A/N: Ok, so here's the only long note I will have and it contains the warnings for this story, so at least skim through it before you get to the good stuff. This story contains graphic violence, stories of physical and sexual abuse, adult language, and adult content. It is rated M for a very good reason. Please don't read it if any of these things trigger you or if you are underage. This story also contains hope, sarcastic humor, lovey-dovey fluff, suspense, drama, and anything else I choose to add because (like steamy lemons!) lets face it, I'm the author and can do whatever I want.

I am writing this story for a purpose, besides just the entertainment value. Please review your thoughts, feelings, comments, whatever you want. Tell me if things need to be changed or if I've made a stupid spelling or grammatical error (it happens) because I need to improve before I try to write another one along a similar path but with a far different outcome.

Thanks for reading! SM owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended. The original characters and plotline are the property of the author and are not to be duplicated without her express permission.

Prologue

He's late again. Dammit. I hate it when he's late. Late is never a good thing. Late means trouble, usually for me.

I chewed on my thumbnail as I paced the tiny space of our – well, his – bedroom. I felt like a caged animal, all fear and anxiety and pent up tension just looking for a sign of escape. Checking the clock again I saw it had only moved three minutes. I took a deep breath, slowly exhaling through my nose in a vain attempt to calm my galloping heart, but the adrenaline pumping through my bloodstream kept me bouncing on the balls of my feet until I began to pace again.

The unmistakable sound of his rusted out Olds Cutlas rumbled up through the open bedroom window from the curb side spot below where he frequently parked. My heart stopped before thudding loudly in my chest. I took a few steps back towards the tiny trundle bed on the floor before I stumbled and plopped down on the unmade mattress. I was too afraid to move again when I heard his heavy footsteps on the stairs. Slow and steady he made his way towards the closed door, each step measured, echoing through the narrow hall with a sort of ominous finality. There was nowhere to run now. No chance to leave before he came back. I couldn't even pretend to be asleep since he'd most likely seen the light shine from beneath the door into the darkened hall.

I hadn't realised I'd been holding my breath until spots had begun to dance before my eyes while I stared at the twisting doorknob. I released it slowly and sucked in another to keep myself from passing out before trying to place a convincing mask of happiness and contentment on my face before he crossed the threshold. In the last year I'd gotten much better at controlling my expressions and disguising my true thoughts or feelings in his presence. It was the most effective form of self-preservation I'd found thus far, but it wasn't always enough to spare me his wrath.

The door swung open quickly and banged into the opposite wall, causing me to startle slightly. Then there he was. All six foot, two inches of him covered in the residual rain that continued to pour outside. I noticed he was almost completely soaked through and his work boots were considerably more muddy than usual. I may have made the mistake of frowning slightly, but I'm not sure. Whatever it was about me that he found offensive he didn't share with me. But I saw his eyes ice over and harden when I finally dared look up into them.

I swallowed thickly and mentally steeled myself for the long night ahead. There would be no rest for me, no sleep, no escape. I was trapped, cornered, and completely unprepared. I was completely screwed and I knew it.

OK, I know that was short. Chapter One is already up :-)