Innocent Sins

A/N: I'm updating early again. I didn't want to drag this out too long and this was finished, so I decided to post it right away. Once again, I in no way, condone rape of any kind. This is a dark fictional story that isn't meant to offend anyone. Thanks.


~Chapter 12 – Into the Darkness~

BPOV

When I pulled up to Charlie's house, he must have heard my car because he came running out in a panic.

"Bella, are you okay sweetheart?" he said in a rush. Carlie looked at him like he was crazy.

"Dad, what's going on?" I asked concerned. I knew why I was upset, but I had no idea why he was all freaked out.

"Hey Carlie honey, go on inside. I set up all your paints in the kitchen and I'd love a big colorful picture to hang in my room."

"Okay grandpa," she said with a smile, and then skipped in the house. The moment she was out of sight, Charlie wrapped me in his arms and held me tightly.

I didn't know how he knew, but he did, and I started crying as he held me there.

"How did you find out?" I asked while I blubbered.

"Jake called."

"Jake?" I asked confused.

"Yeah, apparently Edward turned himself into the police department in Seattle and admitted that he was guilty. Jake works there now, so as soon as he heard, he called me."

"Edward's in jail?" I said emotionlessly.

"Yes baby, and that bastard will never hurt you again. I've heard of a lot of sick things in the past, but him getting you to date him like that…." Charlie couldn't finish his statement; he just shook his head and tried to fight back the tears. "I'm so sorry that I couldn't protect you from him. That son of a bitch sat in my living room and I watched baseball with him and…"

"Dad, this isn't your fault," I tried assuring him, but he wouldn't listen.

"Yes it is. I told you to go to Seattle, I told you to start dating again, this is my entire fault."

"I love you dad, and you didn't do anything wrong."

…..

I had no idea what to do with my life then, so Charlie suggested that I take some time off, and I actually agreed.

I put Carlie back in the Forks elementary school, but she hated it and missed her friends. Carlie kept asking about Edward and the Cullens until Charlie snapped one day and yelled at her. Charlie had never yelled at her before, so she took him extremely seriously and she didn't bring them back up again.

Two weeks later, Charlie seemed very irritated and when he came home from work one say, I noticed a definite change in him.

"Oh my god, dad? What happened to your hands?" I asked because his knuckles looked like he had beaten a brick wall.

"Don't worry about it honey. How was your day?" he asked distantly.

"Dad, I thought we were going to be honest with each other?" I said annoyed by his deflection.

"I didn't want to put you through anymore….Because the rape happened here, they moved him to the county prison here."

"Edward was moved here?" I asked in disbelief knowing he was only a few miles away, and then looked back at Charlie's fists. "What happened, to your hands?" I asked him again.

"I snapped. Bella I wanted to kill him. I wanted to beat him to death, but I was too weak and I couldn't do it. I couldn't even allow myself to kill the monster that hurt my baby. What kind of man am I?"

"The good kind. You're not a killer dad, no matter what he did." I said quietly, not sure how I was feeling about it.

"He just sat there and took it. He didn't try to hit me back or even protect himself. It just pissed me off even more, I wanted to fight him, but it was like beating a motionless punching bag."

"Are you going to get in trouble for this?" I asked, worried he'd lose his job.

"No. Sam's the only one who saw, and he's not going to say anything. Even if Edward presses charges, it'll just be his word against mine and Sam's."

I was relieved that Charlie wasn't going to get in trouble, but no matter how much I hated Edward, I still hated the idea of him being hurt even more. I knew it would take a while before I managed to get rid of my feelings for him altogether. It was like he was two different people. The disgusting monster who raped me, and the man I was still in love with. It was hard to combine him into the same person in my mind, and I still yearned for the happier times with him. I also thought about the Cullens a lot. I felt bad for breaking ties with them as well, because I knew how much they loved Carlie, but I knew I'd never be able to be around them without thinking about Edward.

A couple more weeks went by, but Carlie and I just never fully felt at home. The diner had been long rebuilt, so I got my old job there, because I really couldn't stand the idea of being a nurse again. I'd never be able to walk past a janitor's closet without thinking about Edward. I still ached for what I lost, and I had to keep reminding myself that it was all just a lie, but it was difficult and it hurt far worse than the rape itself.

Sue had gone back to babysitting Carlie after school, and since then, Carlie had been painting nothing but rainbows. I asked her why one day, and she said that they reminded her of Edward, so I didn't ask her that question again.

I hated the diner. The smell of the fryer would seep into my pores and even after I showered, I still felt greasy.

After my shift was over one evening, I went to bring Charlie some dinner, because though I hated diner food, he absolutely loved it.

"Hey, I knew you were working late tonight, so I thought I'd bring you some food," I said to him.

"Thanks honey," he said with a smile. Charlie had been doing mostly office work at the station lately, and he avoided going to the county jail as much as possible.

"So any leads on the missing person's case?" I asked knowing he was stressed about it. A young woman had gone missing in the next town over, so Charlie was helping as much as possible.

