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SM owns Twilight... I just took their houses away

WARNING!
This story contains subject matter which may be offensive to some readers. I will try to post a warning before each chapter if I feel there is a need, but the story in general deals with mature themes.

Violence in this chapter... continue with caution.

Don't wait for a knight in shining armor

Your savior's reflected in the mirror

These flowers have grown from blood stains on the ground

Go rake the leaves off your grass and my grave

The fact is everyone bleeds when they shave

Theres no use, so don't deny we're just the same

We'll take it back...

Broken dagger, southern swagger

Voices of violence, Voices of violence

-Billy Talent

EPOV

"Well, what now?" she asks, her soft voice breaking the silence. We're, once again, sitting by the waterfront. It's a stormy day, and the angry looking dark clouds are threatening to open and soak us at any given moment. We spent last night soaking wet; our clothes are still not dry today. The Mission fills up fast when the weather is shitty, and we were unable to secure any beds for the past three nights. I'm used to living in the elements, but it's obvious that Bella is not. Even though I'm uncomfortable and being in wet clothing all day is unpleasant, I can tell that Bella can hardly bear it anymore.

"What do you mean 'what now?' What do you expect me to do?" I ask, a little irritated. She recoils from the harshness of my voice and silence ensues. Although she's never implied that I am, I feel responsible for her. I feel that I'm failing her every minute she sits in her freezing-wet clothing. My feelings of failure are turning into anger, although I don't mean to take it out on her when I do. The longer we sit without saying anything, the guiltier I feel. I feel bad for snapping at her, but say nothing to correct my behavior.

It's been a week since our night in the alley, the night she clung to me, speaking Italian in her sleep. I have yet to ask her what she was saying, but plan to, soon. I just think she may be more open to talking when she's not wet and miserable. She woke up shocked in the position she was in, laying on my chest. She almost jumped up and ran from the alley, that is, until she saw the other men. When she registered their presence, she tightened her grip around my waist. I won't lie and say I didn't like it, because I did. The fact that I like her company and that she looks to me to take care of her, scares the shit out of me.

The douche bag that was catcalling Bella in the alley that night has continued to hang around. The asshole calls himself James, and seems to end up around us wherever we go; I don't like it. He approaches Bella every chance he gets - while I'm showering in the Mission, or if I step away to take a piss. Whenever I leave her alone for a second, he's there. He gets in her space and tries to get her to go with him. He never speaks a word to me, just stares at her non-stop. He's skeevy and freaks Bella the fuck out. I've told him to fuck off every time he's come around, but the shit head can't seem to get a clue. A couple of days ago, I tried to start a fight with him when he actually tried to touch Bella. I would've gone through with it, I only stopped because Bella was pleading for me to not fight him. I don't know if he's mental or just a creep, but as long as I'm around he isn't getting close to her.

I look over at her. She's in her normal position, her knees tucked up, arms hugging them; she's shaking.

"You're cold," I state. She turns her head to face me but says nothing as her bottom lip quivers. Conversation has gotten better between us, but she still seems more comfortable in silence. She also hasn't given up any information on how she ended up out here.

As we sit in silence, I try to think of a place I can take her so she can get and stay dry. There is a big camp under the bridges that's covered, but it's well known for its drug dealing and crime. Without Jake around, I have no chance of keeping Bella safe on my own.

Jake has been missing for two weeks now. It's not that unusual, but 'Sam' has been known to get him into trouble. It would be nice to have him around as an extra set of eyes. I seem to be getting hardly any sleep since Bella has been following me around, staying awake to make sure that no one fucks with her.

There's another shelter about five miles away. It's much smaller than the Mission, and I doubt they have any space left. It's getting dark quickly and drops of water start to fall from the sky; before I can even make a decision on what to do, the fucking heavens open up and poor down on us.

"Fuck!" I shout, grabbing a fist full of my hair. I'm beyond frustrated and really don't want to spend another night out here in the rain. I start pacing in front of the bench that Bella is sitting on. Her body language tells me that my shouting is scaring the fuck out of her. Her brows are knitted together and she looks as though she is trying to melt into the bench. Water is getting in her eyes and dripping off of her nose.

"C'mon," I say as I head toward an awning on one of the buildings across from the river. She scrambles after me. Always doing what I do, always following my lead. I would never admit it, but I like it; I like that she needs me. It's two-sided though, I like that she needs me, but I feel like shit when I can't provide... like tonight. We sit under the awning. I'm freezing, so I know she is too. At least we're somewhat covered at the moment.

