I can't do this.
I can't do this.
I can't.
I cannot do this.
Not anymore.
No.
Oh god-!
The tears came hard. The kind that you wish would stop because you're losing a piece of your soul with every salty droplet. They don't trickle from your red eyes, they grate, rubbing you raw inside and out.
Just get me out.
I want out.
"Bella?"
Charlie's coffee stained voice met her ears slowly. The cold air shifted as he took a seat next to her in his office. The carpet was gray. She wondered if it had been bought that way or if numerous years of scuffling, dirty uniform shoes had faded it. Charlie moved a piece of long hair from her face, sadly taking note of her tears. Bella knew he'd looked at the evidence, had it sent to the lab. It had been three hours. Carlisle was in a holding cell. He wouldn't let her see him.
"I'm sorry, Bella. I overreacted. I'm having Dr. Cullen released soon. I should have listened but I... You have to understand how appalled I was. I..." This wasn't easy for either of them. Bella thought of just getting up and leaving. She could meet Carlisle back at the house. But no. She'd been putting off this talk for long enough.
"I know," she told him. No emotion. Don't show it.
Charlie seemed to be drinking the air. He was fidgeting with a stray fiber on his uniform pants. "Why didn't you tell me?"
She quickly faced him, a million answers and none of them the right one. Because I knew you'd overreact, because I was scared, because I knew if I told you then it would become even more real. Because I don't want to go to court. I don't want to see them again.
He absorbed these reasons through her expressions, through his experience on the force. "I've already got in touch with the school and they gave me a list of all the recent expellees. They're the only ones in the past few months besides a Francine Gordon. I've already given their files to every cop on or off duty. We're going to get them. You know I will. Those-" he couldn't seem to come up with a fitting name. "They're through. But Bells... Are you okay?" His voice grew as pale as Bella's skin as he spoke that last word.
Am I okay?
It didn't seem like a question. What the hell is okay? It's an okay day, though there's a few clouds. It's an okay watch though the strap is too tight. It's an okay carpet. God she felt so trampled.
"I'm better," she lied.
"I"m glad," he went along with the lie.
Such a not okay silence.
She wanted Rose. Wanted those strong, beautiful arms around her, that dangerous mouth around her lips. She wished it were only them, off somewhere by themselves. She remembered the night at their apartment. How nothing but their bodies, their souls entwining mattered. The kind of suspense you couldn't get enough of, the kind of passion that could heal and refresh. Could never hurt you because your love held it back, kept it a few safe inches away. Rose. She could feel the creamy skin against hers, on top and below hers, felt it move and watched it glisten in the soft lamplight of their place. Quilt patterns etched into their tired bodies, breathe slowing, hands clasped. 'I love you more than's, upside down golden eyes, and a laughter so pure. The memory of her voice, the way her sepia locks would tickle her face lightly, was enough to make her heart hasten and stomach flutter. She folded her hands, pretended one of them was Rosalie's.
So much had happened over such a small amount of time. Moving to Forks, finding and falling in love with Rosalie, their battle for acceptance. Then the attack, the nightmares. Blame and guilt and fear as her constant companions. The fire. That ashen misery. And Alice. Sweet Alice. Her own journey of discovering herself. The frenzied passion the three had shared, a night of dread and rescue, the physical comforts. Friendship blending with romance, no one quite sure how to look at things, like an abstract painting. Three uniquely haunting pieces placed together, complimenting and conflicting. A triptych. A bittersweet lingering. Whispers trapped in a whirlwind desperately trying to rescue each other from the world only to get even more tangled in each other. Then Natalie. The sledgehammer to their bond. Jealousy and more guilt. Curiosity, questions. Confusion upon seeing Natalie get out of the car Lucas drove. Feeling every atom in your body reduce by half, then half again. Cutting you down until you might only be a thought. A startled, panicked fragment. A moment when you realize...
I can't do this.
She still hadn't told anyone about seeing Natalie. Would it help? If Natalie was assaulted too then it was already done. Still. She hadn't reported her own assault and look where that got her. Maybe she could have prevented what they did to Natalie. But that thought was nothing compared to the thought of confronting Alice.
"Your potential girlfriend might have been raped by the three guys who attacked me."
She cringed. Rose would know what to do.
"I'm going to release him now. Would you like to come?"
"Huh?" She was still in Charlie's office. She'd disappeared entirely for a moment there.
"Would you like to come with me... to release Dr. Cullen?"
She nodded and stood.
Carlisle had his own cell. Currently there were no other visitors to Bella's relief. He didn't even look bored. She supposed vampires were used to waiting.
"Doctor," Charlie started.
"Ah, Chief Swan." He stood and came to the bars, stopping about a foot away, smiling vaguely but pleasantly.
"I" he cleared his throat. So like him. "I want you to know it was a mistake for me to bring you in like this and I hope I haven't cost you any valuable time."
"Not at all."
"I want to thank you for watching over my daughter. It may not seem like it but I'd do the same for you. And I understand why you kept things a secret."
Carlisle smiled and gave the slightest of nods to show he understood. Bella knew some words like "thanks" just couldn't touch the correct level of emotion.
"I sent the evidence to the lab and it's being screened now. They should have the results by tomorrow. I don't mean to rush things, but-" he glanced at Bella as he unlocked the door. "I've got some matters to attend to." Bella couldn't help but smile. Just like when she was a child, her dad was always there to get rid of the big spiders. Here he was doing it again, and she had no doubt he'd track them all down within the week if not by tomorrow. She almost felt bad for the bastards. Almost. "Do you have a ride home?"
"Yes, I can call someone, thank you."
"Carlisle," Charlie said as the doctor was out of his cell. "Really though. Thank you for looking after Bella. Your whole family."
"Our pleasure. You both are welcome anytime. And-am I still alright to proceed with Bella's treatment?"
"Bella?"
She nodded gladly. She'd never likes the idea of a shrink, but she guessed Carlisle would be fine.
"Then yes." Charlie turned back to his daughter. "You gonna make it, kiddo? You call me if you need anything. I'll keep you updated. Just call and I'll be there, okay? You got that? Day or night, Bells."
"Got it. I love you, dad."
They hugged and Carlisle started for the door.
That's when it happened.
The mud was ankle deep but it was up to the boy's shirt, splattered on his face. It was clear he'd gone down in it, tackled probably by the cop that dragged him in.
"Hey, Chief!" the cop called. "You're looking for a Moyle, right? Keegan Moyle?"
Everyone but the cop froze.
Keegan.
At first Bella thought nothing. Then. I've seen two of them in one day. Then, Yes! We've caught one! And finally, why is the room spinning so damn fast?
She was glad someone caught her before the floor did.
A/N: Aww, poor Bella. Poor everyone really. I'm so cruel to the characters. Despite the contrary, Triptych will be happy again. There's still a lot to get through, but it won't be all toil I promise. I hope you liked it, and thanks so much for taking the time to read. Sadly, I no longer have time to read books let alone fan fiction. Silly reality, let me have my fiction! Thanks, please review.