1081 REVIEWS! Yay!
Okay, I think I left you all off at an exciting cliffhanger last time. I really like this chapter and it's not a double cliffhanger this time! You actually get to find out what happens to Mike NOW! Here it is! Chapter 20! Enjoy!
Oh, another note... I don't think everyone realized that the last chapter I posted was a joke. So, I'm guessing they skipped the Author's Note... so here to make sure everyone catches it this time... is Edward!
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"Go on, Edward."
He frowned, his gaze flitting to me. Finally, with a heavy sigh, he turned back to the audience, "The last chapter was a joke." He lifted the tiny piece of paper I had instructed him to read, "I did not punch out all the lights," he rolled his eyes, lowering the paper, "Nor would I. I would rather punch Mike then the lights. Honestly, I-"
"Edward, that's not on the paper."
"Right," he sighed, lifting the sheet back to his attention, "Allie did not run over Mike with a tank. We also did not bring that scum infested creature into our home to watch old movies for eternity. Honestly, think of the smell..."
"And?"
"Enjoy the chapter!"
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Edward
I stood in silence, waiting in the darkness of her closet. Alice had waited outside after the family had departed. She described it as 'being my eyes.' In truth, I knew that she was staying to measure my reactions, to keep me from killing Mike as I so desperately wanted to. I could see it now... it would take none of my strength. It didn't even have to be slow and torturous. I could settle for snapping his neck... just one quick, little...
Edward! Alice's mind came at me harsh and scolding I already told you, stop thinking that! As much as I like to see Mike dead in your visions, I do need to keep track of Bella's future right now and you're interfering!
I frowned, trying my best to put a stop to my thoughts of Mike's imminent demise. I stiffened when I heard the door open. "Edward?"
Not right now, Alice's voice invaded my head before I could answer Bella. Mike has something to tell her. She has to see how serious it's gotten. She needs to talk to Mike.
The window slid open and I longed to take her into my arms as she continued to call for me. I felt a wave of anger rush over me when I heard the door open and shut. Mike.
"Edward!" Bella's excited voice filled my ears. Her shock gasped told me all I needed to know.
"No," Mike's voice was dark, hideous. There was no reason to read his thoughts. He was going to say everything that was in his mind tonight. He was prepared to hurt her with the sick plans he had concocted. "No, not Edward."
My name was venom in his voice.
"Mike, I-" Bella whispered, horrified.
"So, that's why you were busy," Mike mused, although there was no wonder in his voice. He knew already, "Well, Bella, I've been busy, too."
"B-busy?"
"I was talking to Charlie," Of course he was. Mike was smarter than he had been in high school. He was skilled with ways to hurt others. "I told him all about you and Edward. I told him Edward's been back for a few days now... that you've been coming home covered in bruises."
Edward, don't. Alice warned.
My body was shaking. How could he? How dare he even say such a thing? I would never hurt Bella, ever. I was not the bastard that he was. My hands were trembling as I held back the desire to jump out and tear Mike into small pieces. We could fake an accident, find a way. Bella wouldn't be charged and we could take her and Allie and leave this place forever. It took everything I had not to growl.
"You-!"
"I told him," Mike interrupted my darling, terrified Bella, "That I asked you to stay away from him. I told him that you said you still love Edward and that you weren't going to leave him. I told him that you don't care how much he hurts you... how much he could hurt Allie."
My hands were still shaking as I held them back, away from the closet door. I was so close to punching through the walls around me. I could hear Alice's frantic voice in my mind, but I was already losing the meaning of her words.
"Edward would never hurt Allie!" Bella's voice held an anger I hadn't heard before.
"Charlie believes it," I could hear the smirk in his voice, "I figured you'd run off to daddy. I figured you'd show him the bruises and tell him it was me. So I told him to wait for it. I told him that was going to be your excuse. Because you'd do... say... anything to protect Edward."
Brilliant.
Mike was a cruel and horrible person, but I could not deny the fact that he was brilliant. Even in my current state, even through all my anger, I could see that simple fact. He had twisted everything around and thrown it onto me. His next step would be easy, flawless. Get the social worker, who he had wrapped conveniently around his finger, to take Bella out of the house.
"He's my father!" Bella's voice was so unsure now, "He'll believe me!"
He won't. Alice's sad voice whispered.
"You can try," he laughed then and I felt my hatred surge, "He's really set on hating Edward. I think I have him convinced," Of course, he was right. Charlie was set on hating me... how could he not, after everything I had done?
I listened as Mike's footsteps moved across the wooden floor. My hand flew to open the door. Alice screamed inside my head. "I think I have him scared... because there's a chance, if he believes you, that Edward will hurt Allie."
"He will believe me!" There was no belief in her voice.
"And you will lose Allie," Mike countered. "Go to Edward, Bella." His voice was violent now. He wanted her to leave. He wanted to hurt her through the realization that she wouldn't be able to. "Go to him, you damn whore! Go where you want, you can't have Allie!"
"You'll hurt her!"
"Oh, she'll know more pain," Mike's movements were swift. I heard him step close to Bella and I was out of the closet. Silent. I watched in fury as he touched her cheek, "Than you ever have."
Bella twisted away from his touch, "Don't touch me."
Edward! Alice screamed, her voice horrified, Edward! He's going to hurt -...
I didn't need anymore warning. Mike's hand drew back and his mouth uttered words that my mind didn't catch. My hand flashed out and grabbed his wrist, restraining him with ease.
"Mike," my voice was dark, deadly, "You'll step away from her now, or you'll die."
My eyes narrowed. His heart was erratic, "Your choice."
"Let go of me!" Mike shouted, twisting with fury as he tried to face me. His eyes met mine and I flashed him a brutal smile. My hand constricted once on his wrist and I heard a sickening crack. Mike howled in pain and I released him, watching him crumble to the floor. "My hand! You broke my hand!"