"Hey, you two, you gotta get outta here!" Fuck, so much for being covered. A big security guard with a thick Boston accent comes from inside the building, yelling at us to leave. Bella stands to leave. I grab her arm, cringing when I feel how wet her sweatshirt is.

"No, stay, he might leave," I say. Half of the time the rent-a-cops don't want to get wet, so they move on. We're not so lucky tonight; howdy-fucking-doodie is marching over this way. Sitting there, I'm holding my breath. I have no more patience. I'm wet, hungry, annoyed and fucking cold; I'm in no mood to take some asshole's shit. We aren't causing trouble, just trying to stay dry.

"Heya, ya deaf or somthin'? I said move on!" The fucker is raising his voice, and I don't like it.

"Fuck, buddy, we're just trying to stay out of the rain; cut us a break. It's not even business hours," I plead.

"Nah-uh, you gotta move it. Now," he demands. My anger is rising. I want nothing more than to punch this loser in his fucking face and let him sit in the goddamn rain. I stand to my full height and step aggressively toward him.

"What the fuck is your problem, asshole?" I roar. "We aren't bugging shit. We're just waiting for the rain to pass! Take your fucking accent and fake badge, and you move the fuck on!" I want to hit him so bad, and it's taking all the control I have not to. The guard towers above my six-foot-one frame. I can tell he's also trying to control his anger. I take a quick look at Bella, and see that she's curled into a ball shaking, repeating "please no." She does some version of this whenever I fight; she seems to hate the violence. It usually takes me hours to calm her after. If she plans to stay out here, she's going to have to get used to it.

"That's it, you little punk, I'm callin' the cops." He pulls his cell out and starts to dial. This is my cue to grab Bella and get the fuck out of here, if I end up in a jail cell for the night, who knows if she will make it alone. If she weren't with me, I would gladly spend the night in a warm jail cell. I pull on her arm, but she is stiff, unmovable.

"Bella, get the fuck up! We gotta go!" I don't even have time feel bad for screaming at her. If we don't move it, she'll be much more upset while she's being attacked, because I'm in a jail cell, unable to protect her. She scrambles to her feet and lets me drag her away from the building. Once she snaps out of her freak out, we're both running full speed away from the building.

I've never run from the cops before, not for something like this, I always welcomed their humble abode for the night. I usually don't stay for more than a night; for me it's a room and a bathroom to myself, with three meals. Is jail a shit hole? Yes, but it's better than a soaking wet night out here.

I end up running her to the one place I don't want to, the camp under the bridges. I'm out of breath, and she's breathing heavily next to me. There are a bunch of people taking cover from the rain. Groups all sticking together - it's the only way to make it in a place like this. Hookers huddle in one corner, druggies in another. There's no one I want Bella to be around here. I bring her in just far enough to shield us from the rain, but close enough to leave us a quick exit if need be - hopefully. She's clinging to the back of my sweatshirt, obviously scared by the people around us, as she should be. I turn to face her, and she shocks me by wrapping her arms around my waist and burying her face into my coat. I have put an arm around her waist before or grabbed her hand, but she has never initiated this kind of contact before. She must be really scared. She's shivering and surely terrified. I rub my hands up and down her arms, trying to offer some comfort to her.

"Masen!" I turn and face a group that I try hard to avoid and usually do a damn good job of it. It's a group of about six guys that steal shit from stores and sell it on the streets. Shit from stores and... drugs. I fell in with them when I was a little younger and naive. I thought that through them I could have protection and make money; I was wrong. I learned quickly that dealing and stealing would only keep me out here permanently. When I broke off from them, they adopted the theory if you are not with them, you are against them. They've been on my ass ever since. As I scan their faces in the darkness, I recognized all of them, plus a few new faces, and the fucker that had been following us around, James.

They're approaching us; I turn my body and place Bella behind me. I don't even want these fuckers to know that she exists.

"What brings you here, Masen?" Roy asks, a fake tone of friendliness in his voice. He's the leader of their lame little group.

"Fuck off," I hiss at him.

"Oh Edward, is that any way to greet an old friend? And who is this little one you have with you?" He asks, trying to move closer to Bella. I feel her dig her fucking fingernails into my back. I position myself so that I'm between them once again.

"I said, fuck off," my voice sounding low and deadly even to my own ears.

