WARNING: GRAPHIC MENTIONS OF SELF HARM, SUICIDAL THOUGHTS, MENTAL ILLNESS, SUICIDE ATTEMPTS, VIOLENCE, GORE, SEXUAL SITUATIONS, GRAPHIC LANGUAGE, UNDERAGE SEXUAL SITUATIONS, ABUSE, STALKING, AND TRIGGERING IMAGERY. IF YOU ARE TRIGGERED BY THIS OR DO NOT ENJOY IT, DO NOT READ.

Chapter Twenty.

Third person POV:

Riley hadn't eaten or slept in days. His body was dirty, and his stomach ached, but still, he ran. He had to get to Forks, to Charles and Isabella Swan. His father and sister.

A large gash that covered his side had finally stopped bleeding days ago, but he still felt woozy and dizzy.

In the blink of an eye, his whole life had changed. And the love his life had tried to kill him. Make him like her. A monster.

He awoke with a start hours later, head aching and side burning. When he touched it he sucked in a breath at the wet feeling. Bringing it up to the light, Riley saw that it was red.

How long had he been out? How long had he been bleeding?

Victoria's low voice filtered through the air.

"You attacked him? What the hell, Victoria! He was the key move in all of this!" Heidi thundered, Victoria's sister, thundered through the phone.

"I panicked! He found out the truth before I could tell him."

"Tell him what?"

"About his sister Bella and how he needs to help me kill her for what her boyfriend did to my James!" Her voice broke and Heidi sighed at her as if this was a normal occurrence.

"No excuses. You fucking fix this before I fix you."

Victoria snapped her phone in half before starting back for the closet. Riley panicked.

Grabbing the first thing he could grab, Riley shot up and ran full force out of the closet and hit Victoria with it. Or more like cut her head off.

Why the hell did his mom have a katana?

Shaking his head, body trembling, he didn't waste any more time before running from the house and towards Forks, WA. His mother's hometown.

To Charles Swan.

As he disappeared into the woods, Victoria's head slowly moved towards her neck.

But she had cried to him at night when they were alone whispering to each other and had quivered when she came all over him when they made love. Riley's heart ached worse than anything. He felt heartbroken and like falling apart. But not until he made it to safety.

The Forks welcome sign was just in his sights when she appeared in front of him.

Victoria grinned wickedly, skin shimmering and red eyes glinting like poinsettias. Both were poison but drew him in like moths to a flame.

She had recently fed and looked like a murder scene. But even with blood dripping down her lips, he wanted to fall into her embrace and kiss her hard on the mouth.

But Riley's self-preservation kept him in place, fists clenched and breath haggard.

Her tinkling laugh shot knives through his heart but instead of crying he locked his jaw and glared. That only made her laugh harder.

"Oh, this is too good! Look at you, trying to look threatening! You know I've seen you in your Fairly Odd Parent's boxers, right?" His cheeks flushed pink in surprise.

"Hey, those are awesome, and you know it!"

"Cute, as always. Now, are you going to come back to me?"

"Why would I do that?"

"Riley, baby, I need you..."

In exasperation, he snapped, "You don't need me at all."

She was kissing his neck in a way that had him growing rock hard in his jeans. As she smeared the blood all over his skin he couldn't help but enjoy it.

"Of course, I do. Why wouldn't I?"

"I'll never be James, Victoria. You just want your revenge, right? On my baby sister." She froze but he continued. "But I'll never be that for you. So just kill me."

For a moment he thought she would reconsider and kiss him and go back to normal. They could pretend again, right? At least for a little while. The brown contacts were convincing enough and the sunscreen she wore covered the sparkling. They could be happy again, finally-

But her gaze turned devilish, and she smirked before replying, "Okay."

"W-what?"

"I said 'Okay'. Didn't your mortal ears hear me? I thought I was talking loud enough."

"But I thought you loved me- I thought you would-"

"I would what, change my mind? Have happily ever after with you?" When he just stared at her she chuckled. "Oh, baby. You're so stupid."

"No, I'm not."

"You fell right into my trap, it was only luck that you found your birth certificate."

"Tori, please, let's talk about this."

"There's nothing to talk about, Riley."

"I love you," He was crying now. Riley couldn't understand how she flipped a switch like that. His ached with the whiplash.

"But I don't love you," Victoria grabbed his throat tightly and squeezed, a wide grin enveloping his face. He struggled, grabbing at her hand. "Poor, Riley. So unwanted. Your mother will probably be happy to not have to pay for your tuition anymore."

