10 DOWN THE HILL

'Edward, please….' I futilely begged to the dirt-stained walls of this room. 'I will die. Please.' I cried out in helplessness, clutching my aching stomach, squeezing it tight as the brief relief that the act provided filled my entire being with temporary satisfaction. 'It has been five days. Please. I need food.' I screamed aloud in the empty room, my eyes partially open, a feat that took enough energy that I dared not perform it again.

It had been five days since Edward had done justice to his word, refusing to give me anything but one bottle of water to survive the entire day. At first, I hadn't been as worried, my bodily injuries taking precedence, but as the third day rolled around with not a hint of anything edible in sight, my stomach began to growl out in defiance.

It wanted its sustenance, and as the days went by without it reaching its goal, the rebellion began; reaching to such an extreme that even functioning was now a chore!

'I AM HUNGRY. DAMN IT.' I cursed, shouting the words out, annoyed and beyond exhausted as the minutes went by but my need wasn't heard.

How could anyone be this cruel and uncaring?

How could anyone by this heartless?

It was true; he was a monster!

My head ached. As did every inch of my body. I could not keep my eyes open for longer than two whole seconds, letting them droop without any choice in the matter.

I just did not have enough energy in me to fight back.

I had given up!

Starvation was the cruellest and most painful ordeal that the body could ever experience, eating you from the inside out, burning you with need and desperation, as it demanded instant relief.

I knew that I was luckier than some; I wasn't without water. And that was plenty more than someone in my scenario could expect.

But it wasn't enough.

My stomach was growling out in anger. It needed food.

It needed sustenance!

'Edward…' I begged for the millionth time, crying the word out. 'I am sorry I tried to trick you. Please don't do this….'

It was futile.

Everything was. As no matter how many times I begged, pleaded, shouted or demanded, Edward never responded. I knew that he was still in the same room as I, I would often hear him move around. But for me, it was as good as him not being in here. I was all alone. Just like I would be till the last moment of my short life…my end near enough to appear in front of my hazy eyes.

Possibly the only good thing to come from this situation was that Edward no longer felt the need to tie me up, the ropes that had held me a prisoner now thrown haphazardly to the side. He knew that it was pointless; you needed energy to plan an escape.

I was useless in here.

I could not escape, and not for the lack of a plan that would work!

And so, I just lay there, defeated and exhausted, my eyes half shut as I thought and re-thought over every minor decision that I had ever taken in my short life, contemplating where exactly I had gone so wrong, of what I had done that had led me to this point of no return in my life.

Had it been because I had spoken rudely to that new girl in the fifth grade?

I had been having a bad day, my lucky pencil lay missing. I did not want the company. I just wanted my pencil back. She had been seeking a friend in an ocean of unknown people, and I had shouted at her to leave me alone. I had regretted my action mere seconds later, but by then she had run to the girl's bathroom with tears lining her eyes. I never even apologised.

Was it because of that?

Was I now paying the price for my bad deed?

Or was it because I had lied to my mother back in kindergarten? I had accidently misplaced her favourite pendent necklace, playing with it as I pretended to be a grown up, acting clueless when asked about its whereabouts. She had been so heartbroken. It had been a gift from her grandmother before she had breathed her last, the feeling of losing it laying heavy on my mother's heart till this day. I never confessed. Not to the day.

Was it because of that?

Or was it because I had kissed a guy while being in a relationship with another? I had been in High school back then. A hormonal idiot that believed that looks mattered much more than personality did. I had cheated on poor Ben, the sweetest boy to exist in the entire school, immensely proud of the fact that the quarterback and most popular boy in school, Kevin, had shown interest in me. Of course, by the time I realized how shallow Kevin truly was, Ben and I were no longer on talking terms, him having moved to another lunch table to avoid my presence. I had accepted the distance, never bothering to ask his forgiveness, pretending like I had done no wrong.

Maybe it was because of that?

Or was it because I had argued with my father when he had opposed my decision to not come home over spring break? He had tried to convince me; my parents were getting older. They wanted to see me. They wanted to spend time with me. Their health had begun to fail them. Mom had started to forget things. They wanted quality time with me before it all went downhill, every minute precious. I had accused them of blackmailing me. I had called them selfish and demanding. I had a life back here in Portland. I did not want to go back to that boring routine where nothing interesting ever happened. I wanted to be here, living my life to the fullest, going out with my friends and having the time of my life. They had finally given up, accepting my stubbornness, as they pretended to agree with my decision. I had never even placed that call to tell them how sorry I was for the rude words I had spoken that day. I did not mean it. Of course, I wanted to spend time with them. I loved them.

