Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. I'm just doing something a little different with my story and her characters. NO copyright infringement intended. WARNING: CONTAINS DARK THEMES MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL.
Hey there kiddies. Well, I think today you'll get some more answers. We are just about done with this. Thanks for sticking around and reviewing. I read everyone of them. I'm sorry I haven't responded to more RL at work and home has been well in the way. But just know I read them all and love you all for reviewing. This day is not beta'd so keep that in mind. My fabu beta is, let's just say RL is being a bitch to her right now.
Sweetcheeks, I love you and I'm here for you ALWAYS! When you're ready don't hesitate, I'm here.
Sis, YEA! You got your copy of 50 Shades of Grey. Loving it or what? Told ya the names wouldn't make a difference.
Twin, I so needed you and you were there. I love you!
Oh, Sunday 9pm is so much closer, I don't think I can contain myself. I have never wanted to the weekend to fly by so badly. I have a feeling we will all need medical attention during the MMA's.
Okay, enough fucking chit chat here is day 29.
Day 29
My mind is trying to process everything Special Agent Banner and Detective Crowley told me yesterday.
At some point I think I stepped out of myself because it seemed as though I was watching what was happening instead of experiencing it firsthand.
It was as if I was watching one of those cop dramas like CSI or Law and Order: SVU. All of it couldn't be real. All of it had to be the creation of a writer. All of it couldn't have happened to me. But the reality is, it did—every last horrible detail happened to me and countless others—to Kate. James had been doing this to other women for quite some time. The FBI got involved when his numbers increased greatly and local authorities were at a loss.
Kate wasn't his first, but I, I was his last.
He won't ever take another woman, hold her in that prison and do unspeakable things to her.
I was his last.
I was his last.
I had answered their questions as best I could. My memory is still a little fuzzy on some of the details. Between the information they got from the girl, Victoria, who didn't become his next victim and me they seemed to have everything they needed to get James and prosecute him.
I told them I had gone to the restroom with Alice. I told her not to wait for me even though she wanted to. When I left the restroom I felt a sharp pain in my arm, then burning and then everything went fuzzy and black.
Edward was even more helpful than the two of us combined. He recognized James from the sketch. Unfortunately, as helpful as all of us were, they still haven't found him.
A shudder rips through me every time I think of the fact Edward knew him; had gone to medical school with him. And fear cuts through me, right to my core knowing he's still out there.
James had been a loner in med school. Edward remembers James keeping to himself, never socializing or participating in any of the group study sessions. He had been in some of Edward's classes, but after first term he disappeared, as did Heidi Simmons, his first victim. She was found buried not from her apartment. And from there the list grew—dozens and dozens of girls, women, taken, held prisoner, tortured, violated, and then killed.
They told me I was one of the lucky ones.
Lucky? The concept seems so ludicrous considering what I went through, what he did to me. I was lucky to be alive, but that was as far as my luck went.
Kate wasn't so lucky.
I had asked them about her, even though I already knew.
After they told me they found her shallow grave in the backyard, I broke down.
I can remember Carlisle asking them to leave and then I felt Edward's arms around me and for some reason that made me fall apart completely, everything came crashing down on me—full force.
Edward just held me, comforted me until I calmed. Carlisle wanted to give me a sedative, which he assured me was safe and the drug James had concocted and given me was out of my system, but I refused. I had been drugged enough—drugged by him and I never wanted to feel that way again.
Carlisle understood.
James knew exactly what he was doing. He had studied enough pharmacology, his specialty, anatomy and other aspects of the medical field before he disappeared to be able to do what he did to me, to Kate, to all of us, without killing us right away. Apparently, Kate had been there for two months. She had endured all of it for two long months. She had been strong, but her body finally gave in to all the toxins he was giving her and his abuse. I was right he had been poisoning her.
Kate.
I rogue tear streams down my face.
Kate.
Quiet sobs well up in me threatening to become more.
With all my strength I try to hold them back, but it's too much and they overpower me.
The words "if only" plague me.
If only I fought back more?
If only I did more for her?
If only I found a way out?
If only…
If only…
If only…
My body convulses and succumbs to the emotional tempest churning inside me.
My arms wrap around me, fighting against the tug and pull of my IV tube. I desperately want to roll up into a ball, but the traction my leg is in prevents it. My comforting is minimal.
