New Neighbors

Charlie stood by his car as he watched Anna Belle enter the lot along with everyone else. Once Anna Belle parked, Charlie started forward. Bella started towards Charlie when Edward grabbed her arm. “Don't. Something is up, just let it play out.” His voice a whisper she can hear. She groaned as she complied, watching Anna Belle get out of the car, looking around. “She looks so different. Devoid of everything that makes her who she is.”

“It's the venom. It suppresses individuality basically. It makes the person mold-able by the one who bit them. Easily controlled by most anyone who has a dominate nature about them.” Jasper stated, as he watched Charlie approach Anna Belle cautiously. “It's like he's moving around a hurt and scared animal. Very clever.”

“That's what he's seeing right now. A scared, hurt girl that he doesn't want to cause any more harm to by moving too quickly with her.” Edward said, as they continued to watch Charlie.

Charlie walked around the car to stand in front of Anna Belle. “Anna Belle, it's good to see that you came today. I do need to ask you to please come with me, though.” He offered his hand to Anna Belle, who looked down at it then back up at him.

“Why?” Her voice still devoid of any musical qualities.

“Please, just come with me.” Charlie's voice became more forceful, a voice he often used when dealing with a criminal, when he needed to. Anna Belle looked again at his hand and then up to Charlie before taking it. Charlie smiled. He took his hand from hers, shocked at the cold touch she had, before taking her shoulder to pull her along with him into the school. The student body was shocked at what they were seeing. The Cullens and Bella raced to keep up with them.

Charlie lead Anna Belle through the empty hallways to the nurses office where Carlisle and Esme were waiting, talking to the nurse. Carlisle turned to Charlie with a smile--as did Esme-- but the worried looks on their faces were clear, once they looked at Anna Belle. “Ah, Charlie. We were just talking about you.” Carlisle voice sounded friendly and normal.

“Anna Belle, this is Dr. Carlisle Cullen and his wife Esme Cullen. This is Anna Belle Collins. Now, I called the doctor here because I am worried and want him to take a look at you. Is that okay? He will be gentle, I promise.” Charlie looked down at Anna Belle who now looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car.

Esme reacted first, walking forward holding out her hand to the girl. “It's all right, I promise. It will all be all right.” She smiled at the girl encouragingly. Charlie watched as Anna Belle looked at everyone around them.

The others stopped just outside the door. Jasper feeling Anna Belle's fear instantly--without a word to him--calmed her down, knowing they needed her to co-operate.

Anna Belle slowly held her hand out to Esme, who took it happily in her strong hold. Charlie let go of Anna Belle who was pulled towards Esme. She held her the same way he had--just held her--as she lead her into the room used for students to rest. “I need good documentation, Carlisle, if this is to work.”

“I know the procedure, Charlie. I will do a full work-up on her. I have everything already set up, waiting for me in the room. Esme is trained as a nurse so she will be assisting me. Now, I need to get to my patient.” Carlisle smiled at Charlie before he turned to follow Esme and Anna Belle into the room.

Charlie sat down in a chair, intending on waiting, when Bella and the others walked in. He looked up shocked. “What are you kids doing here?”

“What is going on, Dad? Why is Dr. Cullen here?” Bella asked her voice full of worry.

Charlie looked up at the nurse who walked out of the office, closing the door behind her. “When I went to Anna Belle's house and saw how she was, I became worried. So once I got back to the office, I called Dr. Cullen and spoke with him about it. I fear her brother is abusing her, and I needed some proof. We came up with this plan to have Anna Belle come to school and he would be here to examine her. If there is proof, then I have the legal right to remove her from her brother's custody.”

“What will happen if that happens?” Bella demanded, needing to know.

“Well, she will be put into state custody, normally, but Dr. Cullen had an idea. Himself and Esme want to take her in. I don't know if it will be such a good idea. No offense kids, but they already have all of you. Another teenager in the house? I would think that would be a ticking time bomb.” Charlie looked towards the door just in time as Alice has a vision.