Maybe it was because of that?

But then, if the bad karma mattered, wouldn't the good karma matter, too?

I had always helped everyone around me. I was a regular at the soup kitchen as I volunteered what little I could back to society. I respected my elders and did not believe in violence.

In fact, I condoned it.

Wouldn't that count, too?

Why was I here then today?

Why was this happening to me?

I did not deserve it.

No.

I did not.

.

.

.

'Where is she?' A stern voice reached my ears, jolting me awake from my sleep.

Huh. I had been sleeping?

'How dare you treat her like this? Who gave you the authority to take such a decision?' the voice in question shouted the words out, a threat audible in them. 'Don't forget that I take the decisions in here.'

Oh.

Edward's boss had come for a visit?

Why did he appear to be so livid though?

'I will ruin you if something happens to that girl.' The words were spat out, a threat evident in them.

'She tried to make a fool out of me; what did you expect me to do?' Edward defended himself, his temper skyrocketing. 'She deserved to be punished. And that is exactly what I did.'

'I would have been the one to decide that!' Boss retaliated, shrieking his argument out. 'It should have been my call. Not yours.'

'Look.' Edward spat the word out. 'You may be paying me for this, but you haven't bought my ability to think. If you believe my decision, or the fact that I don't regret it, is too much for you to bear, I will walk out of here right away. You can deal with the girl.'

'You can't do that!' Boss panicked. 'I can't look after her on my own. I must go back home, too.'

Edward shrugged, having the upper hand, 'then let me do my thing. I don't like to be interrupted or questioned. She needs to be taught a lesson, and I know exactly how to teach her one.'

'Fine.' Boss growled out, accepting defeat. 'But no starvation. I need the girl alive. My work is not over yet.'

'I will consider it.' Edward let out a grunt, a soft sigh leaving my lips at his admission. I would get to eat again. I would be fed. I would not die here today.

At least not today.

'I will assume that to be a yes.' Boss stated, a sigh leaving his lips. 'I had told you in the beginning itself; she is not to be underestimated.'

'Yes. You don't need to repeat your words. Nothing of this sort will ever be repeated.'

'Fair enough.' Boss pushed the words out, gritting his teeth together. 'I am here for a while if you want to go for your walk.'

'I thought you'd never ask.' Edward grumbled under his breath, the slamming of the door causing me to jump out in fear.

Why was he leaving me alone in here with this man?

I did not even know him!

No.

Come back.

Don't leave me alone in here with him!

'Bella.' The man creepily smiled, walking ahead in my direction. 'You look so beautiful asleep. Even more than you do while awake. I could sit here and watch you all day.'

No.

No.

I wanted to shout at him. I wanted to shout for help. I wanted to shout for Edward to come back in here.

I was safer with him around.

I did not trust this man.

'Your skin is so soft.' He touched my cheeks, my body tensed up as I forced it not to react. I could not let it out that I had heard their conversation. The consequences would be worse than what I was already bearing. 'So, so soft.' He ran a finger over my lips, pinching it harshly. 'I wonder how it would feel…'

'Hey! What are you doing?'

Never before in my life had I been this relieved to hear Edward's voice, my eyes shutting tight as I prayed to every God that existed.

'I...um…I thought you had gone for a walk?' Boss stumbled over his words, thankfully taking a step away from me.

'Yeah, but I am back now.' Edward frowned. 'If you want to leave, you can. I will no longer be going out tonight. Or any night henceforth.'

Thank you.

I let out a sigh, a small smile of relief crossing my face.

'Um…I will do that.' Boss nervously stated. 'You…uh…give her some food. I will try to come back for a check soon. Not tomorrow. But soon.'

I heard Edward mutter "Good riddance", the pervert leaving the two of us alone in the room.

'You heard that, didn't you?'

No sense in pretending otherwise!

'Yes.' I pushed open my eyes, tears adorning them.

'I am sorry.' He apologized, surprising me. 'Had I known…'

I shook my head, cutting him off. 'I should be the one thanking you.'

He waved me off, a sigh leaving his lips. 'No need. I have done you no favour. I may be a monster, but this is low even for me.'

I nodded my head, shutting my eyes again, the relief of being safe coursing through my veins.

'I won't leave you alone with him again. That's the least I can do.'

'Thank you.' I uttered the words out, the two of us reverting back to the silence that had consumed us for all these days.

