he asked as I entered his office.
"I need to ask you a favour," I replied and he smiled.
"Your wish is my command. Anything you want within reason you can have, because to be perfectly honest you're the only person in this office who is of any use to anyone," he said and I rolled my eyes.
"Would you possibly represent me at my hearing to regain custody of my daughter?" I questioned him and he looked thoughtful.
"Yes," he answered after a pause, "I know that what happened was not your fault and I know how much you love that child. I wish my children were more like her, however they are not so I will help you with this."
"Well the first thing you need to know is that Royce threatened Bella with something to make him choose her," I explained and he gestured that I should continue, "The only reason he wanted her was to get back at me for leaving him in the first place, and I don't know what he intends to do with her. Nevertheless, he has previously physically abused both myself and my daughter, though the court is unaware of this. However, the only real evidence we have of that is from myself, Bella and Emmett who picked up on Bella being hurt. Unless...," here I broke off as the name I was searching for finally entered my brain.
"Vera," I whispered excitedly.
"Um, who?" Phil asked confused, "What you've just provided me with is a good basis for a case; however you know that without witnesses someone could accuse us of perjury."
"No you don't understand: Vera is Royce's sister. I've never met her, but he used to shout at me that I would end up like Vera did, mutilated for life, unless I did as he said, and whilst his parents were alive there was a huge painting of both Royce and Vera in the hall," I told him.
"Yes but Rose, do we have any information about this girl at all?" he questioned and I realised that without that my hopes were futile.
"Google her," I announced and he paused before doing so.
"Well, as you can see there are hundreds of people with that name, and I assume we have no idea where she lives," he said rather pessimistically.
"Yes, but if he did mutilate then she will have gone to hospital, and that hospital will have been near her home which would have been here in New York. That means that my Father can probably find some records of her somewhere," I gushed and he looked at me astounded.
"Well go and ring your Father then – don't dawdle," he instructed and I did in much better spirits than before.
BPOV
The aeroplane landed after a long time and I felt Daddy carry me out, though I still didn't know where I was. I didn't recognise this place at all, though there seemed to be snow everywhere and covering everything. None of the signs were in English but Daddy seemed to know where to go as he quickly walked out of some automatic doors onto the snow covered streets. There a black car waited, and after speaking in an odd language Daddy strapped me in and climbed in the other side.
"Daddy where are we?" I asked sleepily.
"Not now Isabella; I suggest you drink this and go back to sleep," he handed me a beaker full of some juice which I drank and almost instantaneously fell back asleep.
When I awoke again I was in a big bed covered with furry blankets and surrounded by cushions. I still didn't know where I was, but could hear my tummy rumbling so got up in search of it. After discovering that one of the many doors in this room led to a corridor I decided I'd find the kitchen then try and find Daddy.
I went out into the corridor and followed the way that looked the least scary until I found some stairs. Creeping down them, and trying not to trip I found a large kitchen area and heard my tummy rumble again as it spotted the food. I finally reached a banana and started to peal it before someone came and took it off me. Whoever it was picked me up, and realising it wasn't Daddy I started to scream loudly, hoping someone would hear me and rescue me, but the mystery kidnapper would not let go.
We ended up at a door which my kidnapper knocked on before entering and for the first time in my life I was relieved to see Daddy.
"Ahh, Isabella, what are you doing here?" he asked, obviously annoyed at being disturbed.
"I went to get a banana and got kidnapped," I explained but he just laughed, indicating for my kidnapper to retreat.
"Now don't be so dramatic. There's a car coming soon which will take you to your new school where you will board with other students whilst I do my work here," he told me.
"Where are we Daddy?" I asked.
"We're in Russia Isabella, but please leave me alone here," he replied, "In fact I think I hear the car so let's get you in and everything you need will be at the school for you."
"Daddy will I be all alone?"
"No, there will be other girls of your age and older, and I may visit if I have the time," he said as we left the study.
"But I'm only four, and you can't board at four can you?"
"Stop asking questions – it's not good for you. But this is a special school where you can board at four, and I'm spending a lot of money on it, so you'd better appreciate it."
"Of course I do Daddy," I said as he once again strapped me into a car before turning to go back into the house.
RPOV
After my Dad agreed to go and ask to look through the medical files at the hospital I finally settled down to my own work. I was starting to lose myself in it and forget what was really going on in my life: focusing more on what was going wrong in others when my phone rang.
I picked it up, not bothering to look at the caller ID to hear a voice I never thought I'd hear again.
"Rosalie," Emmett said and my heart melted at the sound of his voice, "Don't think I'm calling because I forgive you; I haven't quite gotten over you breaking my heart yet, but I just thought I'd ring to say that Bella hasn't come into school at all today."
