The lock beeped and the handle turned. It was time to choose, fight or flight. Fight was certainly out of the question for Bella. Knowing her luck, she'd do more damage to herself than her opponent. She looked over at Edward who was fumbling his way free of the various monitors. While he appeared to be no stranger to the gym, he was still blind. It would only take one well-timed punch to the head to put him back into a coma. Fight was a no go for him as well.
"Bella, help me get this thing off me!" Edward exclaimed, tugging on his IV.
"Wait, Edward, don't!" Bella exclaimed.
Unfortunately, it was too late. Edward yanked out his IV causing an alarm to sound and blood to stream down his arm. They both winced, Edward from the pain and Bella from the realization that flight was now going to be difficult if not impossible. Even if by some miracle they made it out of the room, they'd leave behind a bread crumb trail of blood for Nurse Victoria to follow. To make matters worse, the sight of all that blood was making Bella dizzy. Once again, she was backed into a corner with no way out and a high likelihood of fainting.
Just when Bella thought all hope was lost, the door swung open revealing one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen, Carlisle holding Edward's release papers. Nurse Victoria was standing behind him clutching the back of an empty wheelchair. If looks could kill, they would have all been reduced to ash.
Carlisle surveyed the scene with an unreadable expression on his face. Bella was curled up in a ball pale as a ghost and Edward was trying to stop the bleeding with the corner of his gown.
He turned to nurse Victoria. "We're going to need a second wheelchair."
Bella didn't recall leaving room zero or getting into the car. Maybe she fainted or maybe she was too distracted by the ghosts dashing in and out of her memories. Either way, she had never been more relieved to arrive home in one piece. Bella had just unblocked her seat belt when Carlisle's pager beeped. He looked at it and sighed.
"Dr. Laurent called in sick today. I have to go back in to cover the ER."
Bella looked outside at the sun streaming down on the pine trees surrounding the house. It would be the perfect day for a trip to the beach or a family hike. While disappointed, she wasn't half surprised to hear Dr. Laurent had taken ill. He always called in on the rare occasions Forks experienced a sunny day. By now, he was probably packing up his fishing pole and headed to the lake. Why couldn't he let someone else enjoy the sun for once?
I probably won't be home until later tonight." Carlisle said to Bella. "Would you mind getting Edward settled in?"
Bella looked over at Edward. He was fast asleep with his cheek resting on the window. It would have been kind of cute if not for the fact he was either crazy or newly back from the dead.
Bella bit her lip. "Inside?
Inside where Alice and Jasper were curled up on the couch completely unaware of their foster sister's latest colossal screw-up.
Carlisle chuckled. "Where else would you have him sleep, the shed?"
Bella shook her head. Between Rose's tools, Emmett's weights, and Alice's excess clothes there wasn't room for a mouse let alone a person in the shed.
Edward stirred and rubbed his eyes. "Isabella, are you still there?" he reached out and grabbed Bella's shaking arm. "Are you okay? Where are we?"
Carlisle smiled. "Home."
Bella watched Carlisle pull away with a sinking feeling in her chest. While she wanted to run after him and beg him not to go, she knew that wouldn't do any good. At best, Carlisle would think she was making up lies to get rid of Edward like Emmett did when Rose moved in. At worst, he would usher Edward into the house and take Bella for a chat with Dr. James and an extended stay in room zero.
Bella looked up at Edward. Now that they were away from the hash artificial lights of the hospital, she could see the blonde highlights in his bronze hair. She wondered what color eyes he had. Green like summer leaves? Blue like the ocean? Either way, she knew she'd have a new favorite color the minute they opened. He met, and in her humble opinion, exceeded the physical expectations of a prince.
Bella gasped when she noticed his neck. She'd been less than three feet away from him for the better part of the morning. How was it possible she hadn't noticed it by now?
"Isabella?" Edward said. "Are you alright?"
Bella blushed. "Yes."
She was glad he wasn't able to see her staring at the thick white line across his neck. What could have caused such a horrific injury? The scar curved over his jugular vein meandered over his Adam's apple and disappeared behind his ear. It didn't look like something any normal human could have survived. Maybe Edward was back from the dead.
Bella was lost in thought wondering how she could be both terrified and attracted to the same person when something wet dripped down her face. In typical Forks fashion, the sun had slipped behind a cloud. Judging by the slate grey color of the sky, they were in for yet another storm. Had this been a horror movie, Bella would have taken it as a warning of horrible things to come.
"Isabella, can we go inside now?" Edward asked.
Bella nodded when she heard a clap of thunder. Knowing her luck, she'd end up getting struck by lighting again if she darned to stay outside for a single second more.
"Isabella, I hear thunder!" Edward exclaimed. "We need to find shelter now!"
Not knowing what else to do, Bella placed a hand on Edward's back and guided him towards the door. Monster or not, she couldn't leave him outside. Carlisle would be livid if he came home and found another scorch mark on the driveway.
As she had more times than she cared to admit, Bella tripped over the threshold. Fortunately for Bella, Edward was a bit more gifted in the coordination department. He grabbed her around the waist and set her back on her feet.
He looped his bandaged arm through hers. "Careful. The path is a bit uneven."
He carefully led her over the threshold and into the entryway. The irony wasn't lost on Bella. Leave it to her to end up being led around by a blind man.
