It's been a month, and I am sorry for that but I have had a busy month! I've had to think about GCSE's and school stuff always has to come first now, I'm afraid:/

Anway, enjoy!


Chapter 3

"Isabella!"

Every thought I had before that moment vanished and I was running down the stairs. I stumbled a little on the last step but thankfully didn't fall.

James was standing next to Victoria in the dark, empty living room even though neither of them looked very angry, looks can be deceiving. I noticed years ago, that when their eyes were black or even just darker than their normal red, they always seemed to be cranky or annoyed; when they were most dangerous and brutal. But it probably didn't mean anything.

"We will be out of town for a week or so." He spoke. "We will expect you to keep the house clean and don't make a nuisance of yourself. No eating apart from on Fridays, and don't try to pull another one of your stunts. We will know."

Of course they will know, they know everything! Every step I take; every word I say. Everything.

Yet I don't know a thing about them, only their names. I don't have any explanations for the strange things they do.

"Yes sir, I will keep the house clean, stay out of other people's way, I won't eat at all apart from on Friday and no stunts will be pulled," I vowed, quietly. After the years I have been with them, I've learnt to ignore and move on with all those things. My opinions and thoughts never really counted as something to worry about. At least that was what James and Victoria convinced me, whether it's true or not doesn't matter anymore. It is now embedded into every thought I make.

No one cares.

"Good." Victoria said.

They were outside before I could blink. I ran to the front door to watch them leave, but they were nowhere in sight. I tried to look into the trees without leaving the warmth of the house, but of course, there was nothing to see.

Half an hour later I was walking to school. It seemed extra cold today, and my long-sleeved shirt and jeans obviously weren't warm enough to stop the shivers or the stares for the matter. I couldn't find anything that could pass of to be a coat. Everyone I passed had their thick coats on, scarfs, gloves; the whole winter attire, I guess. I felt naked.

"I guess you didn't find that coat then?" I looked up to see Edward driving, slowly beside me. I shrugged. "Do you want another ride?"

I shook my head, James and Victoria could be anywhere. And I promised to stay out of other people's way, and not make a nuisance of myself.

The purring of the car stopped. I looked back to where Edward was, and his car was parked on the curb of the pavement. He got out of his Volvo and came to stand beside me.

"What are you doing?" I asked. He smiled and shrugged out of his jacket.

"Well, I am making you warmer by lending you my jacket", he said, giving it to me. "And I am going to walk with you, just to keep you company." Then he winked. He winked.

Oh my gosh! He just winked at me! He's giving me his jacket! He left his shiny, Volvo to walk with me!

I didn't know what to say. I decided to keep my answer distant, just in case I blurted out something I would regret. "If you're sure…"

"Of course I am!"

I nodded and looked down to my feet again, unsure of what to say. So he started the conversation.

"Did you get home okay the other day?" He looked genuinely curious. He hadn't been to school for a few days, but I wasn't going to ask why.

"No, I got hit by a car crossing the street, and then a tree fell on top of me." I giggled. For a few moments he didn't smile but he did eventually.

"Don't say things like that, it could actually happen."

"Would you let that happen?" I asked, jokingly.

"Yeah, as long as you weren't wearing my jacket." He winked again, I giggled. I clutched my hand over my heart.

"That hurt. Right here," I said pointing to my heart and wiping away fake tears. He grabbed my wrists to move my hands away from my face. I flinched away.

"Let go of me!" I screamed.

He looked shocked. Scared. Worried? I felt real tears, taking the place of my fake ones. I can't believe I just done that. Suddenly memories came flooding back…

I ran up the stairs so fast my legs didn't feel like my own. My twelve year old body was still small enough to fit under the bed without my legs sticking out. The burn in my hands stung. I couldn't help it. The tray was too hot, I couldn't hold it anymore. It hurt.

I whimpered, looking at my pinkish burns. I tried sucking on my hands to cool it down, but it only hurt more... Her shrieks filled the house, along with his growls. "Little girl! You can run, but I will find you! You can't run away from me little girl!"

I heard my heart banging in my ears. I tried taking deep breaths, I tried to calm my heartbeat; with no luck, of course. Her footsteps were lighter than his, but I could hear them vibrating the floor I was laying on. The door creaked open. Naturally, I held my breath.

Isabella", she sang, her voice was raising goose bumps on my skin. My heart thumped. It was so loud. "Come out, come out where ever you are."

My breathing accelerated and I felt my heart beat against my chest so hard I think it bruised. Her shadow approached the bed at a excruciatingly slowpace. I knew she was going to find me. She could smell my fear. Taste it.

"Have you found her, baby?" I heard his masculine voice. I felt my heart get impossibly faster. I felt the pain before they touched me. Preparing for it should help, shouldn't it? The feeling of fear wasn't unusual anymore, but it didnt make a difference.

"Ooh, I've found her. I want to have some fun now…"

Suddenly hands shot underneath the bed and grabbed me by my wrists. I was trapped.

"Noo! Please! Let go of me! Don't hurt me!" I struggled against her strength. It wasn't humanly possible to be so strong. And fast. James replaced her and shoved me, hard against the wall. "You are a bad girl, and bad girls need to be punished."

She slapped me, which shook the tears out of my eyes.

"Oh look, baby. She is crying," James chuckled, darkly. He moved his head closer to mine and whispered. "No one is going to save you. No one cares."

"Bella? Bella? Are you okay? I am sorry! What can I do?" Edward shouted frantically. I was curled up on the floor crying.

I quickly got up. "I'm sorry. I am fine, don't worry about it."

I turned around and practically ran, and I knew he was close behind. I have discovered I could never outrun him.

Before I knew it, we were at the school. I looked at him and attempted to give him his jacket.

"Keep it. Just give it back to me tomorrow." He said, and walked away towards his siblings.

I can't believe I had done that! I must have looked so stupid; so weak. He must think I am a freak, who has a mental breakdown every five minutes in the middle of the street. And he probably noticed I am weak before that anyway. I run away from him every time he notices something. First the scars, then the thin clothing. He is so close to figuring everything out.

The rest of the day went on just as usual. At lunch, Jessica wouldn't stop asking me about my entrance with Edward. Apparently everyone noticed.

"So you didn't have a coat, so he gave you his jacket and he walked to school with you, leaving his expensive car behind in the process?"

"Yes, I have said this at least ten times now." I mumbled.

"I know but its Edward Cullen, and it's you. I mean no offense, you're pretty and everything. But come on, he is deserves swimsuit models!"

Was it stupid that I agreed with her? He didn't deserve a boring, school girl who could barely pass off to be pretty. Plus I doubt someone with a perfect family like him, with siblings, caring parents, would want to deal with mine. I don't think he could if he tried. They would chase him away with one glance...

"I know." I breathed out in defeat.

Being realistic, there was no way he would want to be with me. It just seemed so impossible! I looked over the Edward, and he was frowning at me.

I felt like his stare was burning me alive. My throat and mouth went dry and my eyes looked down, staring at nothing in particular. Who knew looking at the same spot could interest me so much? Of course eventually I got bored of that one spot.

"I just going to eat outside", no one looked up from their conversations.

No one cares.

Just like they told you.


I know it is not very long, I am rubbish at doing long chapters:'( I will try harder to make them longer!

REVIEW!