Welcome back to Chapter 16 of: Missing Person!
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-Chapter 16-

Bella's POV

Alice stood up with a look of utter disbelief displaying in her features. Her eyes were oggling everywhere from the floor, to the table and to me. Her hands were spread at her sides and her palms were stretched outward. Her mouth was gaping open with a stretched 'O'. Her eyes were very wide and she looked shocked. She raised from her seat very slowly and started to pace. I noticed her hands clenched and unclench the entire time she was pacing. At one point, she stopped abruptly and stared me straight in the eye with a deathly look playing across her face. Her eyes went black instead of her usually hazel color and the the short, blackness of her spikey hair intensified her appearance. She looked like she was about to commit murder. Like a wave of complete realization and chaos had entered her mind and threatend to take over.

She had a sneer on her face and my lower lip started to tremble as I realized what she had been thinking the entire time. The thought that I would never wish upon anyone. The one thing I could not let happen to my own father - even if it meant revenge or the sake of my security. I could not let Alice do this. This would be forever on her record. Not her just her criminal record, but her friendship record. It's a mythical record I had with Alice. It's not the type of creepy thing where you keep files and track everything that they did and all the fights you had ever had with them, but the type of record that is clean. The ones that contained their positive qualities and as of now, all her qualities were positive. There wasn't a flaw in her friendship record.

"Don't do this." I warned her, my voice quivering and hushed. But it didn't seem that my words had not registered in her mind. It was like she held a barrier now, blocking everything and everyone from ever entering her thoughts and making her think differently. And I knew that with those three words that I just spoken, I had unleashed a demon onto Charlie.

Without a second glance back at me, Alice darted out the door and ran to the front yard. It took me less than five seconds to leave the living room as well and followed her to the yard. I spotted her beside the tree that was placed underneath my bedroom's window. She was still as a statue and I observed her carefully. Her shoulders were still - signifying that she wasn't breathing at all. Her hands were balled into tight fists, so tight that her knuckles were bleached white and there was no signs of blood in that area. She was turmoiling.

I noticed immediately that she was looking down at the base of the tree. And my observations were that Charlie and Carlisle were no longer there like Carlisle had notified. They must have escaped to the hospital or back to Carlisle's house for a private check-up. I hoped that Carlisle did not bring Charlie to the public hospital. I didn't want anyone to see or even know about what Alice had done to him. I didn't want anyone to find out that I did nothing to help him. And most importantly, I didn't want to awake Edward from his slumber and raise his blood pressure with more problems.

"Alice?" I took slow, steady steps towards her. I thought about reaching my hand out to touch her shoulder but thought against it. Her posture told me that she didn't want to be held or touched - this was terrifying. In all my years of friendship with Alice, she was always one for the hugs, squeals and jumping up and down for absolutely no reason at all.

Her head shot up in my direction and it took me off guard. Her features didn't change from when she was pacing in the living room. That deathly look was still playing across her face and I had to admit that it was terrifying. And I've been through hell and back - I would know what terrifying is like.

"Don't touch me." She whispered, her hands held up in defense. She didn't look at me straight in the eye, but beside her, as if she was awaiting someone to sneakily strike her from behind.

"Alice, I know what you're thinking. Please don't hurt Charlie." I started begging. I tried to put the best sad/scared face I had and it seemed to have softened her features, something that made me feel a little at ease.

"After what he's done to you, Bella? That man - the man I called my own father - had given you hell through your entire life. It's about time I give him a taste of his own pie." She growled, walking towards the side walk. That was when I noticed that Carlisle's car was gone. They must have gone somewhere because Charlie's cruiser was still in parked in front of the driveway.

"No, please. Don't give him hell. He doesn't mean to hurt me." I pleaded, tears stinging my eyes. I had to protect my father - I loved him.

"How stupid was I to see through his facade? He's no kind, sweet police officer. He's a fucking monster, hell's perfect goddamned angel, a walking devil." She cursed under her breath, probably thinking that I couldn't hear. But I could. What she said about my father stung me, though. I know the divorce and death of my mother had really hit him hard. I know it's not his fault that he chose to take out all his anger and grief on me. I know that he doesn't have many friends to rely on and that it hurt him every time that he lays his eyes on me - because I was also a part of my mother. Everyone always said how my mother and I looked like, although I couldn't see it, I was still told. And I could only imagine how Charlie must feel having to look at me and be reminded of it every damn time.

