Months previous:
The bus station was crowded as I walked through the thick crowd; the hood on my green raincoat covering my head. I impatiently made my way towards the timetable prepared to take the first bus to Dublin Airport. On edge I jerked as people pushed into me passing by. I stood staring at the timetable making out the sea of bus numbers. Suddenly a cold hand wrapped around my upper arm and I could feel a cool breath blowing against my neck causing my hair to stand on end.
"What's a pretty thing like you doing alone in a place like this, who knows the dangers that lurk out there" a low menacing voice whispered in my ear; that voice that reminded me of nails on a chalk board.
"Well Isolde that's quite the chase you gave me, how about you be a good girl and come without a fuss, I'm sure you'd hate for anyone innocent to die". I was slightly shaking at this stage, tremors of fear and anger ran through my body. I turned and looked at the monster that haunted my every dream and step. He smiled evilly his cold burgundy eyes screamed victory, he had finally gotten what he wanted. Pulling me forward and placing his arm around my shoulder he led us towards the exit.
"Oh Islode smile, people might think you don't like me" he grinned his voice mocking me while squeezing my shoulder causing me to gasp in pain. Composing myself I plastered my face with a smile. To a passer-by we were the image of a perfect couple; young, beautiful and happy. There was a time that I believed we could have been too.
Outside he led me to a black Bentley Continental GT and opened the passenger door for me to get in. I hesitated for a moment looking around the quiet street. Sensing my hesitation he pushed me into the car slamming the door before walking at human pace to the driver's side.
The drive was made in silence, I stared out the window and I noticed we seemed to be heading into a more rural setting. We drove along small windy country lanes. After about an hour we pulled up to an old large two story farmhouse situated in a woodland area. The house was made from grey limestone and had many large windows. Old weather beaten shutters surrounded each window giving the house a antique feel.
"Beautiful isn't it? When I saw it I just had to have it. Coincidentally the elderly owners died in suspicious circumstances a day later and when it came onto the market I bought it" he said a vicious smirk on his face. I felt sick as I imagined an old couple being slaughtered by him; his predatory pounce as he prepared to kill.
We entered the house through the sturdy mahogany front door; it's hinges creaking from age. We were greeted by a large hall with many doors leading of it. The walls were painted white and the floor seemed to be an original wooden floor that was in need of attention. A set of stairs were situated at the end of the long passage. Picking me up roughly he whizzed us up to the second floor and into a large bedroom with boarded up windows.
"Were going to have so much fun….but I better go hunt first…we don't want any accidents" he smacked his lips at me a wicked gleam in his eye. He let me down out of his arms and before I knew it the door had closed and there was the clink of a lock. I stared around the room. The walls were a dusty pink and an antique tavern bed lay against the back wall with no bedclothes. An old chest of drawers was stationed against the opposite wall covered in dust. Another door led of the room and I quickly ran to it opening it hoping for an exit, instead I found a bathroom. Cursing I turned around and quickly made my way to the drawers rooting through them for anything that could help me open the door. However they were all empty. Sinking to the ground I lay in the foetal position and cried myself to sleep.
"Ah your awake...good" he said as I opened my eyes everything was disorientated but soon his pale face came into focus over me. My eyes widened and I went to scoot backwards away from him.
"Now, now that's not very nice Isolde, I'm quite disappointed there was a time when you liked my company, however...you got my message" I instantly remembered the black rose I had been given on Grafton St. while boarding a bus about to go home from a school trip.
"What no thank you? I thought girls liked roses"
"Not black roses" I said through gritted teeth.
"Mummy didn't like that did she…how is your mother anyway" he said his voice jubilant.
"You bastard, you are no better than an animal the way you cut her up and left her to die". I spat in his face. He wiped his face with the sleeve of his jumper his smile fading into a thin line.
"My dear her pain will be nothing compared to what I have planned for you, when I'm done you will beg for death", He trailed a frosty finger down my cheek.
"I will never beg you" I whispered. He backhanded me across the cheek and I flew across the room banging into a wall. There was a crack and a pain ran through my ribs. Breathing heavily and pushing back the tears that scalded my eyes I pulled myself up of the floor.
"Has anyone ever told you you're too stubborn for your own good?" He whizzed across the room and was suddenly was standing inches away from my face.
"Boo" he whispered while squeezing my ribs between his fingers where I had been injured. I screamed in pain as there was another sickening crunch.
"Ooops" he said his cackling laugh filling the room.
Carlisle cleared his throat unnecessarily before starting to talk another human habit that could be added to the Cullen's list.
"Isolde what happened to you that you got all those injuries?
"Think, think…car accident? No…he'll ask why I didn't go to a hospital….think…..think…."
"Isolde…please I want to help did someone do this to you"
"I...I don't want to talk about it!"
