We're coming close to the end, folks! I'd say no more than five chapters left.

Disclaimer: Twilight and all characters belong to Stephenie Meyer. All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended.

If I'm incorrect in crediting the songs it is by mistake. It's what's in my iPod, folks.

Warning: contains topics of rape, torture, abuse, and religion. If these things offend read another story.

Where are the people that accused me?
The ones who beat me down and bruised me
They hide just out of sight, can't face me in the light
They'll return but I'll be stronger
"Unbreakable" by Fireflight

BPOV

Angela.

When I saw her last, I was in the produce department at the local grocer's. I needed eggplant for a stupid veggie lasagna. She had asked me how everything was going and told me that she heard about what really happened to me in Seattle. She was so sweet, telling me how brave she thought I was. I went to church the following Sunday but I didn't get a chance to talk to her.

Would she hate me now?

Would she know that the man who hurt her was looking for me?

Would she blame me for bringing that evil from Seattle to the safe little town she'd lived in all her life?

The only light source in the room came from the wall mount above her bed. She was hooked up to machines, wires coming from her frail body. Her face, God her face, was a patchwork of deep purples and angry reds. Her left eye was swollen shut, there was a bandage across the bridge of her nose, and her mouth had been busted so badly that they needed stitches to repair the lacerations.

My vision blurred and I had to bite the fleshy part of my palm to muffle the sob that wanted to escape. How could she ever forgive me for being the reason behind her assault?

No. This wasn't my fault. This was all that asshole Demetri's doing. I had never wanted to hurt somebody so badly before. Even when I tried to recover from my own injuries, I was never this pissed off.

Why Angela? Why her? Out of all the people in this tiny town, she was one of the few who didn't treat me like filth, or like I was a blemish on the face of humanity. She was kind, and she was my friend. And that fucking bastard put his filthy hands on her.

"Bella? Is that you?"

I crept closer to her bed and whispered, "Yeah, Angela, it's me." Why was it hospitals always made me want to whisper?

The room was quiet, neither one of us really wanting to talk about what had happened. Finally she spoke. "I can't get the sound of his voice out of my head. He kept saying, 'You're not Angela. You're not Angela.' And it confused me so much," she whimpered. After a few deep breaths, she asked, "Was that what Seattle was like for you?"

That was a tricky question because I didn't know the extent of his brutality toward her. I didn't know how long he spent hurting her or anything else besides the obscure details that Carlisle had shared with me. I decided to be just as vague, saying, "Sometimes."

"How did you survive that for so long?" she asked, her voice cracking.

I couldn't answer her question because I honestly didn't know. I felt so useless, shrugging my shoulders.

"I'm sorry," she croaked. My forehead scrunched in confusion and I wanted to ask what she meant, but she beat me to it, saying, "Before… when I heard about what happened to you. I judged you. I was your friend, and I liked you, but it didn't stop me from judging you. I-I thought in some way you must have done something that caused it…"

I went to stand by her side, lost in what she was saying.

"Do you think God is punishing me for that?"

"No," I said in a strong voice. "What happened wasn't because of anything you did. It was him. You didn't do anything to deserve this; he's just a monster."

Her head snapped in my direction, and I knew. I knew Demetri didn't stop with a beating. Her chin started to tremble and she looked away. "I feel… dirty. It sounds so cliché. I-I still feel him on me… in me. How, how do I go back to my husband tainted like this? How could Ben look at me now?"

I took her hand in mine, mindful of the IV that was taped to the top as I thought out my answer. "If he loves you, he'll wait for you."

"You and Edward—"

"He loves me. He's gentle with me, and when I'm with him, I could never confuse the two of them."

"What will people say? When people talked about you… how did you still walk around with your head held up high?"

"I know the truth. If people don't believe me, then they don't believe me. And in the end, it's not for them to pass judgment on me." She slowly turned her head to face me and I went on, saying, "Most of them could never understand what we've been through, and that's great. But for the people who belittle you and treat you like shit, why should you care about what they think of you? Screw them. In a cruel way, you're fortunate because you're going to see which one of your friends truly deserves your friendship."

Silence engulfed the room once again as she processed what I said. At some point she had claimed my hand in hers, like she was afraid of being left alone. I was about to ask her if she wanted me to find her husband, but her voice stopped me. "Bella, do you know who he was?"

I swallowed the bile that tried to come up and said, "Yeah, yeah I do."

~C~C~C~

It was four in the morning, the day of my GEDs and I couldn't sleep. I crept downstairs to the comfort of the kitchen, the one place where I felt like I had complete control. I set the oven and opened the refrigerator, searching for the dough I had made the day before. I was going to wait until after my test to use it, but I figured it would be nice to have some pains au chocolat for breakfast. After retrieving a block of chocolate from the pantry, I set to work, first throwing down some flour on the counter top, then rolling out small strips of dough to cut into rectangles.

I felt arms wrap around my waist and heard Edward's smooth voice in my ear. "What are you doing up, baby?"

I shrugged my shoulders and said, "I couldn't sleep."

