A/N: This is a piece of fiction set during the British colonization of Africa/British Imperialism. The settlement/situations were created for storytelling purposes and are not historically based. Please allow some creative license for that reason.

Despite the huge gap in time between when this story takes place and when this song was released, this one shot was inspired by "Africa" by Toto.

I hope you enjoy this. I loved writing this story so so much and can only hope I can see the beauty of Africa with my own eyes someday.

I'd dreamt of Africa many times since my father first told me of his visits to the place that was more foreign to me than anything. While I was sleeping in my bed in dreary, cold London, I felt the heat on my face as the warm desert air splashed across my skin. I tasted the arid air. Smelled it. I thought it was all I'd ever see of the place that my father was helping to civilize. And now I was on a train, winding through the same place I'd seen in my dreams. Except it wasn't the same. It was so different…so much more than I ever could have imagined.

I felt out of place in my stuffy, stiff clothing. Most of the people on the train were dressed the same as I, but as I looked out onto the landscape I could tell that my attire was not the norm here. The few groups of people we passed looked at us like we were the strange ones. Like we didn't belong. Father had always told me of their indifference to our lifestyle until they were shown the proper way to live. We were saving them, he told me. They were thankful.

My father first traveled to Africa several years ago when I was just a girl. I remember him coming back, his skin several shades darker from the intense sun here. He brought my mother and me several pieces of jewelry from the native peoples and I had never seen anything more beautiful.

He'd traveled back many times, staying longer and longer with each visit until he barely came home anymore. He now lived in a tiny settlement that was soon to be my home as well. When my mother died unexpectedly last winter, I was left with no family and a large house all to myself. I really did not have much of a choice in the matter. When my father requested that I come join him in Africa, it was more a matter of when it would happen rather than if it would happen. A girl my age was not fit to take care of herself, especially being unwed.

I was fairly educated, attending the most prestigious schools for girls in London. I found them boring and dull, often sneaking to the library to lose myself between the pages of the latest mystery novel. I only just finished my schooling last year, just before mother died. I could not say I was that upset to be leaving London. I had no connections there. My only connection was south, in Africa. I was beyond excited to see my father again.

The train slowed and I peered out the window to see we were coming into a small station. I gathered my things and prepared to disembark from the train. I cleared my throat and stood as the train came to a complete stop. The people around me started bustling around. I pushed my way through them, granting some strange looks from my audience. I had been on this train for far too long and I was ready to leave.

"Excuse me, please." I smiled and brushed past the last few people to find the exit.

The hot air blasted my face as soon as I stepped down. I tilted my hat against the wind to shield myself as I glanced through the small crowd to find my father. I did not see him.

One of the conductors was unloading the luggage and I spotted mine right away, although I was hardly able to carry it myself. Where was Father?

I looked back at the crowd, growing more and more anxious by the moment. I was in a new place that I barely knew anything about. And I was alone. I did not like those odds.

Someone tapped my shoulder and I turned to find a tall, young man looking at me expectantly.

"Are you Miss Isabella?" He asked.

I took in his sandy blonde hair and strong features, trying to assess his intentions and how he knew my name. A small piece of paper rested between his fingers as he smiled at me.

"Yes?" I murmured.

"You look just like your picture." He flipped the paper around and I saw my own face staring back at me. "My name is Jasper. I'm a friend of your father, he asked me to come pick you up."

"Oh?" I could not lie that I was a little hurt that my father had not come to pick me up. I was his only daughter.

"Your luggage?"

I pointed to the one chest I brought with me sitting in the pile of other luggage. "That one there. With the lily carved on the top."

He nodded and made haste over to it. He grunted as he picked it up and I felt a little embarrassed at how heavy it was. It was my entire life after all.

He shuffled towards me again, heaving my chest with him. He nodded ahead of us and I followed him towards a small wagon with a large ox that was waiting for us. He loaded the chest onto the back as I waited next to the wagon. Jasper came to stand beside me and offered his hand to help me up onto the seat. I stumbled a little on my way up, but finally made it to the very uncomfortable wooden seat and placed my hands on my lap.

"Ready?" Jasper asked, jumping up beside me. I nodded.

"How far?" I asked.

"An hour or so."

I was completely captivated during the entire ride, paying little attention to how long it was taking us to get there in this sweltering heat. The landscape was breathtaking, every color brighter and more vibrant. Every smell. Every taste just…more. I was delighted to be here.

Jasper did not speak much during the way, but he always seemed to have a smile on his face. He leaned over to me once, just before we reached the settlement to tell me that we were almost there.

As we rounded a corner, a large fence came into view. It was made of tall logs tied and molded together as it guarded the perimeter of the settlement. I didn't quite understand why. What did we need protecting from?

Jasper waived to a man standing guard in a tower above the fence and he opened a gate, allowing us to pass.

There were quite a few more people than I'd imagined there would be. Mostly men. A few women. Daughters and wives most likely. There were several different buildings around the area and I could barely take it all in.

Everyone's eyes watched me curiously as we made our way to the largest building, towards the center of the settlement. I was an outsider. A newcomer. I could imagine living in close quarters like this made you severely aware of new things. I must have stuck out like a sore thumb.

Jasper leaned over and smiled. "You're like the shiny new toy, Miss Isabella. I must say everyone seems quite taken with you."

I blushed and looked down at my lap as we came to a stop. Jasper hopped down and helped me off the carriage. I kicked around some of the dry, dirt below my feet and looked up at the sun. A bead of sweat rolled down my neck, disappearing into my collar and down my back.

"It's rather warm," I said, fanning myself.

