I don't own Twilight or it's characters. I only own my imagination.

Alice POV

I was in the grip of my nightmare, day-mare, whatever you wanted to call it. My life-mare. I've been trapped in this hell for one hundred forty eight days; each day worse than the day before. You wouldn't think it was possible with everything they put me through, but it was. Today they broke whatever part of me was left inside. They reduced me from their private plaything to nothing but a paid whore. I don't know how James expects to hide my bruises from 'Daddy' tonight.

I hate that term Charlie forces me to use. I used to have a father, a mother as well. Granted they weren't the best example for parenting, always jetting off somewhere to save the world. Why didn't they care enough about their own daughter to stay home, to save me? I was all for saving the world, but didn't charity begin at home? I was left in the care of servants as they couldn't be bothered with staying home for me. I shouldn't have been surprised at the reading of their wills. They left everything to their causes. I was left with nothing to pay for college and essentially homeless.

I took shelter in a home for runaways in hopes of being able to regroup and find a new direction for my life. Instead I was dropped into the hell my life has become. I was there for just a few weeks when I was informed by the caretaker that the Chief of Police wanted to help me get back on my feet. She told me it was a real blessing to be taken in by him and that all the other girls he helped landed on their feet and had successful marriages to wealthy men. She was a hopeless romantic and considered marriage to be the end all-be all for a woman.

I've wished a million times that I could see the future. If I'd only known before I got in his police cruiser what awaited me. It was the stuff of nightmares, only for me, it was all very real. Even with everything I've been subjected to, I would never have thought James could stoop this low.

I tossed restlessly on my bed reliving again the trauma of today, like once wasn't enough. He charged money for his friends to use my body as they saw fit. I saw again the twisted hateful faces of each of his friends as I serviced them. Of course, I wasn't a virgin before today. James took care of that my first night while I was tied to my bed. He said he just couldn't resist me and had to have me first. I was supposed to be given to some man named Jasper in a few months after I was properly 'trained.' I kept waiting for someone to yell

"gotcha!" like it was a joke. But it was no joke. They were serious about their idea of training. Brainwashing. Only I'm supposed to be a virgin when I'm given to this Jasper for our wedding. I'm terrified what he will think and do when he discovers I'm not.

I was pulled from my nightmare by the sound of a beautiful masculine voice. I'd never heard it before, but I felt a stirring inside me to awaken. The voice was angry, which could only mean I was going to be punished again for some imagined wrong I've done. I can't handle any more. I'm done. One way or another, this nightmare has to end for me today. Even death would be a blessing.

"Why the hell is she covered in bruises?" he yelled. "What in God's name did you do to her?"

I forced my eyes to open and stared at the back of the stranger in my room. He was yelling at James. I felt a small smile play at my lips at the thought of James being in trouble. I only wished his punishment could be as bad as mine. Maybe someday karma would catch up to him. I only wished I could be alive to see it. I quickly climbed out of bed and backed against the farthest wall from this man. If he was in my room, then he was here to hurt me as well.

He turned to me at the sound of my movement. For a brief moment I was captivated by piercing blue eyes. He was beautiful, there was no doubt about it. He had to be the most beautiful man I've ever seen. In another life I could have fallen for him.

"James!" he growled. He was staring at me with such anger. I wouldn't survive if he punished me too right now. I hurt everywhere.

"Alice, come here, love," he said, holding out his hand.

Hearing his term of endearment, I suddenly put the pieces together. I knew who this man was. He was Jasper, my future husband. He was finally here and I just knew he was going to hurt me as well. I stared at his hand, imaging how much damage he could do to me with it and then looked again to those piercing eyes. Death was preferable. I was taking a stand as it were. I was taking the only option left to me.

I whimpered and shook my head slowly as I eased a leg over the windowsill of the open window. I didn't want to die. I was only eighteen. It didn't seem fair to have my life end before it ever really began, but I'd never have a life with this man.

"Please don't hurt me," I begged. "I can't take anymore."

"Alice, don't. I'm not going to hurt you. Come here," he demanded. He was angry at my defiance.

I panicked as he strode purposefully across the room at me. I would be free finally. I closed my eyes and made my solemn vow to myself, "No more." And jumped, hopefully to my death.

**

I frowned as I was pulled to consciousness by an incessant beeping noise. I opened my eyes slowly and took in my surroundings. There was a dim light coming from behind my head that enabled me to see. I was in a hospital. I had failed. I shifted in the bed and winced at the pain. Everything seemed to be working, but it hurt to move.

I felt the bed shift and turned to see a head rising from where it lay on my bed beside me. I then realized that someone was holding my hand. I stared at the same blue eyes I'd seen before. What surprised me was the anguish I could see in them. Why was he so sad? Who had put that sadness there? I glanced down to see him holding my hand in his. Mine was so small in his. I wondered briefly why it didn't frighten me. It was the same hand that he held out to me in my room in anger. Did this mean he could be gentle sometimes as well? I looked again to his face. He was watching me so intently, like he was waiting for something. I don't know what he wants from me, I have nothing to give him. I gave up wondering and closed my eyes. Maybe the answers would come to me later.

