Summary: Twilight and New Moon events happened just as the books until the day of the cliff jump. Bella stayed on the beach and that's when things changed. This story picks up a bit in the future as she runs from her past.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. All that credit belongs to Stephenie Meyer. I do own all original characters.

With all that said, please enjoy my story and let me know what you think with a review.

"We all learn to make mistakes,

And run from them, from them,

With no direction

We run from them, from them,

With no conviction."

"Misguided Ghosts" - Paramore

Chapter 1 - Lost and Found

I ducked quickly into the abandoned building and ran in search of the stairs. My lungs were burning, demanding more oxygen than I was able to take in while I was gasping. My muscles ached from the exertion of escape but I couldn't stop. I found my way to the stairs and descended quickly to the basement.

I fell to my knees and clutched my chest as I coughed and struggled to breathe. I sat there for several minutes as my breathing returned to normal and the trembling in my body slowed. I pulled the cell phone from my pocket and pushed the speed dial.

"Hello?" Jake answered after four rings. It sounded like he was sleeping. I realized I didn't even know what time it was. I glanced at my watch and saw it was 10:45pm here. It didn't matter.

"It's me. I just saw them. They found me," I said and my voice trembled with the violent tremors of fear ripping through my body.

"Shit Bella! Did they see you?" He asked, suddenly alert.

"I don't know. Even if they didn't it won't take them long to figure out I'm here," I said

"Where are you?" He asked quickly. I hesitated before responding.

"New York City," I answered in a small voice.

"DAMN IT BELLA! Why did you go so far?" He shouted. I knew he would be angry.

"I'm sorry, Jake," I said and I felt the tears begin to stream down my cheeks as my hysteria broke through.

"Calm down, Bella. Listen to me. It's fine. Are you hidden?" He asked, trying to keep me calm.

"Yes," I said softly.

"Okay, stay put and leave your phone on silent. I'll call you when we get there," he promised.

"Thanks, Jake," I said.

"Anytime, Bells," He answered and the line went dead.

I crawled to the corner and shivered for several minutes before I removed the backpack I always carry with me now. I wished I had gone shopping yesterday and restocked my supplies when I thought about it. I pulled out a small blanket, a sleeve of crackers and a bottle of water. I covered myself with the blanket and tried to sip the water before I realized how exhausted I was. It'd been days since I'd found a warm place to sleep.

I curled up with my back in the corner and my knees drawn up. I covered myself with the blanket and pulled my hood over my head. I laid my head on my knees and felt my eyes close. I was still shivering but it was more fear than cold. I tried to relax my muscles hoping I wouldn't fall sleep and it was at least an hour before exhaustion finally consumed my consciousness.

I didn't hear but sensed the arrival of the others. I sat up and I heard them hissing to one another somewhere above me. I left everything on the floor except the backpack. I pulled it in place over my shoulders and tried to quietly make my way to the window of the basement. If I could reach it and crawl out I might be able to make a run for it again. I tucked my jacket tighter around me. I knew I only had one chance. I jumped onto the boxes stacked in front of the window and immediately kicked the window out. I slid through feet first and didn't look back as I ran down the alley toward the street.

As I ran, I pulled the backpack off my shoulder and put the strap between my teeth. I yanked off my jacket and over shirt, leaving me in just my tank top and jeans in the cold night air. I put my backpack in place again. I needed to confuse the scent. When I reached the street, I threw my jacket into the back of a truck as it passed and quickly turned in the opposite direction. I ran about a block before I took a few steps into an alley and threw my shirt into a dumpster. I ran back the way I came and quickly dodged the traffic and headed across the street and away.

I ran until I thought I was going to collapse. The crowd on the street was thin because it was a Wednesday night and there wasn't much to do on this side of town. I reached for my phone and realized I left in the basement. Crap. I needed to figure out where to go from here and I had to call let them know where I was. I leaned back against the wall and bent over to put my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath. That was when I saw him. He hadn't noticed me yet but it was only a matter of time. He was across the street and about a block away.

I turned and moved quickly down the street. I was trying not to draw attention to myself with him that close. I just had to get out of sight before I could think of where to go from here. I turned down an alley and took off at a sprint as the adrenaline coursed through my veins. Unfortunately, I was tired and therefore my clumsy side was coming out in full force. I stumbled a few times but managed to right myself. I turned around a corner into the alleys that ran behind the stores on this street. As I turned I felt my feet slide in the mud that seemed a permanent feature through this area. I fell, hard. I heard my knees hit the concrete and felt the palms of my hands scrap the ground and knew instinctively that I had drawn blood. Great. No matter what I did I was drawing more attention to myself now.

