Disclaimer: All things Twilight belong to the wonderful Stephenie Meyer and not to me… sigh.I also don't own Sleeping with the Enemy. The book belongs to Nancy Price and the movie belongs to Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation.

Sleeping with a Monster

Previously…

As soon as my sobs quieted, I swore that would be the last time James Cook ever made me cry. With a newfound determination, I walked out the door as my final day as Marie Cook began.

Chapter 4 - Drowning

SPLASH!

The sound of my body hitting the cold black water of the Atlantic Ocean faded with all other sound as I silently swam under the water in the opposite direction of the sailboat. I knew I needed to get as far away from the place I entered the water as I could so I wouldn't be discovered when James and Laurent started to search for me. If I could get enough distance between me and the boat, they would not see me silently slip away. As my head resurfaced, I could see James quickly turning the wheel of the boat as he frantically scanned the water for me. Laurent already had a spotlight in hand as he started to searched the surrounding water for me. I was still too close to their search for comfort and had to duck down under the water to avoid detection. I kept swimming under the surface of the black water trying to increase my distance from my 'would be' rescuers. I could still hear Laurent frantically calling out my name as he searched the waters for me. I felt like a prisoner evading capture from my prison guards. The only thing missing now was the sound of barking dogs.

"Marie! Marie! MARIE!" James kept calling angrily as I quietly ducked under the water again and swam further away. When I resurfaced, I heard a distant splash as I could only assume James or Laurent had jumped in the water to search for me. As I slipped back under, the water closed around me effectively muffling the sounds of the search and rescue operation. I swam under the water, only breaking the surface to take a needed breath. I couldn't afford to make any sounds until I was a safe enough distance to really start swimming with some speed.

When I could no longer hear any voices calling my name, I stopped to check to see how far I had come. I could see the search light in the distance sweeping the black waters around the boat. I could barely make out the sound of James and Laurent's voices as they continued to call for me. The water was cold and my pale blue dress and cardigan offered little protection from the water's chill. I slipped off my shoes and clothing knowing that they would only hinder my efforts to swim. This left me in nothing but my white lace bra and panty set and a thin camisole.

I turned my attention back towards the shore to get my bearings. I looked for my marker – the break in the line of lights along the boardwalk to the house. Earlier in the day, I broke one of the lights with a rock so I could find the house. I knew I was at least a half mile or more from shore. James was taking his familiar route back to the dock at the end our midnight sailing trip when I 'fell' in the water, so I had a good idea where I was.

That's when I started to swim for my life. All I had to do was get to the buoy. As I started pumping my arms and legs, excitement and fear coursed through my system driving me forward. The prospect of being free of James was exhilarating.

Earlier that day…

When I called Carlisle from the pay phone at a gas station this morning, I was still unsure if I could actually pull this off…

"Is Carlisle there?" I asked the woman on the other end of the phone.

"I'm sorry, but he's out at the moment. May I take a message?" the friendly voice replied.

"No…" I hesitated. "I'll call back later," I said, my voice falling a little. I was about to hang up when the voice at the end suddenly spoke up.

"Is this Marie?" she said quickly trying to get my attention before I hung up. I remained silent for a few seconds unsure of what to do next.

"Hello? Are you still there?" she asked quietly.

"Yes, I'm still here," I responded, offering nothing else as a new fear started to inch it's way into my mind.

"Marie?" she inquired again.

"Yes?" I replied nervously. How did she know my name? What does she know? Who is she?

"Marie, my name is Esme, Esme Cullen – Carlisle's wife." Her voice was gentle. "He told me he was expecting a call from you. Are you okay dear?" I could feel her concern for me even through the phone.

"I guess that depends on your definition of okay." I let out an unhappy chuckle.

"Where are you and I'll come get you," she offered.

"No, that won't do," I cut in quickly. I didn't want to chance James finding out I had deviated from my daily plan, not when I was this close. "I need to go to the farmers market. Can you meet me there?" I asked, still unsure of how much this woman knew of my situation. But, I figured she was my ticket to an otherwise absent Carlisle.

