Chapter 12: Gone

Three weeks later, Bella woke up and turned over, expecting to see Edward there but found a letter in his place. She held the sheet up to her chest as she picked the note up to read it.

Morning Love,

You were too beautiful to wake up this morning. I just ran into town to get a few things. I'll be back soon. Love you.

Yours,

Edward

Bella smiled as she put the note down and went into the bathroom to take a shower.

After drying her hair and getting dress, Bella went downstairs to get something to eat. She was wearing her sneakers, blue jeans, blue t-shirt, and one of Edward's button down shirts. She went into the kitchen to make something, not hearing the backdoor to the house open. She sighed as she pushed a strand of hair behind her ear as she reached up to grab a plate.

Suddenly, a large, dirty hand covered her mouth and an arm wrapped around her waist. She tried to let out a scream, but his hand muffled it. "Shhhh…don't fight us, it'll be easier," the person told her. Bella's heart froze when she heard the voice. "Let's get her in the car," he ordered. They tried to grab her legs when she kicked out, striking one in the face.

"Ah! Bitch!" he snapped.

Bella elbowed the other guy in the stomach and tried to run when the guy she kicked grabbed her around her leg, making her fall. She hit her head on the coffee table, letting out a shriek of pain. "Come on guys, let's get her in the truck," the leader ordered.

"You sure know how to pick them James," one of them commented.

Bella tried to fight them but one grabbed her by her arms and the other grabbed her by her legs.

Edward came home and put the bags down. "Bells, I'm home," he called. He walked around the house. "Bella?" He called. He went into the kitchen to see a plate shattered on the floor. "Bells!" he called. He hurried around the house when he saw the backdoor open. "BELLA!" He shouted. He ran outside and saw tire tracks going from the house. "Shit!" he hissed before running inside.

Bella woke up with a kink in her neck and a major headache. "Ah look she's awake," a voice sneered. She sat up straight in the chair she was tied to. She heard laughs all around her and she glared at the leader. "Long time no see, Bella," the leader sneered.

"How do you know me?" She asked.

"I know all there is to be known about you Bella," James replied.

She saw him hold up a digital camera. "Why don't you smile and say hi, Edward?" he asked. She spit at him. James glared at her and backhanded her; she could feel the blood in her mouth from the hit.

"Come on James can we have some fun with her yet?" One of his friends asked.

"Patience is a virtue," James replied with a grin.

"You touch me I swear to God that Edward will…" she started.

"Will what? Sounds like you were going to get personal there," he answered.

She glared at him, pulling against the ropes that kept her tied to the chair. "Why don't you just smile so we can send Edward a pretty picture of you?" He asked with a grin.

"Go to Hell," she answered.

"She is a spitfire," James commented.

He smiled as he grabbed her by her chin. "I think if you want we can become great friends," he commented. He covered her mouth before she could spit at him again. She bit his hand instead. He let out a growl and hit her again. "I think you got more fire in you after we met the first time," he commented.

"You tried to kill Edward," she answered.

James started to laugh. "Silly girl," he commented before they left. Bella winced as she tried to pull on the ropes on her wrists. She sat back against the chair with a groan.

Just when she thought she could be left alone, James returned alone this time. "Let's see if we can give something back to your Edward," he sneered. He pulled a knife from his pocket.

"No!" She exclaimed.

He started to cut off her shirt. "I think he'd like to have his shirt back, your bleeding head and lip add a nice touch to it," he commented as he left the room. Bella swallowed and looked around, trying to find a way to escape.

Back in Forks, Edward was sitting in the living room and waiting for some sort of call. "Edward!" Alice called. Edward stood up and hugged Alice tight.

"What happened?" Emmett asked.

"I came home with her missing I don't know what happened," he replied.

Charlie came in with a bag. "This was just dropped off at the door," he informed. An investigator opened the bag and pulled out the bloodied shirt.

"Oh God!" Alice exclaimed, her hands over her mouth.

Edward felt his blood boil, he spun around and punched the nearest wall. "There's a camera in here," the investigator informed. The guy turned on the LCD screen and played a video.

"Why don't you smile and say hi Edward?" The video played.

Edward watched as Bella spit at the guy and the guy backhanded Bella. The screen went blank after that. "She's alive, I know she is," he muttered.