Disclaimer:My license still says Misty so I guess you all know what that means.
A big thanks to my pre-reader Kim Rathbone. I love you woman. Thank you for helping me finally getting this chapter out.
I'm so sorry it took so long and I know I'm a week late. I got behind on my other stories which put this one behind too. Plus it was a very hard chapter to write. It's here now though and next weeks update will be on time.
Link to the banner made by christag_banner on my profile.
An even bigger thanks to ceara1888 who has allowed me to adopt this story from her. I read it while she wrote it and hated to see her give it up. I only hope I don't disappoint with the way I go with it.
WARNING: BAD BAD BAD CHAPTER. DO NOT TAKE THE WARNING LIGHTLY. VERY GRAPHIC PHYSICAL ABUSE IN BELLA'S POV.
-O-
Bella
Why did he have to come over? Why could he just take a hint? I thought as I heard his truck leave. If dad had been home it would have been a disaster. Of course, Jasper wouldn't have known that. My eyes landed on the folder of things he'd found for our project and I sighed. He was just trying to be nice, but that didn't mean dad wouldn't take it out on me after he'd left. He didn't think school was important, constantly told me I would never amount to anything, and that I was completely worthless so to him it wasn't a good enough reason for someone to be at the house.
Thankfully, dad wasn't here though and I could go to bed tonight without being hurt or worse.
I made the cheese sandwich I'd come downstairs for before returning to my room. After choking it down I looked over what Jasper had brought over and felt bad for how I'd acted toward him. He'd been thorough and gave me everything I would need to start a list of what was needed in the article. I pulled out a sheet of notebook paper and a highlighter, writing some things down and highlighting what I wasn't sure about as I read through each page.
By the time I was done a couple hours had passed. Putting everything into the folder I hid it under my mattress and then went to take a bath. I usually wasn't allowed anything but a shower, however, my body ached and I was willing to risk it.
The bath felt amazing even if I had to be careful with the bracelet. I could just imagine the outcome if my light or whatever it was that showed where I was suddenly went out. I shuddered at the thought before relaxing in the hot water. It helped the aches and the pain in my hand from my broken finger. The cut I'd gotten from breaking the glass stung a little, but I didn't care since it was only for a minute.
I stayed in the tub for about an hour before getting out and drying off, making sure to clean everything up and wiping out the tub. I ignored the mirror hanging over the sink as I got dressed. I didn't need to see what I knew would be there.
When I finished I went downstairs and made me another sandwich, eating it quickly before going back to my room. I pulled The Lovely Bones, a book I'd checked out of the school library, from under my mattress and spent the rest of the night reading, finishing it before bedtime. As my eyes grew heavy I couldn't stop the dread from seeping back in for what tomorrow would bring.
Sunday was spent with me sitting in my room and straining to hear a car coming down the road. I didn't even enjoy the sun shining through the blinds on my window. I always liked it when it was sunny since it made the day seem brighter no matter what was going on at home, but today it seemed like a calm before the storm. Like as soon as I heard dad's car the day would turn dark and stormy, shattering every safe illusion the sun brought with it.
And unfortunately, as the sun was lowering itself in the sky I found out I wasn't wrong at all.
I knew it was going to be bad when I heard the front door slamming open. Then my name followed in a loud angry voice. I tried to bury myself into the corner of my room as I heard his feet thunder up the stairs. My bedroom door slamming into the wall behind it had me jumping in fear.
I kept my forehead pressed to my knees as I clutched them to my chest, but instead of helping disappear it gave him ample room to grip my hair in his hands.
My head jerked back slamming into the wall behind me and I couldn't stop the cry of pain that left my lips. My eyes blurred for only a moment and then I was able to focus on him. In all the years I'd lived with him hitting me I'd never seen the amount of anger that was now twisting his expression.
Cold fury shined in his eyes, his face was turning redder by the second, and I knew without a shadow of a doubt that if I could move within a week after what was coming I'd be lucky.
For a brief second I wondered what I'd done to cause his anger, but his next words told me everything I needed to know.
