Chapter 25 | Fight or Flight

October 23, 2013

BPOV

My right knee was at a weird angle. The already sore and bruised ribs hurt even more. My head felt like someone split it down the middle and I couldn't see out of my left eye. Jacob went crazy last night because he thought I had a thing for Paul. I didn't know if Paul was alright and that worried me. I could smell the alcohol on his breath and he hit me over and over and over and again. It was hard to fight back with my hands tied behind me. No drugs were needed this time to put me to sleep since the beating took care of that. I surveyed the damage and struggled to breathe. It's not that I couldn't….it was just so painful to do so.

Today was the day. The day of the takedown. The day of reunions. The day for freedom.

I faked sleep as voices approached my door.

"Is it really a smart idea to leave her here?" I heard Seth ask.

"Yeah, boss man. You sure about this?" questioned James.

"I know what I'm doing, okay? Don't you two dare ever question me or you'll end up just like her. Her hands and feet are tied and the door is locked. Plus, Paul will hear Bella if she even tries to leave. Come on, I don't like keeping my customers waiting."

The door closed, the voices were gone and I let out the breath I was holding. Now all I had to do was wait for Paul. The minutes passed with no sign of him. I was starting to panic until I heard a soft knock on the door.

"Bella? It's time."

"Hurry!" I whispered yelled.

He ran in and gasped when he saw my current state. I motioned towards the rope and he quickly cut them off.

"This is going to hurt but I have to get your knee back in place."

"Oh, I know! This is my second injury. Pass me that shirt on the chair. It'll give me something to bite down on." He threw me the shirt, I twisted it down and Paul stood ready to help me out.

"On my count…1….2….3!" I screamed into the shirt and managed to get upright and my knee back into place. The back door slammed just as the sound of sirens filled the air. I looked up at Paul with wide eyes and I knew our plan was in trouble.

"Well well well. Look at what we have here! I knew I was right about you two." Paul covered my body with his as Jacob walked into the room holding a metal object. His gun was perched at his side…. visibly seen.

"Jacob you know it's not like that. We all know Bella is yours" said, Paul, as he covered up. I had to play along with him. I felt him slip something into the back pocket of my shorts as Jacob didn't even notice. It was all the evidence I needed to take him down.

"Then explain to me what's going on." He pointed the object at us and tapped Paul in the chest.

"I know you want to head to our next destination, so I took the burden off your shoulders by getting Bella prepared to leave."

"Paul step out for a moment." He touched my pocket which held the USB and I knew what that meant. This was the moment we had been waiting for. He crossed over to where Jacob was a started to walk out. The next thing I know; Paul moves like a flash of lightening. He kicked Jacob in the back, the metal pole rolling across the floor and over to me. He runs over to reach for the gun, but Jacob kicks his legs out causing him to fall.

"RUN BELLA!" he shouts. I grab the pole, push back the pain and run as fast as I can. I hear a gunshot in the room and I scream. Who got hit? Was it Jacob? Was it Paul? I make it to the door and it's locked! I fall to the ground as a bullet hit the kitchen island. Jacob slams me against the wall and I can see Paul lying on the floor as he spins me around. The rise and fall of his chest is slow but at least he's still alive.

"YOU SEE WHAT YOU DID! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" He pointed the gun at my temple and pushed me towards the door. There were so many men and women outside with their weapons drawn.

"Jacob Black! Come out with your hands where I can see them. The house is surrounded!"

Jasper's voice rang over the area and Jacob pushed me outside into the front yard. I saw Carlisle, my dad, and Edward standing behind Jasper. The weeks of my abduction shown evident on their faces. I could hardly keep my eyes open let alone stand up. The gun pressed even closer to my head. His hands gripping my waist causing painful reactions.

"Make everyone do the same." Jas looked around all the people there and nodded his head. They all dropped them to the ground and stepped back.

"Give up, Black. You have nowhere to run now. We got your two buddies so you might as well stop and put down the weapon."

"HA! I'm not going without Bella. Dead or alive." I closed my eyes and prepared for my impending death. But, it never happened. Jacob's screamed out in pain, his tight grip becoming completely lose. I took a few steps and collapsed on the ground. Edward picked me up and ran over to the stretcher. I looked up and saw Paul putting his gun in a holster. He opened his shirt and pointed to the bulletproof vest…. he was the one who shot Jacob. They handcuffed him and lead him away to one of the squad cars. I drifted in and out. My mind was swirling. I was free. I was safe. This nightmare was complete.

"What's her BP, Jacey?" asked Carlisle and the paramedic took off the blood pressure cuff.

"130, 90, doctor." One by one the cars left and all the many tests continued.

"Start a beta blocker and I'll see you in a few minutes." I grabbed his hand and pulled him closer.

"Where's Edward?" I whispered. Carlisle took my hand in his and kissed my forehead.

"Sitting up in the front. Your dad will ride in the back with you."

"Ok-k-kay." I started crying as they pushed me in the back of the ambulance. My dad held my hand as the sirens blared and the ambulance raced out of the woods.

