Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer's owns everything Twilight.

Mother Never Taught Me

The weekend passed uneventfully, the Stanley's left me to my room the majority of the time. Bringing me meals was their only appearance in my room. I was able to finish my homework, and get a jump start on the reading for most of my classes.

On Sunday night I woke with a start from a disturbing dream of my mother and Phil. They had brought me into their room, and had tied me, face down, on the bed. My shirt was pushed up around my neck so my back was bear; they enjoyed watching the blood start as the buckle of the belt hit my skin. I was surprised that I did wake up, the past two nights one of the four men would show up and remove me from the scene my dreams had given me to view. They never said anything, but their eyes always spoke volumes- of what I'm not sure, but I embraced it.

I glanced at the clock and saw it was 11:30 at night. I sighed and laid my head back down on my pillow. I guess my false sense of security that those men provided me was gone. Once my head hit the pillow I felt a small lump making me rest with a kink in my neck. I put my hand under it and pulled out my bag of treasures. I kept the picture of my mother inside, I didn't have any need or want to look at her smiling face at the moment, I could never bring myself to throw it out though. I fingered my well worn book next, but due to the amount of reading I've already done this weekend I don't think my eyes would forgive me if I attempted to start again.

I grabbed my tattered old friend next. He has been the only comfort that I can count on in my seventeen years. He is missing an eye, and his fur leaves something to be desired. The stitching that runs across his heart is still in tact, even after all these years and the amount of times I've run my fingers across the words. Maybe I was loved at some point.

Hugging my friend in my embrace I am able to fall asleep for a few hours at least.

Ж

The first time I saw Jessica since the accident was Monday morning when we got into her car and headed for school. When we reached the school my nerves went into overdrive and I kept scanning the parking lot for the truck that ran me off the road. Jessica's impatient grunt reminded me I needed to get out of the car.

Once I was able to maneuver out of the car, I began to hobble my way to my first class without my crutches. Jessica wouldn't open her trunk for them, and said that if we put them in the back seat they would "obstruct her view." Thankfully I was able to make it to class a few minutes before the bell rang and took my seat.

Edward was already there when I sat in front of him. While I began riffling through my bag I felt a tap on my shoulder. Shock coursed through my body, the only people who had physical contact with me was when they were hitting or kicking me. However, once again with every interaction with Edward, no fear came to me. I slowly turned my head around and looked at him expectantly.

"Hi Bella, are you feeling okay? I was in the hospital visiting my dad when they brought you in. Where are your crutches?" I had to stifle a laugh, which was a foreign feeling itself, at his nerves as he rushed that out without taking a breath. I then wondered who had called me Bella to him.

"Hi Edward, I'm okay." and I abruptly faced forward and ignored the other question he asked, thankful that the teacher started class.

My morning after that went on as normal, people would shoot me looks as I waddled down the halls and in between buildings, no one ever offering to help. When the last bell rang signaling lunch I began my trek to the library, only to be stopped by a hand pulling me roughly into the bathroom.

I wasn't able to see who took me in there, because once the kicks started on my knee I attempted to curl up into a ball, as best I could considering the brace on my leg, to protect my head and neck.

The kicking lasted the majority of the lunch period, and the girls left the room when the bell rang. I knew it was girls from their soft giggles and whispered instructions. I had a good idea of who it was, but unable to verify as I my eyes were shut tightly to hold the tears at bay.

I stayed through my next two periods in the bathroom trying to control my breathing and clean the tear stains that littered down my face. During the two hours I laid on the dirty bathroom floor no one came in, for which I was eternally grateful, no one needs to see the little foster girl crying on the dirty floor. I began to wonder why, which was always a dangerous track for me to start. The only answer I had was what my mother had told me

"because you didn't die when you should have, this is just the universe's way of correcting that mistake."

When the final bell for the day rang, I got to my feet and began my journey home. I didn't even bother to look for Jessica's car, I knew the rusty blue Toyota would not be in the parking lot. While walking my knee was throbbing in its confines of the brace, and tears began silently falling over my cheeks. I wondered silently how there was any left.

I was about a mile away from the school when I heard the familiar sound of tires on the tar, but instead of speeding faster these slowed until they came to a stop behind me. I kept walking, I had enough for today and I didn't want any more injuries that I would need to hide.

"Bella! Wait!" His honey voice shouted, but I could not be stopped, because if I did he would see my face, he would see my hurt, and I would either see laughter or pity, neither could I stand, not from him.

After about a minute my choice was made for me, he caught up to me easily, and tugged gently on my shoulder getting me to turn around. I kept my head towards the ground, refusing to meet his eyes.

"Why are you walking?" I gave a small shrug, not even attempting to speak, as the crack that would definitely exist in my voice would only add to my humiliation.

