Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. Although if I did, I'd be swimming in money.

All our knowledge merely helps us to die a more painful death than animals that know nothing.

Maurice Maeterlinck

I froze dead in my spot, my nails digging into the small tree behind me. The light trickled in, revealing a beautiful man with golden hair. He smiled at me. I trembled, the leaves shaking with me.

"Hello," He said quietly. His voice was warm, inviting. Maybe my initial conclusion about them had been wrong. He held his hand out. I stared at it, confused, my mind not working properly enough for me to return the gesture. He sighed and took his hand back, disappearing behind the leaves.

Another few minutes past, and the leaves were pulled aside again, this time with a younger looking boy with bronze hair. He studied me for a while, then held his hand out to me, just as the other man had, and smiled at me. "I won't hurt you," He whispered. "I'm just like you."

My trembling hand reached towards his, and he pulled me out of my hiding place. The blond man – Carlisle, I believe – held out his hands as if to surrender. The other boy watched me warily.

"Hello," Carlisle said again. "What's your name?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but was interrupted. "Emily," The bronzed-haired boy answered.

Carlisle smiled reassuringly, and then continued. "Are you alone?"

I was cut off again. "Yes," He answered. My eyes widened. He was correct…again. What was going on?

"I'm Carlisle, and this is Edward." He gestured to himself and to the bronzed-haired boy. I smiled at them and looked down. There was silence.

"No." Edward said, brisk and solemn. My head snapped up, surprised at the sudden outburst. He was faced towards Carlisle. "No." He said again.

Carlisle had a pleading look in his eye. Edward's face remained hard.

E-POV

We can't just leave her here! Carlisle was screaming mentally. I rolled my eyes. We can't save every vampire we come across. Carlisle smiled, a thought coming to his mind that he knew I wouldn't be able to say no to.

Esme would want you to.

I gaped at him. He would go low enough to bring Esme into this? That wasn't fair. Not at all. I glanced at Emily. Her clothes were ragged, her hair clumped to her head. Her eyes were a deep onyx. She wasn't in good shape. Carlisle was right. She needed help.

No! I thought. I shouldn't be sympathetic. She isn't our problem. She could be dangerous. Having her around Bella….I clenched my fists. I wouldn't let that happen, no matter how much Esme or Carlisle begged.

Her thoughts dragged me out of mine.

"Sleep, Emily." A young lady cooed to a sleeping child in her lap. The child stirred slightly.

"But, Mum," The girl whined. "I'm not tired."

Her mom laughed. "It doesn't matter. It's time for good little girls to get to sleep."

The little girl was silent for a few minutes. "I can't sleep."

"Alright," the woman sighed. "If I sing you a lullaby, will you sleep?" Emily thought for a moment, then nodded.

The woman started singing a sweet melody.

"Golden slumbers kiss your eyes,
Smiles await you when you rise.
Sleep,
pretty baby,
Do not cry,
And I'll sing you a lullaby.

Care you know not,
Therefore sleep,
While I o'er you watch do keep.
Sleep,
pretty darling,
Do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby." When she was finished, her daughter yawned. "Now, sleep, child. You promised."

"I will," Emily whispered back sleepily. She had just about closed her eyes when a slamming noise woke her.

"Emily, dearest," Her mother mumbled. "Go on to bed." Emily nodded and started towards the stairs, when she looked back and caught her mother's worried, scared expression.

"Mummy," She asked, rubbing her eyes. "What is it?"

"Nothing, Emily. Go on to bed." Her mother's voice was beginning to sound frantic. The sounds of lazy, slow footsteps were coming closer.

Emily hesitated, then went to go hide behind a wall where her mother could not see her.

A tall man staggered his way over to Emily's mother, a glass bottle in his hand. "Hello, John," She greeted her husband shakily.

"Shut up!" The words were slurred together, but nonetheless sharp. He threw his free hand across her face sending her to the floor. Emily flinched.

"You never listen!" He yelled again, kicking her in the ribs.

"I…did…nothing…wrong…" She gasped, clutching her side.

John grumbled incoherently. Her kicked her again, this time in the face. Crimson lines started streaking from her nostrils. Emily started to cry, holding her hand over her mouth so she could not be heard.

Emily's mother sat up and backed against a wall, attempting to pull herself up. Her husband slapped her down again, yelling and screaming. "Die!" He yelled, over and over again, hitting her with an umbrella. He showed no sign of stopping any time soon.

Emily and I both flinched at the next part.

Emily's mother tried to get up once more. Blood covered her eyes and cheeks, and stained her satin dress. She clutched her rib cage to stop the bleeding best she could, a pained but calm expression on her face. She had thought her husband had finally done his fill, and he had fallen asleep on their couch. She hadn't noticed when he had come behind her.

He raised his arm up, bringing it down with the most strength he could manage. The bottle smashed into the poor woman's head, sending broken glass everywhere, even at her child's feet.

And, cut! How sad is that? Emily witnessed her own mother being beaten by her father? Will Edward finally change his view on her? Find out next time!! Tell me what you think!