Chapter 1 Escape

Darkness. Pain. Lies. Put them all together and you get the most tragic life story ever imaginable. That's my life all in a nut shell. It all started with a kiss. I laid on my bed, looking up at the ceiling. I then closed my eyes and drifted off into the darkness.

Some times I had wished that I wouldn't wake. That I'd stay in the darkness forever, but that's not how it works. Why was my life so depressing? Well, for starters my mom had remarried a guy named Phil. He was nice, all until he got drunk every night and hit me. My mother didn't know about this, she was always away every time it happened. Ironic isn't it? But even sober Phil had a temper, and it was best to stay clear of him when he was in a bad mood.

I couldn't take the abuse anymore. I would always have constant bruises running up and down my entire body. Some times when it got real bad I wouldn't be able to move.

I let out a quick breath, and opened my eyes slowly to see my best friend Jasper's face looking directly at mine. Jasper was a vampire, he'd sneak in my room all the time, but I was not expecting him here today, out of all the days he could have chosen to come.

I shuttered quickly, and slid myself back against the head bored of bed. Flinching a little as a few my bruises made contact with the wood.

"Did I scare you?" He asked curiously

"No, not at all." I muttered a little sarcastically, and rubbed the back of my neck with my hand. Jasper titled his head at me watching, and sighed.

"Phil?" Jasper raised his eye brow. He knew me too well.

"Yeah." I looked down, wincing in pain.

"All right, let me take a look." He motioned for me to turn around, so my back was facing him, and my front was facing the wall. I did as he asked, and lifted up my shirt.

All I heard was silence, but that was only because every time he looked at the damage I had asked politely not to make a sound or to comment. I knew how bad it was, I didn't need someone confirming what I had already known. "There's no way you're going to be able to keep this up much longer, Bells." Jasper shook his head, and frowned at me.

I stood up slowly and tugged my shirt back down to my waist. "Watch me." I snapped.

"Bella, at least move in with me and my family. Carlisle would take you in."

"Jazz, I don't need your help all right? I have a plan."

"Does that plan consist of you staying here and putting up with the abuse your step father dishes out?" He crossed his arms and looked at me his face so judgmental.

"No... I'm getting out of here. I'm leaving Forks." Jasper brought his face up to mine, he looked at me with sorrowful eyes. "Hey... Don't look at me like that." I whispered, and caressed his cheek.

"I don't understand why you can't just move in with me." He whispered back to me.

"Jazz, they'd never let me move in with you and your family, and if I did move in with you without them knowing, they'd consider me a run away, and your place would be the first place they would look. I'm going somewhere no one will find me." Jasper looked away from me, and sighed.

"Where are you going to go?" He asked pushing a strand of my hair out of my face.

"Far away from here." I couldn't tell him where I was actually going, if he knew and was taken in for questioning, then he would eventually have to spill everything. I was playing this carefully. I couldn't trust anyone. My freedom was that important.

"Maybe if you told someone what was actually happening to you, then you wouldn't have to leave, Bella."

"See that's the things though... I don't want to stay regardless if people know. I just have to get away from here. Please understand, Jazz. Please understand that I'm not trying to hurt you... I love you." I kissed his soft cheek gently and then let go. "Never forget me." I whispered with tears running down the side of my face.

"How could I? You're my best friend." His smile was fake, and twisted. I turned away and looked down slowly.

"I have to get going, my parents are going to be here soon."

"Bella, don't do this please..." He laid his palm gently on my cheek, but I looked away.

"Goodbye, Jazz." I grabbed the handle of my suitcase, and picked up my duffle-bag with the other, grunting at how much weight the bags put on my arms.

As soon as I turned my back on him, he grabbed my arm and pulled me into a passionate kiss, I lingered on it, and didn't want to let go, but I had no choice. "I'll be back for you, Jasper." I whispered in his ear, then struggled to drag myself out the front door. My parents were coming soon though, and if I got caught then they wouldn't let me out of their sight.

I sighed, put my stuff in my car, and drove off to Virginia. I had a very close, and old friend who lived their with her brother and her aunt. Apparently they had no problem welcoming me into their family, which was good because I had no other place to go except for my dad's, and my dad wanted nothing to do with me right now, and would probably tell my mom where I was immediately.

The trip to Virginia was long, and tiring. Stopping at hotels to rest was most definitely needed, and then stopping for gas as well, but the journey eventually ended as the small, yet mysterious town called Mystic Falls.

Everyone knew each other around here, kind of like everyone in forks, but still this place had no old painful memories like Forks did. My parents weren't waiting for me here. I was technically... free. I smiled at the thought of it. Freedom. I shook my head and pulled my car in the driveway.

When I got out things we're so quiet and serene, that I was actually happy and thrilled to be here. "Bella!" A familiar voice called out from the front, she ran to me, and hugged me tightly.

"Lena!" I didn't hesitate to hug her back.

"Did you make it here okay?" She asked curiously, letting go of me, smiling.

"Yeah absolutely." I grinned. "Where's Jer, and Jenna?" I asked.

