CHAPTER TWENTY ONE– SANCTUM
BELLA POV – (During Mental Torture)
I didn't know how long I was in this dark room for but it felt like a lifetime ago since I was anywhere remotely sane. I sat cross legged on the cold damp floor after my legs started aching from standing for too long. Where the hell was I? What the hell was going on? I tried to remember back to where I was before this place but everything seemed a blur now. Everything that happened previously was all so clear, Ms Conner's, my father, and Edward, but the more I thought about it the more the whole scenario became a blur and it began blocking out the mental pain a little. I knew exactly what happened but every time I would repeat what happened in my head bits would disappear, starting with their faces. The only face I could hold onto was Edwards and even his face was starting to deteriorate in my memory.
Was I dead? Was this hell? Was I being punished and sent to spend eternity in solitude for the rest of my existence. What had I done to deserve this? Had mine and Edwards love been that forbidden that faith and the powers that be put every obstacle in our way so that whatever Edward and I shared was doomed before anything even started. Was my love for Edward my punishment? Faith couldn't separate us by death so it chose to stick me in this silent torment for eternity.
I didn't know what was going on, I didn't know if Conner's had killed Edward along with my father or even if I was dead myself. The only thing I was aware of was this throbbing pain in the side. I noticed it before when I was standing but the pain was a dull almost an annoying tickle but the more time progressed the more intensified the pain became.
I thought I heard voices a while ago. One was unrecognisable and the other was a musical voice that soothed me, I knew I recognised the voice but I couldn't place it. When the voices subsided I felt a burning sensation on the side of my cheek but it wasn't a horrible burning pain it felt nice and for unknown reason it made me smile in the darkness.
I didn't bother tiring to talk because I didn't need light to tell me that nobody was here with me. So it was just me and the darkness, alone together with my thoughts. I thought a lot about my life and that didn't take long. I tried to picture all the people I have came across in my life but yet again in my memories there body would be there but a blurry circle would be placed on their face. The only change I didn't recognise in the darkness was the smell. At first there was nothing, no smells, no lights, no sounds, nothing, so the strong smell of ammonia made my nose tickle.
I could smell the alcohol, ammonia, the chemicals and even a little scent of honey. The smell was unforgettable and even though I never use the stuff I was pretty sure the smell was some sort of hair product maybe even hair dye. Strange scent to just wonder into my so called sanctum, maybe there was somebody else here with me after all. That thought made me go rigid because I had the strange feeling like I was being watched.
I uncrossed my legs and stood up and doing what first came to mind I turned around and tried to look through the darkness. Stupid thing to do really considering I couldn't see anything. I couldn't use my eyes so it was time to use my other abilities. The smell was still here and to be honest getting stronger by the minuet and I could hear a faint whisper almost. As I listened more carefully I came to realise that the voice was actually singing. The voice was the same from earlier the one I didn't recognised. As I listened to the soprano voice I could tell that it was a girl that was invading my sanctum. Who the hell was she? Was she dead to? I didn't know this whole live-in-solitude-crap thing came with a roommate as well.
"Who are you?" I asked.
My voice sound a bit harsh but I was slightly pissed because not only was I sent to this place away from my beloved Edward but now I had to spend it with some random girl who I did not know. Wow listen to myself I sound so bitter, what the hell had came over me? This place has been messing with my mind for too long. Maybe I'm slowly going insane.
"Are you alright" Came a voice.
I froze I'm my tracks and my fists balled up in defence. She sounded sweet enough like she couldn't hurt a fly but I wasn't going to let that deceive me.
"I'm sorry I don't know your name" She spoke again.
What? How can she not know my name she's sharing my sanctum isn't she? She should know my name or maybe names didn't mean anything down here.
"Can you open your eyes for me" She asked.
Huh, my eyes are open what the hell was she talking about?
"You will be alright" She cooed.
There was something in her voice that made me feel warm inside almost safe. Was this girl an angel to come and take me away from this hell?
My eyes felt heavy and for some reason my body began to sway. I fell backwards and braced myself to hit the concrete but the ground didn't come up to meet me. The memory of my time in the sanctum began to fade along with all my thoughts with it.
"Wake up" I heard the girls voice again.