"No, it's like she just disappeared."

"That's awful," I said.

I heard the door open behind me, and the rush of the cold air sent chills down my spine.

"What the hell?" Charlie said quietly as whoever came through the door walked closer.

"Good evening Chief Swan, it's been a long time," his slithering voice said. I started shaking the moment I saw him, and reflexively I backed up.

"You don't have any business here Aaron, if you want to visit your son, go to the county jail," Charlie said bitterly to him.

"Now, now, now; there's no need to be rude. I'm actually here to see you, my old friend."

"We were never friends, so tell me what the hell you want so you can leave."

"I want what you want, what every good parent wants. I want my son back home with me."

"What the hell did you just say?" Charlie asked incredulously.

"I think you heard me."

"Do you even know what he was arrested for?" Charlie asked him.

"Of course I know, I know everything."

"Then how could you come in here and ask me to release my daughter's rapist; especially with her standing right here."

"I have been waiting for the perfect time to come offer you my deal, and this was it. Beautiful Isabella needs to be present for this," Aaron said evilly.

"What the hell are you going on about?" Charlie asked him.

"If you please, I need to use your computer, and all will be revealed."

"My computer?"

"That's what I said sir."

"Dad, just do it," I said anxiously. I had a feeling that the disturbing man wouldn't leave until we went along with whatever he had planned.

"Fine, go right ahead."

Aaron went around the counter and sat in Charlie's chair. After pressing some buttons, he smiled sadistically and turned the monitor so we could see. There, on the screen, was Carlie tied up in the center of a dark room.

I started screaming, and Charlie pulled out his gun and pressed it to Aaron's chin.

"I'm going to kill you, you son of a bitch, bring me my granddaughter back."

"Bring me my son back," Aaron said casually, not even affected by the gun pointed at his brain.

"Maybe I'll just kill you then go find her myself," Charlie threatened.

"You'll never find her. I'm the only one who knows where she is, and trust me, if I die, she'll die as well. I'll expect my son to be released immediately.

"She is your granddaughter, do you even realize that? Do you even care?" Charlie asked him.

"I don't have much use for females of her age, but if you choose to not give me what I want, I'll have no problem killing her. She wouldn't be the first."

"She's your flesh and blood," Charlie said, still trying to get through to him.

"No she's not; and neither is Edward, but blood isn't all that important to me."

"Dad, Edward told me that Aaron isn't his father. In fact, he almost seemed scared of him and I know he ran away," I said with more fear then I ever felt in my life.

"My son?" Aaron said again, starting to become impatient.

Charlie backed up but still kept his gun aimed at Aaron, and he picked up the phone.

"Sam? It's Charlie. I need you to bring Mr. Cullen down here please….just do it."

I went to the other phone and called Sue. She thought that Carlie was sleeping in her bed, but then she went to go check on her, and automatically started screaming. "Bella, I'm so sorry," she cried.

I never felt sicker in all my life. Nothing else mattered, and I didn't care about anything other than getting my baby back in my arms. Aaron spent the next twenty minutes singing 'He's Got the Whole World in His Hands' which made me want to punch him.

Finally, a police car pulled up and I could see Officer Uley getting out, and then pulling a hand cuffed Edward out after. I'd be lying if I said that my heart didn't skip when I saw him, but I wasn't sure if it was out of fear, or because I still loved him.

Sam brought him in, and even though it had been a few weeks, his face was still slightly battered from when Charlie had beaten him. He looked at me but quickly looked away, and he looked at Charlie questionably before even noticing Aaron in the room.

When Edward saw Aaron, his whole body changed, he stiffened and I could see the terror in his eyes as he looked back at me worriedly. I didn't need to hear him say it, I knew that he was concerned about me being in the same room as Aaron.

"My dear boy, oh how relieved I am to know you're safe. You have no idea how worried I've been for the past eight years."

"What's going on?" Edward said quietly.

"Oh, just a trade," Aaron told him casually. "I took their beautiful Carlie, and they are releasing you to me if they ever want to see her again."

I looked at Edward, and it appeared that he actually stopped breathing. His whole face turned bright red, and it looked like he was going to explode from anger. I knew that despite what he did to me, Edward loved Carlie, and he was about to snap.

Suddenly, Edward seemed to calm himself, and he took a deep breath before he looked back at Aaron.

"Fine. You have me now, so let her go." He said, trying to sound indifferent, but I could hear the strain in his voice.

"I don't think so. If I let her go, then you'll just go and run back to the police and turn yourself back in again. No, I won't let her go until I have you right where I want you. You made a huge mistake my boy, and you must pay the consequences. Don't worry Chief Swan; I'll make sure he's held accountable for his sins."

"All I want is for my granddaughter to come home. Please, you have what you asked for, now let Carlie go," Charlie said desperately.

"Here's how this is going to work. Edward and Bella will come with me, and once I have Edward secured, Bella will be released with her daughter."