I jumped back to my feet, ignoring the ache in my right knee. I was covered in mud and therefore my shoes were slippery. I quickly wiped my feet and continued as fast as I could without falling again toward the next street. When I arrived, I took a left and began at a quick walk. I kept walking for another few blocks before I realized I was shivering. I had removed my jacket earlier and now I was still wet from falling into the mud.

I paused and searched my backpack. I pulled out my grey hoodie because it was the only other jacket I had. It was dirty but at least it would keep me warm. I needed to change my clothes but that would have to wait. I had to put a bit more distance between us before I could relax enough to think about stopping. As I pulled my backpack into place I reassessed my whereabouts to figure out which direction to head. I needed to get to the bus station. The leads I had followed that prompted me to buy the bus ticket to New York City had been a bust but I had found new information that proves I may be closer than I know.

I had been at the library most of the day today and had done research there when my other sources had turned out to be yet another dead end. I checked area hospitals and colleges to see if I could find any information and had actually found something to lead me to Cornell University. It was about 200 miles from my current location but I'd come this far. I had checked the bus schedule and found that there were several that would take me to Ithaca.

I saw a corner stand and decided to buy something else small to eat and ask for directions. The man barely spoke English but he was able to point me in the direction of the bus station. I continually looked over my shoulder during the walk but saw no signs that I was being pursued. That was odd. I needed to get word to Jake once I was far enough away that I knew I was safe. He was probably either on a flight or in wolf form and wouldn't exactly be able to answer my call either way so I opted to wait until Ithaca. I knew he wouldn't approve of my reason for coming here but I didn't really care.

I walked into the bus station and straight to the ladies room. I went into the stall and stripped out of my muddy pants and shoes. I changed into my only other pair of jeans, which were dirty but at least not wet. I pulled off my soaked socks and tank top and pulled on a different shirt. I walked out of the stall and to the sink. I looked in the mirror and almost laughed.

My hair was wet and stuck to my forehead with mud. I looked horrible. I washed my face and used the paper towels to get the mud out of my hair and off my arms. I replaced my hoodie and put on a dry pair of socks. I cleaned off my shoes and put them back on. I looked in the mirror again and realized it was the best I could do.

I stared at my reflection for a long time. I turned my head to the left and looked at the still healing scar that ran from behind my right ear to almost my collarbone. The red was gone and it was a very soft pink. It had been about eighteen months ago that the attack had occurred and I was surprised that the scar looked that good. I had determined I was stuck with the bright red and puckered scar that had been there once the forty eight stitches were removed.

I sighed and walked out of the restroom and to the ticket counter. The next train to Ithaca left in an hour. I looked at my watch and realized it was nearly six in the morning. I bought my ticket and went to wait on a bench. I was very nervous. I was continuously looking over my shoulder to make sure I wasn't being followed but as much as I knew my mind should be here, in the present moment, it wasn't. I was nervous about finding them.

What right did I have to be here? It wasn't their fault I was being hunted but I needed help and I didn't know where else to turn. My entire family was at risk. I hadn't been home in over a year. I knew it was a mistake to keep running but I didn't have a choice. Forks had become dangerous. I was drawing my enemies too close to my loved ones so I made the decision to leave.

At first, I just ran. I ran to run. I ran to escape and to draw my enemies away from my family. Then I knew I couldn't do it alone. I was cornered once, outside Portland, and the pack was there to rescue me. Jacob has tried to convince me everyday to come home but I can't risk it, not yet. Once Victoria is out of the picture, maybe I could be safe. But for now, I'm not safe. I'm not safe at all.

With that thought I looked over my shoulder again into the nearly empty room. There were only a handful of people here and I hoped that meant the bus would be fairly empty. They made the announcement then that we should begin lining up at the doors as the bus to Ithaca would be arriving soon.

I made my way slowly toward the doors with several other people. Once we boarded the bus I took a seat near the middle. By the time we left the bus was just over half full. I knew from my research that it would be about five hours before we arrived in Ithaca so I closed my eyes and curled my arms around my backpack in my lap. I felt safe for the moment and I quickly drifted into sleep.

