"How long have I been in this storm?
So overwhelmed by the oceans shapeless form.
Water's getting harder to tread,
with these waves crashing over my head.
If I could just see you, everything would be alright.
If I could see you, this darkness would turn to light.
And I would walk on water, and you will catch me if I fall.
And I will got lost into your eyes, and everything will be alright.
And everything will be alright."
- Storm, by: Lifehouse
Hourglass
Chapter: 3
-Bella POV-
"You have one new message."
"Bella! Bella, please, help me…" Rosalie's pained voice whimpers before the line goes dead.
The world stops. Icy cold fingers of fear creep up my spine, suffocating me, and causing goose bumps to explode all over my skin. The hair on the back of my neck stands on end. I snap out of my fear-induced trance and throw my bedroom door open so quick I almost knock my dad, Charlie, over in my haste.
"Bells! What the hell? Are you okay? I was just gonna get some water," he sputters ramblingly, trapped between his bedroom door and the wall next to the bathroom.
Tremors wrack my body as I latch onto his arm, tears finally falling from my eyes. "Dad! Something's happened, it's Rosalie! I have to go." My head shakes back and forth as he tries to steady me, and he holds me until I'm done speaking. I keep trying to pull away so I can go to her, but his grip is unrelenting.
"Shh. Hold on, Bells. What do you mean something's happened? Was she in a wreck? I didn't get a call from the station," he states, not quite awake yet, and probably thinking I'm completely insane.
"I-I don't think so. I don't know, Dad. I have to go—I have to go to her." He finally notices the fear in my eyes and lets me go as soon as he's sure I won't fall down the stairs.
"You don't think he…" he trails off as my bare feet slap against the wooden stairs.
"I don't know. I'll call you as soon as I know if she's okay," I call as I reach the foyer and grab my keys.
"I'll get dressed and meet you there, you shouldn't be going alone," he says gruffly as he runs back in his room.
I'm relieved that he doesn't ask me to wait for him, because I can't.
I need to find her right away.
I start my truck and peel out of the driveway. I head off in the direction of Rosalie and Royce's apartment, which is across town, but in Forks, that's only a five to seven minute drive.
I make it there in three.
I throw myself out of my truck, not even taking the time to effectively slam the door shut as my feet pound off the pavement, in the direction of her apartment entrance. The rain is pelting down in hard sheets, and that, combined with my speed and lack of agility, causes me to wipe out on the curb out front. It only slows me down for a second, and I push off the ground with my hands and run toward the door again.
My body is numb, purely running on adrenaline and fear.
Deep down I know whatever has happened isn't an accident, and I know that Royce is involved.
I hurl the building door open and run up the flight of stairs to her door.
I'm absolutely terrified when I see it open, like whoever exited could care less who walks in.
I flip the light switch on, and I notice that there's blood on the front door handle.
Oh please, God, no. Please, God, let her be okay. She has to be okay.
I search the living room and kitchen area; there is no sign of her.
I swiftly run into the bedroom, and all of my worst fears are confirmed.
"Rosalie!" I cry out as I drop down beside her and feel for a pulse. She has one, but it's faint, and I'm terrified of losing my best friend. I can tell she's lost a lot of blood, and her breaths are much too shallow. She's in shock. I pull her cell phone from her clutched hand and call my dad immediately.
"Rose? Is Bella there? Are you okay? She left her cell…" he answers, but I cut him off before he can continue.
I know I sound hysterical because I'm crying and screaming into the phone. "Dad! I need you to get here right away, Rosalie's hurt! She's been attacked…beaten…I have to call 911! Just please, Dad! Get here now!" I scream and wail into the phone before I hang up with shaky fingers and instantly dial 911.
"911. What is your emergency?" the female operator answers.
"My friend, she's been attacked…beaten. Please, we need an ambulance right away!" I'm still hysterical and know that they probably can't understand me, but the adrenaline, fearful tremors, and choking sobs are uncontrollably wracking my body. I'm powerless to stop it.
"I don't know when he'll be back here! Please, please get here right now!" I urge, scared for Rosalie's life and of what I'd do if that motherfucker came back here.
Shoot him. I'd definitely fucking shoot him.
I give her the address and apartment number, and she says there are police and a rescue squad on the way. She makes me check to make sure Rosalie is breathing, and I tell her she is, but just barely.
I look around and see all of the blood. It's all over the wall; the once-beige carpet is drenched in it. Rosalie's clothes are too, but they're also torn to shreds. I'm told not to move her, because I could do more damage.
I put the cell phone on speaker and lay down next to Rosalie, facing her and brushing the bloody hair away from the right side of her face.
"Hold on, Rosie, please." I choke out another sob. "Please, Rose, I can't live without you; you're the most important person in my life. Please, Rose, I love you so much, you're my best friend, my sister, really. Please. We're supposed to grow old together, two old ladies with dogs 'cause we both hate cats. Oh God, Rosalie, what has he done to you? I promise he'll never hurt you again. Please, please, Rose, just hold on." My whimpering is interrupted by Charlie running in.
I look up at him, and dread slices through me at the look in his eyes.
"Save her, Daddy, help her!" I bawl, losing my composure again.
He kneels down to check for a pulse and to check her breathing again. Once he confirms she's still alive, he snatches up the cell phone to inform the operator that he is at the scene and ends the call.
"Stay with her, Bells. I need to get my deputies over here and out looking for Royce." He growls while he spits Royce's name, and turns to the door.
We hear sirens approach, and he runs outside to direct the first responders inside. Red and white light flashes through the window in the bedroom, and it makes my stomach churn as I stare at my best friend lying lifelessly across the floor.
"Hold on, Rose, help is here. We're going to get him, Rose. We're going to save you. You're safe now, Rose, I promise," I murmur, as Dad gently pulls me back so the EMTs can work on her.
When they roll her over, my knees buckle as I see the deep bruising around her throat and the dried blood and hair that is caked to her face. Her nose is already swollen, her left eye is swollen shut, and her lip is busted open.
My dad catches me before I fall, but his grip is firm and only serves to upset me further. I feel the bile rushing up through me, and I dig my nails into his arm, causing his grip to slacken and release me. I turn to go into the bathroom, but the entire apartment is already being taped off as a crime scene, so I quickly run out of the apartment building and collapse on my knees in the grass as I release my stomach contents.
My heaves are powerful and uncontrollable as I choke and gasp on every single emotion coursing through me. Images of her battered body run on repeat in my head, and I don't fight the scream that follows the vomit from my mouth. The rain washes the sticky liquid from my lips and chin as I throw my head back and scream…and scream…and scream again.
I knew better than to let her stay with him.
I knew about the abuse…and the lies…and everything.
This is all my fault.
This could have been prevented. I should have never let her stay—all my fault.
She could die.
Those thoughts also run on repeat. I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for allowing this to happen.