Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here is chapter fourteen of "Into the Shadows." This chapter features Alice's return. I felt it was time to bring her back. There is a tiny bit of Edward/Bella as well, though it is not in the usual sense. Stay tuned for chapter fifteen.
XXXXX
Chapter 14: Getting Help/Informing
Edward drove down the road nearly an hour later. He moved his hands to the sides of the steering wheel. He ran his tongue all over the inside of his mouth. Alice mouthed the lyrics to Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dace With Somebody. She clapped along with the music while blinking three times. He looked at her, raising an eyebrow.
"You just can't stop mouthing the words to Whitney Houston's songs, can you?" Edward said.
"I can't help it. She is such an incredible singer," Alice replied cheerfully. "She can really hit those high notes. It is no wonder she is called The Voice."
"It's unfortunate that her personal life is a mess," Edward said regretfully.
"I know. Then again, I can't blame it for being that way. In Hollywood, you have to be perfect at all times. If you have one little thing wrong with you, you are ridiculed for it," Alice muttered in much disgust.
"Many celebrities care so much about getting publicity that they're willing to get it at any cost, including hurting other people," Edward said with a roll of his eyes.
Alice scoffed in annoyance. "And their fans continue to follow them."
"It's unbelievable," Edward grumbled.
"Even worse is some fans try to control what their favorite celebrities do," Alice said with a scoff.
"Give me a break. Celebrities don't owe their fans anything, except a good round of entertainment," Edward commented in fierceness. "Someone should give those fans good whacks to their heads to make them see that."
"You got that right," Alice agreed.
Edward snorted. "Unfortunately, some would never get that. They believe everything they read in the gossip magazines."
Alice gave a shrug and gazed out her window. She saw a great-horned owl turn its head completely around while sitting on a branch near the middle of a tree. She turned back to him.
"Bella is going to be so surprised to see us," Alice said, letting out an excited squeal.
"She sure will," Edward agreed and chuckled quietly. "She's not expecting us until tomorrow afternoon."
"Charlie won't be there because he went on a fishing trip with Billy and Harry," Alice pointed out.
"I am not fond of his friends, but I hope he is having a good time," Edward whispered with a soft sigh.
Alice cupped her chin in her hand in thought. "If he was there, he'd be just as surprised as Bella would be to see us back early. He would allow us to visit with her for a little bit. After all, it's Saturday night. She doesn't have to get up early in the morning."
"Just don't take up all our time with her talking about clothes, Alice," Edward warned.
"Duly noted," Alice answered. "If she isn't there, then we'll wait."
Edward nodded in agreement. "Let's hope we don't have to wait too long."
Edward saw the Swan residence coming into view and spotted Bella's truck. She let out a cheerful laugh as he turned right into the driveway. He turned the engine off.
"Great! Bella's home!" Alice squealed and smiled widely. Her smile faded when she heard Edward gasp. She looked at him. "What's wrong?"
"I feel Bella is in distress," Edward mumbled in much fear. "Something horrible has happened to her."
Alice swallowed hard. "We better check it out now!"
Edward got out along with Alice. They approached the front door, hearing crying coming from inside. He opened it and rushed into the house. She was right behind him. They went to the kitchen to find Bella laying on her side on the floor. They saw her turn over to look at them. They were shocked at the sight of her face. They could see her eyes were red from crying. They dropped to their knees beside her.
"Edward, Alice, what are you—" Bella moaned.
"Bella, what happened to you?" Edward asked frantically.
"Mike—" Bella mumbled.
"What? What did Mike do?" Alice wondered.
Bella opened and closed her mouth, yet she couldn't form any words. Edward became very worried.
"Tell us, please," Edward pleaded.
"He beat and raped me while I was spending time with him at his house," Bella said and choked back a sob.
Edward and Alice felt their eyes go wide with shock. They knew Mike had always been jealous of Bella's relationship with the former. They were also aware that he possessed inappropriate thoughts about her, though they hadn't known the true depth of them. They realized Charlie would be horrified when they told him what happened, as would the rest of their family. They snapped out of their thoughts when Bella started crying. She opened her eyes, tears shining in them.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," Bella muttered.
"Bella, don't say that. What Mike did isn't your fault. It's his," Edward said touched her forehead.
"He also said—" Bella started.
"Shh. Don't talk anymore," Edward interrupted quietly and moved his hands toward her. "Come here."
Bella yelled in fright and shook her head rapidly. "No, don't touch me!"
"It's all right, Bella. I won't hurt you," Edward said calmly. "I'd never hurt you intentionally. You know that."
"Please—" Bella pleaded and squirmed when he sat her up and pulled her into his arms. She grabbed his shirt and continued to cry. "Edward—"
Edward made a shushing sound. "It's okay. I'm here."
Edward formed an angry expression on his face and curled his hand into a fist so tight that he'd break a glass if he were holding one. He hated Mike for what he did to Bella. He wanted to go to him and make him pay for it. However, he knew it was more important to get her to the hospital first. He kissed her forehead twice.