Without hesitation my eyes slowly fluttered open. I blinked a few times to get better clarity then my eyes fell to a girl what was perched up beside me. She was beautiful with piercing blue eyes and brown hair with a red tint in. Her hair was wrapped in a messy bun and she had a bright red steak in her hair that fell down the side of her face that looked half dyed. I tried to speak but nothing came out. My voice was red raw, I didn't even have saliva.
"Here" She said passing me a glass of water.
I nodded and took it off her. I chugged it back and let the cold liquid ooze down my throat. I couldn't drink it quick enough I was that thirsty.
"Thanks" I said clearing my throat.
She took the glass from me and put it back on the side table. I quickly scanned the bedroom I was in and it didn't contain much. There was a bed that I occupied, a desk that had hair dyes and make-up on it and a bookcase with a few books and a wardrobe. After a minute or so the realisation hit me, where the hell was I and more importantly who was she? Was she a goody or a baddy? I tensed up and my eyes shot straight to the door. She must have noticed my sudden reaction because she climbed off the bed I was on and held her hands up in defence.
"Don't worry your safe" She reassured me with a smile.
"Who are you?" I snapped.
"I'm Fern Jims sister" She informed me lowering her hands.
I stared at her blankly because I had no idea who she or this Jim was.
"Jims Edwards's friend" She clarified.
"Edward" I said a bit too loudly.
His name only made my heart thud and that made me shoot straight up out of the bed. I paused and gripped my side and winched because of the pain. My head was spinning because I got up to fast. Ferns hands came out to stop me from falling and she sat me back on the bed.
"Careful" She said before letting me go again.
"Thanks" I smiled.
This Fern girl was actually quite nice and now I felt horrible for coming across as a bitch.
"I'm sorry" I whispered.
"Don't mention it" She smiled and returned back to her desk. "Actually I'm the one who should apologise because I didn't even catch your name earlier" She laughed.
"Bella" I smiled.
She nodded then picked up the hair dye and continued to dye the streak of hair that was by the side of her face.
"What happened? Is Edward here?" I asked calmer this time.
"Your guess is as good as mine, Edward brought you here about an hour ago, said he had to take care of some stuff then he left"
By stuff he obviously meant the teachers but what was he going to do? Did he obtain the envelope after Conner's bolted or did she manage to take it with her? I had no idea I didn't even know if whatever he was doing, he was doing it alone or had he found help, somebody who would believe us. Should I leave and look for him or stay here? Did he leave me here because he knew this was a safe place or was it because he had no other choice but to leave me? So many questions were running through my head right now I couldn't think straight.
I ran my fingers through my hair and huffed loudly. I looked down and lifted up my jacket and my top and brushed my finger across the dark purple and black bruise that was on my hip bone. It didn't feel like it was broken it just felt like I had heavily bruised the bone. It was hard to bend and just sitting here was hard enough. I stood back up and winched as the skin moved along the bone. The pain was just a constant throb but it was bearable.
"There some clothes there if you want to change" Fern said.
I looked to the pile of clothes that was neatly folded by the end of the bed and I smiled at her.
"Thanks"
"There's nothing special you don't have to wear them if"
"No" I interrupted her "There great thank you"
"The bathrooms just down the hall to your left, there's a towel in there if you want a shower" She smiled.
"Thanks Fern"
"You're welcome"
We shared a smiled before she continued with her hair. I walked to the end of the bed and grabbed the clothes then continued out the bedroom. I walked down the hallway and into the bathroom. I made sure the door was closed and locked before I began to fall to pieces. The clothes slid out of my hands and hit the floor then I followed with them. I slid down the door with my back pressed up against it and I let the tears fall. There weren't tears of sadness there were tears of joy because neither Edward of myself was actually dead, well at least not yet anyway.
According to Fern its only been an hour since Edward left but to me it felt like forever since the last time I seen him. All I wanted to do was to be in his arms, to touch him, to kiss him, to talk to him. I couldn't just stay here and wait for him I did that last time and look what happened, I hid in my wardrobe all day. I knew Edward didn't want anything to happen to me but I didn't want anything to happen to him either. I knew the streets were not safe because of killer teachers and rival gangs but I was stick to death of hiding and waiting to die. If death was coming for me then tiring to escape it was useless. Whatever was going to happen to me was inevitable.
