A/N: this is a flashback! I don't know if I made that clear or not. The first chapter of this story is actually the prologue, but this is where the story initially starts. Sorry if I caused any confusion!

"Bella, honey," my mother whispered through my dreams, her hand gripping my arm and shaking me. "Bella, I need you to wake up. Wake up, honey."

I rolled over and saw that the light in my room was on. I squinted my eyes and tried to look away, but Renee took her hand and made me look her in the eyes. "I need you to wake up, baby."

"What is it?" I mumbled, still half asleep.

"We're leaving," she replied, her words devoid of emotion.

"Where are we going?"

"Bella, just listen to me." Her face was hard and her voice was low. "I need you to get your duffle bag and pack as much as you can, alright? And do it now."

I took a moment to just stare at her, finally realizing I was awake. "Why?"

"Don't question me. Just do it."

Renee left the room without another word. I could hear her pounding on Tyler's door. "Tyler!" she shouted. "Open this door right now!"

I muffled her voice by closing my own door. I turned to face my room, and tried to register what I was doing. What did I need to pack? Where were we going? How long were we staying?

My mother seemed to be anxious though, or irritated. Possibly scared. And very rarely is she anything but happy and cheerful.

I took the duffle bag out of my closet and threw a few pairs of jeans into it. Then a few shirts, a jacket, underwear. I took the cheap mp3 player I got for Christmas a few years ago and threw that in as well, along with my favorite books and my journal.

When I was finished, I felt kind of sad. Everything important to me was packed into a single bag.

I sat down on my bed. I wasn't really sure what to do. The only instructions I was given were to pack as much possible into a bag.

I caught a glimpse of the clock. It was only a few minutes past three in the morning.

After a few moments in silence, I heard my mother stomping down the narrow hallway. "Tyler! Bella! Come on!"

I opened my door at the same time that Tyler did, and we bumped into each other in the hall. "Where are we going?" I asked in a hushed tone.

"No clue," Tyler said, and yawned.

Renee stood at the end of the hallway, and as I passed her she pushed my back towards the garage. "Come on, guys, Dana's already in her car seat."

I climbed into the backseat to sit beside my four-year-old sister, Dana. She was sound asleep, her head tilted to the side and drool starting to slide down her cheek. Looking at her, I couldn't help but smile. She was precious.

"Seriously, Mom," Tyler blurted out as he opened the car door, interrupting my thoughts. "Where are you taking us?"

"Just get in the car and I'll explain," Renee stated, fiddling with her seatbelt.

Tyler remained still, not making any move to get in the car. His face was almost angry.

"Tyler, please," my mother begged, her change in tone drastic. "There's no time for this. I will explain. Please, just get in."

Renee's pleading broke Tyler's façade, and with a sigh, he quickly jumped into the car and hooked in.

"Mom." Tyler began as Renee shot out of the driveway, down our street and towards the interstate. Riding in cars had always made me sleepy, and the rhythm of the tires going over the pavement was like a lullaby, and I found myself yawning. "Does this have anything to do with Phil?"

"What happened to Phil?" I tried to ask, but I found I hadn't really said anything at all, and I was beginning to fall asleep.

The car was silent.

"Mom," Tyler repeated, but this time he seemed farther away.

Again, no answer.

"Mom," Tyler said, sternly this time.

After a moment of silence, I heard something that sounded like a sob.

"What did he do to you?" Tyler asked, concerned, but I didn't hear anything else. The car's rocking rhythm had sung me to sleep.