Apparently Edward wasn't going to wait for an answer because he gently pulled on my arm and lead me to his silver car. He opened the passenger door and waited for me to tuck myself in before closing the door and shuffling to the drivers side.

Within a few minutes we were on the road, but he passed the turn off for the street the Stanley's lived on. A feeling grew in the pit of my stomach, gnawing at my insides I kept thinking if I had a normal mother, she would have told me never to ride in cars with virtual strangers.

Edward pulled into the parking lot of a small playground, he put the car in park, but didn't shut it off. He turned to me and put his fingers under my chin to force me to look at him. I was in awe at the fact that I didn't see pity or humor in his eyes, but only empathy and a fire I couldn't place.

"Now I'm going to repeat a few questions I've asked you today and we are not leaving until I get the answers." I nodded my head mutely waiting for him to ask me, so I can return to the Stanley's house.

"Okay, good. Well first where are your crutches?"

I paused trying to figure out the best way to answer, but the look in his eyes told me not to even try to lie, but after years of hiding my shame, lying was like second nature to me and I didn't know this boy, and I didn't owe him anything, but I couldn't bring my self to conceal the whole truth- and that scared me.

"Jessica was in a hurry this morning and we both forgot them."

Edward stared at a me for a while trying to decipher my honesty, either he found it or he figured he wouldn't get anything else out of me.

"Alright, next question- why are you walking home, with no crutches and a damaged knee?"

This one was a little trickier for me to answer, but I took a breath and just let the falsehood flow from my lips "Well Jessica goes over to friends houses on the other side of town once in a while, so I choose to walk so I'm not inconveniencing her, and like me we both just assumed today would be like any other day she went there."

Again Edward stared at me, his jade eyes boring into mine, looking for something. Our gaze held for a few moments before the rain started poring and the spell was broken.

"Ah, I should get you home, thank you for humoring me with my questions." With that he pulled out of the small lot and drove back to the Stanley's.

When we reached their home I saw the familiar cherry red car in the driveway. Oh great, the queen is here. I sighed at the same time Edward let a huff of air escape his mouth. I smiled shyly at him and mumbled a quiet thanks for the ride. Before I could fully exit, his hand was on mine.

"Bella, if Jessica goes with her friends after school, will you please find me, I can give you a ride." he seemed to notice my apprehension because he added "until your knee is healed. Also, please try and remember your crutches tomorrow." I nodded my head and went into the house.

I'm not sure if the girls noticed my entrance or who drove me home, or if they were just ignoring me, either way I was able to get to my room without a confrontation. I locked my door, and went to my bed and grabbed my bear, silently praying that someday this hell will be over, and that I will finally repay whatever debt I seemed to owe.

Ж

After the Stanley's got home that night, I was given a lecture on the importance of going to classes. In no uncertain terms it was disclosed to me that if I was caught skipping again I would be headed back to Seattle. Jessica sat through the whole incident with a smug smile on her face, which just confirmed my suspicions that she was a party to the further destruction of my knee.

The next few days were odd though, I don't think I could describe it as anything else. Nothing bad happened, in fact Jessica was pleasant, but not overly sweet which would under any other circumstances would lead me to be suspicious, but it was her ability to not be overly sweet which made me wary. Which is exactly why I began moving cautiously and observing my surroundings before going forward – anywhere. She had been helping me in the car, even allowing for the crutches to accompany us, the kicker was she was always waiting for me after school to drive me back to her house.

It was Friday two weeks later when things came crashing down on me, again. I hobbled out of the school looking for Jessica and her car, I wasn't that surprised when I saw it missing. It had taken me an extra 30 minutes to get out of the locker room after gym. Even though I didn't have to dress down with my knee all jacked up, I did have to put my backpack and belongings in the gym locker. I had left my crutches in there to try and strengthen my leg, the sooner I was able to walk normal the better. I can't imagine being sent back to the group home while on crutches.

I sighed quietly to my self and began my journey to the Stanley's. I did look for Edward's car, because I promised I would tell him, but my guess is he saw me getting rides with Jessica and didn't feel the need to wait like he had been the first few days after he drove me home.

I only reached the end of the schools parking lot when I heard footsteps approaching me. Determined to get home and avoid any trouble I continued walking. Unfortunately the owner of the footsteps seemed to have other ideas.

"Hey Freak! Stop walking, I have something to say to you." I did as she asked, I knew it would be pointless to try and outrun her or ignore her. I turned slowly and looked at the girl with the steel gray eyes.

"Tanya" I said softly.

"Did I say you can talk bitch no, I said I have something to say to you."

She stalked towards me before continuing her rant of all the reasons I'm a worthless piece of shit. I almost wanted to laugh and tell her not to bother, my mother did a good enough job ensuring that all of those reasons she was spouting off were imbedded into my very soul. As I looked at Tanya and my surroundings I didn't see Jessica or Lauren around, but that didn't mean they weren't.