"Miss? Miss?" I heard a voice say through the darkness. I realized it was dark because my eyes were closed. I opened them and there was a man standing in front of me. I jumped slightly at the proximity and saw his uniform. He was the driver of the bus.

"Miss, we have arrived in Ithaca," he told me softly, seeming embarrassed by having to wake me.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled quickly and departed the bus. I stepped into the bus station in Ithaca and looked at my watch. It was just after noon. I walked to the pay phone in the bus station and pulled out change for the call from my wallet. I realized after a moment that calling Jake's cell would be long distance as his number is from Washington. I would need to buy a calling card. I sighed and replaced the receiver.

A quick conversation with the overly cheerful woman working at the ticket booth and I was on my way to the public library. I had made it this far and now I needed to find an address. I was satisfied that the worst case scenario would be to go directly to the hospital. I knew how they worked and it was Carlisle I wanted to see. Carlisle would be the one to tell me how to get Victoria away. If we could just find a way to make her believe that I wasn't with Edward anymore then maybe she would leave me alone.

It wasn't a long walk and before long I was filling out the papers to get a library card. I quickly claimed an empty computer at the long table and tried several resources, coming up empty on all counts. I sighed. I didn't really want to do this face to face without some kind of warning to him I was coming. Would Alice have already seen my decision to come here? Did they already know?

It didn't help me to sit here and speculate so I quickly searched for the bus route to the hospital and gathered my backpack from the front desk before I walked back out into the cool, damp air. I pulled my hoodie a little tighter around me, wondering if I still had enough money left to buy a decent winter coat. It was late November already and I wasn't sure I would be able to hold out in just a hoodie much longer.

I walked a few blocks to the bus stop and waited. I worried about what Carlisle's reaction would be to seeing me after all this time. It was rude of me to show up like this and I had no right to ask any of them for anything. I wouldn't have bothered them at all if I wasn't desperate. All I was asking for was advice. Would Carlisle begrudge me that after everything I had been through with his family?

I honestly couldn't answer that question. Twenty six months ago I would have said Carlisle would help me through any problem any time I asked. It honestly felt that way on the night of my eighteenth birthday as he told me about how he struggled with his decision to turn Edward. I looked at Carlisle as a father. I thought he would always be there for me.

I sighed as the bus pulled up. I took a seat near the front and stared out the window to the multi hued trees. It didn't take long to cover the four miles to the hospital and I could feel my heart begin to pound in my chest as I exited the bus. I stood in front of the hospital for several minutes trying to compose myself. I ran my fingers through my hair to try and straighten in a bit but the short length I had chopped it to when I left Forks was growing out to the point that it was becoming matted with dirt yet again. It was just touching my shoulders now.

I realized I should clean myself up a bit. I didn't want to embarrass Carlisle at his place of business. I walked around the corner and found a small convenience store. I ducked into the bathroom and washed the remainder of the dried mud out of my hair. I pulled out a small brush and ran it through the tangled mess. I washed my face again and brushed my teeth. There wasn't much I could do about the clothes. I straightened them a bit and realized that it was beyond time to invest in a new outfit or at least stop and wash the ones I had at a self service. Maybe I would make a quick stop at a small store for new clothes before I went back to the hospital.

I caught my eye in the mirror and saw the guilt there. I was stalling. I closed my eyes and knew I needed to get this over with. I didn't want to cause grief for Carlisle and no doubt my random appearance into his life here would but I was out of options.

I walked swiftly out of the restroom and stopped to buy a small bag of chips and a fresh bottle of water. I ate the chips slowly on the walk back and paused again outside the main entrance of the hospital. I was a terrible liar but I needed to figure out a story if I was going to get them to let me see Carlisle without giving away who I was. He would probably bolt if he knew it was me. Maybe he already knew I was here and left. I sighed and walked in the building and to the main desk.

"May I help you find someone?" The small blonde receptionist asked.

"I'm looking for Dr. Carlisle Cullen," I said with smile. She eyed me suspiciously and began to type on her computer.

"I'm sorry. It seems Dr. Cullen is off for the school break," she said kindly. I retained my indifferent expression as I glanced at the calendar behind her trying to figure out what school break. That was when I realized that today was Thanksgiving.

"Oh, well, thank you," I said softly and turned to walk back toward the door.

"Is there a message you'd like to leave for him?" She asked before I could walk away. I thought quickly.

"He took care of my sister when she was ill. I just wanted to thank him," I said turning back toward her.