"Nightmare?" he asked, his warm breath rushing across my neck.

"No, just anxious." I broke free from his arms and rounded the kitchen island to retrieve a knife from the knife block. He watched as I chopped small chunks of chocolate to use. Thinking I had been sneaky in crawling out of bed, I felt bad for waking him up too. I held out my hand, offering a bit of chocolate in apology. He stalked up to me, but instead of taking it from my hand, he nipped it from my palm. He soothed the slight scrape from his teeth by gently running his tongue across the surface, and I relished the spark when I felt our connection.

"What's the matter, Bella," he whispered as he wiped my hand with a dish towel.

"What's he waiting for? It's been days since we saw Angela in the hospital. Forks isn't that big."

Edward's brow furrowed in thought. I waited for him to tell me that everything would be alright, that there was no way Demetri would get close enough to hurt me, that even though the Cullens were now in danger, they didn't regret taking me in.

"I don't know what he's waiting for, Bella. What I do know is you shouldn't be worried about him. Emmett and Dean know what they're doing. All you should be doing is focusing on your GEDs. You can't let him get in the way of your future, Bella."

"He's right, you know, Belly Bear." I turned to see a very sleepy Emmett lumber into the kitchen. He shuffled over to the coffee maker to start it and said, "Don't worry about that coward. If he shows his face around here, Dean and I will handle him."

I nodded to him and finished making the pain au chocolat. As I was popping them into the oven, Esme came in to make breakfast. "What are you doing up, sweetie? Testing doesn't start until nine."

I was about to tell her I wasn't tired, but it was pretty freaking pointless when instead I let out a huge yawn. Edward chuckled and pulled me out of the kitchen, telling me I could still get a few more minutes of shut eye.

I didn't put up much of a fight until I remembered the pastry. Tugging him back to the kitchen, I said to a smiling Esme, "They should take about fifteen minutes. They're best when served warm."

She laughed, saying, "Thank you, dear. I'm afraid I would have let them burn."

I followed Edward back to my bedroom where Leah barely acknowledged us from her bed. Edward pulled me into bed, and I quickly succumbed to sleep.

~C~C~C~

"Bella, please don't be angry with me," Edward sighed, frustrated with the silent treatment I was giving him.

Dean chuckled from the front passenger seat, and I felt my scowl slipping from my face. "Edward, you let me over-sleep."

I would be the first to admit I was being an immature brat, but dammit, I wanted to be able to take at least two tests today. Instead I would only be taking the mathematics section.

"Bella, you needed your sleep. You can always take the reading portion next time, baby."

The entire exam was over seven hours long, and it would be crazy to do all of the testing in one day, so I had split the test up in four. Two days ago I did the writing portion. This morning I was hoping to tackle the reading and mathematics, but that plan was shot to hell. Jane my tutor thought it would be a good idea to take those two sections together since I loved to read but hated math.

I'd admit I was probably just upset because I was looking forward to the reading section. I know, I know, I was a nerd like that.

Once we pulled up to South Seattle Community College, I hoped out of the car and rushed into Edward's arms. He chuckled into my hair and said, "Does this mean you're talking to me now?"

"Sorry," I mumbled. "Thanks for letting me sleep in."

"Hey, if you lovebirds don't mind, I'd feel better once I get you inside," Dean said surveying our surroundings.

Ever since Angela's attack the Cullens had been on high alert—everybody stayed close to home. I had a sneaking suspicion they did it for me. If everybody was in one place, Dean's and Emmett's attention wasn't divided.

Dean had checked out the campus ahead of time, making sure he got the layout of the area. He and Emmett got into a slight disagreement before we left. Emmett had wanted to come with us, but Dean had said we needed a secure home to come back to. Insinuating that the entire family was at risk was the only way to get him to stay behind.

Checking in was quick enough, and after leaving my phone with Edward and getting a searing kiss for luck, I went into the classroom that was designated for the mathematic exam. There were about twenty other people taking the same exam as I.

I felt an uneasy churning in my stomach. I hated math. I truly loathed the subject. All the formulas would get jumbled in my head, and whenever I went back to check my work, I always felt like I was going around in a circle.

As soon as the test proctor started the clock, I scrambled to write as many formulas as I could remember on the scratch piece of paper I was given. I only had forty-five minutes to complete the first section. I was nervous and, as a result, my lip was gnawed on and I lost control of the muscles in my leg because the damn thing wouldn't stop bouncing.

As I was re-reading a geometry question, for what felt like the tenth time, somebody loudly cleared their throat. I shook my head, annoyed that my concentration had been broken. Glancing up at the red digital clock, I realized I only had twenty-six minutes left. I tried to drown out the sound of pencils scratching on paper and went back to the problem. I managed to complete four more problems before the throat clearer made that obnoxious sound again. Seriously, had they never heard of a lozenge?

I went back to work after shooting another anxious look at the clock. I had twelve minutes left and I was almost finished. Unfortunately I couldn't concentrate because Throat Clearer wouldn't shut up.

The examiner walked to the back where Throat Clearer sat and asked, "Is there a problem?"

