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"You can't be serious! I mean, you cannot be serous!" Alice exclaimed, her hands resting on her hips, an angry glare pointed in Bella's direction. She was trying to look furious, but she was too adorable for her own good, and Bella smiled. "Stop smiling at me!"
"Sorry, I can't," Bella laughed, throwing her pillow across the room, but Alice swatted it away. Sighing, she scooted to the edge of the bed. "I have to go, Alice. She's my sister."
"That you didn't even know existed until like two days ago," she whined, walking over and climbing onto the bed next to her, her knees pulled up to her chest. "You don't owe her anything, Bella."
"I know."
"Then why? Just tell me why?"
Bella shifted so that she was facing Alice. "Because she's my sister. Because she killed the men who . . . who were a breath away from . . . from raping me. Because she needs someone to . . . I don't know . . . to be there for her."
Alice frowned.
"Please, just . . . just understand."
"I don't," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "But I won't tell you no. I'm not your boss."
Bella leaned forward, resting her chin on Alice's knees. "You can be the boss if you want."
"Don't be all sexy and irresistible when I'm trying to be mad at you." Alice fell back onto the bed. "You're making my head hurt."
Bella laughed and laid back next to her, sliding her hand on her hip. "I'm sorry. I know it's stupid or whatever, but she's my sister, Alice. I can't just pretend she doesn't exist. Not anymore."
"I know," Alice whispered, lobbing her head in Bella's direction. "And if it were my sister, I would want to be there, too."
"Have you thought about reaching out to Cynthia?"
Alice bit the inside of her lip before saying, "I have. I just . . . I don't know if I could, you know, face them again. Not after everything."
"That's understandable," Bella murmured. "But maybe Cynthia needs you."
"Yeah, maybe."
"Hey," Bella said, leaning up on her elbow. "I love you."
Alice smiled. "I love you more. Even if you make my head hurt."
Bella laughed and climbed off the bed, grabbing her towel before walking over to the door. "You could join me, you know, if you want."
Alice groaned, but shook her head. "I won't be able to control myself if you're wet."
"I'm always wet with you."
As Bella hurried out of their bedroom, she heard Alice calling her a tease. She rushed into the bathroom, leaned against the door, and wondered what she would have done if Alice had taken her up on her offer.
—TNSPD—
Two hours later, Alice and Bella were seated inside the all too familiar courtroom with the rest of their family. While they had shared the same concerns Alice had, they agreed and were now seated around her. Carlisle was to her left with Esme, Emmett, and Rose next to him. Alice sat to her right with Jasper, Edward, and to Bella's surprise James. He, too, hadn't known that Charlie had another daughter. While Bella had enjoyed getting to know him a little better, she still felt herself cautious of getting too close. She bit her lip and looked over at him, just as he turned to her, smiling and winking. She wanted to believe more than anything that he wasn't like her father, her grandfather. But how could she know for sure?
Bella took a deep breath as the doors to the far side of the courtroom opened and two guards escorted Emily Young into the courtroom. She wasn't much taller than Bella. She had creamy tan skin and long black hair and black eyes. She was from the reservation, Bella knew. She tilted her head back, looking right at Bella, and that's when she saw the long scars on the side of her face. Five, maybe six of them. And Bella knew exactly who had given her those.
Emily shifted her eyes away and allowed the guards to lead her to the defendants table, where Garrett was waiting for her. He placed his hand on her elbow, causing Emily to flinch away. She looked back at Bella for a moment before turning to face the judge's podium.
The bailiff called the courtroom to order and as they all stood, Charlotte walked into the room, her eyes shifting between each of them before she settled and picked up her gavel.
"You may be seated."
They all settled into their seats, and Bella found herself looking back at Emily. She was thin, too thin, and the way she sat with her arms around herself, told Bella a lot. She'd been hurt, and somehow, she knew exactly who had hurt her. Charlie Swan had turned on his other daughter, too.
"Before we get started, I would like to remind council that we are not arguing the validity of charges, pleading our cases. We are simply here to determine bail, if bail should be ordered. Am I clear?"
Garrett stood up and said, "Yes, your honor."
"Yes, your honor," Tyler Crowley said, standing up.
Charlotte cleared her throat. "Emily Young, you are being charged with two counts of first degree murder in the deaths of Charlie Swan and Alistair Swan. How do you plead?"
Garrett gestured for Emily to stand, which she did. He leaned over and whispered into her ear, causing her to nod before saying, "Not guilty."
Tyler shook his head, but didn't say anything as everyone turned and looked back at the judge.
"What are the people asking for bail, Mr. Crowley?"
"The people request remand, your honor. Miss Young stalked the deceased for months before she carried out her plan to end their lives. She poses a flight risk, and we believe she is a danger to society."
"Mr. Mitchell?" Charlotte asked. "Would you care to offer a rebuttal?"
"No, your honor," Garrett said, shaking his head. "As you stated, this is not the time nor the place to argue the absurdity of the people's claim. Miss Young would prefer to stay in county lockup, where she feels safe."
Charlotte inhaled a sharp breath before she said, "The defendant is held for remand."
Charlotte banged her gavel on her desk before she stood up and hurried out of the courtroom. As the two guards came over and grabbed Emily's arms, Bella found herself hurrying to her feet, leaning against the barrier between her and Emily, who looked over her shoulder.
"I'm sorry I didn't kill them sooner," Emily said, frowning.
The guards dragged Emily away before Bella could respond. What was she supposed to say?
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