"You'll get used to it. Everyone does." He grabbed my trunk off the back and started towards the building in front of us. "This way, Miss."

I hurried after him, following up a short set of stairs to the large porch. He set the trunk down outside and knocked on the door before opening the door. He held it open for me and nodded inside.

I cleared my throat and took a few tentative steps into the doorway. Before me was a large, round table surrounded by a group of men. It looked like there was some type of map on the table that they were pointing and discussing.

I smiled when I spotted my father, at the head of the group with his hands on his hips. His eyes flickered my way and his expression softened. He sighed and started towards me.

"Bella." He wrapped his arms around me and I found myself on the brink of tears. It was good to see him.

"Father," I whispered. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you as well, my dear girl. I am so glad you're here. How was your trip?"

"Long," I admitted.

"You must be exhausted. I'll show you to our quarters." He nodded to Jasper.

Father took my hand as we walked outside and back off the porch. Jasper followed quickly behind us, lugging my trunk with him.

We weaved through a few smaller buildings and finally reached out destination. Father pushed the door open and I stepped inside, feeling slight relief from being out of the sun.

Jasper brushed past me and into one of the rooms. I heard him set down my trunk.

"This is the living area and we both have our own rooms," Father said. "It isn't much and I know it's different from London, my dear. But you'll get used to it, won't you?"

"Of course."

"Well we'll leave you to rest. You should explore the settlement a little more when you're rested." Father smiled and he and Jasper left.

I retreated back to the room where Jasper had set my trunk, assuming it was mine. It was small, but I didn't need much. There was a bed with a light, see through net surrounding it as well as a tiny vanity in the corner with a dirty mirror.

I walked over and pulled out the chair that went along with the vanity, lowering myself onto it with a deep sigh. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, shaking my head when I saw my cheeks were already flushed with a light pink color.

I reached up and undid my hat before pulling it off and setting it down. I was instantly cooler with my head free from that contraption. I never much cared for them. I pulled off my gloves and set them next to my hat before migrating over to the bed. I laid down and closed my eyes for a moment, only to wake up hours later.

It was practically dark outside. I could see the sun sinking low, below the top of the fence. I wished I could see beyond the fence. I felt so caged in here.

I still felt quite drowsy, but I forced myself out of bed. I took a quick glance in the mirror and adjusted my hair so it looked proper before heading outside.

There were fewer people out than before, but I managed to make my way back to the building where my father had been without help. I crept up the stairs, smiling when I heard my father's voice.

I pulled the door open just a crack, but paused when I saw him. He was talking with another man, younger. The conversation did not echo ease and tranquility. They looked strained, stressed.

"We simply cannot tolerate his behavior anymore, Charles. We cannot. I don't care who his father was. It is not proper," the man said.

"He's harmless, Newton. Besides, the natives like him. He could be useful to us down the road. Might help avoid too much dissent. They trust him."

"He's making a mockery of our work here! He'll be coming in for supplies soon, we must speak to him." Newton said, stomping his foot down.

I shifted my weight and the floor creaked. I held my breath. Father's eyes darted my way and widened.

"Bella…" He breathed.

"I am sorry." I cleared my throat and opened the door. "I did not mean to intrude."

"Not an intrusion, my dear. Come here. I'd like you to meet someone." He held out his hand and I took a few steps towards them.

"Isabella, this is Michael Newton. He is the leader of our army here."

"Army?"

"Just a small group of men," Michael chimed in. "Mostly for protection."

"Protection from whom?" I asked.

"No one you should concern yourself with." Michael smiled. "May I escort you back to your quarters?"

I nodded in agreement, although I couldn't say I liked this man. I know I had just met him but something about his eyes scared me. They did not look kind. A hard, dark color with no light in them.

Michael offered me his arm as we stepped out of the building. I started back the way I'd come, but he pulled me in another direction, taking another way back. Longer way back.

"What do you think of the settlement so far?" He asked.

"I have not seen enough to make an educated decision," I said.

"Educated," he mumbled. "Your father tells me you attended Masen School in London?"

"I did."

"And what was your favorite subject?"

"Literature. I love reading."

He scoffed. "I, myself, don't see the use in it all."

"In books?" We approached our house and I stepped up onto the porch.

"In educating women. I mean doesn't it seem quite absurd to you? What shall they do with all this education?"

My blood boiled beneath my skin, but I tried to keep myself in check. I thought I had left all of the chauvinistic men back in England.

"That's the point, Mr. Newton. We can do whatever we please with it. Good night." I did not wait for him to respond. I trudged back into the house and slammed the door. I let out a disgusted sigh and retreated to my room for the evening.

The night was hot and sticky, not conducive to a good night's sleep at all. I hated this mesh net above me. It was suffocating. And I was starting to feel that most of the people around here were just the same.

A/N: I've been working on this piece for MONTHS and MONTHS. And it wasn't that I wasn't inspired to write it, but it was completely the opposite. I wanted this to be so perfect because I know that it's such a bittersweet subject and I wanted to do it justice. Africa and its people and culture are so beautiful to me and it's so sad that at one time it was looked at as primitive and native and I was so excited to write an Edward that sees past that (as you got a little hint of here in the opening chapter).

This started out as a one shot. And then it just kept going and kept going and it got to the point where I knew it was going to be tedious to read it as one long chapter, so after polling some of my readers on FB, I decided to break it up. It's not going to be a 20 chapter story, I would estimate it to be around 5 or 6 at the most. I'm almost finished with it so I would say all of it will be posted hopefully by the end of next week, I'm not looking to draw anything out and it was really meant to be a one shot.

Thank you for reading!