Chapter 1: Ironic Escape

A/N: This is written purely for fun and entertainment. For those who're here in expectation of reading an Edward/Bella fic, I'm sorry, but you will be disappointed. This fic surrounds another unlikely couple. Which I love to write about, for some reason. Well. So yeah, we've gotten that warning over with - and I'd like to make it a point that though I understand the appeal about Edward, he'd be more of a possessive douchebag in this two-shot. He wouldn't stand in much of the story though, unless I expand this, which I don't really have the plan to, unless I finish my other on-going fic. Well, let's see how this goes.

Warning (Again) : Not an Edward/Bella fic. AU. Characters are OOC.

Disclaimer: As I mentioned before, I wrote this purely for fun and entertainment from my figment of imagination. No profit is gained from this. If Twilight was mine, I wouldn't make Edward end up with Bella. I'd probably make up some hot random guy on my own and make both of them elope - and of course, drill some backbone into the lady. Ah, the imaginery of my mind...

~WY

I was clawing my way out; it was dark and lonely,

And oh so scary.

It was then,

When I heard the saccharine tone,

Of my soulless captor.

{{{+}}}

She was running, one hand pressed against her bleeding wound as her strength faltered with every step; it took every ounce of her determination to hang on. Her breath came out in short pants, her eyes red and watery - a sure sign of her sobbing earlier on - and a black eye was evident to anyone who looked carefully.

"You can do it, Bella," she encouraged herself as she almost stumbled over her feet once she reached the dark, secluded forest, "you're almost safe from them."

After struggling with a few more steps, she couldn't take the pain any more; her energy got sucked out of her once she slumped against an old, tall tree. Lifting her hand to examine her wound, she winced, noticing the blood had seeped through her filthy shirt that she had obtained from a beggar who was much too happy to exchange her expensive, branded clothes for her ragged ones. The red liquid was continuing to ooze out from the stabbed area: it was obvious that if she was to ignore that, it would become severe within minutes and she could lose her life from it.

She bit her lip as she reached for the hem of her shirt and tore off a long strip of material before she wrapped the cloth around it tightly and completing the process with a knot. It would last, she hoped, it was her last resort. Bella was sure that putting a dirty cloth on top of an exposed wound would surely increase the chance of infection, but it couldn't be helped. With that thought in mind, she pushed her palms against the tree she was leaning on a moment ago for support, gritting her teeth in pain.

"Isabella, where are you?" An angry roar rang out in the forest, making her squeak in both fright and surprise. She wasn't expecting him to catch up so quickly after her. Biting her lip to prevent herself from making any unwanted sounds, she grabbed the branch that was above her and begun to climb; it was of high difficulty since she was fearful and not to mention the fact that the pain in her abdomen was getting worse with every swing, and every drop of energy she squeezed out to do the feat.

"I'm sorry, Bella," the voice called out, now softer, gentler - but it didn't fool her. "I'm sorry I hurt you. Now come out like a good little girl and I will help you treat your wounds, all right?"

She was sixteen. She wasn't a little girl. She wouldn't be fooled. Not anymore.

She heard the footsteps getting closer. Panic assaulted her and the monster that was within her stomach started clenching her gut tighter, attempting to squeeze the life out of her. She panted heavily, tears gathering in her eyes - it couldn't be. She was so close. So close to escaping. Please, oh God, she prayed fervently as she reached the top of the tree where the green leaves sheltered her from view, please don't do this to me. I can't take it anymore.

"Please," she whimpered as her hand clamped over her mouth to stop the cry that almost escaped when she saw the messy mope of reddish-blond hair below the tree. She wished the shirt would be able make him confuse her scent - at least for a while. Her eyes burned; her shoulders heaved as she tried to swallow her sobs with no success. Closing her eyes, she relieved what had made her here.

{{{+}}}

Seven year-old Isabella Swan huddled under her covers, quivering as she woke up from yet another nightmare. The dream where the red eyed man always tried to capture her and made her his slave. She had no idea where that thought came from, but she knew it was frightening. And for a child her age, it was just simply terrifying and she needed her parents.

"Mummy?" she called out tearfully, "daddy?"

She waited for a few more minutes before calling them again - but they didn't come like they always do. She grabbed her pillow on her bed and put on her furry rabbit slippers quietly before opening her door silently, peering out the dark corridor.

