BREAKING THE GIRL

CHAPTER 21

day 65

I woke up in a small room, a little disoriented. Jasper was shaking my shoulder, kneeling beside my bed with the most pathetic look on his face. I quickly squeezed my eyes shut, not wanting to know what caused him to look at me with such pity.

That's when the memories of the day before suddenly came back in a whoosh, knocking me over like a tsunami.

"NO!"

Jasper took my hand and squeezed it.

"Bella … it's going to be okay. I need you to take your medicine. Can you do that for me?"

I shook my head, my eyes and mouth clenched shut as tightly as I could get them. Unbidden tears started streaming down my cheeks as I fell apart on the small cot.

"NO! NO! NO!"

Jasper hummed and sat me up, hugging me sideways and waited in silence. He knew that I'd eventually have to look … that I'd eventually have to face it … that I needed to know …

I kept my eyes closed and buried my head into his chest.

"Is she dead?"

My voice was muffled by his shirt but he heard my question. He rubbed my arm firmly and squeezed me even tighter. "No darlin. She's not dead."

I finally opened my eyes and looked into his face. He looked sincere and I sighed in relief.

"He didn't kill her." I exhaled, shaking my body from the tension and looking around the room. I was in isolation, that much was obvious. I wondered where Edward was and then I worried that he'd been taken by the police.

He's locked up now … I just know he is. Fuck!

"Who, Bella?"

I took a deep breath and confessed, my need to know what happened superceding my caution. "Edward. My … boyfriend. He was defending me … really. I don't think he meant to kill her." I stammered, biting my cheek at my lie. He was willing to kill her to protect me.

Jasper sat on the edge of the bed, his face pinched in confusion. "Bella … there was no one else in that bathroom. Just you and Nurse Kate."

My eyes shot up to meet his and I could see the concern in his eyes. "He got away?"

Jasper slowly shook his head and reached out for my hand. "Bella, there was no one else near the bathrooms. You and Kate were the only ones in the bathing hall. Kate told us that you cut her without provocation. We all know that's not true, Bella, but Carlisle insisted you be taken to isolation for the next few days. You don't have to make up an accomplice. We all know that she was mistreating you and we're prepared to defend you if needed."

He squeezed my hand, a warm smile on his face, but all I felt was cold inside. I pulled my hand away as quickly as I could, bringing my arms around my torso and holding tightly.

How did Edward get away without anyone seeing him? Why would Kate lie and say it was me?

I felt myself shaking, tears streaming down my face. I just couldn't believe he left me to take the blame. Edward had wanted me to do the act myself but he had to know how much trouble it would cause me. He should have realized that it would make it that much harder to be set free from this place.

Why would he leave?

Jasper was still talking, asking me questions and trying to soothe me, but I didn't hear a word. My head was in such turmoil, I just wanted to close my eyes and sleep. I wanted to shut him out. Shut the whole world out.

"Please leave."

Jasper stopped talking and stood. "I'm sorry, Bella. I'll be back to check on you soon."

"Leave me alone." I whimpered in response.

Jasper sighed, defeated, and left. I waited all of two seconds after the door latched close to sink into my pillow and cry myself to sleep. My dreams were filled with thoughts of the man I loved.

The meadow I pictured in this dream was one he took me to so many times before. He and I were lying on our backs in the middle of the flowers, soaking up the sunshine and smiling. He held my hand in his, a beautiful smile on his face, and he told me story after story of his life on the road.

"Bella, you couldn't imagine the isolation there. Alaska is just stretch after stretch of snow and ice, as far as you can see. There aren't any humans for miles, but the animals you could see were just incredible. We hunted polar bear! Can you imagine?"

I laughed and wrapped my arm around his waist, leaning up on my elbow so I could see his expressive face. I loved how it just sparkled with excitement and light. "Is it even legal to hunt polar bears?"

Edward turned his vibrant green eyes on me, shining with mischievousness. "For $35,000, you can hunt whatever you want if you know the right people."

I rolled my eyes and snuggled closer as he told me about the desolate landscape and the breathtaking aurora borealis. His travels then moved to Italy and then England. We shared only light kisses and caresses while he spoke, but I never felt more warm or loved. He promised to one day take me with him on adventures.