"S-stop," He rasped out. She knew about his guilt for not being able to pay for his school. How his stepfather always made him feel like a fucking burden. All the time.

"No one will care when you're gone. Not your parents, not your siblings, and not me," She cackled and black spots started to fill his vision. "You were just a pawn in my game. Easy to trap. You were so needy and easy. Like a common whore." Just as he was starting to pass out, she let go, dropping him to the forest floor. He gasped and coughed, his head pounding.

She was on top of him faster than lightning, mouth hovering over his throat.

He felt sick and wished she would just get it over with. But she just sat there.

"You're nothing. You'll rot here, and no one will find you. You'll be forgotten," She kissed his throat and he gasped. "You're nothing."

He felt her teeth on his throat and closed his eyes, ready to die.

Finally.

How many times had he actually dreamed of dying? So many times and then things got better for him. He went off to college and was free. And then he found her and she was beautiful and spicy.

And now it would all disappear. Like morning dew when the sun came out.

But then she was ripped off of him and loud snarls erupted all around him. The world came back full force and he trembled. A large man hunched over him.

"Are you okay?" Sam Uley's dark eyes peered down worriedly at the injured human. Why had he been talking to the redhead so calmly? Was he like Bella Swan? Had she dazzled him too?

"Take me to Charles and Bella Swan. Take me to them, please!"

Sam's eyes widened to the size of bowling balls before he croaked out, "You know Charlie and Bella?"

"Please, take me to them! I need to warn them!" He scrambled to grab at Sam's leg. Sam jumped in surprise, his body tensed in alarm. When Riley's arms were wrapped tightly around the warm appendage he felt exhaustion enter his bones. As his vision started to go fuzzy, he screeched, "PLEASE!"

"Okay, okay! We'll take you to them."

With his mission complete, Riley passed out. Sam scooped the college student into his arms before nodding to Paul and Jared, who were seething from losing the redhead again.

As they entered La Push, Victoria stalked another prey.

Bree fell asleep in a cardboard box, shivering as rain poured down.

"I have great news," She exclaimed into the phone to Heidi, who clucked her tongue and sipped from her wine glass, the blood falling down her throat like a comforting friend.

"You found the boy?"

"No, much better…"

Bella's POV:

When I woke up that morning in Embry's arms, everything seemed perfectly normal. We had breakfast at the diner and then did some grocery shopping. But when we returned and put the groceries away, Rachel barged into the house with crazed eyes.

"Bella, you need to come to La Push, now."

"What's going on? Are you okay?"

"Something insane just happened."

"What insane thing happened?" Bella asked but Embry shushed her.

"Let's go before Rachel explodes, okay? She can explain on the way." Embry turned to her and asked, "Did you run here or drive?"

"I drove. I knew Bella would most likely get nauseous riding on your back."

"Good thinking, alpha."

When they slipped into the back of her car, Bella raises a brow at him. "Alpha?"

"Rachel's taken the mantle. After accepting the imprint, she took charge almost instantly."

"I bet Sam feels relieved."

"You have no idea."

The ride to La Push felt long and unsettling. My stomach became nauseous due to my nerves and only when Embry started singing softly in my ear did I start to snap out of it.

"…Baby, way before then, and we're still together. And I meant every word I said. When I said that I loved you I meant that I loved you forever..." I let his voice lull me into a sense of calm for the rest of the ride, clasping our hands together to feel his warmth.

The air felt tense as I stepped into the Lahote home. Embry put a small hand on my back as he led me through the doorway and then wrapped an arm around my waist.

A man lay curled in a ball on the couch, looking pale and sick. From the smell of him, I could tell he hadn't showered in days. When I stepped closer to him his eyes snapped open and I was hit with the sight of his eyes.

Just like Charlie's. Just like mine.

"B-Bella Swan?"

"Yes," I whispered meekly back.

What the heck was going on?

The man shot out and grabbed my arm with a tight grip before tears started to roll down his cheeks.

"I'm your half-brother."

"That can't be possible…" I tried to pull away, but he gripped harder. Embry started to step forward, but I shook my head at him.

He isn't going to hurt me, I thought, he's just scared.

"I found my birth certificate… It said Charles Swan. H-he's your father, right?" I nodded. "My mother hid it from me. Had to deal with a shitty step-dad. And then I found her."

"Her?"

"Victoria. She said she was a student at the college I went to. We dated for a bit until I found my birth certificate. And then she-she- fuck, I'm sorry," He sobbed as he let my arm go before wrapping his arms around himself. It was a stark reminder of how I was with Edward. Sitting on the edge of the couch I started to rub his back.

