It was midnight. Marie sat in the chair by the window, wide awake. She liked to stare at the moon. It was only at night that she felt most calm. Nobody would bother her. She could be safe for a little while.
After the dinner fiasco, Carlisle and Esme understood that she needed some time alone… she thought. Marie disappeared up into her room the rest of the night, slowly hearing the rest of the family come back together. No doubt they were talking about her.
She didn't know how long their patience would last with her. So far, Esme had been so kind. Too kind. Nobody was ever that selfless, there was always some ulterior motive. And Alice, Emmett, and Edward put her on edge. They are the ones that knew Isabella the best. They were her best friends. All it took was one slip up and this would all be over.
Like a waterfall, tears spilled over her eyes. They just kept coming and her body rocked back and forth. It felt like she was on the edge of a mental break down. All of this was too much for her. She couldn't handle the constant stress of pretending to be someone she wasn't, trying to fit into society again… trying to understand Edward. She doesn't know what she did to garner his hatred of her but she was sick of it. If he hated her so much then she wanted to know why. She didn't want to spend all this time waiting… waiting for him to do something to her. If he was going to hurt her then she just wanted him to get it over with.
She just wanted to give up.
With a sigh, Marie wipes away the tears and is prepared to turn off the lamp, when she hears a noise. She freezes like a statue, waiting for another noise. Suddenly there is a thump outside her door. Marie's eyes are as wide as saucers and she wills herself not to start freaking out. What the hell was going on out there?
"Damn it, Edward," a voice hisses. "Can you at least try to stand up straight?"
Edward was home. And another man was with him. It wasn't Emmett. It wasn't Carlisle. She didn't know who it was. The thought of another man in this close proximity scared her. She didn't want to get in their way. He already sounded annoyed.
"I've gotttta seeee heeeer Jazzzzy!" Edward slurred, the words tumbling out of his mouth.
"Call me Jazzy one more time and I'll drop you right here on the floor," the southern voice warned.
"Look, herr ligh' ish onnn," he ignored this Jazzy person. "Iamgoingtosayhi."
"Edward no-" he said but it too late. The door swung open and a very drunk Edward fell face first onto the carpet.
The masculine blue-eyed blonde haired guy stared at Marie in shock. He wasn't expecting to see her this soon.
"I-I'm so sorry about him" the words tumbled out of his mouth. "He's like super drunk and won't stop talking about you and it's been hard on him. But, um, I mean it's been hard on all of us because we've all been waiting to meet you and I know that you have some memory problems, and, um…" His rambling comes to a stop, realizing that the girl standing in front of him is shaking in fear. Her brown doe eyes are as wide as saucers and she's sucking on her bottom lip. That's what Bella always did when she was nervous; sucked on her lip.
"Is Edward all right?" Was all she could say.
"Edward?" he responds nonchalantly. "Yeah, he's fine. He's been drunker than this."
This is normal for him?
"I'm Jasper Hale," he softly said. "If you didn't remember."
Marie stares at him and to the boy passed out on the carpet. She's unsure how to respond. All she can do is stand there shell shocked.
"We were friends before you, um, before, you," he softly whispered, "... you were taken."
Marie nods in acknowledgment. She hugs her body tighter willing the boy to stay where he is. She didn't want him coming closer. A tremor moves through her body as she breathes through her mouth, trying to calm herself.
"You and my sister and Alice were best friends," he said. "You know Rose really misses you."
His voice faltered and his lips pressed into a thin line. He was lying. "Maybe we can come over sometime. We can all get acquainted if you're up to it."
It's silent in the room, except for the occasional snore from Edward. He was passed out drunk on the floor. Marie wondered what he had to say.
Jasper takes this as his queue to leave, realizing that she wouldn't respond to him. Maybe it was too early to get everyone together. She needed some time to settle in.
"I should, um, probably get him out of here," he mumbled. "Sorry that we kinda barged in."
Marie watches Jasper haul Edward ass off the ground. Edward grunts as he leans against Jasper, his body feeling like dead weight. His green eyes pierce through Marie's soul as he squints at her. "It is all of my faulllt!" He said. "Itoldhimaboutyou. He took yooou, cuz of meee. M'srrrry Bellls." Edward lays his head on Jasper's shoulder, trusting him to hold on to him. "Lets gooo Jazz."
