Second chapter! Still Alice's POV. Jasper's coming soon. :)

I awoke to the sound of a beeping heart monitor, and a bright white light shining in my eyes. The hospital no doubt. I couldn't move, I had needles stuck in my arm, and I had a devil of a stepmom ready to chase me to purgatory. Oh yay me.

"Take it easy Mary."

I sighed, staring up at the ceiling. Not that I had much of a choice. The neck brace was really getting on my nerves. I knew that the voice belonged to a pitying doctor ready to consult me about my unhealthy physical stature. I also knew that I would lie, that my step mom would take me home... and that I would be back in a few months max.

"How bad am I?" I whispered blindly. A low, yet depressing chuckle escaped his lips.

"You have very serious injuries I'm afraid," he continued, "Ah...3 broken ribs, a fractured skull, neck and wrist not to mention that the rest of your body is rather bruised."

I groaned audibly. I felt him hover. My heart rate began to quicken with anxiety.

"What about her? How'd I get here? Do I have to go back? How long am I staying?"

My words came out quickly, yet I was sure that doc was able to catch them. I could barely breathe.

"I'm afraid you're current stature is undeniable proof that you will not be going back to your former guardian." The doc sighed, slightly elevating my bed into a comfortable sitting position so that I could finally see his face.

He was quite good looking, young and slightly muscular. He sported a pale complexion, which suited his golden blond hair and show ribbon blue eyes. I couldn't help but gawp slightly. The doctor didn't seem to notice my reaction. But he did indeed pick up on the steady blush that was flowing through my cheeks. I probably looked like a dead goldfish.

"Are you alright Mary?" he asked, hovering again. My eyes flickered in annoyance. I hated it when doctors did that. I dismissed his concern with the tiniest movement of my head.

"I'm so sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier," he smiled, "I'm Dr Cullen, but you may address me as Carlisle if that makes you more comfortable."

My cheeks flushed slightly, and I averted my eyes. He had noticed my staring. I gave him a wry smile, embarrassed.

"How did I get here?" I asked my eyes still on my hands. Dr Cullen gave me a troubled glance. I could tell he was hesitating.

"There had been a few...rumours, about what had been happening in your home life," Dr Cullen said sheepishly, "So the police decided to investigate, and when they arrived-

"Wait," I whispered loud enough so that he could hear, "What rumours?"

Dr Cullen looked uncomfortable. He stared around the room. I shifted my hands nervously. I had never revealed my injuries to anyone. It couldn't have been something I had caused.

"You're mother-

"Step mother."

"You're stepmother is...known to have had problems with alcoholism."

Obviously.

"And?"

"Her medical file notified that she had been adapting a violent behaviour during her time at the hospital..." he said shaking his head, "And when she was discharged, we believed it would have stopped completely after talking to her doctor, and following a strict non alcohol diet."

"You actually believed that she would stop drinking?"

"Before she took you in, Maria had gone 3 years without consuming more than a few glasses of alcohol."

I remained silent. Great. It was my fault. It was always my fault.

"When we found out that Maria had started placing large orders of alcohol online, we had to investigate the situation. We knew she had placed a child under her care, so the police were worried for your safety...And when Chief Swan arrived...well, we were afraid that we were too late."

"Where's Maria?"

"Back at the police station. She's not going to see you anytime soon," Dr Cullen promised sincerely. I couldn't help but sigh in relief. My heart rate reduced back to a normal speed.

"When am I getting discharged?"

"You'll have to wait until most of your injuries have healed."

"I don't have a home to go back to."

Dr Cullen's expression softened. I hated when people looked sympathetic. I felt useless. Maria was right about that. I was a useless piece of shit.

"We'll figure out the specifics later," he smiled half heartedly, "For now, you have to get some rest Mary."

He began to inject medication into my arm. The room swayed and I managed to slur out my words before I drifted off.

"Alice," I mumbled as I felt myself nodding off, "I prefer Alice."

Dr Cullen chuckled beside me. I heard his light footsteps head towards the door. He paused for a few seconds.

"Rest Alice. You'll need it."