When I thought she was going to say something as to the reason she was confronting me my back hit a tree. I had reached the edge of the woods that surrounded the school. All while Tanya had been talking we had been moving, her forward, me backwards. I wasn't able to go around the tree as four arms grabbed each one of mine, accompanied by a rope.

Once I was tied the girls took their turns punching, scratching and kicking me. I stood silently refusing to scream or cry, I would not give them the satisfaction. During their attack Lauren remained quiet, but threw injuries just as the other two. Jessica voiced her desire, once again, for me to leave and demanded that I tell her parents to send me back. I couldn't really understand what Tanya was staying, I heard fragments of "stay away" "He's mine," and other words along the same lines. I was the most confused about the "he's mine" statement.

After about fifteen minutes they were starting to calm down, I almost thought I would find out what their reason was for their escalation to physical abuse. However a SUV driving into the school parking lot scared them and sent them scattering with threats of what will come to me if I didn't follow through with their "requests" looming in the wind.

I could barely pick my head up, but I heard a car door shut and more footsteps coming towards me. I'm really starting to hate the sound of footsteps. I was able to see to figure approaching, a tall blonde boy that I had seen hanging around with Edward and Emmett throughout the school, I think his name is Jasper.

"Hi Isabella" he looked at me sadly and began to approach. I flinched as he raised his arms and he seemed to notice this.

"I'm just going to untie you okay." I just nodded my head. I was scared if I opened my mouth my will to remain silent would dissipate and I would be a broken girl on the dirt ground. I flinched a little when Jasper went around the back to untie me. He did not attempt to make conversation with me and I was thankful for that.

While I knew his name and that he was friends with the two forces that provided me security I had no real knowledge of him and only felt humiliation from him finding me like this, but then again at least it was one person instead of the whole school, like I'm sure the girls had planned.

After he had finished getting me loose, he ushered me to the black SUV, and then proceeded to drive me home. I didn't say anything to him, but offered a soft thank you when he dropped me off. He gave me a sad smile, but much like Edward no pity and no humor.

Luckily Jessica and her parents weren't at home so I was able to go to my room and let out everything. I don't remember a time in my life when I have ever cried as much as I did that night. I ended up falling asleep with my clothes still on clutching my Charlie with everything I had.

Ж

I woke up the next morning to the first bright day in weeks. My eyes were itchy and my body achy from the crying and from sleeping in my knee brace. I was able to get up and clean myself up. I headed downstairs and saw that again no one was home. My stomach alerted me to its need for food as I hadn't eaten anything since yesterday morning when I had breakfast. I poured myself a glass of milk and a small bowl of cereal.

As I was sitting at the kitchen counter I noticed a white piece of paper peeking out from a basket that held a few red apples. When I approached it I saw my name scrawled on the top, I pulled it out and read it.

Bella-

We are out running a few errands with Jessica this morning and didn't want to wake you up, we thought you could use the rest with your leg. A friend of ours' son will be coming to pick you up at about 11 this morning to meet us in Port Angeles for lunch.

Mrs. Stanley

I had to laugh to myself, they never corrected me when I was introduced to them, and I had been calling them Mr. and Mrs. Stanley to their faces for the past 3 months. I glanced at the clock and saw that it was 10:45 and this boy would be coming soon.

I was looking for my crutches when there was a knock at the door. I went to answer it and as I pulled it back a black cloth was promptly shoved on my head and I was picked up.

When I registered what was happening I began to kick and scream with everything I had. I was thrown over this man's shoulder so I started to punch him in the back and scratch which caused a few profanities to slip his lips. I was then dumped onto something hard, the bag was lifted enough for this man to put duct tape over my mouth to silence my screams. When that was finished my arms and legs were bound with the same duct tape as well as ropes.

I heard the start of an engine and soft whispers, but was unable to make any words out. I'm not sure how long we were driving and had no idea where we went to. I was bounced from side to side of the vehicle as we went down the bumpy road. I'm surprised I kept any state of consciousness as I hit my head numerous times against the wall during turns.

Eventually the vehicle came to a stop and my captors pulled me out. My feelings of dread were tenfold, at least with my mother, hell even Jessica in her friends I always had some knowledge of what was to come. I felt two sets of arms pick me up and begin carrying me for an undetermined amount of time.

I was thrown against something hard and felt wetness seep into my legs as they hit the ground. Like a bad rerun, the men started kicking my bad leg and stomach. At some point I felt cool steal against my side where my shirt had ridden up. I then felt the steal slice into my side and the blood begin to flow out of it.

With a final "Die this time bitch." I heard them leaving.

Sobs racked my body, but eventually I couldn't hold onto the consciousness any longer and black overcame my senses.