Marie didn't sleep for the rest of the night. Edward's words replayed in her mind over and over again. "I told him about you."
Despite his obvious drunkness, it was clear that Edwards hate of her was more of self-blame. He blamed himself for Isabella's kidnapping. It could have been avoided if he just stayed silent. Except he didn't and James happened to be there and talking to Edward. Marie understood Edward's mood now.
She sat at the kitchen table, picking at her bowl of Froot Loops. Nobody else was awake yet. It was only seven o'clock in the morning and the house was quiet. It was empty and eerie. There was always so much noise with such a big family. It didn't feel right; the quietness.
"You're up early." A voice came from behind her. With a startle, Marie jumped out of her chair as if she'd just seen a murder. She twirled around to see Edward standing at the doorway, shirtless, just in sweatpants.
Marie couldn't help but drift her eyes to his abs. He had a six-pack. And biceps. Her heart fluttered at the sight of him.
Despite his hotness. He looked like shit.
He ran his fingers through his already untamed hair, adding to the mess. Knowing her obvious fear, he walks right past her to the sink to get a glass of water and Tylenol. He downs five of them, not taking his eyes off the girl. He wondered how much she remembered last night. How drunk had he been because all he knows is that he was in her room at some point, making a fool of himself, he was sure.
"Couldn't sleep?" He mutters.
Marie shakes her head, watching him from the table. Edward seemed brighter than usual. What was the attitude change?
Edward's lips are pressed into a thin line as he looked her over. She was pretty. Just like when they were younger. She was quiet and nice and put others needs before her own. That's what Edward liked about her. He knew that he treated her like shit and couldn't help but feel bad.
Yesterday, he overheard Bella talking with Emmett. It made him angry, hearing what James had put her through. He knew that it hurt her, what he was putting her through. Bella didn't deserve his wrath but it was the only way he could express himself without completely falling apart. Edward was having a hard time doubting her sincerity after yesterday. He'd never heard anyone sound so broken. So alone.
"Me neither," he mumbled. Marie stared at him, trying to figure out what his deal was. He was like a puzzle she was trying to solve but couldn't find the right piece to complete it. He always had something new up his sleeve.
"I'm, um, I'm sorry about last night…" he sighed. "I wasn't completely sober and did a stupid thing. I just wanted to apologize."
Edward fidgeted waiting for a response. He wanted to hear her voice. It sounded like bells when she spoke. He wanted her to say his name.
Marie ignores what he said, asking a question of her own, much to both of their surprise. "Wha- what did you mean last night?" She whispered hesitantly. "When you said it was your fault that I was taken?"
Edward's head snaps up and intensely gazes into her eyes. His heart pounds against his chest not wanting to answer. "We were having a barbecue at the park downtown. Alice, Jasper, Emmett, Rose, you, and I were swimming at a pond. We were planning on eating afterward so I left to get changed out of my bathing suit but you wanted to keep swimming in the river. Emmett and Jasper came with me but Alice, Rose, and you stayed at the water. After I was changed, I was going to get dinner when a man came up to me and asked about you. He said that he was an old family friend of yours and wanted to see you. I told him where you were and he left. That was the last time any of us saw you."
A shiver runs through Marie's body. How could it be so easy for someone to be taken in broad daylight? Someone must have had to seen Isabella taken. It didn't make sense that she would just disappear like that.
"Where were Alice and Rose?" Marie whispered.
"I went up to the stream with Rose," a delicate voice sounded throughout the room. Edward and Marie, both caught up in the story, turn around to see Alice standing at the doorway with tears in her eyes.
"Rose and I wanted to collect rocks up to the stream but you didn't want to come. It was a safe area and we had been there dozens of times so we didn't think anything of it. You were swimming in the water and we were only going to be less than a mile away. We came back ten minutes later and you were go-gone," her voice cracked. Alice couldn't bare to look at Marie. Edward blamed himself for leading Bella's kidnapper right to her but Alice knew that if she had stayed with Bella, perhaps she wouldn't have been kidnapped. Alice wanted answers. She wanted to know what happened after they left.
"Rose and I thought that you must have gone back up to the party. We didn't really take into account that your towel and shoes were still by the river-"
"I was the first one to realize that you were missing," Edward cut her off. "They came back and you weren't with them. I asked them where you were and they thought that you were with me and everyone else."
