Chapter 2
My legs felt like jelly as I stumbled home. I could barely believe what I had just seen. Carlisle. The man I had once looked upon as a second father, and if he was here, so were the rest of them – they always travelled together, moving from one place to another, avoiding detection.
Silently, I cursed my stupidity. I should have moved to a warm, sunny state, somewhere where there would be absolutely no chance of bumping into them. But, in all honesty, I never, in my wildest dreams, thought I would come face to face with any of them again. It was so unlikely, but I was prone to bad luck.
When I reached my apartment, I locked the door, and slumped to the floor. Due to me abandoning the grocery shopping, there was no food to be seen, but I had lost my appetite anyway. Now that I was free from detection, for the time being, I needed to work out what my next move would be.
I couldn't leave my apartment that night – they might see me. This meant no work, no money and no release from the endless pain of my life. It had been so long since I had gone without the heavy stuff, that I didn't know if I would even make it through the night, but going out wasn't an option. He had broken my heart and ruined my life, and I knew I would fall further into the black hole if I ever saw him again.
I had to run. It hit me, after innumerable hours curled up on the cold, dirty floor of my apartment, trying to fight the cold sweats and cramps of my withdrawal. I didn't know if they were planning to stay in the area, but if there was any chance they were, I couldn't stick around. I pulled myself up from the floor and made my way to the bedroom. I took out the single overnight bag, I had took from Charlie's the night I left, and began to pack the few possessions I owned. I would leave in the morning.
Morning came too quickly. I hadn't slept all night – part of the withdrawal process. I scraped my hair back and quickly changed into an old flannel shirt and a denim mini skirt. It was still early – 5am, and I needed money. If I was going to get out of town, now was not the time to be battling my addiction. I set off to my usual spot, not hopeful of finding a client at this hour, but desperate enough to hope.
For once, I had a lucky break. After only a few minutes, a beaten up old Chevy pulled up to the kerb beside me. I tossed my bag over my shoulder and clambered into the car. The driver was a big guy, he must work out. He had long, greasy hair and a shaggy beard.
"Let's go somewhere a little more private." he suggested.
"Sure thing" I replied.
He drove for a few blocks, chatting, inanely the whole time, before pulling up outside a crumbling old building, which, I was sure, hadn't been used for years. The windows were boarded up and the dry rot was visible. This place was a death trap for sure.
We got out of the car and he led me into the building.
" Here we go sweetheart. It aint exactly a palace, but your no princess now, are you?" he laughed.
" I guess not, no." I was in no mood for talking, I just wanted to get it over and done with.
"Pretty little thing though. Much better than all the other gals, round these parts."
"Um, thanks...shall we?"
"Why not." He grinned as he walked towards me, and I heard a swishing noise.
I immediately started to panic. I knew that noise, it was the sound of a switch blade knife. I took a step back, but I was cornered, as he moved ever closer. Time seemed to stop, although it was only a few seconds before he spoke again.
"Scream, and I will cut you." he said, so calmly that it was almost surreal.
I just nodded. I was so scared, but I knew there was nothing I could do. He placed his hand over my mouth as he cut off my clothes with his knife. He began to touch my body all over, laughing all the time.
I wanted to cry, but I was stubborn – I wouldn't give him the satisfaction. He began to unbuckle his belt, and something in me snapped. I was at least going to try and fight him off. I wouldn't make it easy for him, and, well, if he did kill me, so what. I had nothing to live for anyway.
I kicked him, hard in the stomach. He flew back a little, startled, but, I was no match for him.
"You bitch!" he screamed at me as lifted his belt up, over his shoulder and struck me hard across the chest. I fell to the ground instantly, and began to cower. He crouched over me, grabbed my hair and banged my head, repeatedly on the cold ground. Everything went black. I was glad.
When I woke up, I was disorientated, my vision was blurred and the light was blinding. It took me a while to realise I was in a hospital. There were tubes and needles connected to various parts of my body, and I was in so much pain. I didn't think it was possible, but this was worse than when I was almost killed by James back in Phoenix. If only he had finished the job.
The monitor beside my bed must have alerted the nurse because she came running into my room.
"How are you feeling, honey?" she asked sympathetically. She had honey brown hair, and such a sweet face. She reminded me of...
oh no. I thought as she looked down on me, waiting for a reply. I'm in a hospital! But, surely he won't be here. I can't be that unlucky!.
"I'm OK." I answered, the now worried nurse.
"You've been through quite an ordeal, darling. I've paged the new doctor for you, he'll be here shortly."
New doctor! O no, this can't be happening, it can't be him. One of the monitors beside my bed began to beep.
"Oh my, your heart rate is soaring." the nurse looked concerned. "Doctor Cullen, Doctor Cullen." she shouted as she ran off to find him.
I had to get out of here.
