Minor Inconvenience

Chapter Seven

Bella POV

My eyes snapped open. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. They caught me. Fucking Cullens. I was furious, beyond furious. Why the hell am I on a bathroom floor and how the fuck did they get me to fall asleep – damn cheating vampires! I swear, I will get out of here. I will get out of here. I refuse to let these psychopaths win.

There was a tapping at the door, followed by a soft, "Bella? It's Alice." The door creaks open and Alice gingerly peaks her face into the room – or rather bathroom.

"I've brought you a pair of clothes for you to change into. It'd probably be best for you to shower now. Carlisle will examine you afterwards," she explained, "If what Edward said is true, then I have no clue how you were able to climb onto the roof with an injured wrist."

"Adrenaline rush. Very common – you can 'google' it," I said sarcastically.

Smirking, Alice shuts the door, leaving me to my devices.

Immediately I began to rummage through the drawers, looking for anything that might help me get out of here. A few bobby pins, rubber bands, and a brush. I guess I could pick a lock and send rubber bands flying at the Cullens – it might slow them down. Not.

Feeling demotivated and annoyed, I slouched against the tub. A shower sounds heavenly, but I don't want to lose the last links to my old life. A life I have every intention of returning to. Plus, being naked in a house full of "vampires" does exactly strike me as a strong idea. Hopefully they're as uncomfortable around me as I feel in this filth.

After a knock on the door, Esme entered with a tray. After settling it down on the counter, she backed off. Investigating further, I saw the grilled cheese and tomato soup with a glass of water. Snatching the glass, I guzzled it down and went to refill it with the sink.

"Bella, aren't your hungry, darling?" questioned Esme.

"I would prefer to wait until I return home to eat," I responded.

Sighing, Esme sat on the counter. As she patted my hand, my body stilled, tightening as I prepared to launch myself either at or away from her at a moment's notice.

"Honey, please. It's been over two days. You really must eat something," she stressed, "Here, try some of the soup. I've been told it's somewhat of a comfort food."

She extended the bowl to me, which I hesitant accepted, only to hear it shatter upon the tile floor. My dirty jeans were now stained with more than just dried blood. The fresh tomato soup added another layer of filth and pain as I recalled the classroom massacre.

Squaring my shoulders, I faced Esme, stating knowledgably that, "A person can live up to a month without food; three days without water. I've just had a glass of water – I'll be alive for three days. Guaranteed."

Pursing her lips, Esme began again, "Isabella Marie Swan, I know this whole situation is extremely unfair, making you a victim of so many injustices, but you starving yourself does nothing but further the potential harm. Is there something special you'd like me to make you? An ice cream sundae, ravioli, or even pancakes? Please, anything to get something in that belly of yours," she pleaded.

Tight-lipped, I repeated myself, "I'll wait until I can enjoy a meal across from my father, Esme."

"If you do not eat, Carlisle will have to intervene, Bella."

"OH! Well in that case, tell him I can be ready at a moment's notice to return to Charlie's."

Huffing, Esme patted my hand once more and walked towards the door, saying, "I'll be right back, Bella."

With Esme gone, I was once more able to relax, having avoided a potential feeding. My calming state was broken barely a minute later when a knock shattered the silence.

The door opened against my own wishes, revealing who else but Dr. Cullen.

"I assume you know why I'm here, Isabella."

Standing up, I straightened my top, "To take me back to my father's? I was wondering when you'd finally concede. I'm ready when you are," I state looking directly into his butterscotch eyes.

"Afraid not, Ms. Swan. As a physician, I must stress the importance of you eating – and soon."

"I already told your wife—"

"Yes," he interrupted, "she told me about your persistence to return to Charlie's and refusal to eat. However, I'm telling you that this will not last. I will not allow you – as a doctor or a man – to continue this hunger strike."

"Ghandi lasted 21 days – and he was in his 70's."

"I'm well aware Isabella; some of us were alive then to witness it," Carlisle said dryly, "There are numerous capacities I can utilize to convince or coerce you into eating. Feeding tubes, IVs, and even man-handling you into eating. Ideally, we'd like you to eat freely. You tell me which it'll be."

