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This is my version of how it could have gone for Rosalie, a character created by Stephanie Meyer.
Chapter 10: Confusion
We stood in the chilly night air as we waited for the valet to return our vehicle. I clutched at my jacket unable to draw any warmth from it. When the car arrived, a young man in a uniform opened the door for me as Royce seated himself behind the wheel. I looked forlornly at the boy, who put his hand out to me for support.
I looked at him with vacant eyes. He was alarmed, I saw it. I implored him urgently without words. He was rigid as he stared back, clearly wondering what he should do. Suddenly Felix came up behind the boy. He forced a bill in the boy's hand as he muscled his way to the door. He grabbed me at my armpit and shoved me into the car. As we drove away, the boy was in the exact position as he watched our retreat. My last hope disappeared in the rear-view mirror as his reflection faded away. I closed my eyes, my soul gaunt with hopelessness.
It was impossible that I had fallen asleep. Perhaps my mind was just protecting itself from what it knew awaited me. I woke to an uncomfortable and constant jabbing to my upper left arm. I instinctively reached to the now sore spot. A lightening fast hand grabbed my fingers and crushed.
"Wake up, little Rosalie … "
I shifted away from the hurtful words and realized I was still in the car. The multiple taxi trips to catch several different planes, the restaurant, champagne and dinner now whirled through my head. I was suddenly wide-awake and stiff all over. Wildly I turned to look out the window. It was dark. I was aware only of trees swaying in a chilly wind. I heard the now familiar dark chuckle from behind me.
I slumped in my seat. My head spun as if I had a hangover, even though I had never experienced one in my life. I had sipped at the champagne, but I had not consumed very much. I had no stomach for any of it. Royce did. And when the champagne was gone he had ordered a bottle of Ardbeg single malt whiskey. Royce and Felix finished the bottle together.
Felix chuckled again and I recoiled. He liked that I responded to the sound of his voice, even if it was to shrink away from it.
The car door jerked open roughly, tumbling me out into the cold. I barely recovered myself, disjointedly landing on my hands and knees. Royce and Felix laughed acidly. I was terrified now. What were they up too? Where was I, really? Would I be able to acclimate my eyes to the night? Would I be able to see a way out of this deathly predicament?
I stayed on the ground. They misread my paralyzing fear for pride and soon strong arms effortlessly forced me to a standing position. They shined a flashlight in my face. I turned and put my hands in front of me, protecting my eyes from the brightness.
"She's just scared, Royce" Felix drawled, excitement tainting his feigned concern.
I could make out only his silhouette. Funny that I hadn't noticed the pug nose in the light. He really was an unattractive man. I tried to suppress a laugh, imagining that's why he had to force himself on a woman. This did not go over well.
Out of nowhere, the strength of his closed fist took my legs out from under me, unwillingly weak in the knees again. I grabbed at the car for support but hit the ground hard. I had never felt anything like that in my sheltered world. I put my hand gingerly to my face, expecting to find blood, and then I felt the pain. It felt like my eye had exploded. I whimpered from the hurt. I tried to stand but I was dizzy and my vision was blurry. I faded and fell to my side, unconscious.
When I woke this time it was early dawn. My thoughts scrambled for coherency. Where was I again? Why did my face hurt? Recognition dawned with the morning sun. The warmth felt good on my skin.
"Don't move!" I screamed inside my head.
I tried to settle my aching body and called all my senses into service. Was escape an option? Where were they? I could hear muffled voices so they were very close, perhaps in the car. Could I noiselessly crawl into the trees that seemed to be surrounding me? Was escape a possibility?
Royce was amused.
"Look Felix, she thinks she's fooling us."
Felix didn't answer. He was studying Rosalie. He was tired of Royce's games. He wanted her. He wanted her now. Royce recognized the look on Felix' face. He'd seen it before. Royce took a long hearty gulp of whiskey then handed the bottle to Felix. He took a long drag then set the bottle on the hood of the car.
They advanced on the small frame of Rosalie.
My lack of movement hadn't fooled them. Their chatter had gotten louder. They were drinking again. I could smell it. When I finally relented and opened my eyes, they were standing over me.
"Looks like she's waking up" Felix slurred.
"What did I tell you, Felix", Royce crowed grabbing my arm and lifting me to my feet. "Isn't she lovelier than any of your Georgia peaches?" He looked at me again, like I was a horse he was buying.
"It's hard to tell," he drawled slowly. "She's all covered up."
Suddenly Royce roughly pulled at the jacket the brass buttons flying off. They scattered in the dirt.
"Show him what you look like, Rose!"
I tried to run. Maybe I could make it to the trees. Before I covered any distance at all, Felix laughed again and grabbed me by the hair, wrenching some from the roots. I cried out in pain. They seemed to enjoy that – the sound of my pain …
They left me lying fetal in the dirt. For a brief moment Royce lingered. I knew it was him because I could hear the chilling chuckle coming from the car. I thought maybe he was feeling sad or sorry. But then he laughed and finished off the rest of the bottle. He threw it down hard and it shattered next to my crumpled body. As they drove away Felix teased that Royce would need to find a new bride. Their jeers trailed off with the sound of the retreating car motor.
I waited to die. It was cold, though there was so much pain that I was surprised it bothered me. It started to rain, and I wondered why I wasn't dying. I was impatient for death to come, to end the pain. It was taking so long … I let my eyes close wishing for sweet death.
I stole a few lines right from Stephanie Meyer in this chapter. If any of you have read the books as often as I have, you'll probably recognize them. Thanks Stephanie!
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