Chapter 1

I felt the rough pull of the wire against the delicate skin at my wrists, burning with friction. A bead of sweat dripped from my forehead, down the side of my face, escaping to fall at my neck.

"Don't move" my heart dropped into my stomach at the sound of his rough voice breaking the silence.

I felt the sharp edge of the knife, threatening to pierce the translucent skin at my neck. The restraints at my wrists and ankles pulled tighter and slowed the flow of blood, I had to move. But the chain around my belly stopped any attempt to flee. I was bound to the bar, his prisoner.

He removed the knife from my neck, and slowly, carefully, stretched out his legs as he reached a standing position. I felt his stare burn into my face; I did not meet his gaze. The knife was still in his hand, a constant threat, a constant reminder.

He walked head down, towards the other side of the room, his blonde ponytail swaying as he did. He released the knife from his grasp; I heard the clatter as it fell to the floor. He faced away from me, out the locked window, seeming to be searching, but for what? No one knew I was here.

My eyes searched the dark studio, lit only by the light of the moon, my reflection was everywhere. The sight of myself so… vulnerable, so helpless, I couldn't look, but my reflection covered the room again and again. I was haunted by the sight of myself. I was pulled away from my thoughts by the shift of his position; he turned quickly, so quickly my eyes didn't even register the movement. He was in front of me suddenly, towering over me, looking down into his prisoners eyes. His lips crept up into a sinister smile, the kind of smile that hid dark thoughts.

I returned his stare with equal power; showing him I was not to be underestimated, I would still fight. He crouched, one hand resting on the floor in front of him, the other wrapped around my ankle.

"He'll be here soon," he announced "he will try to rescue his sweet Bella, but im afraid it will just be too late". I maintained my stare, burning my eyes into his memory.

When I did not answer he spoke again "You doubt his affection for you? He will be here, and he will witness your tragic, albeit entertaining death. Believe me when I say it will cause him so much pain, if it didn't, what would be the point to all this?" Sick! This man was sick! The feel of his skin on my ankles sent shudders through me, even though our skin was separated by a layer of denim. His touch felt dirty.

As a distraction to myself I began to taunt him "You think you'll get away with this? You don't think every single Cullen will want to see you burn?" Well, all but one I silently corrected myself; I shouldn't underestimate Rosalie's disdain for me.

"You're silly. I see past your hard exterior, you want the attention. You want everything that comes with the title of a murderer, you seriously have issues!" He was taken aback by my casual evaluation, not exactly fitting for a dying girl's last words. He stared at me with a look of confusion for just a second, before grasping my tiny throat in his right hand.

"Enough!" he yelled "I don't want to hear the musings of a dying girl, don't make me speed this up and have Edward miss all the fun. Wouldn't want that now would we?"

His hand increased its tight hold around my throat, I was beginning to struggle for breath, any tighter and my lungs would be void of oxygen. I shook my head from side to side in agreement, I would not speak again, I would not sign my own death certificate.

"Good" he wore a smile of satisfaction. He eased his grasp on my throat, I took a deep breath. He began to trail his hand down my throat, lightly grazing his fingertips over my collarbone. The gesture made me feel sick to my stomach, it seemed so intimate, the feel of his skin on mine. I loathed his touch.

He continued his gentle assault, tracing his fingertips down through my cleavage, all the way down to my belly button. Stop! I screamed in my mind, NO! Not again! Stop! I could hear the urgent thrum of my pulse in my ears, my heart beating relentlessly with fear. I was trapped in a moment of silent fear. Screaming voiceless pleas in my mind.

When I almost couldn't bare it anymore, he finally removed his hand from my stomach. His face was smug, I wanted to be sick. I knew how far he would go, how far he would take this torture. I prayed for death, I welcomed it with open arms; I wanted this to be over before it could get even worse.

I hoped Edward would come for me, I hoped he would find James with my lifeless body in his arms and end his evil little existence, no one else needs to be a victim in another one of his sadistic games. I hoped Edward would tear James apart and burn the pieces.

"Oh how I would love to really make this interesting" he taunted, "Oh so many ways I could really piss him off, he'd be very, very angry now wouldn't he?" His eyebrows moved into a sinister curve, and he narrowed his eyes as he glared at my frightened expression.

He rose his hand up again, reaching for my cheek. "Don't touch me" I was about to say before his hand vanished from in front of my face. Before my brain had even registered his movements I heard a loud crash as something smashed through the window. Of course James was already there, waiting for whatever was about to interrupt his vile actions.

"Edward" I screamed. He had his hands around James' throat, trying to pin him against the wall of mirror. I watched the two of them brawl with incredible speed; I could barely make out who was who. I struggled against my restraints, but it was futile. As their brawl continued I heard someone else approaching, not just one, but several feet as they pounded on the pavement outside.

Edward was winning, he had James pinned, he was causing him the pain he deserved. Suddenly a hand was on Edwards shoulder, not in an aggressive defence manoeuvre, but a fatherly gesture. It was Carlisle! He seemed to be stopping Edward…why?

Alice was at my side instantly, relieving me of my restraints "It's okay Bella, it's okay," she said soothingly "your safe now." All the while I was watching Edward. He relinquished his hold on James for Emmett and Jasper to drag him away. Then he was at my side in less than a second.

His arms were wrapped around me, I rested my head in the crook of his neck and inhaled deeply, I thought I'd never be in his embrace again. He pressed my body against his, and I never wanted him to let go. I was in his arms, I was safe. I took a deep breath. I was safe.


Ahhhh the first chapter, very doom and gloom but we have to start somewhere.

Please let me know what you think? Good or bad I really want your opinion on this story, but please be helpful with your criticism, I wont learn from mean words lol.

Thanks for reading :-) x