Unforgivable Lacerations

Chapter Forty-Three

The video is the real Shalda Creek in Michigan. I would watch it if I was you. It is hardly a minute long. 

*_*_*_*_*

"Would you like to go outside?" Edward asked after I had finished my third day of walking practice. It was harder than I thought, to just get up and walk. Instead, I had to do physio with Carlisle which involved walking across the room with Edward's arms beside me for support, then I would walk on the tips of my toes, and so forth.

Mortifying. 

"Sure, what do you have in mind?" I asked, ignoring the headache I felt creeping forward. It felt like acid in my temples, seeping into my brain as if it was a sponge. The pain increased with each heartbeat.

Edward's eyes tightened as he looked at me, ignoring my answering question. "You're in pain," he stated, knowing me like the back of his hand, "Bella, what is it?" His hand cupped my cheek as his eyes searched me over.

"Just my head," I answered like the pain wasn't too much. Edward silently nodded and stood up, as soon as his arms unwrapped me, I felt a loss, cold. Was it possible to become addicted to Edward? Or was it just the fear of losing him?

Edward passed me three yellow pills from one of the containers on the countertop. I swallowed them greedily, not bothering to wait for water, but after I met Edward's gaze, my movements froze. His eyes displayed it all, sadness and worry. 

I cocked an eyebrow up. "Edward?"

"You need to tell me these things, Bella, to make them go away," he said with a sad smile. Before answering, I made sure my answer wouldn't hurt him. My pain was his pain. 

"I know, but I have gotten used to covering what I feel and ignore it as much as possible. It'll take time getting used to not being hit when I say I'm in pain." I failed at not hurting Edward as when I said 'hit' he breathed in heavily. Not saying a word, Edward slid back under the covers and next to me, protecting me with his arms.

"I just hate seeing you in pain, love." He kissed the top of my head.

"Now, tell me, where are you thinking of taking me today?" I said, getting back on topic. My headache was decreasing slowly as if the acid was being soaked back up and placed in a jar.

"You'll see." I felt Edward smile on the top of my head. "Just dress in something warm."

*_*_*_*_*

"You're still not telling me where you're taking me?" I asked as Edward strode in my room after Alice had changed me into thick layers and large boots.

"No, and it'll be that answer until we get there," the smirking tease chuckled.

"But, I hate surprises," I aspirated, grumbling which sounded too like my father.

"What is it exactly you don't like?" Edward asked, cocking his head to the side as he came to stand in front of me. It was an easy question to answer.

"The unknown," I replied, it had always been a fear of mine since a girl, but the fear had increased since my eighteenth birthday. I didn't know that the whole of my eighteenth year would be a survival test. A test of humanity to see how much heartbreak I could take before I lost it.

And I did...lose it.

"You'll love this surprise, love." Edward's voice quietened, into a mere mumble as he searched my eyes.

"Come on then." I laced my fingers between his and squeezed.

Featuring his face with my favorite crooked smile, that embarrassingly made my heart beat faster- much to Edward's enjoyment- he asked me to climb on his back. I instantly caught my bottom lip between my teeth, struggling to tell Edward I couldn't. It was easy with Esme as she understood, but Edward, I didn't want to ruin this day already.