I forgot to mention this when I first uploaded but there has been confusion over the flash backs ( now in italics)and lack of a texas accent also i havn't revealed yet how she was chanded and obviously shes still human if shes bleeding! sorry to those already read/reading this. not that im stopping you

Next chapter will be in Jaspers POV. I've never really changed point of views if but it's only for a bit the rest will be in Esters POV

- MISSY


Two hours. That's all it took for me to have full control over my thirst. The fiery burning sensation had died down, but that pain-that longing, is nothing compared to the frenzy that begins deep within my empty soul. The metallic, rusty taste appears to release the beast within me. My eyes simply glowed in contempt. I though it wouldn't last long but somehow, deep down I knew I would never need or want to taste a human's blood again.

I felt the rapist fall limp under my weight. I knew he was gone, I knew he was drained. I left him in the dingy alleyway behind the only bookstore in Houston. The only evidence of me being there were the two puncture marks where I had previously sunk my teeth into his neck.

I smiled sadly to myself, my family thought I was human and dead probably. But I'm not, I'm the undead. But I won't let that change me. In truth I've been dead inside since Jasper left for the army. I knew it was his duty as a man to go and fight. But he was my best friend, my comforter, my hero, my big brother.

He was always the one to step in on papa's drunken rants. He took every cut, every bruise, every object lobbed at him in his stride, I admired him for that. He would always make sure the attention was on him and not on me. But the day he left I lost more than a brother. I lost protection.

It was just the odd slap at first but I admit I didn't handle the situation as well as Jasper did and would have. I refused to hide the cuts and bruises he gave me in the hope that someone would see them and take me away to a sanctuary (even though this made Papa more agitated). No one came. The only person who ever stood up for me was Jasper and now he's gone.

One day during luncheon I thought all was okay; that all was safe. Oh how I was wrong.

"Papa, have you heard from Jasper?"

"What did you just say?" He boomed

"N nn Nothing!" I stuttered out.

"I thought so. A little wench like you wouldn't dare hold such conversation with your superior. Now make yourself useful clear the table." I whimpered slightly, I knew if I wasn't careful there would be hell to pay. But I was shaking so much I dropped his plate. Everything seemed to slow down after that. I watched helplessly as it fell to the floor and shattered into a million pieces. He leapt up and grabbed me by my hair making me yelp in pain.

"Look at what you did girlie!" He shouted as he shoved my face in to the remains of the plate (cutting my lip in the process) I felt the blood pour into my mouth.

"Papa please, please stop!" I choked out. He then pulled my hair back so I looked into his cold unfeeling eyes.

"Don't you ever call me Papa," He sneered at me before he smashed my forehead into the floor "as far as I'm concerned I own you -all of you." He yanked my dress up and came down, Hard.

Soon this became a regular occurrence. I learnt it was over quicker if I didn't make any noise. I had to constantly bite my tongue just to stop whimpering let alone screaming. He always locked me in my room if I was lucky but usually it was the cupboard. The four grubby walls ever closing in on me. I was only let out to cook and clean. I would walk around everywhere in fear constantly in case I did the slightest thing wrong. I could never tell though if or when he would rape me again. The minutes turned to hours and the hours into days. Always the same. Never changing. But I remember one thing; the only thing getting me through this was my brother and his promise.

He was looking at me with guilt and sorrow in his eyes. It was his dream. He always wanted to be a soldier and I had no right to stop him.

"Esther don't cry. Please don't cry. Everything will be okay." He soothed kneeling down to my height. Not that I was short, in fact I'm far from it. Jasper was just tall. He pulled me into a big bear hug and whispered "Whatever happens, wherever I am. I'll always be there for you. I won't let anyone hurt you. When I come back I'll take you away-far away-Where nothing can touch you. I promise." I felt him slip something into my pocket but I was too busy sobbing to care. He kissed my forehead in a calming gesture. "See y'all soon darlin' " He spoke - the wind making him seem out of reach already. I watched as he clambered onto his horse with such grace and disappear into the evening shadows.

I remembered he put something into my pocket. I dug my pale hand into the deep lining and grasped a cool object and pulled it into the light. I saw the most beautiful locket I ever set my eyes on. I slipped my thumb nail in and opened the clasp. The sight before me made me smile. It was a picture of me and Jasper by our secluded spot near the lake. I took the locket and held it to my heart.

Sighing I said " I love you Jazz come back soon."