"I'm afraid I can't do that Eddie, you see, you came into my territory." What-the-fuck-ever. This area is homeless-land in Portland; Roy doesn't have a fucking territory, though he wishes he did. He makes a step again in Bella's direction and a sob tears from her throat, and the noise makes me see red. I won't let him make her fucking cry. His hyenas laugh behind him. He advances toward her, again making her cry out. Sick fucks get off of on scaring a defenseless girl.

"James here has been talking about your new little friend. I didn't believe him, because I know you're a loner, but here you are with a new little kitten. I'm surprised; she must be special for you to keep her," he says with a sick smile. I can feel Bella crying behind me. I want to comfort her but cannot afford to turn my back on the group in front of me. I don't say anything, just stare at Roy and James, down. I'm out-numbered but will not go down without a fight.

"Here's the deal, Ed, hand over your little pet, and you can go," he offers, staring me in the eye, challenging me. "She looks like she could make me some good money; you're a tiger in bed aren't you, kitten?" he says to Bella. I feel her whole body shake as she starts to plead into the back of my coat.

"I'll kill you first." I mean it. There's no way I'm going to hand her over to them. He laughs along with his crew. I know the drill; he'll keep one or two guys with him and put the rest on lookout. Cops clean this area out often, and he doesn't want to deal with them. The other people that have found shelter here pay us no attention; this is nothing new to them.

Just like I thought he would, he sends most of the men to look out, keeping James and another guy I don't recognize with him. The kid looks to be about fourteen, and completely wrapped around Roy's finger. One guy, Ben, who I used to be somewhat close to, is still with Roy. He seemed like he was better than this, but apparently he's not. He gives me a sad look and walks away to his post to keep a look out so that Roy can kick my ass.

I change up my stance. I think about telling Bella to run, but I know that one of the guys will out-run her and get her anyway. The only way I see us getting out of here is for me to not only beat Roy, but his buddies as well. I don't have a good chance. I get myself ready for Roy's fists to start swinging, but that doesn't happen. He casually takes a step back and pulls a large hunting knife out of his boot. James giggles like a fucking chick beside him.

"You couldn't just play nice, huh Masen?" I don't answer; my mind is focusing only on getting out of here. He steps forward; I step back. We play this game for a while then he lunges at me, I jerk out of the way and throw Bella to the ground. He lunges again and this time I feel the knife slice through my arm. I hear a scream; I'm not sure if it comes from Bella or from me. Without thinking, instinct takes over and I kick out my leg, hitting Roy's legs, knocking him on his ass. I jump on top of him, but his two asshole friends keep me from getting to him, pulling me back. Fists start flying, and I can hear Bella screaming in the background. The two hold finally over power me, and hold me back by my arms as Roy slowly approaches. He keeps the knife in front of him.

"You're really going to regret coming in here tonight Masen," he says. The two holding me laugh. I struggle to get out of their grip but they just tighten their hold. I know that Roy would have no issue slicing me open and start to panic at the situation I'm in. He's so close now that I can feel his hot nasty breath on my face. Right when I expect to feel a slice from Roy's knife, everything seems to stop, and all eyes turn to Bella.

She's running in our direction, screaming my name, her fists flying blindly, not connecting with anyone, not even close. If the situation weren't so dire, I would be laughing my ass off at her. She looks like a spastic animal on crack. Roy and his two buddies head her way, but before they can get to her, or I can get to them, I hear someone scream, "Cops!" It's the same thing as screaming "fire" in a building. Everyone able to flee, does. Some are passed out from one substance or another; the hookers hang around as well. I know Roy has drugs on him, he always does - so he has no choice but to run. He doesn't even have time to threaten me.

I grab Bella and we book it the hell out of there. I feel someone behind us and I turn ready to fight. It's Ben.

"Stay the fuck away from Roy, Masen, I won't be able to help you again, man!" he says as he runs off.

Fuck me, so there were no cops; he cried wolf so that I could escape. I'm really not all that surprised; it seems like something the Ben I knew would've done. I don't even have time to thank him before he disappears. Knowing there are no cops on their way, I take a minute to catch my breath. I look over at Bella and can tell that she's on the verge of hysterics.

"Oh Bella," I say and wrap my arms around her.

"I was so scared," I hear her say into my chest. I pull back and look into her eyes.