"Bite me," I snarled, turning my back to him, "Whoops. You actually might do it. You listen to me, Dr. Cullen. I refuse to be threatened into a corner. I will never do as you say. You better be ready cause this is going to be an uphill battle for you and your family. I will return to my father. It is only a matter of time and persistence."

With a sigh, Carlisle left the room. Victory? No, he gave up too easily. He'll be back, but with what sort of reinforcements? He wouldn't really put in a feeding tube, right? I mean, it's not like I'm 88 pounds and in danger of dying anytime soon. An IV? Perhaps, but I could always just rip it out to make my point clear. What did he mean by "man-handle"? Somehow, I'm not sure I want to know.

During my musings, Carlisle must have entered my new cell. On the vanity, he placed a bowl of what appeared to be white mush.

"I will give you one chance, Bella. Esme made garlic potatoes for you. Please eat at least four spoonfuls, then I'll leave."

I glared, "I already told you: nothing will pass my lips until I've been reunited with my father."

Slouching against the doorframe, Carlisle stared at me. And I stared back. Unfortunately I was the first to look away this time.

Lifting the bowl off the counter, Carlisle came near me with a spoonful of mashed potatoes.

"I warned you, Bella. As a licensed physician I am not only certified to take drastic measures to save an individual's life, but I have also been taught to recognize when a patient is not longer acting rationally nor in their best interest. For these reasons, I will be aiding you in eating. It has been over three days now. I've heard your stomach growl on countless occassions. Please, eight spoonfuls."

"Leave. Me. Alone," I said breathlessly.

"Alright, Bella," he exhaled as he turned around, motioning for someone to join him.

Jasper. Oh fuck.

No sooner had I seen him than I found myself lying down on the floor of the bathroom. Carlisle, the snake, was straddling my thighs.

"Fuck! No! Get off of my you fucking parasite," I yelled at the top of my lungs. I kicked my legs out, but Carlisle merely tightened his knees and manipulated his legs around mine. My arms came up to defend my mouth from the spuds he was trying to feed me. Thinking I was going for the spoon, Carlisle neglected to protect the bowl, which I sent clattering to the floor. My only regret was that it didn't stained carpet. Oh well, always next time.

With only a spoon in hand, Carlisle seemed less threatening. Smiling, I closed my mouth.

Calmly, Carlisle instructed Jasper to get some more potatoes. As I watched Jasper's exit, Carlisle deftly clamped his thumb and index finger over my nose while tilting my head back. My eyes widened as my hands sought to remove his hand. He was as solid as cement – unwavering, unforgiving, and completely immobile.

"Yes, Isabella. Now you understand that there'd no way for you to get out of here without eating. I am truly sorry it had to come down to this, but your stubbornness is quite persistent." Balancing the spoon's handle in his mouth, Carlisle used his free hand to pin my left arm under his leg and quickly did the same with my right; after doing so, he rearmed himself with the loaded silver spoon of mush.

I was trapped.

My lungs burned. My chest was tightening with each passing second. My nose felt numb from the constant pressure. Could I pass out without having to eat? I gasped, forcing my mouth to gape open. Precisely the opening Carlisle was looking for. I soon found my mouth filled with a creamy mush. Still gasping and coughing, I tried to shake my head to free my captured nose. Carlisle let go, enabling me to spit out the food on the tile. Gasping, tears escaped my eyes as I looked back at Carlisle.

"We'll try that again, Isabella. This time you will swallow, unless you want to try by yourself one more time."

Giving him the best stink eye I could muster, I nodded and reached for the bowl that Jasper had returned with.

"Nu-huh, Isabella. You take the spoon. I don't want to waste more food that'll end up on the ground."

Clearly I was not trying to make a good impression on the Cullens. For the 2nd time since I've been here, I spit onto the cheek of Dr. Cullen. I even managed to throw the spoon into the toilet from my position on the ground. Once a rebel, always a rebel.

"Jasper, time for Plan B." Hands immediately cradled my neck and peace ran throughout my body.

"Open your mouth Isabella. It's time for you to eat," cooed Carlisle. Whatever Jasper was doing forced me to stop squirming, to stop everything except breathing. I felt so…relaxed and compliant, but I knew I should feel angry, frustrated, and complete hatred towards both of them.

"Isabella. Open." My lips cracked open and Carlisle eased the spoon into my mouth, depositing the potatoes.

"Now swallow." I did. The hands were removed and hatred returned.

