Forks, Washington 2007

It wasn't often that I reflected on the past and yet now it was all I could seem to think of as I fought with every bone in my lethal body to avenge the man that had shown me what it was to live.

I saw the foolish one of my kind directly below me – the one obsessed with the human. Everything about her screamed average, yet I knew that it was his extreme desire to protect her that would give me the upper hand against him.

I sped from the tree I was in, to the spot where she hid, her eyes filled with fear and I felt good knowing that she was experiencing pain, the way James must have at her expense. I howled gleefully knowing I was so close, but pulled back sharply as I felt the sharp twang that radiated through my body signaling danger. The next second I felt him fly past me in an effort to protect her. In his moment of weakness I sent a full round house straight into him…

Manhattan, NY 1997

"Victoria! That was amazing. How did you manage that? He was coming straight at you and you dodged him. And that roundhouse you used to finish him off!"

My breathing was still labored as I strived for the oxygen I had refused to give myself during the fight and I could feel the sweat pouring down my body. Still, I did not care. I had won.

The dojo we were in was smaller than most. It was filled with fighters my age and my standard and yet it was me that had fought through them all to obtain victory.

"Kat," I gasped. "I told you I would win. Your surprise is insulting."

"I know Vix. But, I mean, come on! You're so good at this. You have this weird knack of always knowing when someone's gonna strike and you always manage to dodge and retaliate."

"It's called awareness. You could try it sometime."

Partially recovered I ran towards the trophy table and proudly collected my prize. The envious looks of my opponents was almost as welcome as the 15 inch gold trophy now held firmly beneath my arm. I walked slowly back to Katherine. Her large frame and height made her a clumsy fighter compared to my slender build. I knew that in the unlikely event of a fight between us in a final, there would be no competition.

"Kat, I need to go. My Dad's waiting"

"Cool," she replied. "By the way, how is…you know…everything?"

"Kat, if I needed reminding of the shambles of my life. I would have volounteered that information wouldn't I?" I snapped.

What A buffoon.

I turned on my heels and started my journey home, not caring if I had hurt her feelings. She knew the sensitivity of my private life and still she continued to rub into my face.

I let down my flaming orange hair as I walked. I had always liked the danger the color signified when people crossed me.

Practically a warning.

It took me less than 10 minutes to walk through the crowded streets of the city. I ignored everyone I passed, still deeply satisfied with my performance as well as anticipating the next fight that would take place next month.

As I reached for the door knob of my house, I felt it yank from my fingertips. My dad stood in the doorway. About 2 feet taller than me and considerably heavier, he grabbed me and shoved me inside.

"Where have you been?" he demanded.

He reeked of his usual booze and his slur and swagger indicated he was drunk., a common occurrence for him. I breathed heavily not wanting to lose my temper. After my mom's death, I promised her I wouldn't abandon him and it had taken everything in me to keep myself here with him for the last 2 years.

'I had the tournament remember,' I replied coolly. I really wasn't in the mood for his shit.

His eyes glanced down at the trophy I was still holding. He began to laugh maliciously.

'You won? How the hell did a pathetic failure like you win? Bribe one of the judges?'

I grimaced at the word 'failure'. I didn't fail at anything.

'I won because I was the best. End of story.'

'Well we both know that isn't true,' he taunted. 'How did you win really?'

'Fuck you.'

My dad grabbed my arm and shoved me roughly against the wall. I banged my head on the cupboard behind me and slumped to the ground.

'Bitch, that trophy proves nothing.'

He grabbed my hair and pulled me up so that I was inches from his face. The smell of alcohol penetrated my senses and his rough hands were threatening to pull out every strand of hair I had. I felt sick.

'You want to really fight?' he whispered dangerously.

I held back the tears that were threatening to fall. I'd be damned if I let him see weakness from me. I stared at him defiantly and my lips twisted into a sneer.

'You couldn't handle me.'

He roared and flung me across the room where I landed in a crumpled heap. He stalked past me aiming a kick that got me straight in the gut. I curled at the force of the impact and coughed. When I looked down my blood was splattered pathetically in front of me. I could hear his footsteps fading away down the hall and I pulled myself up.

The pain in my head was throbbing and I was gasping for breath for the second time that day. Regardless, I tenderly rose to my feet. Fuck sitting here and waiting for him to come back.

I had had enough of his shit and I was leaving. Tonight.

I grabbed my gym bag that I took to the tournament and dumped the sweaty gear on the floor. As quickly as I could, I hobbled to my room and packed the first clothes I saw and the picture of my mom that I had stared at for countless nights after her death. I felt guilty for breaking my promise to her but something told me that if she was still alive, she wouldn't begrudge me leaving this hell hole.

I crept out of my room, listening for my dad, not that this was necessary. I could usually sense when the bastard was near me. Noting the clear path, I headed straight for the front door and without a backwards glance crossed the threshold into the cold midnight air.

I had done it. I had made my divine escape.