There mysterious girl

Chapter 5

Awareness came back in increments. First voices, and then the bright, sterile lights of the hospital. She was in the hospital? The room swam in and out of focus, and the too bright light hurt her eyes. Bella couldn't think of how she had injured herself this time. Was there an accident, or had Jasper taken a snap at her again?

Cool fingers probed her wrist, taking her pulse, perhaps.

"Bella?"

Carlisle sounded far away, as though she was listening to him underwater.

"Bella, can you hear me? Do you remember what happened?"

Everything hurt. Her head felt hideous. Had Edward lost control of himself at last? He had been so volatile, so out of control, since they had returned from Italy, that it wouldn't surprise her.

"Do you know where you are?" Carlisle tried again.

Bella's stomach lurched unexpectedly then, and Carlisle had only enough time to thrust something beneath her to catch the sick. She was trembling when he pulled the waste basket away. It was only then that she realized she was in the Cullen home, not the hospital like she had first suspected. Carlisle's office had been transformed into an examination room. When had they done this, she wondered.

"Water," she rasped.

Her throat felt like sandpaper. Carlisle produced a cup with a lid and straw, which Bella took a grateful sip of.

"Slowly," he cautioned. "You have a head injury, which may make you sick again. How are you feeling?"

"Like I was hit by a truck," she said in a gravelly voice. "What happened? How did I hit my head?"

"Don't you remember Victoria and Riley?" he asked gently.

It was as though ice water had been injected into her veins. Everything came back in a great rush. Victoria tracking them down, Riley almost beheading Edward, and Bella's last-ditch attempt to draw their attention away long enough for Edward to gain the upper hand.

"Is everyone okay?" she croaked. "The pack-"

"Everyone survived," he assured her. "The pack is fine. Jacob was injured, but healing. Victoria is dead."

Bella nodded, her body sagging in relief. No one had died- except Victoria, of course. The Cullen's and the pack were all safe. Charlie had been blessedly out of town, testifying in Seattle for a case he'd assisted in. Edward- the thought of his name brought her up short, fear flooding her. Edward had been behaving horribly- worse than that! He had threatened her and refused to honor his promise to Aro. He was putting his entire family in jeopardy!

She looked wildly around the room, almost expecting him to be lingering in a dark corner of the room. When she didn't find him, she met Carlisle's concerned expression.

"Where's Edward," she whispered. She knew if he was nearby that lowering her voice would have no effect, but rational thought was being replaced by panic. The last time they had spoken he had threatened, no- promised that he would abduct her (more or less) and keep her from not only becoming a vampire, but also from seeing her father for the rest of her natural life.

He cast a furtive glance over his shoulder, his mouth pressed into a thin line. For a moment Bella was afraid he was right outside the door, listening to their conversation, possibly even making arrangements as they spoke to make good on his threats.

"He's cleaning up the battlefield with the others," Carlisle said stiltedly, still looking distinctly uncomfortable.

Thank God!

"Carlisle, you have to help me," she said in a rush. "Edward isn't well. He's been threatening me. He won't change me, Carlisle- he promised the Volturi! He said-"