AWoC ch50

A/n: Everyone circle around and grab hands….this chapter is a tough, rough one.

It's a flashback … and will answer/confirm some of your fears.

**Triggers may occur regarding abuse/abusive/violent situations.**

Tissues, hold hands, big girl panties…..see ya at the bottom.

BPOV

I sat on the edge of Edward's bed, admiring the aura of his room. I was trying to keep my mind occupied from the reality of the situation.

I got up and perused the books lining his shelves, touching all the little mementos and knick-knacks that sat covered in a layer of dust amongst the stacks of CD's and comic books.

I had decided to clean his room since we'd be holed up in this space for who knows how long. I couldn't find anything to clean with in his bathroom so I decided to go downstairs to check in the pantry or laundry room for supplies.

Just as I bent over to look under the kitchen sink, I heard the front door quietly close and something eerily made me think it wasn't Edward.

God, I hoped it wasn't Alice. The last thing I needed today was a run in with her while no one else was around.

"Well, well, well, there's my sweet little Isabella. Aren't you looking positively sinful in those shorts?" I heard the creepy voice of none other than Riley.

I felt a shiver run through me as I turned around and came within a few feet of the man we'd all been trying to catch, yet avoid.

"You surely didn't think I'd just let you go that easily, did you?" He took a step toward me and I stepped back until my bottom hit the cabinet. I froze in fear as he raised his hand and slid his grimy fingers down the rim of my jaw and circled his fingers around my neck.

The next thing I knew he had his hands gripping my hair and I was being dragged into the living room where he tossed me against a wall.

The force of the hit knocked the wind out of me but didn't stop Riley from pinning me to the wall with his body and sliding his legs between my thighs. As I struggled to move away from him, he captured my hands and slammed them against the wall on either side of my head.

"You aren't going anywhere, you stupid bitch," his rank breath blew across my face and I continued to struggle.

I had to get away from him, I couldn't let Edward come back and find me here with Riley.

"Who the fuck do you think you are playing me like this?" His voice strained as he spoke through gritted teeth, just as he leaned in and ran his nose along my throat.

I fought to keep the bile at bay because all I really wanted to do was throw up all over him. Maybe he'd leave me alone long enough for me to run. Charlie had to be outside in his hidden perch.

"Let me go, Riley, you're only making this worse for yourself," I was able to find my voice and speak.

He looked up at me with cold, dark eyes, "You have no idea who I am, do you? I'm never letting you go. You are mine, Isabella."

Riley crashed his lips against mine and I fought to move my head, get away from him. I didn't want this. I didn't want him and certainly didn't want Edward to come in and see this.

It would kill him. Or get him killed.

"Fuck you, Riley. I only belong to Cullen," I ground out after I bit his lip to get his lips off mine.

He backhanded me across the face.

It stung like a bitch and I fought not to cry.

"Cullen will never touch you again after I kill him, Isabella. I told you, you belong to me," his hands grabbed my hips as he thrust his against me.

I gagged, tasting the bile again.

"Stop!" I screamed as his hands grabbed my boobs and began to squeeze. I didn't have a bra on, so I knew he could feel it all. It made me sick to have his hands on me. I gagged again and he slapped me across my other cheek.

"Don't beg, sweetheart. It'll only make it harder on you," he panted against my neck before I felt his tongue take a long lick from my collarbone up to my ear.

"I'm going to enjoy fucking the shit outta that sweet little ass," he ground against me once more.

"NO! Leave me alone!" I screamed, hoping and praying Charlie could hear me.

Someone.

Anyone.

Riley grabbed my wrist and flung me across the room. My knees hit the hardwood floor with a thump and I scrambled to get away but not before he grabbed my ankle and pulled me back towards him.

"Stop trying to get away," he yelled and pushed me onto my back. I kicked and flailed, trying to keep him off of me.

He dropped all of his body weight on top of mine, squeezing all of the air from my lungs. I struggled to keep my eyes open as the dizziness washed over me.

"I will have you, Isabella," his hips pushed against my pelvis and I felt the tears flood my eyes.

"No. I don't want this. Please stop," I begged.

His mouth attacked mine again and I tried to force my lips from opening. His tongue pushed on my skin as I continued to struggle against him.

The next thing I knew, his hand was on the waistband of my shorts, my legs trapped by his but I continued to fight against him.

He punched my head and the pain momentarily blinded me.

At that moment, I heard the crunch of tires on the gravel outside and I screamed as Riley instantly stood up, pulling me by my hair.

"This should be fun," he chuckled as he dragged me beside him. I was unable to get my knees solid on the floor before he pushed the door open and gripped my hair tighter in his hand.

I grabbed another tissue and watched through my blurring eyes as Judy sat still, her eyes never leaving mine.

"Have you told any of this to Edward?" She asked and moved in her seat.

I shook my head and wiped my nose.

"He almost died. He'd been injured and was detoxing. There was no way I could tell him all of this. I honestly don't know that I could ever tell him." My voice was raspy when I spoke.

"You can't keep this bottled up, Bella," Judy quietly reminded me.

I nodded and swiped a thumb under my left eye, my hands a little shaky.

"I'm scared to tell him, Judy. He's still not in a good place. His treatment's not having the same effect on him as it has for me." She smiled and reached for my hand across our chairs.

"Sweet girl, it just takes time. And, if he really loves you and really wants to get better, he has to do it on his own. You understand that, right?" Her softness made me long for the mom that I never had.

"I know. And, I've talked to him about it, kind of." I didn't want to divulge something I'd said to him. It felt too private and we were both so closed off from everyone around us. Talking about our private conversations should remain just that, private.

"He has to want it, on his own. No matter how much you love him, or try to help him, it won't matter if he doesn't admit to his own faults, Bella." She grasped my hands and squeezed.

I gave her a weak smile and nodded.

"I know." Because I truly did know after all the years I tried to stop my mother's drinking, knowing no matter how many bottles I hid or poured out, it wouldn't stop her.

"For what it's worth, I'm really proud of you," Judy smiled a genuine smile at me and I nodded again.

"You've done remarkably well and I know when you are ready to leave here, you'll succeed as long as you remember all you've learned during your stay." Her eyes held mine and I felt proud of the confidence she had in me.

We hugged and she dismissed me.

As I walked down the hall, with the noises from the Center all around me, I felt strangely quiet and still inside. I only hoped Edward could find this kind of peace within himself soon.

A/n: Collective Sigh, please.

CP was NOT raped by Riley.

But, she was assaulted and abused by his hands. So, there ya have it.

Much thanks to my team: A Jasper for Me, Eternally Edwards Girl, Pates Greeneyes, Rvrsong for all they do in regards to this fic. I love you all.

I wish I could HUG you all, especially those new readers who stayed up all night reading to catch up or who blasted my inbox over a few days….THANK YOU!

AND, to all my loyal followers ….THANK YOU, TOO!

I do this for ya'll and because I just love to write. So, for the negative nancy who wanted to blast my "un-realistic" approach to this fic…I say, you haven't walked in my shoes or lived my life. I write what I KNOW and you speak of what YOU KNOW. So, we're at an impasse.

I love these kids, flaws and all, and will continue to write them MY WAY;)

See ya'll on Friday.

Love, Kyla