***********************

Once Carlisle, Esme, and Anna Belle were in the room, Esme sat Anna Belle down on the bed. She sat down with her, to keep her arms around her. Carlisle pulled up a stool to sit in front of her. He smiled at her as he reached a hand towards hers, taking it in a firm but gentle grip. “Anna Belle, we won't hurt you, all right? We want to help you. Now, I think you know that we are the same. You don't have to worry or hide anything from us.” His voice was soft and gentle as he spoke. “Chief Swan called me, because he was worried about you. My family and I have been worried about you. From what I hear from the others, you are being mistreated by your current family.”

Anna Belle looked up at Carlisle, her face unchanged. She didn't know what to say she remained quiet.

Carlisle sighed softly. “Normally, there are a lot of tests done. I am prepared for anything here, but I have to do a physical exam of you. Anna Belle, I need you to co-operate with me, all right. I'm going to give you a gown to change into. I'm going to stay here and so is my wife, Esme. I will turn around so you can have some privacy.” He stood up an went to the pile of stuff they had on the side table. Some items they wouldn't need, but he had them just in case. He turned, handing Anna Belle the gown, and turned back around.

“Here, let me help you with this.” Esme smiled, as she helped stand her up and started to undress. She helped the girl take off her shirt, and couldn't keep the gasp from escaping her mouth. Carlisle twirled around, shocked as well by what he saw. The bite marks, there were so many of them. It wasn't a pretty site with how many there were, up and down her arms. Esme turned to Carlisle and they knew instantly, this child wasn't going back home to where she came from. Carlisle turned around trying to keep his emotions under control as Esme helped the girl out of the rest of her outfit.

Soon enough the exam started. It included a pelvic exam. Carlisle sighed with relief when he finished. The girl had been through what Jasper spoke of. The numerous bite marks on her arms proved that. But at least he could mark sexual abuse off the possible list of abuse charges. He knew then what he was going to put down and started to write in her chart while she got dressed again. Esme then cradled the girl to her, wanting so much to take away the years this child spent in hell with that man.

Carlisle soon stopped writing. “It's done. This should work.” He dug around in his bag for a few things pulling them out and putting them on the counter. “Esme, take Anna Belle outside and let Charlie in.” Esme nodded as she helped Anna Belle to stand up and took her outside.

A few moments later, Charlie walked in, closing the door behind him. “Well? Was I right?”

Carlisle nodded. “Yes, you were right, The girl has been abused, physically. Her arms are covered in bruises and scars, which is why she wears long sleeve shirts. I believe the emotional change, is drug induced. I drew some blood to have the lab test, just to be sure. There is one bright side though. She hasn't been abused sexually.” He listed everything he had just put in the report.

“That is one small bit of good news. I knew something wasn't right when she suddenly didn't go to school, after just starting. I just can't see her skipping school like that. She seems to sweet and good to do that.” Charlie explained.

“I can see how you came to that conclusion. She is a sweet girl, I think. Esme and I will take her home right now, maybe even take a couple of the kids with us. She needs rest for a few days and to be in a safe place as well. How long do you think things will take, until we can proceed with anything legal?” Carlisle asked, watching Charlie closely.

“I will take the evidence and confront Mr. Collins today. I hope we can push this through quickly, since your such an upstanding citizen, and are already parents of other adopted children. Let's face it, they seem like they're far older and mature than their ages.” Charlie laughed as Carlisle handed him the report. “Thank you for doing this, Carlisle”

“It's no problem. Any time. I am just glad I could help.” Carlisle packed all of his stuff away.

***********************

The Cullens moved so that Alice was hidden, but she shared the vision with Edward happily. Finally, Anna Belle's future was clear to her. She was almost bouncing off the walls when she turned to everyone. “We are going to have another sister!” She included Bella in on this news, since they saw her as part of the family. Calm happiness filled the group. Even Rosalie smiled at the idea.

When the door opened, and Esme came out with Anna Belle. She told Charlie that Carlisle wanted to talk to him, he nodded going into the room with out another word. The moment the door closed, Alice started to bounce towards Anna Belle. That is, until Esme held up a hand. “Stop right there, Alice. We can't be doing things to quickly now. You have to remember that she has been through a lot, we have to go slowly.” She cautioned, causing Alice to take a step back. She sighed softly. They needed to talk to everyone about this, but right now they needed to get the girl home, where they could better assess her. “Carlisle and I are going to take her home with us. Two of you can come along. Jasper, I would like you to come with us--just to help out--if your up to it.”