My heart must have stopped as my breathing caught in my throat. This couldn't be happening. If that man had done anything to her I would never ever forgive him. I tried not to focus on the worst case scenarios, only on breathing.
"Rosalie are you there?"
"Yes, sorry but that has come as a shock. Thank-you for telling me, and I'll try the house and his mobile now," I said before softening, "I really am sorry about yesterday."
"Save it: this is not what this is about. I'm not ready to forgive you now, but I will do anything to help with Bella. I'm meeting with your brothers later today to see if we can do anything, but stay strong."
"I will: thank-you and good luck," I told him softly before putting down the phone and turning to Charlotte, "Cancel the rest of my appointments because my baby has gone missing and I need to find her."
She nodded and after telling me she'd do whatever was needed to help left me to make my calls. First up was Mr Royce King himself.
"I'm sorry but this number is no longer available," Came the automated voice and I slammed the phone down in frustration before typing in my old house number.
"Hello, this is Edna Patarky, may I ask who's calling?"Came the sneery voice of a woman I loathed.
"Edna, I know you hate me, but it's Rosalie Hale here and I just need to know if Bella's alright as she hasn't gone to school today," I said, putting on my friendliest voice.
"I'm not at a liberty to say – were you not present when the Judge said that only with permission could you visit," she sneered and I took a calming breath.
"This isn't a visit; it's serious. This is my daughter we're talking about and I just need to know that she's alright and then I'll leave you alone," I said as my voice cracked at the end, "Please."
"Alright, but you won't like it," she said in a resigned voice, "I woke up this morning to find both Roycey and Bella gone with no trace left. I don't know where they are, but they most certainly didn't take me."
I think it was the sulky attitude at the end that told me this woman wasn't lying: this was the truth. My ex-husband had upped and left with my daughter leaving a trail of people behind him.
"Thank-you Edna," I told her, "And if you want to come and see if you'd be any help in our investigation to find Royce please come join in."
"Maybe," she said sharply then put the phone down.
"Charlotte," I called through the door, "Could you get the Police on the line – I need to file a missing people report."
Later that day, after the Police had regrettably informed me that because I no longer had custody of my child that they were not permitted to count Bella as missing because her Father had taken her I went to see how my Father had done in the hospital. As you can imagine I was not a happy bunny, nevertheless, hopefully he would have some information of use and the private detectives hired had already started trying to work out where Royce had disappeared to.
"Rose sweetheart, come in and I'll show you what I've got," My Daddy told me as I arrived at his hotel room; I had told everyone about Edna and so my brothers were planning to make a visit there tonight though I had warned them not to be too scary because this woman could be of use, no matter how annoying she was.
I entered the room to see it was immaculately neat. That I put down to my Mother and smiled to myself before taking a seat on the bed.
"So darling, I went to the hospital and after extensive background checks they allowed me to see the records," he began and I nodded, "Apparently about twenty years ago there was a girl with that name who came in with extensive knife wounds and abuse marks. However, that would be no real use to you now. But, in that file was the record for someone called Vera French and I don't know whether it was misplaced, but this woman was admitted earlier this year to deliver a baby. That being said, there was an address, however, whether it is the same woman I don't know."
"Daddy this is perfect," I exclaimed and hugged him tightly, "I'll go see this woman and hope it is the right Vera. And if not we'll start again! Thank-you so much; this really is the first lead that's going anywhere."
"I'd do anything for you," he said softly as he kissed my hair, "I'd do anything for my baby girl."
BPOV
The car finally stopped at a big building that looked sort of like the castle in Sleeping Beauty, only it was more scary and brown. The driver opened my door and on the steps was a mean looking lady with pinched lips and an old persons black dress on. She came towards me and I shrank back slightly.
"You must be Isabella King," she said in a funny accent and I managed not to laugh.
"Bella please," I whispered but she gave me a firm look.
"In this school we call children by their Christian names, so you will be Isabella," she told me.
I nodded and followed her inside after she'd spoken to the driver in another language.
"Welcome to Madame Maldova's Institute for young ladies," she announced and I looked around in awe at all the old stuff everywhere, "Here we will teach you everything you need to know about becoming a proper lady. If you step out of line there will be punishments, and all the girls are here to be your friends; understood?"
"Yes Miss," I replied quietly.
"No, it is Madame to all the teaching staff," she corrected me before continuing, "You will have six lessons a day where you will learn all the conventional subjects as well as an hour of Latin and needlework once a week. Sports are on Wednesday afternoons and all years participate."