"Mummy? Daddy?"

A loud crash.

"Bella, run! Run!" A voice which she immediately identified as her father's warned. But something was wrong. He sounded anxious, fearful - but Daddy was her hero. He was never scared. Something must have happened. Despite her pounding heart as her mind compelled her to run the other way, away from this house, she walked towards the source of voice. It came from the bedroom of her parents.

She heard the statement repeat once more. It sounded exactly like the previous.

Why? Why did Daddy call me to run? Her fingers grasped the knob and turned. Taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open. Everything looked fine. Daddy and Mummy was sleeping on their beds - wait. Why are their eyes open?

With that, she dropped her pillow, stepping on it and almost slipping, but she caught herself in time and ran towards her parents. Her hands reached to wave in front of their blank faces, but there was no reaction. Panic started to rise within young Isabella.

Her hands gripped the shoulders of her mother, and she shook once. And screamed.

Her mother's head got dislodged from her shoulders.

She screamed again.

A cold hand clamped over her mouth, making her jump. Trembling in fear, her wide chocolate brown eyes turned to meet the red eyes of her nightmare.

"Mmm!" she attempted to yell again for help, but the hand remained firmly in place, stifling her cries of horror.

"Yes, you'll do. My sweet little Isabella," he whispered, his red ruby eyes turning black.

{{{+}}}

Alec wiped the corner of his mouth clean of blood from his sleeve, dropping the cold-blooded murderer on the ground carelessly before rising from his predatory crouch. It was quickly becoming much of a chaotic society since there were no rulers around to govern the vampires, however, at least they all had the common sense to keep safe from humans - almost all, at least. He had known of some who kept humans as slaves - to serve their needs.

He saw no use in it. It was troublesome. He tended to do things alone - other than with his twin sister - it saved him much of a hassle. However, in retrospect, he knew that it was better than them just ravaging humans as and when they like. It was just simply a human's bad luck to be chosen as a slave.

Kicking the dead corpse aside, he decided he was done for the night. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans and raised his hood up to hide his face and his more prominent feature - his red eyes. It simply scared people - not that he cared. He just didn't want to attract more attention.

"Isabella! Where're you?"

The voice was cold and hard, and murderous intent could be detected from it; it sounded much like a vampire. Calling out for his pet, he supposed; again, what a hassle. That vampire was probably a twisted one; enjoying taunting his pet while she tried to escape. He gave a small snort and turned the other way to avoid trouble when a hand gripped his. A strong pang bloody scent hit him, and instantly, he froze.

"What do you want?" He hissed without looking at her; it was sure that she was human, judging by her scent and body temperature - though she was much too cold for a human.

"Please, oh God," she whimpered, and he could smell the distracting strong scent of blood in the air, "please, help me."

He licked his lips unconsciously, maybe a bonus meal wouldn't matter.

Turning to face the girl and intending to devour his prey, he met desperate brown eyes of the pleading girl, dressed in rags and her abdomen exposed. His eyes were immediately fixated on the bleeding wound below her ribs. His tongue darted out again, but the desperate girl seemed not to notice.

"Please, help me! I can't hold him off any longer!" She begged, her tears flowing at alarming rate as she tugged at the hem of the well-built stranger's shirt.

"Him?" He questioned, arching a brow, though he was certain she was unable to see any discerning feature on his face due to his large hood.

"He's dangerous. Please," she pleaded again, her fingers a death grip on his clothes. He frowned to see the dirty stain caused by the girl and sighed; this was troublesome. But it seemed that he could have fun at the same time... He was bored, after all.

"Fine," he relented, releasing a breath as he held her up, hearing the voice starting to become softer. Puzzling. Maybe he wasn't a vampire after all. The strong fragrance of her blood hit him directly and he felt venom gushing to his mouth, but he kept the monster within him in; he could drain her later. She seemed too interesting to be released now.

"Thank you," was the only response she gave before she got knocked out cold in his arms.

He stared at her for a moment, before picking her up easily and carrying her towards his house with his sister. He was pretty sure she would have much to say about this.

A/N: Well, then, that's that. I hope this was okay. It's rather short, actually... -ponders it over for a moment- I wasn't too sure about writing this initially, but it kept bugging me. Ah well. Haha. Do drop me a review to tell me your thoughts. Constructive critisicm are welcome.

~WY