"Did she hurt you?"

"Yes."

"Sue came over and stitched him up. But that redhead bitch said a lot of bullshit." Jared exclaimed harshly, eyes hard and teeth clenched.

"What did she say?"

"Th-that I was nothing b-but a whore," He cried again, and my eyes filled with tears. "That no one would care if I was gone."

"I would," The words came out of nowhere, but I knew I meant them. He was my brother. And I would be by his side through this traumatizing time.

"You would?"

"Yes, you are my brother."

"I'm so glad I've found you," The boy wrapped his arms around my waist and cried heavily into my shirt. Tears filled my own, but I quickly wiped them away. "So glad, so glad, so glad."

"I don't mean to interrupt, but we need to know who you are," Sam said carefully, and everyone hummed in agreement.

I moved the hair out of Riley's eyes before asking, "What is your name?"

"Riley Biers. I-I'm a sophomore in college. I share an apartment with a few of my friends in Seattle," Riley's face suddenly looked fearful. "Oh shit, they're probably wondering where I am. And my mom! Oh shit, she probably saw the blood and called the cops."

"You should call her and let her know you're okay."

"But how do I explain…"

"Distract her. Ask her about Charlie." Paul exclaimed, "Speaking of Charlie, we should probably get him over here."

"Already ahead of you, baby," Rachel said with authority. "Dad's already contacted him and he's on his way."

"Oh no, oh no, oh no," Riley cried again before burying his face back into my stomach.

"What's wrong?"

"He's going to be so disappointed. I'm crying all over my little sister like a bitch. I'm barely a man," My jaw tightened, and I pulled Riley away from me before putting my hands on either side of his face.

"He is going to be so proud of you for coming here. You've survived a bloodthirsty vampire, okay? You survived. You're allowed to cry and be upset, Riley. You deserve it."

"But boys shouldn't cry…"

"Everyone should cry. It's natural. Why would we be able to cry if we weren't supposed to?" Slowly he pulled away and cuddled back into my stomach.

"Thank you, Bella," He whispered. Even though it was muffled I could hear it. I rubbed his back slowly, humming off-key.

"Baby, Paul and I are going to head to the grocery store. I assume we'll be here for a while and Paul's got jack shit. Do you want anything specific?" Embry asked curiously.

"Riley, do you have any food allergies?" Riley shook his head. "No, I don't want anything specific."

"Okay, we'll be back." Embry leans down and kisses me softly on the mouth before pulling away. "I love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart," He beamed before turned and following Paul out of the house. Rachel, Sam, and Jared sat posted at the kitchen table, talking quietly. Riley's crying had turned to sniffles.

My heart ached for him. He's been on the run for days. No food, no water, no bathing. Just utter fear of the inevitable.

I shivered as James assault filled my head. I had been there before. And what he needed was as much normality as possible.

"Bubby, why don't we get you into the shower? I'm sure one of the guys will help you," Riley raised his head to stare up at me with wide eyes.

"I don't want to leave you."

"I'll be in the kitchen, okay? All you have to do is call for me and I'll be there."

"I-I don't know…"

"You've been running for days, honey. Just trust your little sister, okay?"

"A-alright. I'll do it for you," Slowly, he unwrapped his arms from my waist and sat up. I gave him a bright smile.

"Can one of you boys help him shower? I don't trust him on his feet that long."

"I'll volunteer," Jared answered with a small smile. "Come on, cutie. Let's get you cleaned up," He teased Riley before pulling him into Paul's bathroom.

"He can borrow some of Pauly's clothes," Rachel exclaimed with a wave of her hand.

"You sure he won't mind?"

"Not if he wants to have a problem with me." She said with a smirk and I laughed.

"Thank you for coming to get me, Rach."

"Anything for you, Belly. Do you any help cooking?"

"No, I've got it. Just sit and do your alpha thing."

Cooking helped distract me from the worthlessness I was feeling. An older damaged brother now depended on me. How was I of all people supposed to help him? A usual day was like a rollercoaster of emotions; one moment I was laughing and having a good time but the next I felt the urge to cut, cut, cut.

I would probably always have that urge, but at least I had family and friends to lean back on. And Riley deserved that too.

As I grilled chicken I felt more anxiety fill my belly. Charlie would learn the secret. I knew him, he would be angry. And I'd deserve it.

Would he cast me out for being a liar? I had given him so much grief already. The self-harm, the suicide attempts, the therapy bills. Embry moving in. This would just be the cherry on top of this messed up life I led.

