Author's Notes:
No I'm not dead. Here is the next chapter, your reviews encouraged me to keep going, I just hadn't had the time to post in a while. College and a job really suck the life out me. All A's though! So there is that. If you like please review! It keeps me sane haha. Leah and Bella Pairing! We need more of those right? I'm trying to give you an actual long story, so here is to good luck!
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She was back in the meadow. It seemed that even in sleep she could not escape the singular nightmare that would forever haunt her dreams. Edward, who stood before her, stretched out his hand in beseeching sorrow. Do you love me? She wanted to ask. Did I ever mean anything to you at all?
Edward's hands curled up at her thoughts, into ugly fists that stayed clenched at his side. In her dream, the one thing that made her special to him, the ability to keep her thoughts to herself, was taken from her. She now was truly no different than the score of girls Edward had met over the years, her thoughts laid bare for him to see. Even in her dreams, Bella simply wasn't enough. Her thoughts exposed her for what she knew all along… she was unremarkable. She would grow and change like the four seasons, but greatness was not in her destiny. Edward was changeless, caught up in the web of time that had granted him youth and charm, while she would wither and die. But she would've been okay with that, as long as she had him, her Edward, by her side.
Even her dream self knew that it would only be a matter of time before he left.
And that is what he did. Edward turned away from her, her hands reached out- impossibly slow- to catch him. Her hands were desperate, and too human to make a difference. Edward disappeared with a blur, only to appear once again on the horizon. He looked perfect up there, a lone silhouette against a stormy white sky. She twisted through the trees to reach him, stumbling and falling with the grace of an enraged bull. The sky opened up and it began to snow, the blinding whiteness making it impossible to search, to find him. She couldn't stop searching though; giving up when there was still a chance was unacceptable to her.
"I don't love you." His voice echoed through the trees, through the snow. It was impossible to see him, or where the voice originated. "You were only ever a distraction." His voice dripped like honey, smooth and beckoning. Bella twirled and twisted, climbing her way through the snow and wind to reach him.
"You are worthless to me." Edward emerged from the snowy wind, catching her wrist. He smiled at her like he had a hundred times before, with restraint, like something was hidden. Edward brought her wrist to his lips; he drew in a breath, tasting her scent. He smiled, cold and unfeeling, his eyes locked onto her. "You will never see me again," he swore, his voice filled with promise and threat. Edward flung her arm away from him, as if it was tainted by something awful. He vanished within the snow, his pale visage removed.
"Please!" Bella screamed, falling to her knees, "Don't leave me!" Tears ran down her face, flowing around her, turning into snow the moment they fell to the ground. "Don't leave me, please." She begged, crying out into the woods, to the snow that tightened around her, swirling in perfect tune to her mangled heartbeat.
The snow blinded her eyes, too bright to look at, wrapping her up and restraining her. The stinging cold seemed real now, and she wanted to escape this dream. "Don't leave me," she begged, utterly alone in the vast wilderness.
"Wake up Swan!"
Stinging pain was certainly enough to rouse her, and Bella startled awake, raising her arms in reflex to protect her face. She cowered and ducked her head, only to cough in surprise as she ingested water rather than air. She spluttered, still blinded by brightness, clueless as to what was going on, or what action to take. Her first thought was to panic, but a close second was to just die. She was very, very tired. The irony alone would kill her, dead hours after he…
"Christ, Swan!" a voice growled, and Bella felt herself being jerked upwards and away from the water, air forcing its way through her traitorous body as her lungs worked against her will. Her arm burned with heat. The palms of her savior were burning hot, like a furnace.
Bella's eyes adjusted to the bright lighting in the room, her chest heaving as it tried to expel any excess water. Her nose and throat burned and her eyes watered, but whether that was the result of choking or the long night in the woods was indiscernible. She looked up at owner of such hot hands, but her black hair covered most of her face, making it hard to see anything. Bella brought up one shaking hand, the one that was not currently being used to hold her up, and wiped the soaked hair from her face, and Bella saw for the first time since nearly dying in the woods who exactly was holding her up. Her eyes followed the tall form kneeling above her to the face of Leah Clearwater.