"Perhaps you could pick out a card from the gift shop. I would be happy to leave it in his mailbox for you," she offered. I smiled as I thought this through.

I would have nothing to say to him, really. What I needed involved a two way conversation but I didn't even have a phone number to give him. I could, however, warn him that Victoria was searching for them.

"That's a wonderful idea," I stated and headed to the gift shop. The gift shop had many options but I chose a generic card that was empty inside. I sat at a table in the main lobby for several minutes as I tried to decide what to write in the card.

Carlisle,

I know that I have no right to ask you or your family for help but I came to you because I trust you and I didn't know where else to go. By the time you get this I'll be gone but I wanted you to know I was here. Victoria has been coming after me. She's looking for your family and I felt that you deserved to know. I also wanted to tell you thank you for everything you did for me. I never had the opportunity to tell you that. And also, goodbye.

Bella Swan

I stared at the words and read them over and over in my head. They were pathetic but all I had at this point. I quickly placed the card in the provided envelope and sealed it before handing it back to the receptionist. She printed his name on the front and I thanked her and walked out before I could change my mind about leaving proof I had found him.

It was late on Thursday evening now and I knew I needed to eat a real meal so I found a small café that was open. I sat down and ordered a salad but mainly I picked at it and drank water.

"Something wrong with the salad, sweetheart?" The stout waitress asked as she pointed to my barely consumed meal.

"No, it was fine. I guess I wasn't as hungry as I thought," I replied and didn't meet her eyes.

"You seem a bit distracted. Are you okay?" She asked and I glanced up at her, surprised by the genuine concern in her voice. Affection was something I wasn't used to from strangers.

"I'm fine. I was hoping to run into some friends from high school while I was traveling through this area but I guess I missed them," I said, giving her one of the stories I had originally come up with before entering the hospital. It was close enough to the truth that I could say it without feeling too dishonest.

"Maybe I could help? Who is it you're looking for?" She asked, smiling down at me. I debated momentarily. I wondered if this woman could tell me where to find them but I worried that I would draw undue attention to their family. I decided to go for it.

"The Cullen's," I stated and watched her expression soften.

"Dr. Cullen's family. Yes, I know who you mean. His wife spends a lot of time in my sister's antique store. She's restoring an old home off highway ninety six. Word is she's put a lot of money into it," she said in the voice of someone passing on the town gossip. "Their son, Jasper, has a class with one of my boys over at Cornell."

"Really?" I asked, trying to sound only politely interested. She had given me what I needed to find them. "I went to high school with Jasper. I'm glad to hear that they're doing well."

"Well, they seem to be adjusting. Apparently, when they first arrived there was a bit of a transition period. They tried to keep things under wraps but word has it they lost someone close to the family and were trying to move forward," she explained and she still seemed to be in gossip mode. I fought to keep the polite smile on my face.

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that," I said and pulled out my wallet. She left my ticket on the table and I left the money plus a sizeable tip for the information she had unwittingly provided.

I walked quickly to find a store with a map of the area. It wasn't long before I came on a twenty four hour discount store that was staying open late tonight. I bought a map of the area and another bottle of water. I sat a small restaurant inside the store and opened the map. It seemed that highway ninety six was much longer than I feared. It might take a while to narrow down where I was going. Maybe if I headed to Cornell in the morning I could find some information about there address through the college itself.

I walked around the store and found the women's clothing. I grabbed an inexpensive but durable looking pair of jeans and another hoodie. I searched until I found a shirt in my size on clearance. I wandered through the food isles picking out things that would stay fresh and give me as much energy as possible. I grabbed a few more bottles of water before I headed to the cashier.

Once I had my purchases I went to the restroom and changed my clothes. It felt nice to have a fresh outfit again and I shoved the dirty ones and my new food into my backpack. It was filling up again. I pulled out my flashlight as I walked out into the night air and started toward the direction of highway ninety six. I figured I would walk as far as I could tonight and then find a place to sleep once I got too tired.

Sleep was something I did only when necessary. I hated to sleep because sleep meant nightmares. Sleep meant I was vulnerable. It was hard to give in and sleep but I felt better after the bus ride and I should be able to make it for a while before I had to sleep again. Five consecutive hours was more than I'd had since I could remember.

I shook my head a few times to dispel the images trying to take root in my mind and continued walking. I knew it would be a long shot that I would be able to continue walking until I find the right house but right now it seemed as good a plan as any. I'm just glad to know I'm on the right trail. Knowing that I'm even in the right place is a start.

