AN at the end of the chapter!
Chapter 10
We'd actually been able to have fun. Considering how the tension had built up during the week I was surprised to find us so at ease while I was at their house. They'd tried to make me tell them who threatened me but after a while of me just sitting there without saying a word, the heavy talk was finally over.
We played card games and someone –namely Emmett –suggested playing Spoons, which ended in hands full with scratches, of which Jasper got the worst. They were all very competitive but Emmett and Jasper were the worst. They didn't care for their or our hands. In the end I didn't even try to get to a spoon anymore, I let them have their fun and even giggled at their childish behavior.
Esme made cookies for all of us and we ate them happily as we watched TV and Jasper tended to his wounds. It was a nice day, a real family day.
I thought about the fun we'd had and couldn't help but wonder if it would have been the last time as I stared at the mocking door. I'd only have to reach it, flee to get out of this predicament. Only five steps and I might have been able to stop everything, but it was all I could do not to fall asleep right then.
He had been waiting and I didn't even expect it this time. I don't know why, the day away from home must have desensitized me. The sports channel was still on but when I passed the living-room-door I was met by fierce eyes instead of sweaty men on a field. He knew.
Now the light and relaxed atmosphere stood in stark contrast to my current situation and thoughts about right and wrong flooded my head. –I should have stayed away from them, should have been less selfish. Or should I have told them? Would they believe me if I did tell them? The great Chief Swan an abuser? –Which choice would have endangered them more?
None of it mattered anymore.
I closed my eyes as a wave of nausea hit me and tried to keep it in.
When I opened them again, the light that had once been there was completely gone from the hallway. I must have finally fallen asleep.
I listened for any signs of Charlie's whereabouts but all I could hear was the blood running through my throbbing head. The TV was turned off and his angry chanting had disappeared as well.
I groaned and moved my good hand to hold my forehead lightly. Just then I remembered his menacing words: This is not over, they will pay for it just as well.
I pushed myself off the floor slowly, almost crashing back down as I lost balance. My knees were week and the room kept spinning around me as steadied myself on the wall.
I took a breath and, as the dizziness lessened, staggered numbly towards the door, thoughts jumbled as I pushed myself across the lawn and into the woods.
Faintly, I felt the cold nights air claw at my skin as I stumbled on roots and branches which seemed to move into my way magically. I tumbled to the ground endless times as I made my way through the pitch black forest, accompanied only by the sound of animals. Owls in the trees, mice and rats rustling through dry leaves. The cold air helped to clear my head somewhat and with time I became more coherent, more anxious and, to my utter dismay, more pained. I was used to physical pain, could endure but never ignore it.
I half expected to hear footsteps coming after me or angry shouts, my name, which always sounded like a curse coming from his lips.
I had no way of knowing if I went the right way until I almost fell into the small river that passed somewhere close to the Cullen's home.
I realized that I reached the trail that led to their house almost all the way back at the main road when I finally stumbled my way through the last line of trees and, after looking around for a second not really seeing anything except for a light path where the gravel lay, kept walking down the winding trail that would lead me to the house.
–The windows were unlit when I finally reached it. It didn't surprise though, it must have been some time after midnight.
The bell rang loudly inside but nothing happened for a long time. I leaned onto the door, took a deep breath and rang the bell again.
I feared Charlie had already been here… but then again, there was no need for him to hurry and the house seemed undisturbed. I didn't think he would have tried to hurt them, not physically anyways but I couldn't be sure. He would have found a way to harm them, made their life hell.
A moment passed until I heard loud footsteps and the light in the hallway came on. I pulled myself away from the door just in time, swooning a bit as my support was suddenly gone and the door was ripped open.
Carlisle and Emmett stood tall inside, frozen for a moment as they took in my appearance.
The next few minutes went by in a haze. I remember being pulled off my feet and carried inside of the house, which brought back the nausea.
Make them leave, Bella.
Make them leave.
I think I rewrote this like 10 times, and I know some might think this moved too fast but I thought it logical that (since Charlie's already aware and she visited the Cullen's that weekend) Charlie waited for her and I didn't want to do a filler-chapter so.. here it is... finally.
Plus, I need to tell you: this is not going to be a very long story I'm planning about... 3-5 more chapters.
I'm really having a writer's block on this story and I will finish (if you're still interested? Tell me!), just not sure how long or short the rest of the story will be. Forgive me, I'm horrible and all but I think my writing will only get worse without inspiration (which it has already gotten).