"Leah?" Bella rasped, her eyebrows furrowed. "What…?" Bella had only met Leah in passing, and knew that the girl hated her, for what she didn't know. She guessed that it had something to do with the Cullen's, but she never really cared to figure it out. They used to be acquaintances when they were children, when she would visit the reservation with Charlie, to play with the kids there. But that was ages ago, a whole other lifetime it seemed.
Bella shook from her sluggish thoughts to realize she was in a bathroom, a huge bathtub to be exact, with water filled to the brim and steam rising from the water from the heat of it. The hand on her arm was hotter than the water, yet Bella still felt cold. She shivered, almost violently, as the chill took hold.
While Leah's face didn't particularly fit the definition of frosty just yet, Bella knew it would eventually morph to that based on what she knew of Leah, lately at least. Leah's frown did, however, deepen as the woman observed her shivers.
Leah's unoccupied hand shot out, plunging into the water between her legs. Bella, sluggish in her reaction, jerking away, but by that time Leah's hand was already removed from the water and held the plug to drain. As the sound of the drain emptying filled the bathroom Bella panicked as the water lowered, attempting to covering her breasts, only to realize she was still wearing her bra and boxers. Where her other clothes had gone, she didn't know. Feeling her face burn with embarrassment, her free arm stayed clamped around her chest.
From the corner of her eyes Bella saw Leah roll her eyes at her display. Leah ignored her as she began the process of filling the tub again. The air in the bathroom was by no means cold, but the exposed air brushing up against her soaked skin forced Bella's teeth to chatter. The hot water burned against Bella's skin as the water pounded against the tub. In the process of replacing the plug, Leah brushed against Bella's leg.
Bella jerked, it was like Leah was a furnace, and her hands were almost too hot to bear. Bella could see Leah scowling, shaking her head at her. If that was the worst Leah would do to her, then Bella figured she would be alright, for now.
"If only you flinched that way when the real Monsters were around." Leah's face was frosty now, her voice hardened like a stake, stabbing Bella straight through the middle. "Can you hold yourself up now without drowning yourself?"
Bella hadn't realized, Leah was holding her up still, like a wolf dangling a pup. She was still reeling from Leah's comment; a gasp sucked in and held, waiting for the pain to start. She didn't have to wait long, Bella could feel the oncoming wave crash against her. Leah didn't wait for an answer, she simply let go of Bella's arm and stood. Bella felt her arms wrap around her stomach, trying to forget, but not wanting to. She was reliving every moment of the meadow in her head, on an endless horrible loop. Leah was talking about the Cullen's, she could guess. And Ed-
Bella could feel tears tracing tracks down her face; she couldn't focus on anything other than the pain tearing through her soul. Leah waited until the water filled the tub in stony silence, ignoring her tears and shuddering gasps until the water reached the base of her neck. Leah leaned over and shut off the water with a snap, turning sharply towards the door, as if she couldn't stand the sound of her tears any more.
Bella clenched her sides harder, calling out to Leah in the barest whisper. "Wait, please. Where am I?" Bella wasn't sure Leah would hear her, or maybe she never said anything at all and it was all in her mind.
Leah paused in the doorway, her back to Bella. Bella could see a little bit of the hallway behind her, but couldn't bring herself to care what was beyond that. The pause was so long, Bella didn't think she would ever answer. Leah's jaw worked, as if trying to decide what to tell her.
"Emily Young's house. You're on the reservation. Charlie doesn't deserve to see you like this. You know it and I know it. Get yourself together Swan." Leah's voice was sounded sad, defeated. Bella only clenched her waist harder, trying to keep it all in. Like she needed another person to be disappointed in her. Like she wanted to be here. Leah began to leaving, pausing before the door was closed halfway. "I'm sorry. For, you know…hitting your face." Leah didn't wait for an answer, simply turned and left.