"No, Aaron, that won't work," Edward said calmly, but his eyes were raging. "If Bella comes, then the police won't have any assurance that you'll let them go."

"I'll come," I said quickly. Charlie and Edward both looked at me disapprovingly. "You can blindfold me, so I won't know where your location is, and then I'll make sure Carlie is okay, and you can blindfold us again to bring us back."

"No," Edward said and shook his head. "You need to just let Carlie go first," he said to Aaron.

"You and Miss Swan will come with me, or you'll never see her again. It's as simple as that."

Edward squeezed his eyes shut tightly and when he reopened them again, he had that glazed over look that I had become used to seeing from him when he turned off his emotions. "Fine, let's go."

"Now, hold on here," Charlie said terrified.

"Dad, I'm going to be fine. I'm just going to get Carlie and then Mr. Jameson will let us go. Right, Mr. Jameson?"

"Precisely."

Charlie and Sam watched helplessly as Aaron drove away with me and Edward in the car. I sat in the back quietly, and Aaron talked to Edward like they were best friends.

"So how have you been son? I tried finding you for so long, but you tricked me by changing your last name."

"The Cullen name comes with many benefits," Edward said dryly.

"Ah yes, I can imagine." We pulled into a bank parking lot, and Aaron turned off the car. "Go clean out your bank account. I know you've done quite well for yourself, and we'll be needing that money."

"Edward didn't argue, he just went right upto the bank to make the withdrawal.

"Is Carlie hurt?" I asked Aaron as we waited in the car.

"No, but if you don't play nice that can change."

"If Edward isn't your biological son, then where did he come from?"

"Let's just say that Carlie isn't my first kidnapping," he said sadistically.

"What are you going to do with him after Carlie and I go?" I asked, even though I wasn't confident that he was going to actually let us go.

"Edward has been very naughty, he needs to pay."

"If you knew he raped me, then why didn't you just have him arrested a long time ago."

"Raped you? Oh no my dear, he simply taught you a lesson. I saw you dancing with those boys in that night club, it was disgustingly sinful. It served you right to be attacked in that way. And look, I did you a favor. You not only got your beautiful daughter out of it, but you also stayed clear of men for a long time. Too bad my son had to come back into the picture. I'm sure you would have remained good, if it weren't for him. But alas, you are not my problem. I need to right the wrong I made when I allowed that maggot to survive in the first place."

"You got Edward out of prison…so you can kill him?" I asked confused and terrified.

"Oh, death would be too easy. Don't worry precious, I'm a man of my word and you and your daughter will be released."

Edward came back to the car with a bag of money, and before he sat, he looked at me quickly to make sure I wasn't hurt while he was gone.

"How much is there?" Aaron asked eagerly.

"A hundred thousand. It's all they would let me take out of the ATM, and if you want more, we'll have to wait until morning."

"Well, that will have to work for now." Aaron drove out to a remote area, where I didn't see any other houses for over fifteen minutes.

"Should I have a blindfold on or something?" I asked finally.

"No, there's no need," Aaron said casually.

I kept seeing Edward peek at me through the mirror, and as much as I hated him for what he did, I did feel better that he was there with me. Edward raped me, but Aaron was insane and he scared the shit out of me."

We arrived at a small farm house where there was a dilapidated barn right next to it. Edward got out casually, as if he had been there a million times, and he opened the door for me. I got out slowly, and Edward grabbed my arm.

"You're going to be fine, I promise," he said quietly so Aaron couldn't hear.

"Follow me my dear. Your daughter is right this way."

He led us in the barn, and then he opened a hatch in the ground which had rickety stairs that led down into the darkness. Aaron flipped the low lights, and then he looked at Edward with a smile, and said "Welcome home son."

"You have me back now, so just let them go," Edward said calmly.

"I just want to make a little video of your reunion. It's the perfect ending to your story my boy."

"No more videos Aro, please," Edward said strangely.

"But we've been making them since the beginning, and now I want the happy ending. Why do you think I wanted Bella here. It'll be the perfect family moment."

Aaron got out a camera, and he turned it on. "And action," he said enthusiastically.

Edward took a deep breath and grabbed my hand before leading me down the stairs. "Carlie?" he called to her.

"Edward?" her little voice sounded in the darkness, and Edward and I both ran to her.

"Mommy," Carlie cried as she saw us. She was sitting on a chair and her hands were tied behind her back. I wrapped my arms around her and cried as Edward untied her hands.

The second her hands were free, Carlie grabbed on to me and I squeezed her tightly, but then she let me go and latched on to Edward. She hugged him and he held her back, and whispered something in her ear, which she nodded at. Then he peeled her arms off of his neck and nudged her back to me.

"Okay Aro, let them go now," Edward commanded.

"Oh, I never said I'd let them go alive," Aaron said, and then he backed out of the room and shut the hatch, locking us inside.


*Not what you expected? EPOV next. It's not going to pick up right where we left off on this chapter, but we'll return here after we see what Edward's been through. Please Review*