Hey guys! How's it going. I am so sorry about not updating. This chapter (and the next one) has been done for a week now. (I'll update the next one tomorrow) My internet disconnected itself and I couldn't fix it. I was so mad. (hint for the future: don't scream at your computer it doesn't work) Anyway, ENJOY!!
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

Chapter 3

(EPOV)

Bella and I were walking through a path in the forest. She was dressed in a simple blood red satin dress. I had no idea where I was going, but Bella seemed to know. She held my hand, eagerly pulling me forward.

"Come Edward. I have something to show you," she called in her soft voice.

She looked just like an angel. I could almost see the wings and halo. She was the most beautiful person I've ever met.

"We're almost there." Looking away from her striking milk chocolate eyes I saw a bright light up ahead. We speed up, keen to reach the light.

"Edward," she whispered as the light grew brighter. "Edward."

"Edward, come on man wake up." Something was shaking me.

I opened my eyes. Adam was right in my face trying to wake me. I gave a startled cry and sprang up knocking heads with him.

"Ow!" he yelled, jerking his head back and rubbing it. "If this is what I'm going to get for waking you up then I quit!"

Riley and Ben were on the floor laughing their heads off. I got up and apologized to Adam. It was still dark outside, but I could tell that dawn was approaching.

"Why did you wake me up?" I demanded my dream about Bella still fresh in my mind.

"It's time to get up," Ben said still chuckling. "Besides…"

"You should have heard yourself," Riley interrupted. "Bella, oh Bella" He moaned in a false imitation of me before him and Ben started into their fits of laughter. Adam whacked them both in the back of the head.

"You should talk Riley," he said. "When you and Mora got together…well let's just say that I learned way too much information about what you two did in the forest from your dreams."

Riley blushed such a deep red that I thought he was going to die from embarrassment, or at least kill Adam.

"Come on guys, let's get ready for the day," Ben said.

I hopped off the bed and followed them out the door. They walked straight to the house and into the kitchen. There were many other slaves there waiting for breakfast and the list of their daily chores. Riley went straight to Mora and the rest of us followed. She handed out our lists.Then we had our breakfast: an apple each. It was slightly rotten, but I picked off the moldy parts. Mora couldn't eat with us today, even though she usually did, she had to work right away.

After breakfast we went out to the fields. Charlie owned a cotton plantation that stretched for miles. I knew that this was going to be back-breaking labor. Riley told me that we had to pick cotton until lunch. Then we eat lunch and do the rest of the chores. If we don't complete the tasks then we got a whipping.

Six hours later my back was killing me. I could barely stand up. I was covered in sweat and my fingers were aching. I was starving and very parched. We weren't allowed to talk to the other workers but I knew that Adam, Ben, and Riley (even though they had been here longer) were no better. Finally, the lunch bell rang. I never thought I would be so happy to hear it. I was about to faint from heat exhaustion.

We all stumbled back to the house for a hearty meal which consisted of a couple slices of ham and water. I looked at my afternoon chores. I had to clean the house. Attached was a list of all the rooms I had to clean as well as blueprints of the house with each room labeled. When lunch ended I turned to go into the house when one of the supervisors yanked me back.

"Where do you think your going?" he sneered.

"I'm going to clean the house," I replied my temper boiling. These guys were getting on my nerves.

"Not like that. You'll stink up the house," was his answer. I felt my face grow hot with humiliation. "You have to take a shower first."

I felt relieved. A shower, that sounded good. Well, I found out that a shower doesn't actually mean a shower. Basically, you strip off you're clothes, put them somewhere that you can get them later, and then the guards poor buckets of ice cold water on your head. It felt nice, but still the water was colder than the snow on the tops of a mountain.

I was then given some new clothes, which I was to return later, and sent to do my afternoon chores.

It took a while, but finally I had one room left. This room, like most of the others, looked like it was never used. It was filled with stuff like a huge vase, flowers, a couch, a vanity table, and an overstuffed arm chair. However, what I did not expect to find was a women standing by the window, looking out into the forest. It was Bella. Behind me the door slammed shut. We both jumped.

Then she turned around to look at me. Her eyes were red and swollen, her face wet with tears. Who knew how long she'd been crying? In her hands was a porcelain doll. It was very old, but very well kept. It had definitely come from England. Her eyes widened as she recognized me. She put down the doll, wiped her eyes, then turned back to the window.

"What are you doing in here?" she asked her voice as cool as ice.

"Cleaning," I answered.

"Can't you do a different room?"

I began to walk towards her. "It's the last one on my list. What's wrong?"

She whirled around so fast I almost missed it. Her eyes were blazing with an angry fire. And then, impossibly, she was in my arms, crying once more. I sat down in a chair and pulled her into my lap. I cradled her against my chest and stroked her hair while I waited for her to calm down. Finally she stopped.