Bella was alone now, sitting somewhere unknown, with people she hardly knew. Bella didn't bother choking back a sob, her hand covering her mouth as her vocal cords clenched in a silent scream. Edward was her world, how was she supposed to live without him? She had hardly noticed the slight burn on her cheek from where Leah slapped her to wake her up. It was probably a good thing she was forced awake, probably better she wasn't left to drown in a stranger's bathtub. Right.
Bella wasn't good with judging time, but the water slowly lost its heat and drained as she rocked and cried. Bella heard two people talking in the hallway, but it was so faint she could ignore it for her suffering. She barely heard the door to the bathroom open, but Bella didn't bother looking up to see Leah enter. A hand that decidedly did not feel like fire brushed her hair out of her eyes, and gently pulled Bella's hand away from her mouth. Bella flinched, trying to pull away. Bella looked up to see not Leah, but another woman entirely. If she was in her right mind, Bella would have been mortified to allow two completely different women see her in her underwear, but now she could hardly muster the strength to keep her eyes open.
"Shhhh Bella, it's alright. You're safe here." The woman cooed, smoothing Bella's hair with her fingers. Bella brought in a shuddering breath. Where one side of the woman's face was smooth, beautiful even, the other side was marred by three long scars. They twisted the woman's features, pulling her mouth down to a permanent forlorn look. She looked how Bella felt, and she found that oddly comforting.
"Who are you?" Bella asked, her voice coarse. Before, undisturbed in the bathroom, she could almost pretend she was alone, but the illusion was gone now. She just wanted to go home, away from everyone and stay buried underneath the sheets of her own bed. She did not want to stay with this stranger, and Leah, who was practically a stranger to her.
The "I'm Emily. This is my house, we've talked to Charlie and you'll stay here for a couple days." Emily turned and away from Bella for a moment, calling out to Leah about towels.
"Let's get you up." Emily stood, pulling Bella to her feet. Bella found her feet quickly, Emily was stronger than she looked. Bella wobbled, and she clung to Emily's arms. In the end, her legs decided to hold her weight, and Bella- shakily- stepped out of the tub.
"I should probably go home." Bella whispered, thinking of Charlie and her bed, that probably still smelled like Ed-.
"Don't be ridiculous, you can barely stand; besides like I said, Charlie knows you're here and he's okay with it." Emily smiled, "Trust me; things are going to be fine. I've had the guest bed made up, and we can talk through everything in the morning. Ah, there you are Leah." Emily kept a firm grip on her arms as Leah walked in and threw a warm, fluffy towel over Bella's shivering form. Bella felt like a child, considered incapable of taking care of herself, but she didn't have the energy to fight it. She felt drained, and liable to collapse any minute.
Leah made short work of dying her off, before scooping her up completely in her arms. Bella squeaked in surprise as Leah ducked out of the bathroom and headed down a carpeted hall. This is not what she had in mind! She could walk!
"Leah," Emily warned, trailing behind.
Leah sneered, "You and I both know she won't make it to the bedroom, this is just easier than watching her hobble."
Bella blushed in embarrassment, what a spectacle this was turning out to be! Leah was right though, even she didn't think she'd make it, or care enough to make it. She could probably fall asleep on the bathroom floor. Leah shoved a door open with her foot, it revealed a small well-lit guest room with a queen bed with quilted blankets. Leah laid her down on the bed, and Bella pushed herself up into sitting position and wrapped the towel tighter around her shoulders. Leah was already gone, disappearing through the door to somewhere in the house, leaving her alone with Emily.
Emily flitted about the room, pulling extra blankets from the closets and pulling pajamas from a dresser. She returned to the bed, facing Bella with serious gaze.
"I know it's embarrassing and I know you feel awkward, but you'll feel a lot better in the morning. I'll be right outside the door. Change into these and call out to me when you're done." Emily patted her arm reassuringly, and left, closing the door behind her.