I hated myself because of that. Because of me, my dad's life is a constant reminder of the love of his life. It's been thirteen years since my mother passed away and Charlie has not gotten over it one bit. I still hear him cry before he goes to sleep. And it hurts me deeply knowing that everyday, every minute and every passing second that he's thinking of my mother and how much he wishes she were still alive.

And all these years I've been keeping this abuse a secret. Charlie only ever hurt me in my abdomen or back and occasionally my arms or legs. Those were the parts that I could easily cover up - which I did. The beating only happened three to five times a week, which isn't so bad. I would usually stay over at the Cullen's house to get away and Charlie was completely okay with that because he respected their family. He knows how hard Alice and Edward's Auntie and Uncle have been working just to support their financial needs. He thought it was a bit wild that they would let them live by themselves but knew that they were capable of doing so. Alice and Edward are such strong people and they did not deserve any of this. And it's my fault.

Alice started to turn the corner and I had to run to catch up with her. I knew she wasn't in her right mind. She was blinded by all her hate towards Charlie for ever causing me any harm whatsoever. Alice is like my older sister. She's more than that. She'd do anything for me - she's incredible.

"Alice!" I called out after her, but she had already turned the corner and I was ten paces behind her.

As soon as I turned the corner, I was caught my surprise when I saw...

Boss.

Edward's POV

I've been awake for around two hours since the last dream -err, nightmare- had occurred. The nurse told me that Bella was not answering her cell phone and that the Doctor wasn't back yet from wherever he was. I was also frantic. My sister wasn't in the room anymore. She was the last person in the world that I would have thought that would ever leave my side. She was supposed to be here through our thick and thins. But I didn't let it get to my head. She was probably just going to check up on Charlie or something.

Just then, the nurse came in with a wireless phone and handed it to me. I looked at her confused and she used her hand to cover the microphone of the phone to mute her voice. She whispered, "It's for you. He said he was a close family friend."

I frowned a little and bit the inside of my cheek. I had to admit that I was very nervous but I used my free arm to reach out to the nurse and she gently placed the phone in my hands. I pressed it up against my ear and the nurse left the room to give me some privacy. As soon as she closed the door behind her, I began to talk.

"Hello?" I asked, curiously.

"Hello, Edward." The familiar voice sung.

"Who is this?" I frowned deeply.

"Oh you don't remember me? I'm very hurt. We had a little deal, Ed. And you did not oblige to my needs. I told you to get a bullistic knife and I see by my studies and anonymous resources that you did not do such a thing. I'm very disappointed, Edward. I thought you would do anything to protect that little beautiful girlfriend of yours. I guess you didn't care about her as much as I thought. I guess I'll just have my way with her." The voice at the other end snickered in delight.

My heart monitor suddenly went chaotic. I gripped the phone tightly and I swear that if I put any more pressure I would have crushed the poor phone. But I couldn't hold in my rage. But I had to keep calm. I fucking forgot about that deal too.

Just as soon as everything was starting to feel normal...

"No!" I all but yelled into the phone.

The voice laughed spontaneously like he was mocking me. And I bet you he was, too. Fucking sick bastard.

"Smile at the serveillance camera, Edward." My head instantly snapped up to the camera that was installed at the corner of this room. And I got really suspicious and creeped out.

"What the fuck!" I spat into the phone.

"I am a rich hacker, Ed. I can hack into cell phones, computers and laptops and cameras all around the world without even getting caught. The phone you're holding? Yeup, I cannot be traced from there either. You can't report me, Edward. You're at a loss. You didn't obey my demands and you will pay the price." The voice blackmailed.

"Don't touch my Bella!" I shrieked into telephone.

"Too late." Then the line went dead.

The nurse came in with great timing. I looked up glaring at the security camera that was staring at me intensely. I could hear the man laughing at me at that very moment. And I felt helpless - trapped in this hospital for who knows how much longer!

"Calm down, dear. You're heart rate is through the roof!" She laughed lightly. I didn't smile. I handed her the phone reluctantly and stared at the wall.

"Am I done healing yet?" I murmured.

"Actually, sweetie. You will be out in less than twelve hours." She smiled. "Good news for you."

"Yes. Very." Were the last words I said before planning what I would do once I leave this hospital.

Interesting. Hmm... where'd Alice go?
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