"Jenna's in the kitchen cooking up something for us all to eat, and Jeremy is in his room bumming out like always." She chortled. "So, do you want me to show you around town, introduce you to a few of my friends?"

"Yeah, that sounds great." I admitted as I opened my car trunk, taking out my duffle-bag and suite case.

"Oh, here let me help you with that." She came to my aid and took my duffle.

I tilted my head from the ground as I heard the front door shut again, and saw a tall guy with blonde disheveled hair leaning against the railing and smiling at Elena. He almost had the same features as my old boyfriend. I looked down thinking about it and I sighed lightly.

"Who's that?" I motioned my eyes towards the boy, semi-interested.

"That," she emphasized the word "that" with a grin, "is my boyfriend Stefan, Stefan Salvatore." Stefan smiled back at Elena, and waved. Elena waved quickly back, then helped me get the rest of my stuff out of the car. Stefan walked up to us slowly and smoothly.

"Need any help, Ladies?" Stefan asked, picking up another one of my heavy bags. Apparently to him the bag weighed absolutely nothing. Weird. I shook my head and brought the rest of my stuff into the house.

Jenna was standing by the door, smiled and hugged me with welcoming arms. "It's so good to see you again, Bella."

"You too, Jenna" I grinned politely, trying to find where my room is.

"Go up the stairs and it's the second door on your left." Jenna was almost like she was reading my mind. I giggled, while Stefan, and Elena brought up the rest of my things into the guest bedroom. I sat down on my bed and breathed out gently.

"Jer, get your butt in here!" Elena yelled loudly.

"Does your brother even remember who I am?" I laughed.

"Probably."

"Wait, so how do you guys know each other?" Stefan asked with his eye brow raised.

"Well, Bella and I have known each other since grade school, and we're second cousins." She smiled nudging me.

"Oh, wow."

"So, do you're parents know you're here?" She asked, I shook my head no.

"They don't even know I'm gone." I mumbled.

"So, you ran away?" Stefan crossed him arms and looked at me as if I were a rebel.

"I thought you said you were going to tell them, Bella." Elena admitted, her brows began to furrow.

"Yeah, so they could do what, prohibit me from leaving, and just beat me more?" Stefan looked at me and was confused.

"Who beats you?" Stefan asked concerned.

"My... Step dad." I mumbled, and began to mess with my fingers hoping we could avoid the subject.

"Seriously?" I nodded in reply, and rolled up the sleeve of my hooded jacket, and showed him the dark black and blue blobs that covered several different parts of my arm.

"I had no choice but to run away, Stefan." I held in my tears, and looked down.

"I completely understand." He patted my shoulder and sat down next to me.

"Bella." Jeremy smiled, and hugged me tightly. "It's been a while cuz." He nudged my arm and I tried my best not to flinch. He took a look at me, and then frowned."You look like you've been through hell."

"That's why I'm here." I smiled weakly, and Jeremy hugged me again.

"Well, we're all glad that you're here too. Actually Elena, Stefan, and I were heading up to the grill later tonight to hang with friends and I was wondering if you wanted to come."

"Yeah, Elena was telling me about that. It sounds like fun... I need fun right now." I laughed lightly.

"Alright, cool." He smiled and walked, sliding his earbuds back into his ear. His music playing full blast.

"Well, Stefan and I will leave you alone to unpacking, and just knock on my door when you're done. My room's right across from yours, so if you need anything...yeah." She and Stefan walked out and shut my door.

I Breathed out gently, got out my ipod and speakers and turned on some soft music that played in the background. Unpacking only took a half an hour. I mean, I stuff my close in the closet and the dresser drawers. Then put my hair stuff and make up in my bath room, and scraps book and cd's in my desk drawer.

I went to Elena's door and knocked, all I could hear or concentrate on was the giggling behind the door. I figured that I shouldn't have bothered them and sat in my room. Instant messaging Edward. My old ex. We talked about my parents, and everything, but I was careful not to give out where I was, even though I knew no one would go to Edward I still couldn't trust any one.

My attention was fixed on the door bell ringing down the stairs. "Elena! Could you get that?" Silence filled the entire place for the next five minutes. I walked down the steps and shrugged.

"I'll get it, Jenna." I said, reaching for the door knob, I opened the door slowly, and saw a man that had slightly similar features to Stefan. Except he was a little more burly, and he had black hair. He smirked at me. Not sure what that was for, I didn't know him, but he sure was gorgeous. I had never seen anyone that looked like he before.

"Um... Jenna, we'll be here in a sec." I stuttered, and he nodded, walking in and leaning agains the staircase railing.

"Actually, I'm here for Elena." He stared into my eyes gently. The smirk still surrounding his face. "But may I ask who you are?" He raised his eye brow in curiosity.

"I'm Bella, Elena's cousin." I tried to smile politely. "I'm staying in Mystic Falls for a while."

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Bella." He took my hand gently, bent down, and kissed it lightly. "I'm Damon, incase you were wondering." He grinned, laughing.