I ranted, "You bastards! Good-for-nothing leeches! If it's the last think I do, I will get you for fucking with my emotions. Get off of me! Let me go, god-damn-it!"

"One down, nine to go," coached Carlisle as he prepared another spoonful.

"Wait! You said eight earlier," I trailed off.

"That was before you continued to refuse to eat. We'll keep doing this for every meal until you eat willingly on your own, Bella. You can hold me to it."

"And you can count on me to fight you – every time. I want to go home! I don't belong here."

Peace, open, swallow. Screaming.

Peace, open, swallow. Shouting.

Peace, open, swallow. Screaming.

Peace, open, swallow. Shouting.

Peace, open, swallow. Screaming.

Peace, open, swallow. Shouting.

Peace, open, swallow. Screaming.

Peace, open, swallow. Shouting.

Peace, open, swallow. Silence.

"Thank you for eating, Bella. Next time we'll try something with a bit more flavor and bite to it – perhaps some macaroni and cheese or spinach ravioli."

"Jasper won't always be around," I threatened drowsily.

"No, but by that time you'll no doubt be eating by yourself."

"Don't count on it, ," I murmured, "What did you put in those spuds?"

"Shh, just go to sleep. I had Esme add sleep serum, so we could be sure your meal would stay down."

"I hate you so much."

"I know, dear, I know," Carlisle whispered with a kiss on my forehead.

3rd Person POV

"Alice, Esme. Come here please,"

Esme arrived first, with unshed tears caught in her eyes. Alice remained stony face, no doubt upset by her newest sister's stubbornness and refusal to eat.

"She should be out for the next seven hours. Go ahead and bathe her. We need to burn her old clothes and put her in some new ones. Try pajamas. We need to discourage her from running."

Jasper volunteered, "No shoes, Alice. Socks and slippers."

With a small smile, Alice assured them.

"Carlisle," began Esme, "will we always have to feed Bella like that? It just seems so cruel. I can't help but think that I won't be strong enough."

Embracing his wife, Carlisle encouraged her, "Esme you are the most motherly woman I could imagine. Bella was acting as fussy as a toddler, so I responded with a firm hand. I'm sure once she's over this rebellious stage she'll be fine, but until then we must remain strong and adamant about her maintaining a healthy diet. She'll be fine."

"Okay," affirmed Esme, "Let me help next time. We shouldn't use Jasper against her unless it's a last resort."

"Deal. Let her sleep it off in our bed since there's an attached bathroom. We'll set down ground rules for her in the morning," concluded Carlisle.

Leaving the room, Carlisle caught sight of Jasper leaning against the wall.

"Carlisle, I think we should look into more intense measures," began Jasper, "I know we're planning on leaving in a couple months, but we need to nip this in the bud."

Sighing, Carlisle rubbed his eyes, "Jasper, what precisely are you suggesting?"

Removing his hand from his pocket, Jasper handed a thin black band to Carlisle.

"It has the Cullen crest, with a tracking device hidden beneath. It can be activated at any time, enabling us to find her within an accuracy reading of 25 feet. There's also a hidden tranquillizer than can be injected once you're within a mile. It's small, indestructible, and completely safe. We can have Rosalie weld it onto her wrist today, while she's out."

Turning the bracelet over in his hands, Carlisle nodded, "Okay. Ideally I'd want it on her non-dominant hand – her left, but it's not fully healed yet. Go ahead and get Rose to put it on her right wrist for now. Great idea, Jasper. Where'd you get this?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Jasper replied, "Jenks. The sort of business that man deals in is beyond me. I got him working on some documents for her too. Standard birth, social, and driver's license, though I don't think the latter will come into play anytime soon."

"No, I think not too. Make sure he maintains discretion and complete secrecy."

"Of course," responded Jasper, "The service is tomorrow. Have you thought about what we'll do with Isabella?"

"For now, I think it's best that Bella assume the service isn't occurring. I don't want her aware of the one day we're all occupied and away from the manor."

Nodding, Jasper left, saying, "Fair enough. I'll go find Rosalie to help with the bracelet."

Author's Note: A little shorter than I was hoping for, but hey, two chapters in one day… Not bad :] Leave a review if you got anything you'd like to see happen in this story or any ideas. Love the input ya'll