Marie's chest heaves up and down as the information comes pouring at her. What made Isabella go off with James? Why couldn't she just stay put? Why couldn't she have just gone with Alice and Rose? What was Isabella thinking?
"Everyone quickly realized that something was wrong. The police were called and at first, they thought that could have been swept away by the pond. The theory was quickly shut down because we all knew that you were a strong swimmer and were smart enough to stay away from the currents," Edward firmly stated. "It's only when I told the police and parents about that man that asked about you, we realized what happened. He was nowhere to be found and so were you."
"We just don't know what happened after Rose and I left. Tell me what happened," Alice pleaded. "Please."
Marie didn't have an answer because she didn't know what happened next. She could claim that she didn't remember but knew they wouldn't accept that.
"Just tell us what happened," Alice whimpered. "I don't believe this amnesia crap. I just want to know what happened to my sister."
Marie couldn't even look at Alice. It was too painful to lie to them. They deserved better than what she had to give them.
Alice had stalked across the room and had Marie trapped in her arms. For someone so tiny she had the strength of the Hulk. Marie stiffened at the sudden contact, desperately wanting to be released. She hated that she couldn't bare the touch of such a small girl like Alice.
Marie could feel the blood rushing through her ears and the pace of her heart speeding up. Her hands shook and feet tingled. Her vision was distorted as if she was in a daze. She couldn't breathe. She tried to talk but nothing came out. Alice wouldn't let go. She wouldn't let go and Marie was fading.
"You know I love you," James sighs, leaning back against the wall. His legs were spread out on the bed and held Marie against him in a vice-like grip. Her body was rigid as his hands crept down her spine, moving towards her legs. She knew that if she moved, there would be dire consequences. She just had to stay still and let him do his thing. It would be over soon.
James put the bed in the attic so he wouldn't have to bring Marie downstairs. He could still have his way with her without risking exposure. He was her everything and he wasn't willing to lose her just yet.
"Tell me you love me, Marie," he breathed into her ear. "Tell me you need me."
She knew what would happen if she disobeyed. She had to say what he wanted to hear. His nails dug into her thigh, drawing blood. Marie sucked in a breathe, willing herself not to scream out in pain.
"I love you. I need you," her voice shook. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes and trickled her cheeks like a waterfall. She didn't bother to wipe them away. Marie was frozen in fear.
"I know you do. That's why we'll be together forever. We'll never be apart." James forced her head on his shoulder, petting her silky hair. He knew that she was too afraid to leave. She was completely under his control. He hugged her tightly, letting her know that he was never letting her go…
Marie awoke confused and cowering on the ground. She's rocking back and forth with her head in her arms. She's aware that there's someone near but it doesn't register on her mind that they could be dangerous. She's just focused on hiding away. She doesn't want to be seen.
"Bella, this is Carlisle," he sits down in front of her. "Can you lift your head up? I want to make sure that you are ok."
From the corner of her eye she sees his hand raise and fearing a slap the face, she flinches away cowering into the kitchen cabinets.
"What the hell happened?" Esme's voice rings throughout the room.
Edward and Alice stand to the side, shocked at what had happened. It had only been a few seconds and suddenly Marie was screaming in terror. She pushed Alice away and dropped to the floor trying to hide from the two teenagers. They hadn't meant to push her.
"We were just talking," Alice cried. "We were talking and I hugged her and then she started freaking out. I didn't mean to hurt her."
Esme sighs, knowing that there is more to the story. However, she doesn't want to make the situation worse. It wouldn't do Bella any good to watch her berate her children.
"The two of you, go upstairs and don't come down until we say. I'll be speaking with you later," she looks directly at Edward. It didn't take a genius to see that he was hungover. He thought that he had been left off the hook. Alice and Edward stomp off and Esme refocuses her attention on her husband and scared girl.
Carlisle is doing counting exercises with her, trying to stop the panic attack. "One, two, three four…"
Marie repeats after him, slowly coming back to her senses. She uncurls from the ball she's squished up in and cautiously peeks at Carlisle and Esme. They aren't angry and annoyed with her. They are just worried. Everything is moving so fast and the police called this morning, wanting to ask Marie more questions. What Carlisle and Esme both agreed on was that she needed some sort of therapy session. She needed something to take her mind off of everything.