"Of course, dear, just tell me which one and where you want to meet and I'll be there," she offered sweetly and without question. I gave her the information before I hung up and headed back to my car. I wasn't sure what to make of Esme's offer on the phone, but I didn't have much time to worry about it.

As I drove to the farmer' market, I rolled down the windows to my BMW enjoying the wind as it whipped my straight brown hair around my face. I cranked the radio as I sped down the freeway enjoying the momentary freedom ignoring the pain at the back of my head. I would miss the quite hum of my car after my 'death.'

When I arrived at the farmers market, it was already crowded. I parked my car and rolled up the windows before I got out and locked it with my keyless remote. I took in all sights, sounds and smells of the farmers market as I walked to the agreed upon meeting spot. I felt a little like a dying woman taking one last look around before saying goodbye to a good life. Of course, I wasn't saying goodbye to anything good. As I approached the meeting spot, I spied Carlisle standing arm in arm with a beautiful woman with soft caramel colored hair that fell in gentle waves around her face and down past her shoulders. She was slender and a few inches taller than me.

"Marie," Carlisle smiled in recognition as I approached. I jumped nervously at the sound of my name as an irrational fear jolted my system for a moment before subsiding. Carlisle did not miss my reaction and furrowed his brow. He really was a gorgeous man and if I hadn't been so distracted with my life, I might have found myself ogling him whenever I was in his presence. But there never seemed to be a time when I was able to relax because of my circumstances. Carlisle was unbelievably handsome, like a movie star and he was tall, over six feet. He had kind blue eyes, blond wavy hair, a straight nose and chiseled features.

"Carlisle," I said trying to hide the alarm in my voice. "I'm glad you made it." I offered him a handshake as I came to a stop in front of him.

"Marie." He returned my handshake before he turned to the woman next to him. "This is my wife, Esme," he said, looking into Esme's eyes.

"Esme, this is Marie," he added turning to look at me.

"How are you feeling?" If anyone else had asked that question, I would have taken it as a simple greeting. But Carlisle and I both knew what he was really asking. Before I could answer, I found myself in Esme's arms as she gave me a hug. I immediately felt myself relax. I haven't enjoyed a real embrace since I married James. It was heaven and I didn't want it to end. But, I knew if I allowed it to continue, my carefully constructed walls that keep me strong in the face of the hell I was living in would crumble, leaving me defenseless. So, I pulled away first, giving Esme a small smile. Her eyes were brimming with tears.

"I'm better now," I said with a reassuring smile.

"Any new injuries?" Carlisle inquired in a hushed voice.

When he saw my eyes widen, he quickly added, "I've told Esme everything you shared with me, like I told you I would." I felt myself relax a little at his admission.

"I have a nasty bump to back of my head and a bad headache, but I think I'll live," I said quietly with a wry smile. Carlisle's brow furrowed again and he shook his head.

"May I?" he asked as he raised a hand, poised to probe the back of my head. I simply nodded my permission for him to go ahead. I visibly winced and inhaled sharply as Carlisle gently probed the back of my head. He let his hand drop and asked.

"Did this injury result in a loss of consciousness?" Damn! How did he know.

"Does it matter?" I asked, but before he could answer, I added, "Carlisle, my time is up. I have to get out tonight. I have an opportunity and I'm taking it. My only question is – are you still in?"

"Yes. And we have some extra help. What is your plan?" he said with a smile.

"James is taking me and a guest on an evening ride on his sailboat. My plan is to 'accidently' fall off the boat and drown. I know the route well. I just have to swim back to shore before James gets back to the house," I said, all down to business.

"Are you a strong enough swimmer? Can you find your way back to your house in the dark? Are physically well enough for this, Marie?" Carlisle asked not sure I was up to the task, and frankly I wasn't sure either, but I knew I certainly wasn't strong for what was waiting for me at the end of the evening.

"I have to be Carlisle. I'm out of time," I said flatly.

"Maybe in another week another opportunity will present itself." I started to shake my head at his idea, but Carlisle continued to plead, "I'm really worried about that bump on your head. If you have a concussion, you could pass out and drown. I'm not even sure if you're in good enough health to pull this off Marie."