When the meal of mashed potatoes, chicken, and asparagus, Paul was surprisingly addicted to vegetables, was finished I served everyone before excusing myself to Paul's now empty bathroom. Riley sat beside Jared at the table, sipping from a glass of water and looking much cleaner and more relaxed. Knowing he was okay let me take a time to be by myself.

"What have you gotten yourself into, Bella?" I felt a headache coming on as I rubbed my temples gingerly. "If you had stayed with mom and Phil this wouldn't have happened. Everyone would be fine and dandy without you. James would be alive, and Victoria wouldn't be hurting everyone you love. You horrible, horrible person."

"Don't take about yourself like that," I jumped as Embry knelt in front of me, taking my tiny hands in his. He had a look of anger and determination on his face, similar to when he had found me on the cliff that day.

"I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to apologize for, Bella. I know you're emotionally drained right now. We all are. But you can't put yourself down like that."

"It's true, though." He kissed my forehead but didn't answer. "Isn't it?"

"Baby-"

"Isn't it!" I slapped his hands away and covered my face with my hands before screaming. "Because of me, everyone is in danger. Everyone could die. What the fuck!"

"How is this any of your fault! All you did was fall for a boy. That's it! You didn't cause us to phase, you didn't ask to stalked and beaten by some psycho, and you for sure didn't ask for any of this bullshit," I started to cry, gasping for breath that I couldn't seem to get. "Bella, if you hadn't taken me out of that house I don't know where I'd be. You've changed my life for the better. For better or for worse, you've been there for me. Do you want to take that back? Do you wish I was still living with her?" Embry looked at me with a broken expression, tears leaking out of the corners of his eyes.

"No! Never," I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him close to me, rubbing the back of his head. He cried into my shoulder and I felt disgusted with my behavior. "Never, baby. Never."

We stayed that way for a while until our tears dried up. When he pulled away he looked a bit embarrassed, smiling nervously.

"I'm sorry, I don't know why I'm crying."

He wiped his eyes. I kissed his nose and then his lips.

"It's okay. I'm sorry I hurt you."

Embry cupped my cheeks kissed my nose and then my lips.

"I understand why you feel like this is your fault. I get it. But please, don't ever think that you not being here is better."

"I won't anymore," He hugged me again before pulling away and standing up.

"Come on, I think Charlie's here." When he saw my hesitance, he asked, "You don't have to go out there. We can stay in here, okay? Whatever you want."

"I need to be out there."

"Okay," He kissed my lips again. "Let's go."

Third person POV:

Victoria wore a brown turtleneck sweater and a beige pencil skirt, curly, unruly hair pulled into a bun atop her head.

Bree glanced up at her with wide, frightened eyes.

"I'm not going to hurt you, sweetheart," Victoria internally sighed as Bree continued to back away. "I'm a school teacher."

"A-a teacher?"

"Yes. I can help you," Victoria pulled out a wrapped sandwich from the gas station. "Are you hungry?" Bree nodded eagerly but held herself back.

Trap, this is a trap, a voice whispered in her head.

"Come home with me. I'll feed you and keep you safe."

"Safe?"

"Yes, safe."

Seconds later Bree ripped the sandwich from Victoria's hands before unwrapping it and shoving it in her mouth.

Victoria grinned wildly. Her plan was coming together. Just a little longer and Bella Swan would be ashes. Nothing would stop her now. She was sure of it!

Charlie's POV:

Vampires, werewolves. What was next, leprechauns? But it was all real.

Damn, and there were so many signs! The legends, the Uley boy going missing, Jacob's fever-like temperature at all times.

Sipping from my can of beer, I felt my tense body start to relax. Riley, my son, sat beside me looking as tense as I was. My son, can you believe that? I half-expected an 'It's A Boy!' banner to spring up.

My life was turning into a damn television sitcom.

Breaking the awkward silence, I asked Riley, "So, what do you play?"

"Football."

"What's your position?"

"Quarterback."

"That's my boy!" I patted his knee and gave him a smile, which he returned.

This wouldn't be so bad, I thought. Vampires and werewolves, piece of cake. We could take the redhead leech everyone's been talking about.

I looked around at the people in the room: Billy chatting idly with his son, Rachel and Bella cackling about some joke, Embry looking at my daughter like she lit the sun with her smile.

Yeah, we'd be okay. Good prevails over evil and all that jazz. With the love in this room, I know we wouldn't lose. It was science, plain and simple.