Short chapter, I know, but I need to get back into my groove. I'm back, even if you hate me for not updating! Cough-Lex-cough. And maybe squirtle...sorry! I would like to thank the people who reviewed while I was gone, even Lex, and anyone who is still reading this. You and my boyfriend are the ones who make me happy! But mostly you guys...shhhh. What did you think of the last few chapters? Review!
Read chocolate1999's new fanfic, called Pushed!
P.S.- I was listening to Avril Lavigne's album Goodbye Lullaby while I was writing this chapter.
Disclaimer: Whenever I hear something about domestic violence or abuse, I always think of Damien. And whenever I see a policeman, I think of the officers Bella met after she escaped the hellhole, Nick and Greg. I own Nick, Greg, and The Bastard, but any characters in the original Twilight Saga are not mine. No matter how much I wish they were.
I was awoken from my dreamless sleep slowly. I couldn't seem to come awake-but at the moment I didn't harbor any complaints. At first, I could feel myself becoming more alert, but I was immobile. I couldn't tell how much time had passed, but I could hear voices. One I recognized before the other as Edward's, and I soon realized the other belonged to Alice.
"What are we going to do? We can't let her anywhere without one of us-her protection is vital. Maybe-" I heard Edward start, before he was interrupted by Alice.
"I know, Edward, but I think having people around her will be enough protection. I doubt he would try to take her in front of witnesses. If he can even find her, that is."
"What better opportunity than if she is alone in the hallways? She has some classes where none of us are with her. Trigonometry and gym-what if she's walking out of the building, and-"
He suddenly stopped speaking, and I heard a quiet rustle. I could feel him leaning over me, and Alice paused for a moment, then said, "Twenty seconds. I wouldn't be surprised if she could hear us now."
"Bella, love? Can you hear me?" I could feel cold hands on either side of my face.
I struggled to open my eyes, finally breaking through the barrier that seemed to be holding them closed. I opened them to see Alice hovering nearby, and Edward was gazing concernedly into my eyes. The reality of the situation came rushing back to me, and I could feel my eyes widening as I remembered.
Edward seemed to sense what I was thinking, and he pulled me from the bed and into his arms. "Everything is going to be fine, love. We have everything under control."
"I don't think you understand-" I began, but Alice silenced me.
"Don't worry about it, Bella. We've got it covered-I have a pretty good idea of who we're dealing with."
Her eyes darkened for a moment, and I briefly wondered what she meant. After a moment, I decided it would do me no good to argue at the moment, and I would bring it up again later. "What time is it?"
"Almost seven o' clock. You were out for a good three hours," Rosalie said from the doorway where she was leaning, having appeared once she heard that I had woken up. From Edward's arms, which were more comfortable than the bed I had previously been laying in, I could see that I was in his room, instead of mine.
Carlisle and Esme came into the room, and Emmett appeared next to Rose. I suddenly blushed, realizing how much of a fuss I had made. Edward sat me on the edge of the bed, as if I couldn't stand. I was about to protest, but he begged me with his eyes to let him have his way, just this once, and he sat next to me, his arm snaking around my waist protectively.
There was no telling how long it would take Damien to find me, but it wouldn't be long. He wasn't stupid enough to go to the police station I had gone to, in the town he had lived; he would most likely talk to his contacts to find out where I was. He had people everywhere, some as young as me. In all of the big cities, and some in intervals in small towns-like Port Angeles and Forks.
I only wished I had taken more time to snoop, in my short time living with him.
I looked out the second-story window, as if I would see Damien watching me through it. I couldn't get rid of the feeling that I was being watched, like I had been found and he was just waiting to strike. I could feel a horrible ominousness in the atmosphere-and I was sure everyone else could feel it, too, although they had denied that Damien would ever get anywhere near me.
He would harm anybody standing in his way, and anybody he found was associated with me. Friends at school, like Angela Weber, the nice girl who never had anything derogatory to say about anybody. Mike, who, even if he was annoying sometimes, I wouldn't want harmed. If he saw me talking to them...
And exactly what Edward had said earlier-there were certain times during the day when I would be alone, albeit only a few minutes. Could I keep well enough aware of my surroundings during those times?
What could I do? I couldn't do anything. Against Damien, I was powerless. On my own, I would be fighting a losing fight. Even with my family, could I win?
That was a question that would be answered not too far into the future.