I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Cheryl and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.

Ch. 10

I woke up feeling disoriented—my head was pounding, and my throat felt sore. I had the most messed up dream, that Phil was in the mafia. How ridiculous, I thought with a snicker, the guy was more boring than watching paint dry.

I stretched and realized the bed I was in was too soft to be mine. These covers were also magenta—mine were a dark sea green. I tried to sit up and found my left arm was attached to a tube that stretched up to an I.V. I looked down to see I was wearing a pair of fuzzy sleep pants with a long-sleeve top I didn't remember owning.

Where the hell was I?

The memories from the day before came flooding back. It wasn't a messed-up dream, I was in Chicago and last thing I could remember was an angry Edward, wielding a gun.

I had to get out of here!

I tugged on the tape that was holding the needle in place.

"I wouldn't do that. If you pull it out then blood will be everywhere."

My eyes shot to where Tanya was sitting on a small sofa. She placed her book down and came over to me, wringing her hands.

"What is it even doing in?" I asked. "What drugs are in that bag?"

"My dad said it was to rehydrate you and also something to help you warm up. You were almost hypothermic when you got here," she explained.

"Where is your dad?" I asked.

"I'll go get him for you. Do you want something to eat or drink?" she offered.

"No offense, but I don't trust you to bring me food," I told her.

"I know you don't like me very much. And can't say I blame you, but I wouldn't poison you. An…Edward would have my head. Not that I would do it anyways." Tanya appeared flustered.

"You know why I don't like you. But I certainly would like to know why you had it out for me. All I can ever remember doing is not playing dolls." I glared at her.

"It has never been about dolls…well, maybe it was the first year. But give me a break, I was six and super excited to be told I would have another girl to finally play with, only to find out she hated everything I liked and I hated everything she liked—for a six year old that was devastating."

"So the rest of the time?" I asked.

"It's complicated," she said.

"And I'm smart," I hinted.

"I need Rose for this." She glanced at the door. "And I really need to get my dad. He told me to get him as soon as you wake." She quickly left the room.

"Whatever," I huffed. Why she needed Rose for this was beyond me. Tanya apparently was the sheep.

I saw my bag next to the couch and contemplated on taking out my I.V. and making a run for it. Something was off about this house. Edward was talking about killing someone and waving around a gun. I wasn't sure if I wanted to know the answer.

The door opened before I could move, and Carlisle came in. Edward was on his heels. He didn't look as angry, but he was clearly still agitated.

"I don't think so. Get out, Edward," I demanded, not ready to deal with him.

"Bella, be reasonable," he started to speak.

"Anthony, give me a moment to—"

"Anthony? Your name is Anthony? I don't even know your real name?" I wasn't sure if I was more hurt or angry.

Both men froze, looking guilty. Edward…or I guess Anthony, tried to step around Carlisle. He rubbed the hair on the nape of his neck.

"Oh no. Get out, liar!" I yelled, pointing to the door.

Carlisle grabbed his sleeve and gestured outside the room. "Let me examine her, please. She's been through enough without her getting more upset."

Anthony didn't answer him but spun on his heels and stormed out, slamming the door. Carlisle cautiously approached the bed.

"Do you mind if I check you? I can call one of the girls in if you'd like," he offered.

"Is your real name Carlisle Cullen?" I asked.

He smiled sadly. "Yes."

"Did you really live in Seattle?' I asked.

"Up until two years ago." He nodded.

I pulled off the covers and looked down at the new pajamas I was wearing. "Who changed me?"

"Esme and Tanya," he answered.

I thought about it and decided to trust him. "You don't need to call anyone. Can you take this out?" I held up my arm.

"I will. But I would like to check you for a concussion first. You did hit your head pretty hard. Luckily, Emmett caught you before you hit it on the floor too," he informed me.

I reached up with my other hand to touch my head and felt a decent sized bump. "What did I hit?

