Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. Edited by Sjdavis84 and StillDreaming85.
WARNING: This story contains mature themes and is intended for mature readers.
WARNING: This chapter contains mention of violence.
ISABELLA SWAN
Nothing, that's what I felt, nothing. I was an empty hole void of all emotions, and feelings and pain.
I couldn't come to terms with what had happened or didn't happen. I couldn't wrap my mind around it. What had been the point of all that?
Why stage a rape? What was Anthony playing at? Was this another sick way of torturing me?
Why was he holding me here? What had I done?
Question after question after unanswered questions. No matter in which direction I ran, I always ended up with nothing.
It was now nine in the morning, or so the clock on the bedside said. I hadn't slept a wink last night, how could I? I was tired, yet I was more alert than ever, but I still don't remember how I ended up where I am now.
They didn't take me back to that house, nor did Anthony put me back in his basement.
Looking out the window, I was in an apartment, forty, maybe fifty stories up, right in the middle of Manhattan.
This was another trick, another joke, something else for Anthony to laugh at. Bringing me here so close to freedom and the outside world, yet it was out of reach.
I sat on the bed with the TV remote in my hand for a long time. I debated turning it on, I don't know why I was hesitant, it shouldn't be a big deal. The bedroom door opened and on instinct I threw the remote across the bed and backed up against the headboard. James came in. I couldn't quite understand the expression on his face, although I did notice the bruise on his left side.
"Boss wants you in the kitchen now," he said, but avoided eye contact with me.
Who was he referring to? Anthony or Edward? I jumped out of the bed and fixed the skirt that I had on from last night, pulling it down as far as it would go, knowing that I didn't have any underwear on, but no matter how much I pulled, it still only reached mid thigh.
Without having any other choice, I dragged my feet behind James. He kept his distance from me, and for that I was very thankful, I could not bear him touching me right now, not after what he had done.
My heart felt as if it were going to beat right out of my chest and fall on the floor. I was nervous and I was scared for myself. What were they planning on doing to me now? Was last night just a practice, to see how I would react to the real thing?
"Ahh, sleeping beauty awakes," Anthony said. He was standing in the kitchen in front of a frying pan, cooking. This image of him took me off guard. He was wearing a pair of gray lounge pants and nothing else. His chest was exposed, revealing his toned chest and abdomen, he flexed when he noticed where my eyes had stopped. What an asshole asshole, I thought.
I quickly averted my eyes away from him. Looking around the large open living area, it was a kitchen, living room, and dinning room all joined together.
The one thing that stood out, was that everything was clean, crisp, and white. The only color in the room was provided by the occasional scattered art piece. It was beautiful, but the place felt more like a gallery than a home.
Whatever Anthony was making, it smelled incredible and my rumbling stomach agreed.
"When was the last time you had something to eat?" Edward asked, coming to a standstill close behind me. His close proximity and his voice made me jump back and right into his chest. He grabbed me around the waist and held me close to him, not letting go.
Right now, I couldn't stand someone touching me. His hold, although gentle, it was unfamiliar and unwelcomed. I tried to squirm away, hoping he would get the hint and let me go, but he wasn't having any of that.
"Please let me go," I said, my voice shaking.
"Calm down, gattina. I'm not going to hurt you," he whispered close to my ear.
I believed him last night and look at what happened. No, I wouldn't believe a word that comes out of his mouth anymore. Edward was no better than his twin, they were the same monster, the only difference was, one didn't hide what he was while the other covered his true self up with a pretty smile and nice words.
"Please," I tried again. He turned me around to him, grabbing a hold of my chin. His eyes searching mine, for what, I don't know, but he must not have liked what he found. He frowned, letting go of my chin with a deep sigh.
"Did you get any sleep last night?" He asked. Why did he care? What was it to him? "And don't lie to me, bambolina."
Bambolina? What was that? What were all these words that he kept calling me? Surely he knew I didn't understand a thing he said?
"No," I answered.
"Why not?"
"Because I couldn't sleep."
"Breakfast," Anthony called out cheerfully.
Here we were, the five of us sitting around the table eating breakfast as if we were all friends, one big family even.
They ate, I watched. Edward sat at the head of the table, I was on his right with Anthony next to me, and in front of us were James and Garrett, I remembered him well. I made the mistake of closing my eyes and my mind flashed to visions of last night, of Garrett holding me, of James….
I snapped my eyes open and involuntarily shuddered at my thoughts. Anthony turned his attention on me.
"You haven't touched your food." He noticed. "What? You don't like my cooking?"
"I'm not hungry," I mumbled.
"Yes, you are. Stop the bullshit and eat, or else," he warned, his tone serious and it left no room for arguments.
"Brother," Edward warned, his tone just as severe as Anthony's had been. "And you, eat."
Not wanting to anger either of them, and not wanting to be on the receiving end of the consequences of their anger, I picked up my knife and fork and began cutting into my pancakes. They were good, I'm not going to lie, but I wasn't going to give Anthony the satisfaction of knowing that.