I continued walking as I thought about what I would say to them. They are going to think I'm insane tracking them down this way. I walked for six hours before I had to stop. I was dragging by that point. My endurance had improved over the last six months of being on the run. Before I began running, I could only last two, maybe three hours at this pace.

I walked a short way into the trees and found a log to sit on. I threw my dirty hoodie down and sat on it while I pulled out something to eat and my bottle of water. I rested for an hour before I felt the exhaustion. That was the price of being on the run. If I let myself stop for too long, the exhaustion would pull me under and I really couldn't afford to be caught out here in the middle of the woods asleep.

I slid from the log onto the ground behind it. I realized I was shivering as I sat with my back against the log and stretched my feet out in front of me. I was far enough from the highway that no one would see me if I did take a short nap but at the same time I was far enough from the highway that no one could see if I was attacked either.

I stood up quickly and brushed the dirt from my clothes. I tossed my dirty hoodie back in my bag and started walking again. It was really getting cold tonight. I looked at my watch and saw it was already five thirty in the morning. Maybe if kept going a little while longer I would have the advantage of sun today or maybe just enough warmth to sleep a few hours. I continued to walk parallel to the highway in the woods for another few miles before I noticed a drive. The sun was beginning to rise somewhere behind the clouds because I could see without the flashlight now.

I walked into the small opening of the drive and tried to decide if this might be it already. There was no way I was lucky enough to stumble into the right place this soon. I looked around for a moment before I decided as long as I stayed near the drive I should be okay. I would be able to find my way back to the highway if this lane turned out to be a dead end.

I walked what seemed to be about two more miles and as I did I felt my body moving slower and slower. Exhaustion was starting to take its toll on me and I quickly slid off my backpack and grabbed an energy bar and my water. I continued on the way up the drive until I started to see the house through the trees. I watched my feet as I stepped out of the trees and into the drive. I was getting far to tired to contest with the roots and loose branches any longer.

I stopped in full sight of the house. My mind was racing. The house looked amazing and eerily familiar although I'd never seen anything like it. It was the entire atmosphere of being here. This had to be it. I wondered if they were here or if they knew I was here yet. Surely Alice would have seen this by now. I felt myself start to tremble a bit and I looked quickly over each shoulder. I knew that being tired meant I could be less observant and I needed to be very aware of my surroundings right now.

I walked closer to the house and saw no movement inside. I started to feel like maybe this was a bad idea. I wondered if I would be able to handle it if they turned me away. This was literally my last hope of not having to spend the rest of my life on the run from Victoria. My fear started to break my resolve. I thought about turning back as I felt the tears begin to burn in my eyes. I closed my eyes and wiped them with the back of my hand as I took a deep breath. I was here and I would see this through.

I opened my eyes and took the final few steps to the porch. I went straight to the front door. I didn't hesitate as I reached up and knocked quickly three times. It was only then that I began to wonder who might answer. I felt myself begin to tremble as the seconds ticked by with no response. I was just about to knock again when I realized there was no point. They knew I was here and they didn't care.

I sighed and lowered my head trying in vain to block out the part of me that I was beginning to hate more and more. That part of me that was nothing more than a scared girl who was in over her head. But that's all I was really and this had been my fight for so long that I wasn't sure what to do now that I wasn't going to get the help I had been depending on finding.

"Please, help me," I said in a voice I barely recognized. I turned away from the door but the fear and horror of what was left for me to face overwhelmed my already exhausted body. My knees were shaking so bad I took off my backpack and leaned against the door. I felt myself slide down until I was sitting on the porch with my head in my hands. I felt, for the first time in a long time, completely defeated.

I felt myself losing the last of my grip against that other part of myself and finally let go. I began to sob and let the words come. The words I had been fighting against for twenty six months came out of my mouth.

"I'm so scared," I said and I felt nothing but relief at the words. I had been avoiding admitting my fear, even to myself but now I had nothing left. I would never be safe.

I heard a clicking sound and immediately held my breath. It took a few seconds for me to place the sound but it sounded like a door unlocking. I looked up and almost expected the door to be open before I realized I was sitting against it.

I slowly got to my feet and waited before I realized the door wasn't opening. I reached for the handle, intent on finding out if that was indeed the sound I had heard. When I turned the knob the door opened easily. I stood in the doorway but saw nothing.