He offered me one last nod, disappearing to the back of the room.

I could not sleep for the rest of the night.

The next morning, I was woken up by the arousing aroma of something I had never believed I would get to see again in my life- oily burger and soggy fries!

I smiled wide, opening my eyes, a tray filled with burgers and fries, much more than I usually was given, lay beside me on the floor, Edward nowhere in sight to stop me from gobbling over them.

I very easily pushed that last unimportant thought out of my mind, pouncing over this unexpected heaven, relishing in its taste and comfort as I began to munch over the fries, taking big bites of the burger in between, moaning aloud with every bite taken.

It was so good!

I had missed this so much!

I could not stop myself from licking my fingers, mayonnaise stuck to my lips as I attempted to push the burger in- in one go, unable to control myself. Needless to mention, I licked that leftover mayonnaise, too.

Now, I may be eating like a pig. But I was eating after days. And hence it was acceptable!

'Having fun?' Edward questioned, appearing in front of me.

I frowned, pushing the half-eaten burger behind my back. I wasn't about to let him take it away from me.

It was mine!

'Relax.' He rolled his eyes in amusement. 'Were I to have any intention of taking it away from you, I wouldn't have got it for you in the first place, would I have?'

I shrugged in response. He did have sadistic tendencies, so who knew?

He let out a sigh, his eyes wide. 'My fault to question that. Anyhow, all of this is yours. Eat all you want,' He did not have to say that twice! 'But this does not mean your punishment is over.' I looked up, scared and worried. 'I have just lifted it by a little. If you ever try anything like that again…'

I shook my head, his words trailing off in thin air.

I had suffered enough.

I could not dare to trick him again.

If I wanted to live to see another day, that is.

'Good.' Edward sat on the chair facing me, his chin held up high. 'You are a quick learner.'

I ignored him, going back to the sweet relief offered to me.

He sat there in silence, the only sounds to pass through the room, being of me as I chewed my food.

'I don't understand you.' I finally muttered, a worrisome thought invading my mind.

'Excuse me?' he demanded to know.

'I mean,' I instantly clarified. 'You are at times very hot, the next moment so cold. It confuses me.'

I just couldn't get his mood right. At times, he was burning hot like that coal lit on fire. And on other days, the ice in the freezer would be hotter than him. He singlehandedly was enough to give me a whiplash!

He let out a booming laugh, shaking his head to himself.

And again, we start with the mood swings!

'You, princess, you keep me entertained.' He snorted the words out, a frown covering my face in obvious embarrassment. 'I can't control myself in your presence. You bring out the best and worst in me.'

'Glad to know that.' I sarcastically mumbled, looking away from him.

Did he just dump the entire bucket of blame on my shoulders?

For his actions, let me repeat?

How fucking dare he?

He was responsible for his own actions.

I definitely wasn't.

Edward hummed in response, lighting his cigarette as he left the room, leaving me there alone with my thoughts. I quickly finished the burger and the fries, gulping down half a bottle of water, never more relieved to hear a burp leave my lips.

It had been a good meal.

And now my stomach was finally full.

No longer growling for attention!

I let out a smile, my eyes looking around the room, taking in every small inch of whatever was visible, finally stopping when something shiny came in sight.

I frowned to myself, crawling towards the shine, curious to know what it was.

Had Edward dropped something while leaving the room?

Should I even touch it?

What if he punished me for touching it?

Heck. He had dropped it. It was his fault.

He should have been more careful, were it something private!

Throwing caution to wind, I picked up the shiny object, a silver pendant necklace, admiring it in my fingertips.

It was heart shaped, an ocean blue crystal in the centre, touching the edges of the outer heart. I touched the crystal; it was so smooth to touch! The chain was thick and long, years of durability resting under its belt.

I fiddled with the pendent. It looked so delicate.

How had Edward got his hands on it?

Had he stolen it?

No.

He did not look to be a thief…

Then again, he had kidnapped a girl.

Should I question him about it?

The pendent was obviously expensive.

Or should I just ignore it, pretending as if I had never found it in the first place?

Yeah…the latter would be the safer option…

I would push it back to some corner in the room, going back to my currently safe existence…

Wait.

What's that?

I frowned to myself in confusion, holding the heart tight in my hands. It had a rather small buckle attached, hidden from plain sight.

No.

I should not be doing this.

If Edward found out….

Against better judgement, I pushed open the buckle….my biological mother's photo staring back at me from the centre of the heart.