Author's note:
This is different and you'll probably hate me for leaving it where I do…sorry.
IMPORTANT! PLEASE READ: This chapter is set a week BEFORE Bella received the letter.
Disclaimer:
Everything recognisable has its own respected owners. If you are unfamiliar with anything the chances are it's mine. Savvy?
Chapter five.
There was a strange smell in the air. It was kind of like a gone-off orange – the dull yet sickly-sweet aroma – mixed with something strong and metallic like. Blood? Edward didn't know. Neither did he want to. The only thing he did pay attention to, however, were his surroundings. They were different. Different place entirely? Or just a different room? He had no-way in telling.
The four walls, ceiling and ground all looked the same – dusty, tan in colour and full of chips – gun shots? Again, Edward didn't want to know. There was a door adjacent to him with a small, square window at the top and a deadbolt lock keeping Edward captive. Not like he could go anywhere anyway. For one, his wrists were bound and tied with thick rope behind his back – the tiniest flinch had the rope cutting away at his bare skin. And the second reason being that even if Edward could use his hands, he barely had the energy to move into a sitting position, let alone carry his weight on two feet and run to wherever.
He needed something to eat and something desperately to drink but after getting a meat sandwich and a cup of water yesterday, the chances are slim. Edward's looking to at least one, more likely two days without anything to digest. The dust that he inhales on a daily basis has him coughing and retching constantly, but with nothing in his stomach to vomit up, he's slowly tearing away at the lining in his stomach. He might not be the smartest person out there, but Edward knew that things aren't good when you start to vomit a yellow-ish foam.
After throwing up, Edward always felt more fragile than he did before. He lay his sweaty cheek against the warm ground – if only it were cold –and took deep, calming breaths before passing out. His final thoughts were always of Bella. He sometimes managed a weak smile, reminding himself of the little nurse she plays when he's ill at home.
Home.
That word brings so much joy and sorrow to Edward. How far away is home? Is it still in the same place? Has Bella moved? Does she have a new home? Edward tries his best to ignore the pain in his chest –what if Bella has moved on? He wants her to be happy, but at what price?
Before he can hurt himself more, Edward slips into a dreamless sleep.
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Something was hitting the ball of his foot which brought Edward around again. His eyes fluttered open to see a little boy standing before him. The boy seemed familiar too him…where had he seen him before? The boy was wearing beige cut off shorts, a murky brown t-shirt and cloth sandals. His hair was blonde and shaggy with bits that fell into his eyes. He had his hands behind his back – was he hiding something? If so, what is it?
"Do you remember me?" His voice had a twang of another language in it. Which language, Edward couldn't work out; it was European of some sort – French? Italian? "It has been quite a while…my name is Felix…"
Felix.
Now that did ring a bell.
Edward remembered the little boy and the kind things he had done for him. But it had been so long since he last saw Felix that he had wondered what had happened.
"Do you remember…a few months ago you wrote a letter for someone back home?"
Bella's letter.
So much had happened recently that Edward had indeed forgotten all about the tiny note he scribbled and sent off with Felix's help. Edward tried to talk, but he could only cough. Just has he had his voice box up and running again, Felix spoke once more.
"I am sorry…I could only send the letter yesterday…I didn't have the chance until now…but I promise it is on its way to your family…I am sorry."
Why was he apologising?
How could he apologise?
Felix has gone behind everyone's back to help me and he thinks he needs to apologise?
Edward shook his head. "Don't…please don't be sorry. Thank you, Felix."
Felix looked down at his feet, toeing some of the dust. "Your friend…the big man…he has gone."
"Emmett? Gone? Where?" Edward's eyes widened; suddenly feeling anxious as to what could have happened to his friend.
"Home…he is home…but not without warning…"
Oh thank fuck for that…
Does that mean…I'll be able to go home?
Felix spoke some more. "I cannot stay long…here is something for you…" From behind his back, Felix pulled out a chocolate bar for Edward to see. "It is not much…but it is all I could get you. Again, I am sorry."
Edward practically devoured the chocolate using his eyes. He didn't even think about how dry his mouth was going to be, especially with nothing to wash it down with; he was passed caring. Chocolate will provide Edward with calories and even some energy – it might not be for long, but it's better than nothing.
Edward unwrapped the candy and gave Felix to wrapper so not to leave any evidence lying around. He ate the bar in three large bites.
"You can have some of this…to hide the taste…" Felix unclipped his water bottle from his belt and handed it over.
In the time that Edward has been living off rations, he has learnt to take tiny sips of water, swirl it around his mouth and then swallow – it allowed him to receive the refreshing taste, made his water last longer and didn't clog up his bladder too much.
A loud bang echoed from somewhere not too far away. Felix visibly panicked, quickly taking back his water bottle and hiding the chocolate wrapper deep in his pockets. "They are coming…" He whispered, doing his best to tell Edward not to do anything and to just stay there.
"Well, well, well…" The menacing voice loomed from the doorway. "What a surprise…Felix, I understand you had a reason for being here?"
"Uh…uh…n-no…sir…"
"I see. Well, Felix, you have broken the rules. I understand you remember what happens when people break the rules?"
Felix shot Edward a fleeting glance. From that look alone, Edward could tell that that was the last time he would see Felix. Alive.
The intimidating man in black walked Felix out of the 'room', leaving one other man behind.
"Ha!" The other one barked, taking small steps towards Edward. "Pathetic." And with a swift kick to the jaw, Edward's head smashed off the concrete wall behind him and he fell deep into a pit of unconsciousness.
0-0
Authors note:
If you could REC this story and get it noticed I would be forever grateful!
Thank you for reading.
RosieRathbone