Alice got her cellphone from her pocket and dialed 911. She put it to her ear and listened to two rings before a click came. She stood up and walked away from the couple. Edward listened to her give a dispatcher details about what happened to Bella. She hung up and returned to her. Bella looked at her, more tears showing in her eyes.
"The ambulance will be here in a few minutes, Bella," Alice whispered very soothingly. "It's going to be okay."
Edward took out his cellphone. "I'm going to call Charlie. He needs to know about this."
Alice swallowed hard. "I hope he answers."
Edward proceeded to search through phone numbers. Alice rubbed Bella's shoulder in a gentle manner.
00000
Charlie, Billy, and Harry sat on logs around a campfire close to a lake in La Push. They held sticks over it with marshmallows on the tips. Three dark gray tents were behind them, as were three white coolers filled with fish and two tan trucks that happened to be Chevrolet. They happened to be faded. They contained dents in the driver doors. Scratches could be seen along the bottoms as well.
Charlie picked his beer up off the ground and sipped a little bit of it. He smacked his lips before letting out a contented sigh. He put it back down and stroked his mustache. He focused his attention on a box of graham crackers, a package of chocolate, and a bag of marshmallows that was between him and Billy. He turned to him and Billy.
"There is better than roasting marshmallows after a successful day of fishing, Charlie," Billy said warmly.
"You got that right, Billy," Charlie answered happily. "I hope tomorrow's fishing will be just as great as today's was."
Harry looked toward his lifelong friends. "I do too. I'm eager to fry up fish for my family when I get home. Would you and your kids like to join us?"
"That's a great idea, Harry," Charlie commented.
"It sure is. Just don't steal all the tartar sauce," Billy joked with a snicker.
"How about I throw it in your face then, Billy?" Harry asked, a big smirk crossing his lips.
Billy gave him a thumbs-up. "Be my guest as long as Charlie gets some of it too."
Harry chuckled and looked at his marshmallow. He found it was burning. He took it away from the campfire. He shook his stick rapidly. He managed to put it out. Charlie and Billy started laughing.
"Talk about a fiery marshmallow," Charlie said while running his hand over his hair twice.
"Very funny, Charlie," Harry scoffed in some annoyance. "Toss me the marshmallows."
Charlie got the marshmallows and tossed them to Harry, who caught them easily. He watched him remove the burnt marshmallow and put another one on his stick.
"I hate it when I burn marshmallows accidentally," Harry grumbled with a roll of eyes. "It is such a waste."
"Yes, it is," Billy agreed. He leaned back in his wheelchair somewhat. He emitted a soft snort before suppressing a yawn. "Of course, you can't always stop that from happening."
"It's better to burn a marshmallow than burn any part of your body," Charlie said, shuddering badly. "Burns are the worst injuries. They can take months to heal. They will likely leave scars."
"Burn wounds can become infected if they are not tended to quickly," Billy added.
"Most burns are accidental. Others are intentional," Harry commented while rubbing his nose.
"Almost all of us have accidentally burned ourselves at one time or another," Billy murmured.
Charlie heard ringing and removed his cellphone from his pocket. He saw the number 991-8792. He gasped in surprise.
"It's Edward," Charlie said and laid his stick against his chair.
"What does he want?" Billy looked at Harry with some irritation.
Harry huffed. "Who cares?"
Charlie put the cellphone to his ear. "Edward, you're back in Forks early. What's going on?" His face fell at what Edward said. "What? Oh, shit."
Billy and Harry glanced at Charlie. They listened to him talk with Edward. They saw him get up and run his hand through his hair. Charlie hung up and returned his cellphone to his pocket. He rushed to his tent, which was the first one. He reached inside and grabbed his wallet. He slipped it into his pocket. He zipped up his jacket quickly as he turned to Billy and Harry. His breathing turned into pants.
"I have to get to the hospital. Edward and Alice are waiting for an ambulance to take Bella there. She was raped by Mike while spending time with him," he said frantically.
"Oh, damn," Harry whispered shockingly.
"Is she okay?" Billy wondered.
"Edward said she was bruised and had some injuries, but he and Alice didn't find any signs of broken bones," Charlie answered as he started to take down his tent.
"That's a relief," Billy commented while laying his stick on the ground.
"I'm so sorry to end fishing our trip like this, but I have to get to my daughter," Charlie said.
"It's all right, Charlie. We understand," Harry replied comfortingly and stood up with a grunt.
Billy grabbed the wheels of his wheelchair. "In fact, we'll go with you, despite that it's likely the Cullens will be at the hospital."
Charlie smiled at the duo. "Thanks, guys."
Billy and Harry nodded at their friend. They went over to their tents and proceeded to take them down.