"I broke your wrist, you moron," I muttered, pushing past him to pull Bella in my arms. She was trembling, staring at me with wide eyes.
Mike turned to stare at us, his eyes wild, "Why don't you just take her, then? Take her and go!"
"And Allie?" I asked, a brow raised.
"Never," Mike spat, pushing himself up from the floor. He grunted in pain. "You can't have Allie. You can have your damn whore, but -"
"Excuse me?" I questioned, sliding Bella behind my back in a swift, yet gentle movement. I could feel her peering at Mike from over my shoulder. I glared at him, folding my arms over my chest. "I must have misheard you. What did you call her?"
"She is a whore!" Mike shouted. I scoffed inwardly at his bravery. Of course, he didn't know the extent of damage I could cause. "She's been off with you all day, with Allie. Don't think I don't know."
"I think you're mistaking me with someone else," I spoke, my voice growing darker. I stepped forward, my hand wrapping around his neck, "For someone who won't readily kill you. Call her that again and you'll see what I can do."
"Y-you..." Mike sputtered, his body shaking under my hand.
EDWARD! Alice shrieked in my mind. Edward, don't be an idiot! You don't know what you're doing!
Oh, I knew perfectly well what I was doing.
"Edward," Bella whispered from behind me. Her warm hand touched my shoulder, "Edward, don't."
I released him at her request, but I did not back away. His hand went to his neck, holding the place I had as though he were checking for damages. He stared at Bella then, "I told Jessica that you were with him."
If I had blood, it would have run colder than my skin at his words.
"I told her the same things I told Charlie," he grin was as wild as his eyes. Laughter escaped him and I felt dread wash over me.
"What do you mean?" Bella whispered. She hadn't connected the two together.
"Do you realize the power Jessica has?" Mike laughed at her. I felt the strong desire to choke the life out of him, but Bella's hand on my shoulder reminded me of her wishes. "She's coming here now, Bella."
"W-what..." Bella was stuttering. Her fingers had grown cold, her hand shaking, "What?"
"He didn't let me finish," Mike shot me a glare, trying to keep the fear from his eyes. "Jessica is coming to remove you from this house."
"What?" Bella shouted, trying to push past me. I wrapped an arm around her to keep her back. "What do you mean, remove me from this house?"
"What does it sound like?" Mike yelled, his eyes flashing, "You took Allie out of the house, out of school, without telling me where you were going! You took her to see him, who, as far as anyone is concerned, beats you! You're an unfit mother!"
"And you'll be an unfit father when you're dead," I warned, stepping closer. Mike took a step back, fear crossing his face. "Although, you can't be much worse than what you are now."
"It doesn't matter," he tried to keep his voice strong, but the fear was still evident, "They're coming to take her out of here. She'll have nowhere to go."
"She'll be with me," I assured him. I could hear Bella's sobs from behind me and I turned to pull her into my arms, trying to comfort her.
"Not for long!" Mike laughed, "They'll take her from the house and once the courts find out she's with you, they'll never give her custody of Allie!"
Bella's cries wracked her body. As much as I wanted to kill Mike for his words, I would not leave her side. I continued to run my hand soothingly down her back. I kissed her hair, whispering anything to make her calm down. "Bella, it's fine. He doesn't know what he's talking about. We'll talk to Charlie, we'll get this straightened out."
"Like hell you will!" Mike shouted. Through his mind, I saw his thoughts of hitting me. He thought, for some strange reason, that because my back was turned he would be able to hurt me.
I allowed him to test that theory.
I heard his fist fly through the air and almost felt it strike my back. Almost. I did, however, hear the sickening crack as his hand broke into who knew how many pieces. He screamed in agony, his body hitting the floor. I turned, glancing at him as he writhed on the ground in pure agony, "You're a fool, Mike. And if you think that hurts, trust me. It's only just begun."
"You may be stronger than me," Mike shouted through his pain, "But that won't stop me from hurting her."
"Mike, I am stronger than you." I agreed. I released Bella reluctantly, kneeling down to push my fingers under Mike's chin. I forced him to look up at me, wishing I could break his skull without any repercussions. "I am also a hell of a lot smarter than you. I will not allow you to take Bella from me. I lost her once. I will never lose her again."
Mike stared back at me, hate radiating in his eyes. His breaths came in uneven gasps, rattling horribly in his chest. He held his hand to his chest as he sat up, his eyes moving to the window. A twisted grin moved onto his lips when he saw something he must have liked.
Oh crap! Alice shouted in my mind. Edward, get out of there now! They're here! You have to leave. If you don't they'll take it as an excuse to arrest you for trespassing.
I scoffed at the idea. It would be only too easy to escape.
Is that your plan, then? Alice's voice was harsh. Do you want to make this harder on her? They won't do anything to you otherwise. Don't give them a reason, or a chance. Bella's safe – he won't hurt her with the social worker and cops there. Just get out!
I stared into Bella's eyes, desperately trying to listen to Alice's words. The sirens sounded in the driveway, the flashing lights turning the bedroom colors. Red, blue, red, blue. Bella gripped my hand, "Edward, go. I'll be okay. Meet me when you can."
Edward, NOW!
With one last, longing glance. I stood up and exited through the window. As soon as I hit the ground, I took off into the woods.
Even through the distance, I could hear Mike utter two horrible words to Bella. I could practically feel her pain.
"They're here."
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So, what do you think? They're going to take Bella out of the house – how is Edward going to fix this? Let me know what you think! I know the Edward-Mike battle didn't have too much action, but come on! If it did... well, Mike would be dead! Leave a cookie! The next chapter is going to... well, it's going to shock you.