Disclaimer: Twilight and all the associated characters belong to Stephanie Meyer. The story line and all their naughty little actions come to you courtesy of me.


Investing in Love- Chapter 55

"Yeah, she's awake," Vic says as he nudges me with his foot in my side.

He kneels down beside me and pours water into my mouth. I try to swallow it, but he pours it too fast and I spit and sputter the water that I can't take in.

"Let that settle and come back and do it again." Tanya is giving Vic orders.

Vic does what Tanya says and every so often he brings me water. After a few successful attempts of me keeping the water down, he starts to feed me chicken broth. They've stopped giving me the sleepy medicine, but I still find myself dozing in and out of consciences. I don't know how long this goes on for, but eventually they start giving me crackers and I start staying up for longer periods of time.

"Do you think she is ready?" Vic asks.

"Yes I think she is ready." Mystery man keeps himself cloaked in the shadows, but I know I have heard that voice before.

"We will need more light." Tanya goes over to a light switch and a single hanging bulb turns on above me.

My eyes burn with the sudden irritation from the fluorescent bulb. I have the same feeling I do when I'm on stage, I can hear the audience but I can't see them. They have me on display.

"Okay Bella, we are going to make a nice little video for your precious Edward. We want him to know you're still alive, but you can't say our names or anything that will let him know who has you." Tanya kneels down in front of me as she gives me my rules. "Do you understand?"

I reach out and slap her across the face, scratching her with my nails.

"You stupid bitch!" She spits at me and pushes me back with her foot as she stands and gives orders to Vic. "Tie her hands up, too."

I'm sitting on the floor with my legs shackled to the wall and Vic comes over and grabs my hands pulling me closer to the wall and placing both my arms into one shackle and securing them above my head. I try and struggle against the shackles but it only hurts more as they dig into my skin.

"Let's get this done," Mystery man commands with an annoyed voice.

"Okay Bella, what do you want to tell Edward?" Mystery man is using a device to muffle his voice and it sounds very ominous.

I sit there looking half alive with my head down, realizing this could be the last chance I have to tell Edward how I feel. I lift my head up, open my eyes and look out, hoping I'm looking towards the camera. My voice is soft and weak, but I try and put as much feeling as I can into each word.

"I love you." Tears start streaming down my face knowing I may never get to tell him to his face how I feel, but at least he will know now.

"Isn't that sweet?" The ominous voice coos. "Does it break your heart, Edward, to see how fragile and defeated your beautiful Bella is? We will be in touch in a few days; until then, you have the pleasure of knowing she is alive, but you will have to think of her chained against this wall as she desperately prays for your protection."

I struggle against my restraints, angry that he is purposefully causing Edward pain.

"Medusa!" I yell out of nowhere.

"What the hell is she talking about? Shut her up," the voice demands.

"Medusa!" I yell again right before Vic puts a piece of cloth in my mouth and ties it behind my head. I struggle and try to yell as much as I can, but it's no use, the fabric pulls at my dry mouth and rubs the corners of my lips raw.

"That was great!" Tanya sounds very pleased with the outcome of their little production. "Edward will be devastated."

"Yes, I think that was perfect." I hear mystery man heading towards the stairs leading out of the basement. "Give her a shot and then you can unhook her arms."

I shake my head back in forth trying to plead with Vic as he makes his way over to me.

"When do I get to have some fun?" Vic runs his fingers up my bare legs as I jerk away as much as the restraints allow me.

"In due time, in due time." With that response from mystery man, Vic slams the needle into my leg and my head lulls to one side and everything goes dark.


"Get her out of here!" What's going on?

.

"I don't know how they found out." I feel something tug at my legs.

"It's too late!" I hear the sound of metal hitting the floor.

.

.

"Where the fuck is she?" Edward!

"Edward." Am I saying his name out loud or is it just in my mind?

"I haven't had my chance to have fun with her yet."

"You sick bastard! I will kill you!"

I hear commotion, but my mind can't differentiate between dreams and reality. I don't know if what I'm hearing is really happening.

"Edward, shit! You're killing him!" Seth? "Jasper, Emmett, help me get him off of this motherfucker!"

.

.

"He has a gun!"

.

.

BANG!

.

.

"Seth!"

.

.

"Oh my God! Bella…Bella baby…please be alright."

I feel as if I'm floating on a cloud. Am I dead? I feel weightless. I can smell him…Edward. This must be heaven.

.

"Jesus, tell me she's going to be alright."

"Edward, come on man you have to let them look at her."

"I can't lose you Bella. I love you. I won't live in a world where you don't exist."

"Edward…" why can't he hear me?

"Sir, sir…we need to get her to a hospital."

"I'm going with you."


Beep…Beep…Beep…Beep.

Something is squeezing my arm.

"Blood pressure looks good."

"You said she could wake up at any moment?" Edward.

"Yes, she's been through a lot and her body is just now getting the nutrients it needs. Sleeping is the best thing for her right now. You know you look like you could use some nutrients too. Why don't you go get something from the cafeteria?"

"No, I'm not leaving her."

"Okay, but you won't be doing her any good if I also have to admit you for malnutrition and dehydration."

"Thanks Doctor."


"Edward you need to try and get some good sleep. Go home. I will stay with her." Alice.

"I've been sleeping just fine right here in this chair with my head next to her." Edward.

"She is looking better." Rosalie.

"How's Seth doing?" Jacob.

What's wrong with Seth?

"They said he is doing great. He's more upset about Bella than anything else."


Ugh! The light. I try and open my eyes, but the sunlight coming from the window feels like it's scorching my eyeballs. I keep blinking my eyes, each time trying to adjust to more light.

I squeeze my hands wanting to move my muscles and I feel something in my left hand. I roll my head to the side and squint my eyes as I bring Edwards figure into focus. He's laying his head on the bed sleeping as he holds my hand.

"Ed..ward." My voice is soft and scratchy.

"Ed…ward," I say again, this time squeezing his hand at the same time.

The use of my voice and my dry mouth make me start coughing.

"Bella?" Edwards lifts his head. "Bella?" He looks at me like I'm a figment on his imagination. "Bella!? He finally realizes it's me and that I'm coughing uncontrollable so he gets up, pushes the nurse button and gets me a drink of water.

I sip the water from a straw and feel instant relief as soon as the refreshing cold liquid hits my dry mouth. Once I have my cough under control, Edward set's the glass of water on the table and comes back to my side.

"How are you? Do you feel okay? Is anything hurting?" He keeps touching my arms and face as if he is trying to prove I really exist.

"Okay, I guess. I'm sore." My voice still sounds weak and tired.

"Oh baby you have been through so much. I'm so sorry." He pushes hair out of my face and kisses my forehead.

"What happened? How did I get out?"

"You were so smart baby. I'm so proud of you. You said the one word that you knew they would never pick up on, but it lead me right to you." His eyes are starting to tear up and I realize just how exhausted and overcome Edward looks.

"Are you okay?" I ask, concerned for his wellbeing.

"I am now." He laughs and shakes his head at my concern for him. "Don't worry about me though. You are the one we need to focus on."

"Edward?"

"Yes beautiful?"

"I'm tired." My eyes starting to close again.

"I know. The doctor said you should rest as much as possible."

"Edward?" I can't stay awake much longer.

"Yes?"

"I love you."


A/N: She was finally able tell him she loves him. If you like the story, please review. Your kind words and constructive criticism would mean the world to me. If you don't like the story, then remember what your mama told you, "If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all." I hope my story brings you a welcoming escape into the world of fantasy.