Okay! Chapter three! Finally! I am sorry I haven't updated lately! I have been having computer struggles and I have finally been able to start this new chapter! Again, sorry for not updating sooner! :/

For some reason, I am deciding to make the song Rooftops by Lostprophets the song for this chapter. And just so you know, there will not always be a song for each chapter. (:

DISCLAIMER: I own Twilight! In my dreams.

NOW CHAPTER THREE.

Edward POV (from beginning of story)

This place was beautiful. Though I should have been back at the house helping everyone unpack, I decided instead to wait and wander through the woods. As I wandered I stumbled, quite literally, into a small meadow. It was perfectly round with trees outlining the sides. Flowers were sprouting every here and there, but the weren't any weeds in sight.

All of a sudden, I heard a very loud car engine and a door slamming. Sighing, I figured Carlisle must have decided to come out and find me. But then I heard what was like panting, and footsteps on the dry leaves that littered the ground.

After only a few seconds, a woman burst through an opening between two trees before falling to the ground. I couldn't help but wonder if anything was wrong. I walked up to her and put my hand on her shoulder earning a scream from her. She looked up, eyes terrified. I'm sure mine were too, but I tried with all my might to hide it.

"It's okay. I won't hurt you," I murmured. When my eyes finally met hers, it felt like I was staring into a pool that never ended. Her eyes were very deep brown and still had the scared look in them. Her chocolate brown hair tumbled all over her face, sticking to some places and simply hanging in others. She looked like she was waiting for more, so I hastily continued. "My name's Edward Cullen. I'm new to Forks. "I was wandering out here and thought you might be hurt." I decided to edit, making it seem as though I had entered the meadow at the sound of her entering.

"My name's Bella," she murmured. "Well, it's Isabella Swan, but I prefer Bella."

"Well, it's nice to meet you Bella," I replied. And it was. "Would you like some help up?" I asked, offering my hand.

"I'd love that," she moaned as I lifted her up. But as soon as my hand had touched hers, it felt like energy was pulsing from me to her.

"But, Bella, if you don't mind my asking, why are you here?" I wondered aloud. I suddenly looked down her arms that were bruised all over. "And why do you have bruises on your arms?" I asked, alarmed now. The bruises made it look as though someone had grabbed her arm, as if restraining.

"I just…wanted to go for a walk. I had to…think about some things," she replied, but I could tell immediately that she was lying, covering up the real reason.

"Okay," I replied, unsatisfied. "But that still leaves the question why do you have bruises all over your arms?"

"Uh…"

"Is someone doing this to you?" I asked, pointing at her arm. It came out much sharper than I imagined. But when she didn't answer me, I said "Bella, answer me."

"No, no one is doing this to me," she said meekly, obviously lying.

Suddenly, an angry voice rang out among the trees. "Bella! Where are you?!" it demanded.

"How the hell did he find me?" she muttered. Then her eyes grew wide as she realized something I clearly didn't. "Edward! You need to hide, and now!" she whispered at me desperately, shoving me toward the dense forest. I didn't want to leave her alone, but she obviously was scared so I obliged, hiding behind a tree with a very large trunk.

Behind Bella appeared a very tall man that most likely lived on La Push, the Indian reservation I knew lie close by.

"Bella," he breathed. I saw her already closed eyes tighten as she tensed for what ever she expected to happen.

"I got worried," he whispered. "You ran away. I couldn't find you. You know I don't like hurting you, Bella." So this was the man that abused her.

She refused to speak for a minute, though he lumbered over her. Her expression was terrified.

"I'm sorry," she whispered after a minute of silence. "I felt…sick. I didn't want you to get sick if I was." The lie was painfully obvious. So much so that Jacob noticed.

"Oh, really?" he screamed at her. "Then you won't mind this," he yelled even louder as he slapped her cheek so loud you could hear it echo off the trees. Her eyes tightened even more as tears started falling.

"I'm going to give you time to think, Bella. Next time you will not run away from me," he sneered. "And that harmless slap is the worst of your issues tonight. You will be home by…" he stopped to check his watch. "6:30. You have three hours. Do not be late." And with that, he stomped off through the trees. As soon as his form disappeared, Bella fell to the ground bawling.

"Bella, are you okay?" I asked her, attempting to mask the shaking in my voice.

"Yeah," she mumbled, though her expression showed pure terror. "That's nothing compared to what's waiting for me in La Push." I wanted to gather her in my arms, picking up the pieces of her life at her expression. It was completely and utterly heartbreaking.

"Bella, you should have told me," I told her gently. "I know we just met, but someone should know about this. How long has this been going on?"

"Well, I don't really remember…" she trailed off at seeing my expression. "Well, it will be two years in one month," she sighed. "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." I almost screamed. How could someone hurt a woman like Bella? She was so gentle and kind.

"Oh, god," I whispered. "I am so sorry. You don't deserve something as…horrible as that…thing."

"I'll be okay," she mumbled for my benefit. "I'd probably better go. I want to go home, take a shower, change, then make dinner for my dad, Charlie." I knew my mouth turned into a deeper frown as she continued talking. Then I remembered that Carlisle made everyone in our family contact cards. I quickly pulled one out of the pocket of my jeans, handing it to her.

"Here. Don't hesitate to call…ever. I'll always be here to help you," I promised.

"Thank you, Edward. I will," she said as she pocketed my card. Then she smiled at me before running off into the woods.

Yay! Chapter three! Longest chapter out of any of my stories! :D I'm so proud of myself! I will update soon this week! And maybe add more stories for you guys to judge....?

ILOVEYOUGUYSSS.

-Erin. 3