"Who the fuck was here yesterday?" He snarled while twisting my hair in his fist. I cried out again and received a back hand across my cheek.
I tasted the sharp metallic taste of blood on my tongue before my back was pulled forward and slammed against the wall behind me.
"Who was it?" He yelled again.
"How did you know?" I asked and received another backhand that made me dizzy for my question.
"How did I know? How did I know?" He's repeated. "Did you think I wouldn't find out?" His eyes searched my face before an evil smile appeared. "You did didn't you. You are such a stupid bitch. You really want to know?" He asked continuing before I could answer. "Of course, you did. Idiot. A co-worker called me while I was on the way. Wanted to know when I got a new truck. Said he saw it in the driveway on his way to work yesterday morning. Are you happy you know now? Has that small brain of yours been satisfied?"
I nodded quickly.
"Good, now tell me who it was?"
"Just a boy from school." I whispered earning yet another backhand. The pain in my face was making it hard to focus and I could taste more blood in my mouth."
"Why was he here?"
I didn't answer fast enough thanks to the fuzziness in my head and it just set him off further. The hand that he'd hit me with came up and wrapped around my throat, tightening slightly. I could still breathe, but if he closed his hand anymore I wouldn't be able to.
His hand left my hair and using only the one on my neck he lifted me to my feet. His hands tightened more as he seethed, "Why was he here? Are you fucking him? Where you being the little whore that I know you are?"
He released the pressure on my neck and I had to suck in a few lungfuls of air before I could answer.
"He's my partner on a project in school. He just brought me some of the research he's done. He didn't come in the house at all."
"Not a good enough reason." He snarled pulling me forward and throwing me over toward my bed.
The force caused me to bounce off the end and onto the floor, landing on the hand with the broken finger. I cried out in pain as I heard and felt the bone break in my wrist. Using my good hand I pushed myself over onto my back and saw him coming toward me.
I don't know if it was the pain in my hand or if something had happened to my brain when he hit me, but as soon as he was close my leg kicked out. My eyes widened as he clutched himself and dropped to his knees, gasping in pain.
No, no, no...What did I just do?
His head was directed toward the floor, but as I moved a little it snapped up and his eyes locked on me. "I'm going to kill you, you little bitch." He hissed.
He would too. I could see it clear as day in his eyes. I'd crossed a line in fighting back and he was going to make me pay. I didn't want to do die though not like this, so I tried the only thing I could.
Pushing myself quickly back I climbed to my feet, ignoring the pain in my hand and the dizziness that threatened to send me back to the floor. I turned and made it out of my door and to the stairs, almost falling down them before I caught myself on the railing. I kept my feet moving as I stumbled down the stairs and headed for the front door.
I'd barely reached it when I heard him coming down behind me, but I didn't let it stop me. Turning the knob I had the door halfway opened before it was slammed closed and I was being thrown backwards. I hit the table by the kitchen doorway with my side and fell to the ground; my head slammed into the bottom step of the stairs, blurring my vision with black dots.
He was on me before I could think about moving an inch. Over and over he punched and kicked me as I tried to protect my face and body. After what seemed like forever he grabbed my hair and pulled me into the living room. I barely felt the pain as it was nothing compared to how the rest of my body felt.
As we got around the couch he jerked on my hair until I stood, my legs threatening to give out from under me at any moment. I could feel a slight trickle of blood as it ran down the back of my neck and I could barely see out of one eye. My ears were buzzing and I couldn't hear everything he was saying; the only words I picked out were mother and dead as he hit me in the face and stomach more.
Dead or alive I, honestly, didn't care anymore I just wanted it to stop. I tried begging, I tried apologizing, but nothing kept his fists from hitting anywhere he could reach until I coughed. Blood splattered on his face, enraging him further and he shoved me away.
I barely saw the fireplace and only managed to turn my head slightly before I slammed into it.
Finally, I felt nothing.
-O-
Charlie
Welcome to Forks
I sighed and scrubbed my hand across my face as I finally passed the sign that told me I was home.