EPOV

A few hours passed and we were all waiting for my dad and Dr. Dorman's report on how the surgery went. It was now a very early Thursday morning. Bella's heart stopped beating twice on route to the hospital. It's a scary feeling when you can't do anything but watch. By the time we made it here, she had stabilized enough to where surgery could be performed. Her knee had a torn ligament, there was some internal bleeding in her stomach and a brain bleed. The two men worked together, simultaneously, to fix all the issues. The big, private holding area fitting all of us. Renee and my mom went to get food for everyone. Charlie and Jasper were talking quietly by the door. Angela and Alice were updating the group back home. I sat next to Paul as Leah was sleeping on his shoulder.

"Paul, I don't know how I'll ever repay you but I'm forever indebted."

He shook his head. "I don't need any of the glory, man. I was in the right place at the right time trying to protect an old friend. Bella did a huge part of the work. She remained calmed and strong and I fed off her energy."

"I can respect that. On the first video, did he actually…?"

"No, but he did perform oral sex. She didn't even know about the video until I told her."

"That bastard! I wanna kill him!"

"You and me both. Take comfort in the fact that'll Jacob will be in prison for life."

"You're so right about that. So, what's next for you?"

"I'm taking Leah away for a while until we have to return for the arraignment. After that, I'll play it by ear. We do want to settle down and start a family sooner rather than later. She has been by my side since high school and Leah deserves it all. I don't want to worry anymore about if I'll make it home or not.

Paul's words echoed in my mind and I could totally relate to him. Twice in almost two months, I had come very close to losing the love of my life. I knew it was going to be a long road but I was willing to do whatever it took.

"Tell me what I should expect when we get home."

He sighed and looked me in the eye. "Well, without a doubt, PTSD. She'll be anxious, nervous and even the smallest movements or sounds might set her off. The emotional rollercoaster will be hard to watch. Bella might cry, laugh to cover the pain, she'll want time alone and sometimes the opposite. She won't be able to sleep and when she does, the night terrors will set in. It's interesting since basically asked me the same thing.

"Really?"

"Yeah…. she didn't want anything sugarcoated so I told her just what I told you. I suggested a therapist so when she's back on her feet, that's something that should happen."

"And what can I do to help?"

"Listen to Bella and hear her out. If she wants to be alone, stay close but not to where you're hovering over her. Let her cry, get angry and also laugh. Remind her that's she's safe and that Jacob can't hurt her now. Treat Bella like the Queen she is and things will become a new normal."

"I can definitely do those things, Paul. I appreciate that."

"Anytime, Edward. I know it all too well."

I heard Renee's voice in the hallway as well as my mom's. My dad and Dr. Dorman were walking in behind them. I jumped from my seat walked over to the door. They all came in smiling so I knew we were going to hear good news.

"How is Bella?"

"She's doing just fine. I was able to repair the brain bleed and Dr. Cullen took care of the rest" Dr. Dorman said as he clapped my father on the back.

"When can the rest of us see her?" asked Alice.

"Emmett, Rose, Marcus, Amanda, Ben, and the kids are Facetiming her now. After that, you can go in individually or small groups. But please remember, Bella's body has gone through a month of trauma and injury. She may not even be up for everyone today."

"We understand, dad. Look, why don't I go last? I want to just sit with her, even if she's not awake.

"Are you sure, Edward? We all kind of figured she'd want to see you next" stated Charlie.

"I'm positive. You all need to head back to the hotel and rest. I'm not leaving Bella's side." Everyone nodded and then discussed the order. Charlie and Renee, Ben and Angela, Jasper and Alice, and then Leah and Paul. Group by group they went to Bella's room. I paced the hallway until a nurse came and got me.

"I'm Alyssa, Bella's morning nurse. She's asleep now but feel free to come and sit. I was told you would still be here."

"Yes, that's correct. If I talk to her, can she hear me?"

"I'd like to think so. It's good for her recovery. Follow me." She smiled and motioned for me to follow her. It was fairly quiet in this part of the hospital. The soft whooshing sound of monitors beeped. A police officer sat outside her room due to the high publicity of Bella's disappearance. I thanked Alyssa as she opened the door and I walked in. Bella was deep in sleep and her favorite worship music played. Her soft snores filled the open space. I gently kissed her forehead and lips as I took the seat next to her bed. My fingers touched hers and I intertwined our hands together. She looks so peaceful. I leaned forward to brush back her hair and to kiss her again because a part of me felt like this wasn't actually real.

'Too much excitement for one day, huh my love? Pretty girl, I'm so proud of you. You never stopped fighting and praying. I'm sorry you had to go through such horrible treatment and I wish I could have taken your place instead. I know I was a complete fool by the way I talked to you that not. I didn't deserve your forgiveness and yet you love me flaws and all. I'm going to do all of those things you said…. but, you'll be right there with me. I can't wait till we bust you out of here! We can go home and start over fresh. School will be over with soon, we'll have a late birthday celebration, the holidays are coming up and you get to meet your new nephew. I can't wait until we do the things we've talked about for almost a year now. Getting married one day, traveling to new places and having lots of mini Edwards and Bellas. Sleep well, baby, and I love you so much. Don't ever forget that."

I squeezed her hand and kissed her again. I pulled the blanket up over her body and found some an extra pillow and a sheet. I pushed the day bed closer to hers and was finally able to get some much needed rest.