"Elena's upstairs in her room if you need her. I have to organize the stuff in my room." It wasn't true, but any excuse just to get away from him. I walked up the stairs and into my room. I could hear breathing behind me.

"Looks organized to me." I turned around and found him smirking at me. His dark green eyes were fierce, they turned black then changed back to a dark shade of green. They were filled with determination.

"Would you look at that, so it is." I played along, and shook my head. Damon pushed me against the wall and stared into my eyes. "What do you want from me, Damon?" I tried breathing out calm. His pupils grew wider, and my mind was suddenly blank

"I want-"

"Damon." I was immediately let go, and dropped to the ground. Elena ran to my side.

"Hello, brother." Damon smirked.

"What just happened?" I asked confused.

"Nothing, Bella. Why don't you come downstairs with me and we'll help Jenna set up the table." I nodded and went downstairs rubbing my head. "He didn't hurt you, did he?" She asked concerned

"No, he just scared me a bit."

"Sorry, about that. Damon can come on a little bit too strong some times." Stefan appeared at my side, causing me to jump a few feet.

"Um, a little?" I asked sarcastically.

"I hope he didn't cause you any trouble?"

"No not at all, I think I blacked out or something... He was about to say something to me and then my mind just went blank." Elena and Stefan had glanced at each other looking slightly distressed.

I shrugged, and sighed, sitting on the couch next to Jeremy. He smiled at me then drew his eyes back to the television show he was watching. "Damon being a dick again?" Jeremy grinned.

"Is he always like that?" I raised my eyebrow.

"Just with every girl he sees. It's like a weird game to him."

" I see."

"Just let me know if he bothers you again, I'll set him straight for you." He smiled politely, and I smiled back.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

"Um hey, are you guys about ready to go to the grill?" Elena asked with Stefan at her side.

"Yeah." Jeremy and I said in unison.

"Great, let's go then." We all got up and got into Stefan's car. Looking out the window as he drove was slightly fun. New buildings to gaze at every few seconds. New people you never recognized before that you knew would become part of your life some time sooner or later because this was your new home.

We arrived at the grill shortly, and everyone got out and walked inside. Loud rock music was playing in the background, and there were at least twenty different people in this building. "Our friends are over there." Elena pointed to the table in the corner. I nodded and walked over with Jeremy to the corner table and sat down next to a guy with spiky black hair and brown eyes.

"I'm Tyler." The boy held out his hand and I shook it lightly. " I'm Bella." I grinned.

"Um, Bella this is Tyler, Caroline, Matt, and of course Bonnie." Jeremy looked to Bonnie rather lovingly. It was actually kind of sweet the way he looked at her.

"Hi everyone." I waved lightly and smirked politely. They all began staring at me. I wasn't sure why, but it made me turn my head towards Elena and Stefan who were sitting at the table next to us. Sadly I wish I was apart of their conversation, instead of listening to people go on about how hot girls, and guys at their school are.

I eventually snuck away to the small bar that was there, gave the waiter my I.D. ordered myself a tequila shot, and drank it quickly, squinting my eyes as the strong liquor invaded my mouth. I sat there for a while, not caring if anyone was judging. Alcohol made me feel at ease. It helped me not care about anything. I closed my eyes breathing in and out slowly. Trying to block out noise around me

Until one familiar voice that called my name gently, caused me to lift my eye lid open to see if I was right in who it was. "We meet again." Damon Salvatore smirked, and chuckled, while shooting another drink down his throat.

"Yes, how unfortunate for me." I sighed irritated, and tried to drown him out again, sipping down another shot

"I didn't know you drank." He seemed a little surprised

"You don't know me at all." I snapped.

"So, then tell me about yourself." He insisted.

"There's nothing to tell." I shrugged, and looked away from him.

"Why don't I believe that?" He raised his eyebrow.

"Let's just say my life story doesn't involve a happy ending, it's a pathetic tragedy." I closed my eyes pained, holding in my tears. I wasn't sure if it was obvious, but I didn't care.

"Hey, I'm here to listen if you want to talk about it." He whispered gently, laying his hand on my shoulder, then slowly letting go, as I looked up to his eyes.

"My step father has abused me for the past two years. Then my boyfriend left me for some other chick. So me being me, I eventually got sick of everything and ran away and came to Mystic Falls." I shrugged and sighed.

"I'm so sorry." He whispered.

"So, is everyone else but it doesn't change what happened." Damon moved a seat closer to me, and hugged me. I was a little surprised since I had only just met him today, but it actually felt kind of nice, in a sense.

"I want to apologize for how I acted earlier, I was a little tipsy and being tipsy plus meeting new people doesn't have a good outcome on how I act." He chuckled

"Yet here you are drinking again." I pointed out.

"Touche." He teased. "Well, how about we get another good chance to know each other. Like say... this Saturday?" He asked curiously.

"You're asking me out on a date?" I laughed and asked with surprise in my voice.

"If you want it to be a date." He admitted.

"How about we call it a friendly get together, and maybe I'll consider going." I smiled.

"Sounds like a plan." He winked.