"No one will touch you, I won't let it happen," I swear to her. We're standing in the pouring rain. I decide that I'm going to take her to the shelter and force them to take her in; I'll do whatever I have to. I grab her hand and start to walk towards the shelter. She walks with me, asking no questions. Out of nowhere I hear her gasp, I turn to see what's wrong and see her staring at our hands that are locked together. From the lights on the street I can see that they are coated in blood, and now that I see the damage my arm starts to throb from where Roy cut me.

"It's fine, Bella, c'mon," I say wanting to get her to the shelter.

"Where are we going?"

"You, are going into the Mission. I don't care what I have to do; they will take you in for the night," I say, continuing to walk.

"No," she says and refuses to move, standing in the street letting the rain pour over her.

"Yes, let's go, Bella," I say in a tone that should let her know that it is not up for a fucking vote. I've never seen anyone more scared in my entire life, and she needs a night where she can feel safe.

"No," she says with more defiance. "You're hurt," she adds.

"So? It's not the first time Bella - fuck, I'm not having this argument. You will be in a place with a fucking roof tonight; now let's go." I sound like a dick. I know it, but I have no energy to deal with her stubbornness after what I just went through with Roy.

"Deal," she says. I am in shock that she gives in so quickly. Since our first night, she has been unwilling to spend one night without me.

"Not at the Mission though," she says.

"Oh I'm sorry, you're right, let's go to my house, we can sit by the fire; snuggle maybe." I'm in pain and not in the mood for whatever she's trying to pull. I can see the hurt in her eyes though and instantly feel bad. She's standing there biting her bottom lip. She opens her mouth to speak then shuts it again. She does this a few times, and I feel like shit that I've made her think she can't talk to me.

I walk over, grab her hand, and lead her under another awning.

"You can tell me, Bella, what is it?" I ask in the calmest voice I can muster.

"There is something I haven't told you, Edward," she states, unwilling to look me in the eye.

"Bella, other than letting me know that you are prone to falling in the shower, I know nothing about you." She ignores my statement and continues.

"Don't be mad, I didn't know if I could trust you. I... fuck... I should have told you a long time ago... I just..." I stay quiet, just letting her work the words out.

"If I would have told you earlier, we could've avoided all of this, I'm so sorry. I was trying to save it. I figured you would be tired of me soon and that I would need it when I was on my own completely, but... please don't get mad, I just..."

I can see that her rambling isn't going to end and she's starting to panic again so I cut her off. "Bella, you can tell me."

"Ihavesomemoney," she spits out in one word. That is so not what I was expecting to hear.

"You have money?" I ask slowly.

"Just a little, I uh... thought you were going to make me leave... I was saving it... I'm so sorry." Her eyes are pooling with tears. It breaks my heart, and I reach my hand up to move wet hair out of her face. Her hands fly to cover her face, and she cowers like an abused animal. "I'm sorry!" she screams.

I can't handle thinking of reasons why she would react this way. I lean down to do what I tried to do a second ago and move her hair from her face. She looks up at me, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Bella, I will never hit you," I say slowly, looking directly into her eyes. I don't add that when I find out who did hit her, I will kill them.

"Your money is just that, yours. I'm upset just because you could have been more comfortable this whole time, but you owe nothing to me." I mean every word.

"I think I have enough for a motel for a few nights. We can get clean and we need to fix that cut," she says softly.

"Where is the money, Bella?" Her bag was stolen on the first night, I'm glad that she was smart enough to not keep it in there. She blushes bright red.

"Uh, in my... underwear." She can barely get the words out. "It's probably all wet, but should be safe. I think I have five hundred left. turn around." I do as I'm told.

"Ok." I turn back, and she is handing a wad of money to me.

"No, that's yours, put it back... wherever... you had it." I try to keep my mental image out of Bella's underwear; she's making it hard though.

"No, I know that you can keep it safer than I can, please. You know what to do, you can make it last longer." I take the money and we start to walk to a motel. I will not be staying with her or keeping the money, I only agree to get her to move and not fight with me in the pouring rain anymore. I'm starting to care about her too much and need to stop before I'm in deeper than I already am. I can't remember the last person I cared for, and it scares me shitless to care about this girl and to have her need me. I don't know anything about Bella, but I do know that she's good. Too good to be on the street, too good to deal with whatever was done to her, and too good for me. Bella will be safe and warm in a room tonight, and I will sleep soundly on the streets, in the rain, knowing this.

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