I picked myself off the floor as well as the clothes. I only caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror for my stomach to turn. The bruise from Conner's slap was coming up nicely on my cheekbone, it looked like I had been smacked in the face by a metal bat let alone a hand considering the size of the bruise. My muscles were aching and my stomach was grumbling. Considering what my body has been put through as well as the lack of nutrience and just overloading on pure sugar no wonder I fainted and my body gave out.
I rolled my sleeves up and turned the taps on in the sink. The hot water trickled out and ran in between my fingers. The water was nice against my skin as I brushed my arms with the water.
"Fuck it" I grunted.
Now I know I have been hanging around with Edward for too long I half smiled to myself. I turned the taps off and proceeded to the shower. I ran the hot water and stripped out of my clothes letting them fall to the ground. I stepped in and winched as the hot water droplets slammed off my skin. I soaked my hair under the water and just stood there letting the heat do it's magically cure on my skin. I could have stayed there forever but I felt really uncomfortable being nude especially in somebody else's house. I turned the water off and climbed out then grabbed a towel.
I dried myself vigorously then changed into the borrowed clothes. Fern was right they were nothing special but then again I have no standard in clothing. Designer clothes and vibrant colours don't interest me at all so Ferns black jeans and white top was perfect for me. They were slightly too big for me because I was literally nothing. I had no curves, no special features, nothing which is why I always wonder why Edward was so attracted to me in the first place.
I unfolded the last piece of clothing which revealed a black hoody with no zip. I must admit I have never worn one of these before but there's always a first for everything. I pulled it over my head and dragged it down my body, It was nearly a perfect fit and it was warmer than my jacket so I didn't object to wearing it. I pulled my hair out the back and quickly dried it with the towel. I didn't want to mooch around for a brush so I just let my hair fall naturally in place. I slipped into my converse and grabbed my dirty clothes before unlocking the door and headed back out. I walked down the hallway and returned to Ferns' room. She was still sitting at her desk but this time she had a book in her hand waiting for her hair to dry.
"Feel better" She asked as I entered.
"Yes thank you"
"Do the clothes fit?"
"Yeah" I smiled.
"Just leave them over there" She said pointing to the clothes in my hands.
I nodded and placed my dirty clothes in a box by the corner of her room. I was planning to leave this house as soon as I could but I had the feeling that Fern wasn't going to just let me walk straight out the front door.
"Thanks for everything you have done but I think I'll be going now" I said.
"What" She said jumping up from the chair. "No you can't leave"
"Why?"
"Because I told Edward that I would look after you"
"Fern I appreciate everything that you have done for me and yes you have looked after me and I thank you once again but I need to go. I need to find him there's some serious stuff going on right now and he needs my help."
"Bella his with my brother stop worrying. My brother will not let anything happen to him" She reassured me.
This was new information to me which reminded me about the two people that came in my house with Edward earlier. The boy must have been Jim and if Edward was with him now then he wasn't alone therefore he must be planning something. Maybe they did get the envelope and whatever was inside after all and he was telling the black hearts now. That thought eased my tension slightly because at least he wasn't alone and he had his gang with him, but then again this was only just a theory. He could be bleeding out in a ditch somewhere for all I knew and here I was just standing here not doing anything. I had to get out of here I had to do something, but what?
I had no idea where he was or who he was with. I could start my search at Edwards's house but that place wasn't exactly safe but there again where is safe anymore. I didn't know the town at all so even if I wanted to go to his house I didn't know how to get there. I had no choice but to stay here and play the waiting game again.
"Alright ill stay" I said.
"Thanks" Fern smiled.
I walked over to the bookcase as Fern returned back to her desk. As I was scanning through the poorly stocked shelf a knock on the door down stairs made me jump out my skin. I got the feeling of Dejar vu and my eyes flicked straight to Ferns wardrobe.
"Wait here" Fern said.
"Don't" I said pulling her arm back.
Even though I have only known this girl for less than an hour I still didn't want her to get hurt if it was the teachers at the door.
"It's alright Bella it's probably just my brother anyway" She reassured me.
