Don't Fight It

Chapter 16

A/N: Thanks for your patience while I got this chapter out. I actually went and got the flu shot this year and what happened? I got the freaking flu. Happens every time I get the flu shot. Sigh. I'm going to apologize for the shortness of this chapter in advance. The flu has kicked my butt.

….

The beginning of the year had started off decently enough. Esme and Carlisle had gotten married in a sweet but simple wedding, and the Port Angeles police had arrested one of the guys that had attacked Rose.

Not only had the asshole been bragging about it to his friends, but his DNA matched the scrapings that had been taken from Rose's nails.

Two days after celebrating New Year's, Dad, Rose, and Emmett drove to Port Angeles where Rose and Emmett positively identified the guy. His name was Marcus Riley, and he was wanted in connection to several rapes and sexual assaults throughout Washington. Then Dad learned something even more interesting. Turned out that Marcus was friends with and had been arrested with James once before.

Dad hung around while the police questioned Rose's attacker and then Dad asked him if he knew James' whereabouts. Marcus denied knowing where James was, but he let it slip that his father had a hunting cabin a few miles north of Forks. That was all the information Dad needed, so after dropping Rose and Emmett off at home, he and his deputy headed toward the cabin.

Mom, the siblings, Edward, and I all hung around the house trying to occupy ourselves. A little after seven that evening, Dad came home looking tired and a bit defeated.

He sat down in his recliner and gave a sigh before explaining that James wasn't at the cabin.

"It looks like someone's been living there, but we can't be sure if he's still staying there or not. Sadly, we don't have the manpower to do surveillance on the place. That being said, Mark is going to keep an eye on the place, since he lives out that way. He said that he'd drive by every so often."

I hated that James seemed to be able to evade the law.

"Rose, Emmett? Riley gave up the names of his two friends that was with him. The Port Angeles police have warrants for their arrest. Once their brought in, you'll have to identify them and once charged, the legal process will begin. I'm not going to lie. It's going to be long and tedious at times."

They both nodded in understanding.

Rose's therapist had told her that sometimes the hardest part was the trial. Defense attorneys would try and make her out to be a loose girl who was a tease and whatnot. Of course, Megan's Law would prevent any previous sexual history being brought up, but Rose's therapist said the defense attorneys would do anything they could to make her seem like she was leading the boys on.

I knew that once the trial began, things would be difficult for Rose and Emmett, but we would be there for them. They were there for me when I was dealing with James.

….

The month of January passed by quickly and soon we were into February and Valentine's Day was coming up soon. Everyone was making a big deal about it, but not me. I honestly didn't care for it. It was just a marketing ploy by the stores to get you to buy flowers, cards, and candy.