"She's distracting me with her leg bouncing," an angry looking man with a receding hair line hissed while pointing in my direction.

I sunk into my chair and muttered an apology, but it went unheard when a middle aged woman from the front said, "And you're not distracting with all the noise you're making?"

"Alright everybody, please go back to testing," the test proctor said.

Ten minutes later, she called for pencils to be set down. My head was pounding from concentrating so hard, and my body was sore from being held so tense. I filed out of the room with the rest of the group for our break before we had to return for the second half of the test. I caught a glimpse of Edward and Dean in the waiting area, but before I could wave to them, I felt a rough yank on my arm.

Demetri.

My blood ran cold at the knowledge that he had finally come for me, and remembering everything Emmett had taught me, I spun around and drove the palm of my hand up into my assailant's jaw.

My eyes bulged wide, and the fight left my body when I realized the person who had grabbed me wasn't Demetri but Throat Clearer. I slowly backed away from him but he followed, his face marred with a sneer as he said, "Because of you I probably failed that section. Do you have any fucking clue how long I've been preparing for this exam? And now because of you, you stupid little bi—"

Before he could finish his tirade, he was catapulted to the side and introduced to the brick wall behind him by a very menacing-looking Dean Wilder. In steely voice he said, "I suggest you not finish that sentence."

I looked up and noticed the person holding me was my Edward. His jaw was clenched and his mesmerizing green eyes held nothing but the promise of pain. His hands were the only part of his body that didn't betray his anger. They ran up and down my sides and gently stroked my neck close to the shoulder that Throat Clearer had grabbed.

"Gentlemen, we do not condone this kind of behavior!"

My head turned and I saw three testing officials approaching us. "Please separate this instant," the elderly woman said as she stepped closer.

Dean stepped away from Throat Clearer, reached into his back pocket, and handed a business card to one of the officials. Without taking his eyes off of Throat Clearer, he said, "I need to speak with whoever's in charge here."

~C~C~C~

"And they let you in that room?" Emmett asked with an astonished laugh.

"Yeah, I told them that I had been hired to protect Miss Swan, and seeing as how she was assaulted on their premises, I insisted I be allowed to do my job protecting her since their security was lacking," Dean answered with a smirk.

I smiled as I walked to the kitchen where Esme, Rose, and Alice had gathered. Dean was right. Just as the examiner was about to start the clock, he followed the old woman into the room. She and the test proctor quietly talked and with a nod, they sent Dean to stand in the back. I couldn't help but notice he stood a couple of feet away from a nervous looking Throat Clearer.

Esme greeted me with a hug and said, "Bella, I hope things went well." After giving her a smile and a nod, she said, "I don't think I've told you this, but I am so very proud of you. When you first came to us you were quiet and shy, and now… well now, you've become a very driven young lady."

I smiled and rolled my eyes while saying, "Esme, it's just an exam."

She clutched the side of my face, forcing my gaze, and said, "You're wrong, Bella. It's more than an exam. You're fighting for your future, and it is so rewarding to see you taking charge of your life."

"Hey, no hogging Bella to yourself," Alice whined.

Esme stepped away and was quickly replaced by Alice and Rose. After getting two more hugs, I told them that I planned on making dinner and asked them what they wanted.

"I'll take Honey Pecan Chicken, baby," Edward said as he pulled a barking Leah back into the house with Jasper's help.

Leah's barks weren't stopping and she paced from window to window focused on whatever was in the backyard. Dean slipped outside, and there was no missing the nod that Em gave Rose before she tugged me further into the kitchen, asking if she could watch me pick out ingredients. Inside the large walk-in pantry, I was telling her the difference between broth and stock when I was interrupted by a loud pop, followed by Esme's panicked scream, "Emmett!"

Before I could make it back to the kitchen, Rose wrapped a surprisingly strong arm around me and pulled me to the back of the pantry. Bringing her hand up to cover my mouth, she whispered in a shaky breath, "Shhh. Don't make it for nothing, Bella."

Emmett. He was hurt, and even though every fiber of being was telling her to go to her husband, Rose was still there, protecting me. I stopped my struggle, not wanting to be a bigger burden for her before I heard his voice. "Not another move."

"Please, just let me make sure he's alright," Carlisle said in a thick voice. He must have come out of his office when he heard the noise.

"I shot him for a fucking reason. Now, you're going to slowly walk over there next to your wife. Nobody else has to get hurt—I just came for the whore."

"She's not a whore!"

"Alice," Jasper hissed.

Demetri's laughter caused a shudder to run down my spine, and I cried because I knew too well the pain he was capable of inflicting. "Of course, she's a whore. You think by dressing her up and giving her an education, it will change anything?"

Rose pressed her head next to mine, telling me not to listen to the bullshit he was spouting. I brought my hands up to cling to the arms that supported me, and we both trembled as tears ran down our cheeks.

He was going to kill our family.

A/N: I totally left you hanging there, didn't I? Sorry about that little cliffy.

I know some of you are waiting for me to update Cullen Companion; I'm working on it and will be able to post on Tuesday :)