"Bella what happened?" I tried again.

"This has always been a sad day for me," she hiccuped.

"What happened?"

She hesitated; thinking about whether or not to tell me. She made up her mind and looked into my eyes.

"Edward you've met my father right?"

I nodded.

"Haven't you ever wondered what happened to my mother?" she asked.

"Yeah, I thought about that a couple times."

"Well, she was murdered."

My eyes flew open in shock. I didn't see that one coming.

"Who…?" I began.

"My father," she stated.

"Tell me the story," It wasn't a question, it was a demand.

"My father used to hit my mother. One night she tried to run away with me. We were going back to England and he stopped her. He beat her to death and then took me home like nothing had ever happened," she finished.

I was shocked. I knew that my new master was mean, but I never dreamed he could be so brutal. I just held her closer to me. That man would never hurt Bella. I would make sure of it.

"That was my mother's favorite doll as a child. She gave it to me when I was born. It's all I have left of her. When I was little she used to stand there over by the window cradling me in her arms. She used to watch the slaves work and she hated it. She hated how they were treated and how they never got enough to eat. She used to sneak food down to the kitchens and she would always make sure that the food was edible before the slaves ate it. She used to say all the time 'Bella when you get older and have your own house promise me that you'll treat all your workers fairly. And you'll give them food fit for eating. And a comfortable bed to sleep in.' I would always nod and promise her," then she looked up at me. "What about you Edward? You definitely don't act like a slave. You're much more gentleman-like. What's your story?"

She was honest with me so I figured What the heck? And I told her.

"My family wasn't rich. We just barely got by. My father was a farmer and a very proud man. My ancestors had lived in the English countryside for many years and nothing could get him to leave our home," I began.

It was a rainy day. It had been raining for a long time. "Come inside Edward. You'll catch your death out there," my mom called from the house.

I rolled my eyes and went in. She was so overprotective sometimes. After all, I was thirteen now. I could look after myself. Inside was warm and bright. My father was sitting by the fireplace. My mom was sewing on the couch. I sat down by her. Furious knocking sounded at the door. I looked at my father in confusion. We weren't expecting anyone. My father went to answer the door. As soon as it opened a man burst through.

"You have to get out of here now," he practically yelled. "The rain has caused flooding which destroyed our crops. We can't afford to pay the taxes so the king is sending his men over to force us to pay. We're evacuating the town."

My father stood up. "The Masens have lived on this soil for many generations. I will not leave my home. Let them come if they wish, I will not be driven off my land." Then his forehead crinkled with worry. "However, you may take my family. I will send for them when it is safe."

"You'll be killed," said the man.

"I will not be driven off my land," my father repeated.

"So be it," the man sighed.

"Edward, go pack some clothes. We're leaving," my mother said.

I did what I was told. I was convinced that I would return to my house so I just crammed a bag full of clothes and returned downstairs where my parents were saying good-bye. I hugged my father. I couldn't bear the thought of losing him. I didn't care if I was thirteen It wasn't ready to take care of my mother alone.

"Take care of yourself and your mother. I'll see you soon," he said.

Then we walked out the door with the man. I looked back and saw my father waving. I couldn't wait until this was resolved.

It was silent after I finished my story.

"What happened then?" Bella asked quietly.

"My father wouldn't run so the guards killed him. When we returned, the house had been burnt to the ground," Bella gasped, "My mother and I lived on the streets for some time after that. Then one day she fell seriously ill. She knew she was going to die so she sold me into slavery, hoping that I would have a better life. I never saw her again," I looked at the window as I continued the story of my life. "I was sent here in a regular ship, but I had to stay in the cargo hold with other white slaves. It was very dark down there. There weren't many slaves on that ship so we were all separated. For most of the journey, I was alone. When I got off I was immediately sold to my previous master. He was cruel and for some reason his wife was always trying to seduce me. He caught me once and locked me in a cell in the basement for a long time. Then he brought me to an auction were your father bought me. So here I am," I finished.

"Here you are," she repeated softly.

We didn't say much after that; we just looked into each other's eyes. The dinner bell made us both jump. Reluctantly, I let her go and stood up. She seemed just as unwilling to leave as I was.

"If anyone asks I'll tell them that you did clean this room," she mumbled, turning to go.

"Wait," I called out as I grabbed her. "When can I see you again?"

She looked surprised. "I don't know Edward, I really don't. We… we shouldn't be together or seeing each other, for that matter, it's just not right… I'm not allowed. I… I have to go," and with that she fled the room.

I wasn't to let down. After all, it wasn't that big of a house. And we were all a part of it.

Hope you loved it!! Review Review Review!! Like I said before I'm gonna update tommorrow. Love ya!! I have to go other people need the computer.