00000
Edward continued to hold Bella in the Swan residence's kitchen five minutes later. He ran his hand over her hair while whispering inaudible words to her. He looked over at Alice, who talked on her cellphone near the refrigerator. She hung up and glanced at them. She pressed her lips together before inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly.
"Carlisle and the others are going to meet us at the hospital," Alice said.
"Where is that ambulance?" Edward asked irritatingly. "It should've been here by now."
"Be patient, Edward. It'll be here," Alice said as she held up her hand.
"I know. With this being a small town, you'd think it'd get here very quickly," he commented.
"Well, ambulances can't exactly run people and their cars over in trying to get to their destinations," Alice pointed out.
"That's true," Edward agreed.
Suddenly, a siren came out of nowhere. Alice went to the front door, seeing the flashing red lights in the living room window. She opened it as the ambulance pulled into the driveway. Two EMTs opened the doors to the back and brought out the stretcher. She waved her hand toward herself, and they followed her into the house.
The group arrived in the kitchen. The EMTs brought the stretcher to Edward and Bella. They lowered it, and he allowed them to put her onto it and watched them strap her down. They raised it and took her out to the ambulance. Edward and Alice followed them. They saw them opening the doors to the back of the ambulance.
"Hey, could I ride in the back with Bella?" Edward asked hopefully.
"Sure," the first EMT answered.
"I say company wouldn't do any harm," the second EMT added.
"Thank you," Edward whispered in relief.
"I'll follow in your car, Edward, if that's okay," Alice said.
"Of course," Edward said and took out his keys. "You'll need these."
"Thank you," Alice replied as she took them.
The EMTs loaded Bella into the ambulance. They climbed in, followed by Edward. They slammed the doors shut. They approached the window to the front and knocked on it three times. The driver glanced at them and nodded at them. She pulled out of the driveway and went right. Alice drove after her.
The first EMT prepped an IV for Bella while the second used a stethoscope to check her heartrate. She gazed at Edward and held out her hand. He took it into his, squeezing it with much gentleness. He saw tears form in her eyes and fall from them. He stroked her forehead with the back of his hand. She swallowed hard, her lower lip quivering.
"I'm sorry you had to come home to this, Edward," Bella mumbled guiltily.
"Shh. It's okay, Bella. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere," Edward responded lovingly.
She whimpered and moved her hand downward. "I hurt so much down there."
He gave her an assuring look. "Don't worry. The doctors will take care of that."
She sniffled and breathed deeply as she felt him kiss her forehead. He pulled back and caressed the back of her hand with his thumb. The EMTs looked at him sympathetically.
"You two must be really serious, aren't you?" the first EMT wondered.
"Very much so. We're everything to each other," Edward answered honestly.
"That's good. A guy should stick by his girl, especially when something horrible happens to her," the second EMT said.
Edward showed determination. "That's exactly what I am doing."
The EMTs smiled at Edward and continued to work on Bella. He looked toward the window. He could see Alice driving a short distance away. She coughed, causing him to look at her.
"It hurts so much," Bella whimpered pitifully.
"It's okay, love. We should be at the hospital soon," Edward whispered soothingly. "Is there anything you want me to do?"
"Can you call Jacob for me?" Bella asked.
He swallowed hard. "I don't know if that's—"
She choked back a sob. "Please, Edward. I don't want to keep him in the dark."
Edward sighed heavily and looked away. He didn't want to call Jacob because he feared that the latter would blame him for what happened to Bella. At the same time, he knew Jacob cared for her just as much as he did and that it'd be the right thing to do. He turned back to her.
"I'll call Jacob once we get to the hospital," Edward relented.
"Thank you," Bella responded and emitted a relieved sigh.
"What's his number?" Edward asked.
"If you need a pad, I've got one in my pocket," the first EMT said.
"I've got a pen in mine," the second EMT added.
"I'd like to have them if you don't mind," Edward said. The EMTs nodded and grabbed their pad and pen. They gave them to him. "Okay. I'm ready, Bella."
"It's 595-6097," Bella replied.
"Got it," Edward said and wrote down the numbers before tearing off the paper and handing the pen and pad back to their owners. "Thanks, guys."
"You're welcome," the second EMT said.
"We have no problem with providing a little help," the first EMT added.
Edward nodded at the EMTs while folding the paper to slip into his pocket. He cleared his throat.
"How long will it be before we get to the hospital?" Edward wondered curiously.
"We should be there in the next ten minutes," the second EMT responded in a low yet firm voice.
The first EMT cleared his throat. "Let's hope we do not encounter any slow motorists on the road."
"I heard drivers are required to pull over for ambulances and police cars in some states," Edward commented in awe.
"That is true," the second EMT admitted. "Drivers will do this in states where it is not even required."
"It is common courtesy," the first EMT added.
The second EMT nodded in agreement. "That is right.
Edward ran his hand through his hair twice. The ambulance started to go a little faster. Its sirens blared loudly.