As soon as I had taken a moment to look at the entryway I knew I was in the right house. The décor, the sense of style was almost a mirror of the house in Forks. I saw the flowers sitting in a bowl beside a lamp on a small table beside the stairs. I didn't think before I entered the house.

"Hello?" I asked tentatively. "Alice? Carlisle? Is anybody here?"

The thought that this may be a trap had just began to enter my mind when the movement of someone coming from under the stairs caught my attention. I felt my entire body lock down as he stepped out and took three large strides in my direction without speaking. I couldn't think fast enough. My mind was clouded by the fear and uncertainty of the situation.

"Hello again, Bella," he stated with mock cheerfulness. I lost my grip on myself again momentarily and whimpered. I let myself begin to think there was no way to escape. I took a step back and saw his eyes dart down to measure my step but he didn't move in response. He just watched and when his eyes returned to my face I noticed that they were very nearly black.

"You led us right to them. I never thought you would actually help us," he stated cruelly. The horror of the situation washed over me when I realized he was right. I had led them right to the family they had been looking for all along. Why was I so careless?

"No! I didn't! I mean… I didn't…" I couldn't find the right words because all forms of coherent thought had fled my mind in that moment. All I could think was I had to lead them away from here. Maybe if I could put up enough of a chase it would give Carlisle a chance to get my message at the hospital and get the family away from here. I needed to run. I could do this.

I turned quickly and froze. My nightmare was standing in the doorway of the house, blocking my escape route. Of course she was here.

Victoria took three steps into the house and was standing directly in front of me. I knew there was no way out. She smiled down at me and her burgundy eyes sparkled with delight. I stood frozen with no reaction momentarily. My mind was working through too many things to respond.

The first thing I realized is that I never called Jake. He and the pack wouldn't know where to look for me but that meant they were safe. My family and friends in Forks would finally be safe.

The second was that this was a trap. I had walked right into her trap. I had led her here and all I could hope was that Alice had seen that this outcome would be for the best. Everyone would be safe because it was me Victoria wanted dead. Now the Cullen's might be safe as well.

The last thing I realized was that this would not be quick. Laurent had warned me that Victoria planned on making me suffer so I would resolve myself now to die on my own terms. With that final decision made a plan began to form in my mind. I smiled sweetly back at Victoria and she looked a bit bewildered by the antagonism.

"About time," I said. I tried to sound confidant. "It only took you, what, two years of chasing me before you finally caught me? I know James was the tracker but come on. Why did he even bother keeping you around?"

Her bewilderment turned to rage the moment I spoke James' name and I felt a blow land against the side of my face that I knew came from her although I didn't see the movement. The impact caused me to fly into the wall opposite the staircase and I knew immediately that there was blood. I could feel it dripping down both sides of my face, from the impact of her hand as well as the wall.

She lifted me by my hair and I refused to scream. I held my breath as the pain pulsed through my head. I felt my left eye swelling shut already.

"You have no idea how much worse you have made things for yourself by running for so long. Oh, and the wolves will be taken care of in due time as well. Don't think that just because they aren't here now I will let all their attacks go unpunished. They will all pay," she hissed at me and flung me across the entryway. I hit the table and felt it buckle into the wall at the impact. I heard glass shattering and the wind left my lungs as I hit the floor. I coughed up blood.

I looked up and saw two figures struggling. It seemed like they were fighting over something but one was trying to restrain the other. I was only seeing out of my right eye at this point and it was clouded. Was Victoria fighting another vampire? Did someone come to rescue me?

Suddenly I felt myself being lifted again but this time it was by the arm. I felt my shoulder dislocate as whoever it was jerked me to my feet. I couldn't help the cry of pain as I felt the pop. I looked and saw Victoria's hand as she tossed me a short ways behind her and I fell back into a mess of broken glass. Blood was gushing from several wounds at this point and I knew my stomach couldn't take it much longer. I tried to move enough to see what was happening. It seemed that the other two were still fighting but Victoria had thrown me behind her. I saw that it was the blonde male that I already knew from years of attacks restraining another blonde male who looked to be about sixteen.

"Get him away from here, Riley. He can't kill her. I need her alive," I heard Victoria say through clenched teeth.

I suddenly realized everything I thought before might be wrong. Maybe my being captured didn't make anyone safe. Maybe now I was the bait.

Alright... there is chapter one! Let me know what you think and you might get a small preview of chapter two!