**

I've met Jasper's mother and sister-in-law. It seems silly, but I never pictured Jasper having a family. How did that work? His mother and sister-in-law have been trying to help me. I don't know what they thought they could do. They're just as trapped in this nightmare as I am. His father is my doctor and only looks at me with disdain. I am beneath his notice now that he knows I'm no longer a virgin. I don't know what will happen to me now. Esme really needs to stop with the cheery outlook. She keeps telling me she can help me. No one can help me.

To prove it, I told her I wanted Chicken Alfredo for lunch. Not something a hospital would have, and if their life was anything like my experience she couldn't just rush out and get it, either. She and Rosalie were nothing, just like me.

She told me to take a shower to help me feel better, like soap and water would erase the last day, much less the last five months. She couldn't tell me what the future held for me either.

I sighed as I stepped out of the shower. I did feel a little better being clean, on the outside at least. I knew I'd never be clean on the inside again. I dressed and walked back into my room only to freeze when I saw Jasper standing there. I stood, uncertain what I should do when Esme walked up to me. She put her arm around me gently and guided me to my bed.

"Alice, Jasper brought your lunch in. I'm sure you're hungry," she offered gently. She helped tuck the covers in around me as I settled back into the bed, pulling the table in front of me.

"Let's see what Rose found for you." She pulled the cover off the plate to reveal Chicken Alfredo and a small salad. "Well what do you know, your favorite. I knew Rose would be able to get it for you."

I smiled. She won this round. I owed it to her now to talk about how I'm feeling. I picked up my fork, anxious to try it. It actually smelled very good. I have no idea how they accomplished this, but I was grateful. I suddenly realized Jasper was still in the room and dropped my fork. I wasn't supposed to eat until men had been served.

He stepped to the side of my bed and reached to touch me. I flinched instinctively from the hit I knew was coming. I was startled when he pulled his hand back.

"Alice. You need to eat before your food gets cold," he said. "The noodles are nasty when they get cold."

I stared at him a moment. I couldn't figure him out. In the short time I've been with him, he hasn't made a move to hurt me. I knew it was only a matter of time, though. He still hasn't told me what's going to happen to me. I gave up trying to figure him out and decided to just enjoy my food. It was a small thing, but it was mine.

**

I glanced down at myself. Rosalie brought me a white sundress this morning to wear. I would have preferred black. It seemed more appropriate for what was taking place today; a wedding. My wedding to be exact. I couldn't believe it. He was marrying me anyway. What did this mean for me? Would he be cruel like Charlie and James or see me as worthless like his father does now? I knew he would hurt me sometime soon. It was inevitable. He knew what went on with my training; he knew I was used so there was nothing holding him back.

I ignored the minister's words as I worked to come to terms with what was happening. He was carrying on about love and honor. He must be the only person in the room who didn't know there was no love, no honor and certainly no one to cherish me in this room. There was only this man whom I've known for three days. Three days in which he'd been nothing but kind to me. He never left my room other to shower and change clothes. He talked to me about his home he built for us. I hate white rooms; they look sterile, like no one lives in them. It's what I grew up in. I always swore to have color; soft, warm colors that welcomed you in. A place where love could be felt in every corner, a place I would never live.

I was brought out of my thoughts by the minister saying my name.

"Alice, do you take Jasper as your lawfully wedded husband," he began.

As the minister recited my vows to me I stared into Jasper's eyes, trying to see my future. I saw his blue eyes that seemed to be seeking something from me, as I was seeking something from him. I saw the softness around his eyes and mouth. There weren't the harsh lines of ugliness that were on Charlie and Jame's faces. I even thought I could see a hint of kindness in his eyes when he looked at me. Did I dare to hope there might be a little kindness in my future? I didn't need much. I would settle for crumbs. If I've learned anything in the past five months, it's to take the meager moments of kindness offered and savor them. They may be few and far between.

The minister finished my vows and waited for my answer. I wondered for a moment what he would do if I said 'no'. Would he save me? Did he have the power to do so? I knew deep inside of me there was only one answer to give. It's what the past five months have been leading to; this moment. This moment where Jasper took possession of his merchandise. Our marriage certificate would be my bill of sale. The ring he put on my finger would be the symbol of the purchase.

I knew I couldn't say 'no,' as much as I would like to. 'Yes' was my only option. I continued to stare at Jasper, wishing for just a hint at what my life would become. Nothing came to me. I couldn't stand before God and say 'yes,' but I couldn't say 'no' either. I closed my eyes against the inevitable and nodded my consent.

I turned to look out the window. It was overcast, much as it was every day. It was a fitting day; dark and dreary. I continued to watch the clouds move in the sky as the minister repeated Jasper's vows. Naturally he said 'yes'. I felt him lift my hand and slide the ring on my finger as the sun broke through the clouds and shone into the window and on my face. I paused in wonder. Could this be the sign I've been searching for?