My breathing became labored as Jacob started breathing heavier, alerting me that I would be in horrendous pain very soon.
"I got worried," Jacob whispered into my ear. "You ran away. I couldn't find you. You know I don't like hurting you, Bella." I knew it was crap he didn't love me, and he loved hearing me scream. But I knew better than to say anything, so I kept my mouth shut.
"I'm sorry," I said after a minute of silence. "I felt…sick. I didn't want you to get sick if I was." I hoped that I sounded convincing, but I doubted it. I could hear my voice shake.
"Oh, really?" he said menacingly. "Then you won't mind this," he yelled. I didn't know what he meant until his hand made a sickening connection with my cheek.
I wanted to scream, to get help and be safe again. But I knew he'd find me. He would always find me, and it would be like that forever. No one would believe me. He pretended to be loving when we were in public. It took me a couple seconds before I realized tears were running down my cheeks. The pain was horrible.
"I'm going to give you time to think, Bella. Next time, you will not run away from me. And that harmless slap is the least of your issues tonight. You will be home by…" he stopped to look down at his watch. "6:45. You have three hours. Do not be late." And with that, he stalked off the direction he had come from.
As soon as he was gone, I crumpled onto the ground in a fit of tears. I'd held them in for too long, and I had to let them out. I wouldn't be able to for a long time.
When Edward came up behind me, I jumped. I'd completely forgotten he'd been hiding. I was instantly scared. My body tensed, prepared for him to hit me for lying. But instead he tilted me chin up with his finger. His concerned eyes were bottomless.
"Bella, are you okay?" he asked. It sounded like he was trying to mask the shaking in his voice. He almost succeeded. Almost.
"Yeah," I replied lamely. "That's nothing compared to what is waiting for me back in La Push." I sighed. I really didn't want to have to face Jacob tonight. I would be sore for weeks.
"Bella, you should have told me. I know we just met, but someone should know about this. How long has this been going on?"
I shrugged as he told me I should have told someone. That's what everyone would say. But then I remembered I had to answer his question.
"Well, I don't really remember…" I started, but the look in his eyes told me what he didn't have to say out loud: he wouldn't drop it until I told him.
With a sigh, I said "Well, it will be almost two years in one month. He told me that if I told someone that either they wouldn't believe me and I would just get slapped around a lot, or that they would believe me and they would die with me right after them." The awful truth came out in a rush. I hadn't meant to say that last part, but I couldn't take it back. I just had to deal with what was coming.
"Oh, god. I am so sorry. You don't deserve something as…horrible as that…thing."
"I'll be okay," I tried to convince him. "I'd probably better go. I want to go home and take a shower, change, then I like to make dinner for my dad, Charlie." As I spoke, I could see Edward's face droop.
"Here," he said, handing me a card. "It's got my cell phone number and home phone number on it. Don't hesitate to call me…ever. I'll always be here to help you." I took the card, putting it in my pocket to save. He could be expecting a call tonight.
"Thank you, Edward. I will," I said with a grin. And then, I ran off into the woods to try and find my truck.