I closed my eyes and listened, allowing his voice surround me and drown out all my other senses. When he went silent, I looked back, only now he'd disappeared. I looked around but he was gone, vanished. The flowers were black and wilted. I looked at the ground beside my head and found a pile of ash.

I started screaming.

I woke to gentle hands shaking my shoulder. I sat up, trembling, staring at the owner of said hands for several seconds before my brain caught up with my sorrundings.

"A dream? It was a dream." I said uselessly, my heart feeling like it might beat right out of my chest.

Not waiting for an answer, I threw myself into Jacob's waiting arms. "I've missed you so much."

Jacob squeezed me back, his high temperature blessedly throwing off my chills, and I just held on, drawn to his heat like a moth to a flame.

"I've missed you too, Bells. Why are you in a different room?"

"Isolation."

Jacob pulled back and took in my appearance. His eyes narrowed, his jaw tightened in anger. "Edward?"

The pain was still too fresh and I shook my head and buried my face back into his chest. I couldn't talk about it right now. I didn't know if I ever would. Jake stroked my hair and my back, letting the questions go for now.

He really is an amazing friend.

Fifteen … twenty minutes go by with me crying and soaking his shirt and he doesn't say a word. When I finally feel cried out, I looked up into his gentle face.

"Thanks, Jake. You're too good for me."

His expression darkened. "No, I'm perfect for you. You're too good for him."

I shook my head, begging him with my eyes to just let it go. He sighed and pulled me back into his arms, once again rubbing my back. Suddenly we hear noise in the hall. Jake pulled away and looked out the window.

"Doc's coming."

I bit my lip and nodded. I figured he'd visit today at some point. "So, you're leaving?" I asked him. Then I frowned as something else occurs to me. "How did you get in here?"

Jacob simply grinned and waggled his eyebrows, taking a chair in the corner as the door opens to my cell.

"Hello, Bella. How are you feeling today?"

My eyes shoot from Jake to Doc and I can't help but be confused. "Am I allowed visitors?"

Doc plastered on his sympathetic doctor face and sat in the metal chair near the door. "I'm sorry, Bella. No visitors while you're in isolation. Do you know why you are here?"

I would rather jump off the building then discuss why I'm here to be honest, so I decided to ignore his question. "If I'm not allowed visitors, why is Jake here?"

Jake's eyes widen in shock, like he can't believe I just ratted him out. He's not exactly hidden. He's over 6 feet tall and sitting in the corner of a 8 by 10 cubicle.

Doc's eyebrows are all pinched together and he's looking at me strangely. It's making me want to hide under my blankets. I might even pull Jake under there with me if he stops making that betrayed look in my direction.

"Where is Jake, Bella?"

I rolled my eyes.

What is with these men?

"Umm … he's sitting right there in the corner of the room. Why are you both acting so odd?"

Doc frowns but says nothing. He's writing a mile a minute in his little notebook and I'm want to stomp my feet and scream.

So I do.

"What the fuck is wrong with you guys?!"

Doc nearly fell out of his chair in surprise. He quickly put away the notebook and placed a hand on both of my shoulders.

"Bella. I'm sorry. Everything is fine. Please, calm down. I'm just trying to understand."

I nod my head but I'm not happy. I cross my arms and wait for him to explain.

"Bella, Jasper mentioned that you saw someone named Edward in the bathroom with you when the altercation happened with Kate. Is Edward here too?"

I know my face turns sour and I look from Jake to Doc again, completely lost. I can't figure out if Doc is being deliberately obtuse or just fishing for information again.

It's making me a little crazy.

"I just told you. That's Jake. Not Edward."

Doc started acting really strange. He nodded sagely and pushed me to sit. He then kneels in front of me, glances around the room and then back at me. "Bella, I need you to listen to me very carefully. I can't see anyone in the room with us right now."

I shut my eyes, pushing my lids so hard with my palms I see stars.

I know what he's trying to say.

My world has just imploded.

a/n: I'm sorry for the horrible wait. I was awfully discouraged when chapter 20 received ZERO reviews. Seriously, friends? What's the deal? I've apparently lost my beta (again). My life is almost as crazy as Bella's (Okay, not quite) but I will persevere! Mark my words!

Almost to the end now. The shit has hit the fan. Please be kind, review and tell me your reactions.

much love, missy