"A cast iron doorknob." He grimaced. "You didn't break the skin, but you have a decent sized lump. You were dehydrated and half-frozen, were you on the run long?" he asked casually.

"I'd rather not talk about it," I said to him. My trust was very limited at the moment.

"That's fine, perhaps later when you're ready. I'll have Esme bring a meal for you and you should rest for at least another day. I promise to keep An…Edward out," he stated.

I frowned. "Why would everyone lie to me about his name?"

Carlisle sighed. "It's not really a lie. His birth name is Anthony Edward Masen III. He prefers to be called Edward, which we did when we were in Seattle. His parents, however, insist on calling him Anthony. His father goes by Junior, so it gets confusing at times."

"Oh." My anger cooled slightly. "That's still something that should've come up at some point. I thought his last name was Cullen and he never corrected me."

"I don't disagree. I can't speak for him on why he wasn't more forthcoming. Esme is Junior's sister," Carlisle explained. "I know things didn't end well between you and him, but I hope that shouldn't prevent you from letting us help you."

I wasn't ready to agree or disagree. "You didn't call my parents, did you?"

Carlisle shook his head. "Not yet. But when you're ready, I think we should contact your dad. Perhaps after you eat something. I've asked Tanya to tell Esme to bring you a meal. How long were you on the run?"

"I left early New Year's Day. What day is it?" I started to wonder how long I was unconscious.

"It's only the second. You only knocked yourself out for about seven hours. I think part of that was your body needed to rest." Carlisle gave me a reassuring smile.

After a brief examination and ruling out a concussion, he pulled out a bottle of pills. He placed two on the table beside me.

"Take those only after you have some food in your belly," he instructed.

"Is it alright if I take a shower?" I asked.

He walked over to a door. "Again, how about after you eat. I don't want you fainting in there. The guest bathroom is right through here. It is connected to the adjoining guest room, just to warn you. Elizabeth keeps it stocked with toiletries, so help yourself."

"Thank you." I moved the pillow so I could lean against them.

"Do you need anything else?" he asked.

"No. Actually…if it's not too much to ask can you keep Edward…Anthony…whoever, out for right now? I'm not ready to see him," I said.

"I'll do my best. But he's been very worried about you since you disappeared yesterday," Carlisle explained.

"How would any of you know I disappeared? I haven't been in contact with any of you?" I questioned.

Carlisle furrowed his brows. "Garrett. He got in contact with us when you went missing. He was worried because he knew of his uncle's plans and couldn't be certain he didn't take you."

"You know—" Puzzle pieces started to click together.

Carlisle shifted uncomfortably in his spot. "We do. He's been working with us for a while now."

I felt like I was missing something, but I couldn't place my finger on it. My head was pounding too hard to allow me to think straight. There was a knock on the door and Carlisle opened it for Esme to enter carrying a tray.

"He's going to wear a hole in the carpet." Esme jerked her head to the hallway.

"I'll speak with him." Carlisle left the room.

Esme turned to me with a warm smile. "Hello, dear, how are you feeling?"

"My head hurts, but other than that, I'm all right." At least physically, I added in my mind.

"I wasn't sure how hungry you'd be. I brought a sandwich and some soup. A bigger dinner is in about two hours. You're welcome to join us or I can bring you up another plate," she offered as she set the tray over my lap.

"Can I get back to you on that?" I asked.

"Of course. Let me know if you need anything. I should be in the kitchen, and there's an intercom system by the door. The kitchen is number one." She pointed to a small white box.

"I will," I agreed. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome." She glanced toward the door. "I know the circumstances to why you ended up here weren't the best, but I'm sure things will have a way of working out."

I forced a smile. I had a feeling she was talking about Edward. "Maybe."

She left me to eat and I dug in. I didn't realize how hungry I was until I started smelling the chicken noodle soup. It looked like it was made from scratch. I ate everything she brought up to me.

Days

When I was done, I took my pills, then I grabbed a change of clothes and headed into the bathroom. I made sure the other door was locked before I got into the shower. The hot water felt good as I stood underneath the spray.