Most of this went over my four year old head, but I nodded anyway as I didn't think she'd like it if I asked questions. So instead I followed her up lots of flights of stairs to where the dormitories were located.
"Here we have the rooms for those children aged between three and seven, so you included. There are three other towers with different age groups located, however, you are not permitted to enter those without written permission from a member of staff," she said severely, "Many of our students are from foreign countries, nevertheless, unless in a language lesson you will be allowed only to speak in English at all times."
She paused here and opened a door. I didn't want to tell her I could only speak English, though Mama had taught me how to say hello in a few languages over the summer. Inside the door was a big open room where lots of children sat on sofas or the floor. They fell quiet as we entered and turned to look at us. Behind them was a large staircase which I supposed led to the bedrooms.
"Isabella, this is Madame Houston who is in charge of your tower. You will register with her at the beginning and end of each day, and if you have any problems she is your first point of contact," Madame said and a smiley fat lady walked over.
"Hello sweetheart," she said and I smiled timidly, "I'll take you up and show you your room. You'll be sharing with five other girls who are your age. Come let me introduce you."
We went over to a corner where five girls sat, reading books instead of playing as Emma and I would have. They stood up and one by one greeted me.
"I'm Lara, and I'm from Brazil," a tall girl with dark eyes, tanned skin and Pocahontas hair said.
"Sofia, and I come from Switzerland," a pale girl with bright green eyes and blonde hair announced.
"My name's Svetlana and I come from Russia," a small raven haired girl with sparkly blue eyes told me.
"I'm Annabelle and I'm English," a freckly girl with red hair and light blue eyes said smiling a gappy smile.
"And I'm Elodie, and France is where I'm from," the last girl who had blonde hair and dark blue eyes said.
"My name's Bel – Isabella," I said, correcting my mistake, "And I'm American."
"It's lovely to meet you," Lara said, "Do you want to come and read with us?"
"Now girls, Isabella has had a long journey so I will show her your room then I think we will put her to bed. You girls need to be in bed in five minutes anyway," she said, ruffling Elodie's hair.
""Yes Madame," they laughed and ran up the stairs.
"They're nice girls in your room," Madame Houston told me, "Now you'll sleep in this empty bed and this trunk here contains all you need. Your Father sent it over. Now is there anything you need?"
"I want my Mama," I whispered as I realised that she nor Mr Emmett nor anyone I loved would ever be able to find me here.
"It's okay: we're all one big family here and we'll look after you. The other girls miss their parents too so you can talk to them. I can ring your Father if you want," she offered.
"No, I want Mama," I told her.
"I'm afraid we don't have a number for her, though your Father did mention she was no longer with us you poor girl. That must be hard to have her die so young," she sympathised and I stared at her.
Daddy must have lied. He told me she'd be safe if I stayed with him, and I did but this lady was telling me she was dead. I couldn't believe my ears and collapsed on the bed in shock.
"Oh you poor thing, it must still be hard for you," she soothed.
"Mama is not dead," I shouted and she nodded sympathetically.
"Okay, okay, now you need to sleep and I'll bring you your lesson plan tomorrow," Madame Houston told me and tucked me into bed where I continued to lie there in shock, "Goodnight girls."
RPOV
Once again I couldn't sleep for fear of where my baby daughter was and what Royce had done to her. I needed to see Vera, and I needed to do it as soon as possible. So as soon as the time looked respectable I got dressed and thanked whoever it was up there that it was now the weekend before taking my car and driving to the address given to me by my Father. Taking a calming breath I got out of my car, looking at the small house in the suburbs with its perfect flowerbed and child friendly gate with a quiet jealousy before knocking on the door.
A woman came to the door dressed in a long sleeved jumper which had a high neck and jeans so that she showed no flesh apart from her face. She looked at me suspiciously for a minute then spoke.
"How can I help you?" she asked pointedly in a tired voice.
"Are you Vera French?" I questioned and she nodded.
"If you're here to sell me something then I'm not in the mood: I've been up with the baby all night," she said, explaining the tiredness.
"I'm not. I'm looking for Vera King, and I was wondering if it happened to be you," I said, deciding to get straight to the point.
"No, I'm sorry but I don't know anyone by that name," she said, though I noticed she had stiffened upon hearing that name.
"Please, don't lie to me: this is serious. If you were Vera King then I really need your help because your brother has got my daughter and you could be the only one who can help us," I explained and she paled.
"Well then, you'd better come in."
I hope you all enjoyed this: you can blame the Synchronised Swimming for Bella ending up in Russia! Please tell me what you think! Thank-you, XxX