I finished everything that Edward had put on my plate, I guess I hadn't realized how hungry I actually was, but I was still surprised with myself that I had an appetite for such a large meal.
"I think you should go take a shower and nap," Edward said.
"I don't want to take a nap," I said, glaring at him. The liar, the traitor.
"Suit yourself," he shrugged. "But I think you should."
"I spoke with Jasper earlier, he took Alice to grab some things for her," Anthony said, looking at me with his hands full of dirty dishes.
Jasper. Jasper was the blonde haired man, the man that took me, I will never forget him, but who the hell was Alice and what had she gotten for me?
Looking around at the four men that had made my life a nightmare, I became more and more confused.
When Anthony had me locked down in the basement, that made sense. When I was locked in the bedroom at the estate, that made sense. But this, right here, right now, this made no sense. Their behavior made no sense.
How could they be this way, this calm as if last night hadn't happened?
Garrett was now sitting on the sofa with his feet up on the coffee table, scrolling through the TV channels, while James had left the room.
Anthony was loading the dishwasher and Edward still sat at the table, all his attention on his phone.
No one paid me any attention, in fact, they were acting oblivious to my presence all together.
I wondered what would happen if I stood up? Would someone follow me? What's the worst that could happen if I tried?
I had nothing to lose, and so with that in mind, I stood up from my seat. No one seemed to notice my movement, not Edward beside me, or Anthony across the room, not even Garrett.
Feeling braver, I stepped away from the table and still, nothing.
"There is an ensuite in your room if you want to take a shower, and I'm sure Anthony can find you something to wear until Jasper arrives with your things," Edward said, not bothering to look up at me at all. "Don't just stand there, fiorellina."
Fiorellina? What was it with this man and his nicknames. For all I know he could be calling me a monkey's ass, but the way his voice sounded when he spoke Italian was...No, what is wrong with me, he's a monster, he is no better than his brother, in fact, I think he is worse.
"Jasper and Alice are coming up," Anthony said. He came around from the kitchen to where I was now standing. I took a few steps back, but he reached me fast, grabbing my wrist, he pulled me forward into his bare chest. My hands pushed against him wanting to break free from his hold. He held me around my waist with one hand and the other he moved my hair away from my shoulder and cupping my cheek.
"Behave," he warned. "Don't make me punish you, little lamb," he said, bringing his lips down to mine. I didn't fight him, I let him kiss me, but I offered him nothing in return. "You taste like heaven and hell together," he whispered in my ear, so only the two of could hear.
His words left me confused and with a feeling I didn't understand, it made my skin tingle, in pleasure, in frustration that he could have this effect on me, and in pure disgust, all mixed together.
I stood back and watched them. Jasper walked in with his hands full of bags and placed them on the dining table, he was followed by a woman. She was a tiny little thing, even compared to me. She had shoulder length black hair and bright blue eyes that stuck out against her pale skin, that must be Alice.
Edward and Anthony seemed preoccupied with Jasper and Alice. Garrett was the only one that didn't seem fazed by their presence, and James was still nowhere in sight.
And then it caught my eye, the door, that Jasper and Alice had come in, had been left ajar.
This was it, this was my chance, I thought. Could I make it to that door and out before they realized what I was doing? No one was looking at me.
But what if I didn't make it, what if they caught me?
I started breathing heavily and I knew I had to stop before I drew any attention to myself. I had to do this. I could do this, I could make it, I had to try. Trying was better than saying I did nothing at all.
Very slowly, I walked towards the open door, walking on the tips of my toes as not to make any sound. They didn't notice me, not yet. This was almost too easy.
When I was close enough to the door, I sprinted and shoved the door open running out into the hallway.
"GET HER!" I heard Anthony yell. "FUCKING GO AFTER HER!"
I couldn't wait for the elevator. I ran to the emergency stairs, running as fast as I could and praying that I wouldn't fall. I was aware that I was forty, maybe fifty stories up, but if I made it to the bottom, if I made it outside, I knew I would be free.
I kept running down the stairs two at a time. I didn't hear anyone behind me, but I wasn't going to give myself false hope. The chances were that someone was waiting for me downstairs, but my plan was to get off on the first level and seek another exit. I didn't care what it was even if I had to jump out a window, I would gladly do it.
I had reached level thirty-two when the door swung open and Anthony ran through the door and caused me to run right into him.
"NO, let me go!" I screamed.
"You stupid girl," he said, gritting his teeth. He grabbed a fistfull of my hair and slammed my face into the wall in front. I cried out, but it only made his anger grow. "What the fuck were you thinking?" He yelled, dragging me by my hair and pushing me to the ground. I fell hard on my knees. He kicked me once in the ribs and then pulled me back up to my feet.
"Please, Anthony, please," I begged, through my sobs.
"Shut the fuck up," he said, backhanding me.
I could taste blood on my lips, the taste of which made my stomach turn and before I knew it, I leaned over Anthony and emptied my stomach over the balustrade.
So close, I had been so close. I cried, how did he know where to find me? How did he know I was right there at that point?