I swallowed hard and let her arm go then she disappeared out the bedroom. My heart was racing as my eyes scanned the room to look for some sort of weapon. I couldn't do much damage with a book or a can of hairspray so it looks like I was shit out of luck. I cursed at myself for being a non smoker because the hairspray and a lighter would have done wonders.
"His not here and no" I heard Fern say.
I walked out the bedroom and tiptoes through the hallway hugging the wall.
"Oh come on Fern I've missed you today" Came a husky voice.
"No I can't let anybody in" Fern replied.
I didn't recognise the voice but at least I knew it wasn't the teachers. I continued down the stairs and stopped halfway on them to see the front door ajar with Fern and somebody arguing through it.
"Why"
"Because Jim told me not to let anybody in and I don't want to see you"
"Oh come on baby I've missed you"
"I said no David" Fern growled.
"Fern you're my girlfriend and I've come all the way over here to see you"
"Was David, was your girlfriend or don't you remember, now remove your foot from my door or I will remove it for you" She threatened him.
I could see this turning ugly and I didn't need a domestic disturbance to attract unnecessary attention to us. I pulled my hood up over my hair and walked the rest of the way down the stairs and stopped just behind Fern. David had his foot stuck in-between the door which prevented Fern from closing it on his sorry ass.
"Who the fuck are you?" He spat looking me up and down.
This was the time to see if I had acquired any acting skills during drama class last year.
"Your worse fucking nightmare bitch now get your foot out the door before I slit your mother fucking throat for wasting my time" I growled with the heaviest bad accent I could.
Both Fern and David looked at me wide eyed and I tried so hard to hold the laugh I had inside of me. I was actually quite proud of myself because I though I pulled this bad-girl-sort-of-thing of quite well. It looked like my drama class paid off because David removed his foot and backed away and with that Fern slammed the door shut.
"Where the fuck did that come from" Fern laughed.
I couldn't retain my laugh anymore so the giggles came out.
"I have no idea" I laughed.
I must admit bad Bella was quite fun but that person was not me. I put my hood back down then we both made our way back up stairs but we both stopped halfway when the front door knocked again.
"Fuck sake" Fern moaned.
"I'll handle it" I said walking back down the stairs.
"Don't you know when to give up" I said pulling the door open.
"Not really" Mr Harding smiled.
I froze in terror and within that moment I forgotten how to breath. He looked different than how I remembered him almost like he had some sort of makeover. Not a moment to soon I slammed the door shut and sprinted to the stairs.
"What is he doing"
"Run!" I interrupted her by pushing her up the stairs.
The front door burst open as we reached the top and I ran with Fern into her bedroom slamming the door shut behind me.
"What's going on?" Fern said panicking.
"Help me" I said pushing the bed to the door to use as a barricade.
"Bella what's happening I'm scared" Fern said.
"The teachers are killing people" I quickly said rushing to the window.
"What!"
I opened the window and looked out, the jump was far too high but luck was on my side because there was wooden panelling running down the side of the house covered in grape vines.
"Bella what?"
"Look Fern there no time to explain, we need to get out of here" I said calmer.
The bedroom door started banging as Fern let out a little scream.
"Quick!" I said pushing her to the window.
"What no way!" She replied backing away.
"Fern we have no choice, Go!"
She paused for a second then groaned out loud. I gave her a boost through the window then she stretched her arm out and reached for the panelling. She started to descend the vine but half way down the structure gave away and she fell to the ground letting out a scream.
"Fern!" I shouted.
She was lying on her back with her head slightly tilted to the side. I couldn't see from this distance if she was alive or not.
"Fern!" I shouted again.
Again she still didn't answer.
"Shit!" I spat shaking.
I hoped that she was ok Fern didn't deserve any of this and I was useless to her trapped up here so the only thing I could do was pray that she wasn't dead. I spun around and backed myself up against the wall as the bedroom door snapped into right down the middle and revealed Harding. He shoved the bed out the way effortlessly and slowly entered the room. This was it I was dead.
"Why do you run when you no I will catch you and why do you hide when you no I will find you" He smirked.
"Get away from me" I hissed.
Great comeback Bella I sarcastically said to myself.
"I'm sorry to hear about your father" He smiled.