“Of course, Esme. I will help with whatever I can.” Jasper was definitely for helping. Especially since he can be a lot of help keeping her calm and with his knowledge about this type of thing.

“Good. Carlisle will probably pick who else will come. For now, I am going to take Anna Belle out to the car. Anna Belle, honey give Edward the keys to your car. One of them will drive it to the house.” Esme softly said ,watching as Anna Belle complied. She handed over the keys to her car before she and Esme left the waiting room, headed for the car.

The group watched Esme leave, then erupted at once. “I think it should be you, Emmett, who goes.” Edward suggested.

“If he goes, then I go too. Even though I think I should go anyway.” Rosalie jumped in, shocking everyone.

No one had the chance to act on that before the door opened and Charlie and Carlisle walked out of the room. “I will get the process started right away, Carlisle”

“Very good, Charlie. I will keep in touch with you about everything.” Carlisle smiled. Charlie said a quick good-bye to Bella--telling her would be home late tonight--before leaving. “I am guessing you all know already what's going on. Alice looks like she is about to take off, she's bouncing so much.” Carlisle laughed at Alice, who was overly excited. “Now, I know Esme wants to take Jasper back home with us, since Anna Belle will be with us for the next few days. That means no school for the rest of the week and maybe next week as well.”

“Actually, Edward had a good idea that I go too.” Emmett spoke up. “I think it would be good since, well there could be some back lash from this.”

“I agree. Which also means we will be watching Bella now, more than ever. He may go after you since you're Charlie's daughter. He may get the idea of revenge in his mind.” Carlisle looked at Bella.

“I could always see if I can stay with you for a while.” Bella suggested.

Edward was the first to protest the idea. “NO, it's too dangerous. Anna Belle probably isn't stable right now. We can't risk your life. we will just have watch you more. Until we know Anna Belle is safe enough for you to be around.”

“I agree with Edward. That would be best. That means less time at our house for a while, Bella.” Carlisle stated, holding a hand up when she went to protest. “Bella, she was bitten the night before she suddenly wasn't in school. Which means she was pumped full of new venom. We aren't sure what it will do to her. Please, just listen to us. We want to keep you safe.” His voice sounding father-like.

Bella sighed softly. “Okay, you're right. It would be better, especially for her.” Bella agreed.

“I want to go with Carlisle,” Rosalie piped up. Carlisle simply agreed, they needed to get Anna Belle home.

Edwards face became shocked. “Carlisle, Esme needs help. It's Anna Belle.” In a flash, they were out of the nurses office and outside, heading to the Mercedes. What they found was shocking.

Anna Belle was doubled over, throwing up a large amount of venom and blood. She was starting to get clammy and sweating. Esme looked up at Carlisle, a lost look in her eyes. “She just said she didn't feel good and then doubled over like this.” She told him, worried, knowing that the venom coming up was probably doing a large amount of damage. Esme turned back to look at Anna Belle, just as she stopped puking. She gave a soft cry when the girl started falling forward, passing out. She grabbed her before she fell. Emmett was there in a moment, picking her up like she was nothing at all to carry.

“We had better get going. Rosalie, Jasper, get into the car. Emmett, you too. Into the back seat, all of you. Anna Belle needs lay over your laps. She will fit, she's small enough.” Carlisle ordered. Jasper and Rosalie didn't waste a moment getting into the car, Emmett following behind them. Rosalie grabbed at Anna Belle, pulling her across their laps. Laying her head in her lap, she started to stroke the girls head, like a mother would with her sick child. Once the car doors were closed, Carlisle looked at the others. “You all get to class now. Everything will be all right. I promise.” Carlisle said as he and Esme got in and took off, heading towards home, leaving Edward, Bella, and Alice standing alone in the lot.



A/N
***EDITED****
Now wasn't this good enough to wait for hehe. I could have made the last chapter huge and had this all together but I felt this needed its own chapter. Now don't you all go thinking oh well thats it happy ending is around the corner. No way not at all. Till my next chapter.........