Looking for Bella

Edward's POV

After finding Bella had gone to sleep in the guest room across from my room, I curled up next to her, falling asleep. I then awoke to find her gone and a note in her place. Tears ran down my face as I read what she had written but sucked it up and went about my day as normally as possible after telling my family Bella had moved out because she needed a bit of space. I couldn't help but notice my dad was slightly glad when I said that. Sunday passed in a similar way with me trying not to worry about my Bella. At school on Monday Bella didn't turn up. People questioned where she was and no one had seen her once over the weekend. Emmett and Jasper tried to calm my nerves when she didn't show at boxing but it didn't work. I spent hours punching a bag. When Bella was a no show again at school the next day, I felt like killing someone. I hoped Bella would have at least texted me to let me know she was alright. Later that night when she hadn't turned up at boxing yet again, my dad finally got fed up with my pacing in the living room.

"Son, please stop pacing. I'm sure she's fine. Maybe she wanted a new start alone somewhere."

"She would have at least told me. I made sure she had my phone number and all of yours in case she needed any help."

"You need to let her go Edward. Focus on your school work."

"I don't want to let her go dad."

"Perhaps her leaving is for the best."

"Why would you say that?"

"Listen Edward, she's a sweet girl and all but if you want to become a doctor you need to forget about her and focus on school."

"I don't want to be a doctor anymore dad."

"Of course you do son. You've always wanted to be a doctor. You need to stop thinking about girls and wait till you've graduated college before you find a girl you deserve."

"What did you just say?"

I started shouting in his face, seething. Emmett and Jasper grabbed my arms, holding me away from him.

"Did you just say that Bella isn't good enough for me?"

"She's a prostitute Edward. You are not going to be with a prostitute."

"She is not a prostitute. She is a victim."

"She feeds on sex Edward, that's all she does. That's all she will ever do."

"She does not."

"Have you had sex with her Edward?"

"No."

"Has she tried to push herself onto you?"

"No."

"Not ever?"

"She did once, but that was when I first brought her here. She was confused and scared."

"Does she want to have sex with you Edward?"

"Yes, and I want to have sex with her alright. I love her."

"You don't Edward; she's been playing mind games with you. That's what she does."

"No she doesn't. What did you say to her on Friday? Ever since you took her to your office on Friday she's hasn't said a word to me. She slept in the guest room then disappeared before I woke up. I haven't seen her since Friday. Now tell me what you said to her."

"You will not speak to me like this son. Now calm down."

I started to struggle against Jasper and Emmett's grip as I moved closer to Carlisle. He had something to do with Bella's disappearance and he would tell me, even if I had to beat him up.

"Edward listen, I'm sure it wasn't dad. Bella might just want some space right now."

"No. We had such a great time on Friday, she wouldn't just leave me without a word for four days. He's got something to do with her leaving. What did you say to her?"

"I told her that she needs to leave you alone, that she isn't good enough for you because she isn't."

"You said what?"

"Edward, she's gone. Just forget about her. Think about your future."

"She is my future."

"Please, you weren't going to marry her."

"I was. My future is with Bella. She's my life and now you've sent her away."

"I didn't send her away. I told her that she could stay here as long as she left you alone, she told me she had another place to go."

"Did she tell you where?"

"No. Just that she would leave on Saturday."

"You didn't think that maybe, just possibly she was lying?"

"Why would she lie?"

"To leave. You never would have let her leave if you knew she had nowhere to go. Maybe, just maybe you hurt her so bad that she would rather live on the streets than live here with you and me, a man she has been told to stay away from as she is not worthy of being with me."

"You are not a man Edward. Not yet."

"What am I then? A child? You are treating me like one."

"Because you are acting like one."

"CARLISLE!"

We all looked round to see Esme standing at the bottom of the stairs, staring at Carlisle. Emmett and Jasper released their grip enough for me to get out.

"Edward, go to your room. I'm sorry son."

"I'm going to find Bella."

"You can't son, you need to leave her. You won't ever become a doctor if you stay with her."

"I don't want to be a fucking doctor. I want to be with Bella."

"Edward, son, please calm down."

She placed her hand on my shoulder in an attempt of calming me down.

"Mom, I love you but I need to find Bella. Your husband has hurt Bella."

"Edward, I'm your father."

"Not anymore. When I find Bella, I'm bringing her back here and then I'm going to find somewhere for us to live. I am not staying in this house with you."

I pointed my finger to Carlisle and ran upstairs to my room. Shoving a blanket and thick, wholly jumper into a bag, I grabbed some shoes and a coat before running to my car. I drove around the streets of Forks for two hours with no luck. In the pitch black, I ran round the streets asking anyone I saw for help. Finally I came across an old woman with a small bag of food.

"Could you tell me if you've seen this girl?"

I held up a picture of Bella from last week on my phone. She took her time to look over it before nodding.

"Come with me young man."

"Thank you. Thank you."

She walked slowly and silently, along the cold path until she turned into the forest.