"Carlisle, If I don't leave tonight I fear won't see tomorrow. And if I do, it will be from a hospital bed. I've never seen James this worked up and eager to get at me," I whispered. "This is my ONLY option." My voice rang with finality.

"Okay. Where do you live?" Carlisle let out a sigh as he begrudgingly accepted my course of action.

We went over the specifics of the plan while I shopped for the produce I needed for tonight's meal. Carlisle was on the phone with his nephews. They were preparing to fly into Miami just to help me at his request. Carlisle assured me that his nephews knew nothing of my specifics other than their uncle was helping me get out of a bad relationship and start anew. The nephews would know nothing of my name or where I was going. Carlisle knew the area I would be sailing in and suggested that I swim to the buoy. He would arrange for his nephews to meet me there and take me into shore. Esme suggested I break the light on the boardwalk to give me a reference point when swimming – smart woman. Carlisle and Esme would be waiting on the shore to pick me up and take me away. I just had to get to the house and grab my bag.

My limbs started to ache from the extra exertion the swimming demanded of them, pulling me out of my thoughts. I needed something to take my mind off my complaining muscles. I knew myself well enough to know that once I got over my body's initial complaints, my muscles would go into 'auto-pilot' mode pumping as long as I required. I just needed a distraction. I immediately went to the song I had heard today on the radio. It was a few years old, but it was one of my favorites and seemed to fit my life at the moment. It had a good beat and felt a lot like my own personal anthem. I turned on my mental iPod and pressed play… "Going Under" by Evanescence started to play in the background of my mind. I felt the energy start to return as I growled the words in my head.

I set the song on a mental repeat, driving me to continue plunging my arms into the cold water and kicking my legs. I was angry with myself for letting things get this far; angry that my life sucked; angry that I had to die in order to live. But the anger that swirled around in my system paled in comparison to the fury I felt towards James for doing this to me. The one person that was supposed to love me was my tormentor, having never shown me an ounce of love. As my fury towards James enveloped my body, I was flooded with adrenaline and I pumped harder.

I was so caught up in my swimming wasn't aware I had passed the buoy at first. But after a while I realized my mistake. Yet I knew if I stopped, I might not be able to find the energy to go on. As I continued my flight towards the shore, I slowly became aware of someone swimming next to me. But like a mad woman consumed with rage, I just swam harder. I vaguely acknowledged that it must be one of Carlisle's nephews, but I didn't care. Oddly enough, this stranger's presence filled me with a sense of safety I had not felt in over a year. He matched his strokes to mine, never attempting to get my attention or stop me. And I just kept swimming. I needed this, if only to prove to myself that I was strong enough.

As my feet hit the sand and I started to march towards the beach, I felt like a different person. The old Marie, the one controlled by James, was dead. I could feel Carlisle's nephew walking next to me, but I never once looked at him. I didn't care that I was in nothing but my underwear that was now transparent from the ocean's water. I didn't care that toll of constant stress and weight loss had ravaged my exposed body and was splayed out for everyone to see. I didn't care that the evidence of James's 'love' for me peppered my skin and was clearly visible even in the soft moonlight. My anger drove me on as I continued marching towards Carlisle and Esme who were waiting on the beach. I could feel my strength waning as I neared my destination, causing me to stumble a little.

"Where's your bag?" a low velvety voice whispered next to me, as Carlisle's nephew gently placed a hand on my shoulder to steady me. I felt a jolt of electricity where his skin touched mine and I flinched at the physical contact.

"Behind the bush on the side of the garage," I replied robotically in a raspy voice that rose out of my raw throat as I finally acknowledging the man next to me without looking his way.

"Marie!" Carlisle and Esme gasped in unison, their voices hushed when I reached them. I'm sure neither one of them realized the full extent of the damage James and my marriage to him had inflicted on my body until this moment as I stood there, completely exposed for all to see.

"Marie is dead," I growled fiercely before my consciousness slipped away.

A/N: Ok, ok... I know it's cliffy, but it looks like she's finally getting away from James. Whew! Can we all guess who Carlisle's nephew is? ;)

And, as always, thanks for the reviews and for continuing to read my story! - SavageWoman