"Fuck you" I spat.
"Ah ah, language" He tutted.
"Stop talking mother fucker your making my ears ache, at least have the decency to kill me quickly" I spat.
"Kill you" He smiled "Who said anything about killing you, well at least not yet anyway"
My eyes kept flickering to the door and a hundred thoughts flew through my mind of how to escape. It was either let Harding do whatever he had planned for me or take my chances out of the two story window. Broken legs or maybe even a spine would be better than whatever Harding was going to do to me, right?
"Don't think your boyfriend will save you this time, Mr Bryans will make sure of that" He smirked.
I could only pray that Edward was not alone and hope that whatever he was planning to do didn't involved getting killed by Bryans. For all I knew he was already dead but I did not let that thought enter my mind for a second. If I knew for certain that my love was dead then I would be more than happy to let Harding do whatever he wanted because my life was worth nothing without Edward. Considering that Harding might be lying then I had to get out, I had to survive for Edward, for us.
"You win" I whispered "I'll do whatever or go wherever you want" I lied.
I didn't no what the hell I was doing I was just making it up as I went along.
"After you" he smiled signalling his hand.
I hesitated for a second then proceeded to walk out the bedroom. I froze and let out a yelp as he grabbed the top of my arm.
"Don't try anything funny Isabella" He smirked.
He tightened his grip around my arm causing me to yelp once again then he proceeded to guide me out the bedroom. He dragged me down the hallway and stopped at the top of the stairs when his phone started to ring. He used his free hand and reached into his pocket. He pulled his phone out and flipped it up.
"Harding's here" he paused.
"Yes I have acquired the girl" he paused again.
I used this time to look into an open room in front of me. It was another bedroom but this one was situated at the front of the house. I doubt there would be any vines or anything to hang onto but at least if I survive the drop I would land outside the front of the house so I could at least try to run from there, that's if my legs would be intact of course.
"Have you acquired the boy?" He asked.
"Good good" He smiled "Well all we need now is the main star and his groupies" He laughed.
What the hell was he talking about? That didn't matter right now because while he was talking away he loosened his grip on my arm. I built up my adrenaline and without hesitation I shoved him the hardest I could. He stumbled backwards and missed the step causing him to fall down the stairs.
I sprinted into the bedroom and threw the door closed behind me. I ran straight to the window and peered out. The roof of the porch was just below this bedroom so I knew I had my escape route. I opened the window just in time to here the growling and cursing beginning. I lifted my leg up onto the sill and pulled myself up so I was now crouching. I took in a deep breath and heard footsteps on the stairs before I flung myself out of the window.
I landed on the porch roof with a small thud but I miscalculated the jump because I rolled off the end and fell to the ground landing on my bad side. I let out a cry of pain and wrapped my arm around my stomach and grabbed at my hip bone with my hand. This was not the time for pain I could cry and moan later right now I had to run somewhere, anywhere.
I managed to somehow pull myself up and lock eyes with Harding that was now glaring at me from the top window. I pulled myself from his gaze and took off running down the street. My hip bone was in that much pain it caused me to limp. If I hadn't had broken it last time then I sure as hell have broken it now due to the constant throb and shooting pains in it. The bone didn't feel like it was sticking out so I could guess that there was some sort of fracture.
I tried with all my strength not to fall over or let my injury slow myself down. I had to push myself to take every step I had in front of me. I stayed close to the pavement and slowed down when I got to a small side ally between two houses. I ran up the ally and ducked between a couple of garbage cans. My breathing was fast and heavy and my heart was racing that fast I though it was going to jump right out my chest. I heard the sound of tires screeching and the sight of a black SUV zoomed off up the street. I didn't want to risk being seen now so my best option was to stay here or at least until I got my breath back.
I waited behind the garbage cans for about twenty minutes. I hadn't seen the SUV since it sped off earlier so maybe Harding had given up the search for me, well at least for a while anyway. I wanted to return to Fern to see if she was alright but it was suicide to even think about going back there.
I slowly stood up and pulled my hood over my hair as the black clouds casted over me. Rain droplets slowly began to cascade down on me as I wrapped my arms around myself. I began walking up the ally because I had no choice but to keep going but where I did not know.