"Where is she?"

"You will see Edward."

"How do you know my name?"

"She talks of you in her sleep. She is so sweet. She gave her food to the lady; the lady with the baby. The baby that died."

She seemed sad for a moment but only a moment before smiling.

"They had a funeral you know. The whole house was there. The mother moved on yesterday. She seemed so lost."

"What do you mean by the whole house?"

"Everyone that lives there silly. We look after each other the best we can. You're friend though, she is different, she refused help. Poor thing hasn't eaten for days. She was out all of Sunday and came home with six bags filled with food and water you know. Didn't have one bit she didn't. Even gave some to Max."

"Who's Max?"

"You really don't know much do you boy? Max is the man who beat her up Saturday. She only came out with a black, the lucky thing. Max can cause a lot more damage than that if he wants when he's been at it again."

"At what?"

"At the drugs young man. He doesn't use them often but when he does he flies off the rails. Come on, we're nearly there. Is your friend expecting you?"

"No. I don't think she ever thought she'd see me again."

"Are you going to stay with us?"

"I can't, I have to go home."

"A man with money. I see. Why is it your friend came to us then?"

"My father made her leave."

"Poor girl, no family of her own I suppose."

"No."

"She's lucky to have you then young man."

She fell silent once again as she continued her slow walk. I worried for what I'd find. Somewhere in these woods was Bella and she was in a place people were dying and taking drugs. Why didn't she just talk to me?

As the lady walked deeper into the forest I became very aware of how cold it was. The temperature was icy with the gentle wind blowing through the trees. Finally, we emerged out of the trees to find a two storey house with boards across all the windows and the door frame.

"What is this place?"

"It's home. Anyone looking for one can come here. We're all very welcoming you know."

I didn't know what to say as she led me round the back and through the only open window. Women and children lay asleep together on the bare floor with a simple blanket wrapped around their slim frames. The whole room was full but one slit which I was led down. Some, that were awake, sat up and watched me go by- others lay staring into space. Out in the hall there were two doors closed over with locks.

"Why are they locked?"

"That's where Max and people sleep. The ones who do drugs. By doing drugs they've agreed to being locked in at night. It's so everyone else feels more safe. Any of the men could break the door if they wanted."

She led me up the old broken stairs to a cold room at the front of the house. There were a few less people in this room but there were mattresses lining the walls, forming tight rows. In the corner of the room was a weak, fragile Bella. She smiled up at me and the old woman, wrapping her arms around her knees.

"Evening Maggie."

"Good evening Bella. This young man wanted to see you Bella."

"I'm just dreaming Maggie. Go to bed."

"Oh okay. Goodnight."

"Goodnight Maggie."

The woman turned and walked away without looking at me again. I turned back to Bella to see her leaning against the corner of the room, a dazed look in her eyes as she gazed up at me.

"Bella?"

She didn't respond as I crouched down in front of her.

"I'm sorry Bella. I want you to come with me Bella."

A large smile spread across her face as she leaned her head to the side. I moved closer to her, holding my hands out to her and dropping my bag to the floor. When she made no move to come to me, I sat next to her, wrapping my arms around her shoulders. She leaned her head against my shoulder breathing in deeply.

"I'm here Bella."

"You're always here with me."

She closed her eyes and drifted to sleep curled up in a ball. I lay us down on the broken mouldy mattress and held her as she slept, pulling my wholly jumper over her head and wrapping her up in the blanket. I couldn't sleep, scared for what someone could do to us in this place.

The morning came quickly as the sun shone through the gaps in the boarded up windows. I combed her hair as she lay with her head on my chest. Her hand came up to my chest as her eyes fluttered open.

"Is it really you?"

"Yes. I'm here Bella. I've got you."

"You really came?"

"Yes. I love you. I'm taking you home Bella."

"You can't Edward. I'm destroying your future. I'm not good for you."

"I don't care what Carlisle said. My future is with you. I don't want to be a doctor. That's his dream for me. I don't want that. I want you."

"You deserve someone better."

"Shit Bella. It's me that doesn't deserve you. I love you Bella, more than my life. When I woke up Saturday and read your note I was so upset. You left me Bella. You didn't even tell me in person that you were leaving."

"I'm sorry."

I noticed she was crying into my shirt.

"Don't cry Bella. I love you."

"I love you too."

She looked up at me and I saw her eyes filled with tears, one black and bruised. Slowly, I lowered my lips to hers.

"Bella, I'm getting you out of here."

"Where will we go?"

"My house, Carlisle won't speak to you, not if he knows what's good for him. My future is with you no matter what he says."

"Thank you."

I sat up, pulling her with me.

"Bella, I know we're young and haven't known each other for very long but when I'm with you I'm not Edward, the man aspiring to be like my father, I'm not some boy either. I'm me. I know my future has you in it but as what, that depends on your answer."

"My answer to what?"

I leaned my forehead to hers, wrapping my arms around her waist.

"Marry me Bella."