I wasn't supposed to be back from my fishing trip until tomorrow morning, but after not catching anything or really wanting to get up at 3 in the morning I'd decided to head back early.
I really needed a shower and something to eat, but instead of going straight to the house I stopped by the station first. Being the chief I liked to make sure every thing was running smoothly and I needed to make sure things were still covered tomorrow.
Parking in my spot I walked inside, finding Nancy, the night dispatcher, sitting behind her desk. She glanced up when I stepped through the door and gave me a look of surprise.
"What are you doing here, Chief?"
I chuckled, "Well, I can leave if you want me to."
"No, no," She said laughing. "I was just surprised. Shelley said you wouldn't be back until in the morning."
"That was the plan, but I decided to head back early. Everything okay around here?"
"Of course, but Shelley did leave a note on your desk. She said if you came in before she got here to let you know, so I'm letting you know."
I chuckled. "Thanks Nancy. I'll check it out and then I'm going to head to the house."
She nodded and went back to what she'd been doing as I walked back toward my office.
I stepped around my desk and found the note sitting right on top. Picking it up I read:
Dr. Cullen called. Sounded worried, but only wanted to speak with you. I told him you'd give him a call as soon as you came in.
I debated for all of two seconds on whether or not to call him now or in the morning, since it was already 10. However, if Carlisle sounded worried and only wanted me then it might have to do with Bella. That thought was the only reason I picked up the phone and dialed his cell phone. He answered on the first ring.
"Charlie."
"Yeah, Carlisle. Just got back and found out you called. What's wrong?"
"I don't know if anything is, but things aren't right and I wanted your opinion on what to do."
"What's up?"
I listened while he told me about his son, Jasper, going over to Bella's house and his worry that something was very wrong. When he was finished I knew there wasn't really in legal cause for me to go check on her. However, that wasn't going to stop me this time; I'd deal with the repercussions if it ended up being nothing.
"I'll go by there now."
"Thank you, Charlie."
"No need for thanks. If you think something is going on then that's enough for me. You know how I feel too."
"Yes, I do."
"I'll call when I know something."
We both hung up then and leaving everything as it was headed back out to my car.
"Gone so soon, Chief?" Nancy asked when I walked by.
"Yeah."
"Have a good night then."
"You too." I said as I pushed out into the night.
Once I was back in my car and on the road it didn't take long to get to the Dwyer house. As I pulled to a stop in front of the house I noticed Phil's car wasn't in the driveway. There was a light on somewhere though since I could see it shining out into the side yard. I again spent about two seconds debating what to do before I switched my car off and got out. I was almost to the front steps when I realized the door was standing wide open.
I quickly returned to my car and grabbed my sidearm out of the glove box. After checking it I went back to the front porch and over the threshold into the house, glancing around as I went.
The first thing I saw was the table by the door. It was shoved about a foot over in front of the kitchen doorway and broken glass littered the top. My heart started pounding as I saw the blood that dotted the floor near it and the stairs leading up to the second floor.
I took another step and quickly checked the kitchen making sure it was empty before I walked the next two steps so I could see into the living room.
What I found was something I never wanted, needed, or could stomach to see again. Bella was lying on her side facing the doorway; her back against the fireplace. There was blood everywhere around and on her. The only way I even knew it was her was her hair and size.
"Fuck," I muttered as I got my feet moving again, rushing around the side of the couch.
When I dropped to my knees beside her I let out a gust of air, realizing she was breathing. To be honest though, I don't know how it was possible. There was a deep gash at the top of forehead that was still bleeding a little bit. More was drying on her neck and it had run down over the front of her body to the floor. Her face was swollen and black, her wrist was sitting at an awkward angle, and I could make out bruises on her side where her shirt had ridden up a tad bit.
Shaking my head, I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and quickly dialed 911. I made sure the dispatcher had the details before hanging up and checking Bella over again. I knew not to move her and just let my hand run over her softly. I found most of the blood had come from her head, finding two more cuts on the back to go with the one on her forehead. More bruises met my eyes when I eased her sleeves up as well as the hem of her pants legs.