Bella stared at the clothing in her hands. Not wanting to keep Emily waiting, Bella struggled to remove her wet boxers and bra, and tugged on the flannel button up shirt and drawstring pants. She fumbled with the buttons, calling out to Emily as she got the last one.
Emily picked up the towel and her bundled up clothing and set it on the wooden dresser by the bed. Bella watched her, waiting for whatever she had to say next.
"Bella," Emily started, sitting on the bed next to her. "I know you don't know me. I've heard a lot about you, but I don't really know you either." Emily reached for her hand, holding it gently in her own. "I think there is a lot going on and you don't know how to filter the emotions going through you, and it comes out in ways you don't expect. Love it tough, especially when it is mixed with something that shouldn't exist in a relationship. I just want you to know, no matter how well we do or don't get to know each other, that I'm here to talk, or listen."
Bella nodded, to choked up to say any words. Emily stood, and drew down the blankets so Bella could slide under them. Leah entered the room with a scowl on her face, wordlessly handing Bella a steaming cup of something, with instructions to "drink."
Bella didn't hesitate, and gulped the concoction with one shot. It was tea, with a slightly bitter aftertaste. She immediately felt sleepy, and her head slumped to the pillows just a moment after.
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"How much did you put in?" Emily asked as she tucked Bella into bed, brushing the hair from the girl's face.
"Barely a teaspoon, she is just tired." Leah pushed herself off the doorframe to retrieve the fallen cup, placing it on the dresser by the bed. Leah looked down at the sleeping Swan, before moving away with a huff.
"I'm not surprised. Can you get my camera?" Emily picked up the cup and towel, turning towards the door.
"Why would you need your camera, it's like 2'oclock outside, what could you possibly take a picture of?" Leah followed Emily out the bedroom into the kitchen.
Emily twirled with an expression of thunder on her face. "That girl in there, Bella, has bruises up and down her body that certainly wasn't made by trampling in the woods. Either her father, or that boy Edward was abusive to her, it's written on her body as clearly as day."
Leah blinked for a moment, surprised by Emily's outburst, before the meaning behind the words reached her. "Charlie wouldn't…." Leah's snarled, her body visibly shaking. "I'll kill the bloodsucker, I swear to God!"
Emily shook her head. "That isn't going to help her right now; he's long gone if what you say about their house is true. I need the camera so I can take photos of the bruises, she may want them someday, and this way she or anybody else won't be able to deny it never happened."
"I got to go tell Sam." Leah looked to make off, but Emily's hand on her arm stilled her. "It can wait; they aren't going to find them tonight at any rate. We should take the pictures first, Bella will be far more comfortable with us tomorrow if we take them now."
Leah scowled, "I don't see why we have to tiptoe around the subject, and she should want the pictures taken! Her dad is a cop for crying out loud, he can set a charge against the bloodsucker. We can wait until she is awake. Do you want to explain to someone why you have naked photos of a passed out Bella Swan on your camera?"
Emily shook her head. "First off, I have passwords on my camera and it's not like I'm going to wave it around and show everyone. And secondly, she isn't naked she is in pajamas. And if that was the case then Charlie would have arrested that Edward a long time ago. Obviously, she doesn't want this out or she wouldn't hide it. That means she is going to wake up every day and pretend like the abuse didn't exist. Or she'll wake up thinking about how we know all the time and get nothing done. Either way, she isn't going to be thinking about documenting it anyway."
When Leah still looked apprehensive, Emily scowled. "Are you avoiding this because you generally don't care if a woman is abused or because she isn't "one of us?" she challenged, staring at Leah. "Because reservation women aren't the only ones who need to be protected, you know."
Leah shifted from foot to foot, after a moment she growled. "Fine I'll help, but I'm not taking any photos. Where is your camera?"
"It's in my bedroom on my dresser." Emily replied. Leah huffed, heading towards Emily's bedroom.