Chapter 3! Yes, I know this is three chapters in the last ten hours, but I'm way better at writing AU than regular Twilight universe, and I'm so excited about this new story that I can't contain myself! That's a good thing, right?!I need more cookies...you know, since reviews are cookies...now I'm hungry. I need a doughnut. The Cullens will come into the story next chapter! Pinkie promise!

Disclaimer: -Bella is sitting on a bench at the police station, waiting to be picked up by the foster home lady-

Bella:What?! I thought I got to leave this chapter!

Me: Sorry, but some things need to be cleared up first. Does it help if you get to leave at the very beginning of the next chapter?

Bella: No! -Bella pounces on poor ole me and pulls my hair-

Me: Ow! Now this has gone too far!

-Bella bitch slaps me-

Me: Well f*** you too!


Greg and I were still standing in the station when another man arrived about ten minutes later. He had dark brown hair with a bald spot in the middle. He looked to be about 40, and had the beer gut to prove it.

The man walked toward us, and when he got close enough he stopped and held out his hand for me to shake. I shook it, and told him my name.

"Nick," he replied.

Greg said,"We have a problem. Bella just got here from Damien Chace's house, and from the looks of it she ran away. By now he'll be looking for her, and she can't go back."

"Why not?"

Greg looked at me, and I nodded, pulling up the opposite sleeve this time, to show Nick the marks. He inhaled a sharp breath when he saw the bruises and scars on my arm, from Damien squeezing too hard, or cutting me with glass from broken beer bottles.

"He did this to you?" Nick's voice was quiet and controlled, although I could sense confusion and apprehension bubbling under the surface. "We need to call child services, and we need to call Damien and get him down here."

I didn't want to be around Damien, not for the rest of my life. I felt my eyes widen, and a shuddered. Greg noticed, and he said, "I don't think we should bring him in until she's long gone."

Nick nodded, saying, "Then we'll call child services tonight and see if there are any families asking for a child, although it's unlikely." he turned to me. "If there are, you can go home with them either tomorrow or the day after, depending on when they can pick you up. You'll be shipped off to a foster home until they can find someone to take you, and the nearest one is in Seattle. I'll go make that call right now."

He walked around us, and I turned to watch him go into one of the offices, but then Greg was behind me. I turned so I had my back to the wall, and I could watch the whole room. In hindsight, I suppose I wouldn't have liked men all that much, since I had just been abused by one for almost three months. I was just then realizing I was having insecurities about these men, who were trying to help me.

Get a grip, Bella, I thought to myself, knowing I was being ridiculous. But Greg was standing there studying me, like Damien used to when trying to decide how to torture me that time. I shivered and wrapped my arms around myself. Greg looked like he wanted to help, but either didn't know how or felt uncomfortable.

Nick came back out of the office. "Someone will be around to pick you up in half an hour, they're leaving now. Then you'll go to the foster home in Seattle, where your new family can get you."

"My new family?"

"Yeah, I think their name was Cullen. A doctor and his wife, and five kids, I believe. All adopted, and about your age."

Too bad none of them would understand.

Greg and Nick were staying until I was gone, so I wandered over to a bench and sat down. Taking out my locket, I opened it and looked at the picture of my mother and father. Could I ever be that happy again? My eyes wandered to the picture of myself, and I noticed the short sleeves. I would probably never be able to wear a shirt like that again, if the burn scars truly were for life. I had to hide the proof, or everyone would run away from me. They would think I was a monster, origins unknown. Sometimes, beauty is only skin deep.

I heard the officers talking on the other side of the room.

"...and apparently they asked for her specifically. They called a few days ago and asked if Isabella Swan was in the home right now, but they had to tell them she wasn't. So they knew the Cullens would take her. Called them right away on the other line, and I could hear someone squealing in the background, like a guinea pig or mouse or somethin'..."

I heard a car pull up outside, and a few seconds later a car door open and close. Someone pushed open the front door, and crossed the room to Greg and Nick.

"I'm here to pick up Isabella Swan?"