"Fuck," I said again when I saw that one of her ankles looked like it might be broken as well. As I looked back to her face I heard the sirens and the screech of tires as the ambulance turned onto the road.
Moving away from Bella I went to the front door and directed Sam and Rachel to the living room. Rachel sucked in a breath and whispered, "My God," when she turned the corner before getting back into paramedic mode.
She and Sam started to quickly get Bella stable enough to move, starting an IV and checking her vitals. Within just a few minutes they had her on the stretcher and was ready to transport her to the hospital.
I stood to the side as they loaded her in the back and as they pulled away I took my phone from my pocket. Carlisle needed to know what was going on so he could go take care of her.
-O-
Carlisle
The family and I watched Jasper as he tried to wear a hole in the floor. He'd been pacing nonstop since Charlie had called an hour ago. His worry was seeping out to the rest of us putting everyone on edge. Not that we weren't worried on our own and adding his was making things worse, but there was no hope that he'd be able to control it until he knew what was going on; so none of us said anything to try and calm him down.
"What the fuck is taking so long?" He growled.
Before anyone could answer Alice slipped into a vision, coming out of it within seconds. "He'll call in one minute." She said.
"Is Bella okay?" Jasper asked finally stopping his movement.
She didn't answer, but she didn't have too. The expression on her face, Edward's face, and the emotions Jasper lost complete control of let us know the phone call was not going to be good.
I opened my phone and had my finger hovering over answer before it even rang a few seconds later.
I didn't get a chance to say anything before Charlie was talking in my ear. "Carlisle, you need to get to the hospital. She's...I...it's bad."
My eyes closed when Jasper sent out a wave of pain and it took me a moment to ask, "How bad?"
"Let's just say I don't know how she's still alive," was his answer.
I shot to my feet and said, "I'm on my way," before hanging up, cringing when Jasper let out a roar laced with nothing but anger and pain. Rose was by his side and had her arms around him as he dropped the ground.
I didn't say anything as I started for the garage, knowing I needed to get to the hospital quickly.
Before I'd made it halfway Jasper was by my side. "I'm going with you." He said.
While his voice told me he wasn't asking I knew there was no way he could go. I didn't know what I was going to find and bringing Jasper in was just asking for a bloodbath.
"No." I said, putting all the authority I could into my voice, but it didn't help and I found myself slammed against the wall with his hand around my throat.
"I'm coming." He growled.
It took all five of the others to pull him away and as he struggled in their hold I said, "You can't go Jasper not with the frame of mind you're in. You can't control your emotions right and being around all the ones you'll find in the hospital is asking for trouble."
"But I need to be there. She's my mate." He hissed still fighting to get out of the others' grips.
"I know that, but I need to concentrate on helping her, not worrying about you draining the entire ER."
All his fight left him and he hung his head. "Fine, but you better save her."
"I swear I will do everything in my power and that means that if it looks like she won't live though this I will change her myself. We'll deal with the consequences afterwards."
He glanced up and stared at me. I knew he was trying to see the truth behind my words and I sent him my sincerity. He finally nodded and I breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll call as soon as I can."
He nodded again before shaking everyone off and darting out of the back door.
As he disappeared into the trees I said, "Edward...Alice, stay with him and keep him away from the hospital."
They nodded and followed quickly behind him as I turned to Emmett and Rose. "Find her father."
"Why?" Rose asked.
"Because I'm pretty sure he was the one that has done whatever it is."
They nodded and headed out into the night as well.
I glanced at Esme and she motioned her head to the garage door. "Call when you know."
"I will." I said before turning and finally making it out to my car.
As I backed out and started down the driveway a roar echoed through the trees and I heard a few being ripped down. I could only hope that there was enough trees to keep him busy until I knew for sure what had happened.
-O-
Well? Who's still with me? Who needs a hug and a stiff drink? Review and let me know.
I promise this is the last abuse chapter. Promise.
Next up: We find out all of Bella's injuries and a secret comes out.