As I was drying myself off, I started to overhear voices in the next room. I rushed to hang up my towel and get changed back in the room when I overheard my name.

"So what's the plan? Bella didn't look very happy to see us—especially you, Edward," Emmett asked.

"I know, but she'll come around once I talk to her—I know she will. Right now, we keep her safe. The best way I can see doing that is to marry her. Then she becomes untouchable."

What the hell? He can't honestly think I would just marry him after everything. And where had I heard untouchable before?

"You can't honestly believe you can just walk in there, propose to her, and she'll squeal yes. Then everything is going to end happily ever after, do you? She already made it obvious she doesn't want to talk to you. I heard her loud and clear from down the hall," Rosalie argued with him.

"Marriage isn't always about love," Edward answered her.

Asshole.I shook my head, feeling hurt.

"Well, it should be. I think you should let us handle Bella's case, and you need to keep yourself out of it." Rosalie spoke.

"I don't think so. You hate Bella. And do you really think she would want to talk to you?" Edward disagreed.

"I don't hate Bella," Rose stated.

"Bullshit. You were a complete bitch to her from day one," Edward snapped.

"I will admit I was a bitch. But I never hated her. That first summer it was never about her, just people I didn't know in general and you know why."

"You can't tell me what you did with Victoria wasn't intentional," Edward scoffed.

"It was a bitch move, and I'm not sorry for it. You weren't telling her the truth and you were using her. I wanted her to see you for the fraud that you were. Because in my eyes, what you were doing to her wasn't too much different than what abusive, controlling men do. You used her for sex and your own enjoyment," Rosalie accused.

I cringed because she verbalized my worst fear about that last summer.

"That's a low blow, Rose," Emmett said.

"Tell me I'm wrong? He was practically obsessed with her and didn't want us to be friends with her too. Am I wrong, Em?" Rosalie retorted.

"Well not about trying to keep us from getting to know her. But saying Edward was abusive is taking it too far. He would've killed for her," Emmett answered.

"He did kill for her! I bet she will flip out when she finds out Edward is the one who killed James," Rosalie scoffed.

"Keep your voice down," Edward whispered harshly.

"What? Are you going to continue to keep it a secret from her that you're pretty much a murderer now?"

I backed up so quickly my elbow hit a plastic cup and knocked it off the counter. It hit the floor, bouncing, making a loud noise. The other room went silent for a moment, then there was a knock on the door.

"Bella?" Edward sounded nervous.

I backed away from the door and shut my side. I took a seat on the bed and tried to wrap my mind around what I had just overheard. My Teddy couldn't kill anyone. He would've been only fifteen when he killed James. And it doesn't sound like it was only James.

Oh Crap!

It finally clicked where I heard untouchable. Garrett said it about Renée. Garrett also said the mafia was in Chicago too! Did I run from one family to the next? Shit. That would be just like Mom.

Mom! I clenched my eyes shut and hoped she was okay. If they find out she helped me escape, they might hurt her. I had to get out of here and figure out how to help her.

There was a knock on my door, and I laid down and rolled over, so my back was to the door.

I heard it squeak open. "Bella?" Edward whispered.

"Look, she's asleep. She didn't overhear anything. Leave her be or I'm going to get Carlisle," Rosalie said in a hushed voice.

The door shut and the room was silent. I was starting to think I wasn't much better off here. I needed to leave. The sooner the better. I couldn't go home to Charlie either.

There was only one place I could think to go.

A/N: Before you all can ask, yes Bella will be able to confront Rosalie at some point. She will also get a chance to have it out with Edward…or should I say Anthony. To answer the question on Facebook, why does she have an I.V.. She's been on the run for over 24hrs at that point, dressed for Florida weather and not really stopping long enough to for food and water. So it was only a way rehydrate her and get her some nourishment, mainly a safety precaution.

Do you think she'll be able to leave unnoticed?

Thank you for sharing all your thoughts with me.