"Isolde if someone did this to you, you need to tell me...I can help"
"Bingo! Self inflicted, perfect!"
"No one did this Carlisle"
"I don't understand...how did it happen then"
I shuffled back in the bed slightly, trying my best not to disturb my wounds. I tangled my hands together playing with my fingers; my hair falling down over my face obscuring my eyes.
"I...it...well...things got out of hand...the first time, it was an accident...I cut my hand on a knife...I cant explain the feeling, the pain blinded everything...and everything made sense" I rushed out quietly, as the story formed itself in my head, I was silently delighted with my excuse.
"You mean YOU did this to yourself…how...why" he said his voice full of pity and shock mixed with scepticism as he looked deep in thought.
"Do we have to talk about this now...I'm tired...please!" I replied trying to prolong the explanation.
"I'm sorry Isolde but my family have already made a great risk by keeping you alive, you owe us enough to fill in the gaps as to how and why you have ended up here. I know now is not the best time, but in order to move forward and plan what to do, we must know the truth.
"Ok" I whispered, playing with the hem of the sheets as I prayed that I could convince him.
"Well about a year ago my parents and brother died in a car accident...they were on their way home from visiting a relative, and the car skidded on ice and crashed into a tree killing them all. I had stayed at home because I had too much homework to do and told them to go without me. At first I was in shock, but soon after the funeral it all hit me and I couldn't handle the emotions…I went a little...wild.
I paused for a second, drawing it out as long as possible.
"Go on" he encouraged.
I sighed before continuing on with my story.
"First there was the alcohol, it started off with the odd night where i'd get absolutely hammered, until it became a regular thing to end up passed out in my bed with an empty vodka bottle. The friends I made at that time soon introduced me to the world drugs, and eventually I discovered cutting myself to be the cheapest and best high I could get...it was the only way I could deal with things". Carlisle seemed speechless as he processed what I had told him. He just stared at me with his golden eyes his face shocked that I could do such damage to myself.
"Where was your guardian, why didn't they help or stop you"
"Help!...haha my aunt Amelia didn't care, all she was interested in was the allowance she received from my parents estate for taking care of me"
Carlisle examined my face looking deep into my eyes as if trying to decide whether I was telling the truth. I stared straight back at him willing him to believe me. Trying to keep the lie hidden, I had become a pro when it came to the skill of convincing people of my lies. Sometimes the lines become blurred and I wonder does anyone know the real me anymore or after all this time, do I even know who I am.
"How did you get the bruises?" he said as if his voice was drained.
"Crap…think…think!"
"Well I kind of fell into trouble when I couldn't pay my dealer...things got out of hand one night. The wound that you had to stitch was caused when they beat up, they had a knife…. I was afraid to go to a hospital…to many questions, so I fixed it myself" tears started to tingle in my eyes as I started to think of what really happened. Before I knew it blobs me of tears were falling down my face as I grieved; grieved for my father, my brother and my mother, as I cried for what that monster had done to them and me, I cried for the fact that I was taking the blame for the physical damage that wracked my body and finally a million tears for the life that I should have had.
Soon I found myself encased in strong cold arms my head pressed against a stone chest as Carlisle tried to comfort me with lulling sounds. I just wept harder as I wished they were my mother or my father's arms. My sobs quietened after a while and a dull numb replacing the pain in my body, it was almost unnatural the calm that covered me. I slowly pulled myself away from Carlisle blushing as I noticed his wet shirt.
"Sorry" I murmured looking up into his face with my puffy eyes.
"Just one more question Isolde…have you stopped taking alcohol and drugs and the self harm?" I felt bad that I was misleading him but I couldn't tell him the truth.
"Yes, when my aunt here heard how my life was a mess she intervened and gave me the opportunity to come to Fprks for a new start...a new beginning" I said giving him a small smile.
"Ok, I'm happy that you are dealing with your problems, I think its best you stay here for a few days until you are able to take care of yourself. You have already been asleep for three days, you lost a lot of blood. Through the school we acquired your aunts number, we have contacted her and she seemed very concerned about you, she said she is in Paris on business, I told her to stay there that there was no need to come back, that I'd make sure you were ok. I have also informed the school that you will be out for another week because you are sick. We will talk more later, for now you need to sleep" Carlisle said before getting up, smiling at me and leaving the room.
I thought of how he had contacted my "aunt", Felicity wasn't my aunt, she was my mother's closest friend and the only person aware of my whereabouts. She had helped me get away from Ireland...get away from my hunter. She had put her life in danger by associating with me, thus meaning she was in hiding too. I had a contact number for her that I provided to anyone who wanted to contact my guardian and she posed as that.
Swiftly a wave of exhaustion ran through me and against my will my eyes drooped closed before I had a chance to ponder over my eventful interaction with the Cullen family.