I suddenly feel strong arms wrap around me, my body instinctively flinches away from their touch. But then it realizes there is no harm or threat in their intention and I begin to relax.
The scent of cherries swirls around me filling up my nose with familiarity.
"Shh, Bells, I'm here, I've got ya, kiddo. You're safe. I'm here."
I wrap my arms around Charlie's and pull them tighter, closer around me, hugging them.
Tears flow like the steady stream of a river as Charlie holds me, comforts me.
I so needed him. I so needed my dad more than ever.
His quite strength feeds my soul and I feel myself begin to calm.
My body stills, the steady stream of tears becomes all but a trickle.
I relax and Charlie slowly releases me. I turn to face him and I am met with a warm smile and eyes.
A sense of peace fills me.
Charlie wipes away a few straggling tears with the pad of his thumb.
"Feeling better, kiddo?"
I smile and nod, "Thanks, Dad."
Charlie smiles and slowly pulls away, placing himself in the chair beside my bed.
Edward's chair.
He's become firmly attached to it since I was admitted.
My heart constricts thinking about what this has done to him, what he went through since James took me.
I force down the lump in my throat and the emotional tempest threatening to make a reappearance.
Stay strong, Bella, stay strong.
"Dad, um, where's…"
And before I can get his name out, Charlie answers, "I sent him home to shower and change, again. That man of yours never wants to leave. He put up a fight, but I reassured him I would be with you and text him as soon as you woke up. So, my guess is he'll be here any minute."
Charlie quickly glances at his watch and smile, "Yep, any minute."
And just as he predicted, two minutes later, Edward is standing in the doorway.
"Hi, Beautiful."
His crooked smile plays on his lips and I can't help but smile back.
"Hi."
Charlie squeezes my hand, "Okay then, I'm gonna go and, um, get some coffee and more cherry cobbler from the cafeteria. I'll be back in a little bit, okay, Bells?"
I squeeze his hand back, "Okay, Dad."
Charlie stands but before he turns away he leans over me and lightly kisses my forehead.
"I love you, kiddo. I don't know what I would have done…"
He doesn't finish, but I know the exact words he's holding back.
"I love you too, Dad."
Charlie leaves and Edward takes his seat by my bed.
He hesitates, his eyes fixed on my lips.
Ever so slowly he leans in, his emerald eyes never leaving mine.
His lips are millimeters from mine, his warm sweet breath fanning across my face.
With my eyes I tell him I need this, I want this.
Edward smiles and then gently his lips graze mine.
There is no fear, no hurt, no pain.
There is only love, comfort and peace.
I'm surprised my body hasn't betrayed me and pushed him away.
My therapist, Dr. Elezar, has explained to me the mind can be a mystery. He seems to think I am able to accept Edward's touch even after everything I've gone through because my mind used Edward as an escape to protect myself. My mind found peace and refuge in my memories of him.
Edward pulls away, his lips pull up into my favorite smile and as always I am left breathless.
Thank goodness I am no longer hooked up to the heart monitor because at this moment I'm pretty sure it would be beeping wildly.
As Edward goes to sit back down Special Agent Banner and Detective Crowley knock on the door frame. Their expressions are stoic.
I nod for them to come in as I try to prop myself up and wince.
Edward gives me a warning look and I settle back down.
"You're looking better, Bella."
"Thank you Special Agent Banner. I'm feeling better, but I have a feeling you're not here to ask about my recovery."
"No, you're right. We have some news."
My breathing hitches, panic begins to flow through me.
Edward immediately senses my anxiety and discomfort.
He makes his way onto my bed, his arm reaching around me, he gently pulls me to him.
"What have you learned?" Edward asks what I can't.
"We've found James."
Edward pulls me tighter to him. "Shhh, Bella, it's okay. He can't hurt you. I won't let him hurt you."
I hadn't realized I started crying.
They've found him echoes in my head.
I'll have to face him.
I'll have to relive it all.
Full blown panic erupts.
I can't breathe.
I can't breathe.
Everything is spinning.
I hear voices but can't distinguish what they are saying.
There's movement all around me.
The bed feels lighter.
Edward.
Edward.
Edward.
His name doesn't make it passed my tongue.
The room spins faster.
I can't breathe.
A slow stingy burn finds its way into my arm.
And then darkness.
A/N: Well, did you get more answers? God, I hope so. Let me know what you're thinking. See ya tomorrow.
