Authors Note: Thank you all for your patience on this story - I really appreciate it. I'm sorry updates have been slow, but exams have gotten in the way and, obviously, school has to come first.

This is Alice's Point of View, and I did receive some hints from reviewers, so I thank you for those too.

I hope you enjoy it. Once I got into it, I really enjoyed writing it.

Happy Reading:


Friday. I had been doing nothing for a whole four days now and I was only just beginning to get bored. Jasper was earning our wages – like a traditional old fashioned family, and well, I was reading magazines, painting my nails and being bored.

There was something about my 'job' that I hated, besides the boss who was stuck up his own ass, and the fact I couldn't wear heels. It was the fact I wasn't in control… the issue had aroused some time before, but it was only now that I had the time and stimulation for me to even begin to think about it thoroughly.

Edward thought that somewhere in my brain, I subconsciously had to be in control because there was once a time I'd had my will taken away from me.

After James had tracked Bella in the ballet studio that time, it brought up sections of my past; the fact I was institutionalised and held in an asylum because I could see the future. Edward and Carlisle talked it through with me, as they understand things most. Edward joked that's why I'm so controlling – because once, I couldn't even control myself. Maybe that's why, I don't know. Maybe it was because the food smelt horrid, and the fact I couldn't wear heels!

I was trying to think of something to do – Bella was annoyed at me for quitting out of my job, Carlisle was a little 'disappointed' even though he was still sleeping in the house of luxuries as it was closer to the hospital, Rosalie wouldn't shut up about the stupid kid she brought home yesterday (even though she was absolutely adorable, and let me dress her up!) and Edward was so thirsty when he came home from work, he just sat still, waiting silently until morning came when he could go again. It was all silly really.

I had withdrawn a bit of money from the bank account – not much, just thirty bucks so I could buy some magazines, and no-one even noticed. Edward was too preoccupied to read my mind, so my secret was safe. I felt a little guilty, but not enough!

After I'd finished reading the stack of magazines that had slowly crept up over the past couple of days, I checked to see if it was sunny. Luckily, it wasn't so I decided to go for a walk, get some fresh air in my un-needing lungs, and enjoy the simplistic beauty of the nature outside.

It was windy outside, but the only difference it made to me was that it blew in the gaps of each single hair on the head, massaging my scalp as it passed.

Where could I go? I wanted a walk… maybe I should take a walk down to the job centre, see if there is anything there, try and show Bella that I at least tried. I didn't like it when Bella got disappointed; she gave me those wide eyes that made me feel so guilty, but I never let on.

Subconsiously almost, I followed the scent of dullness, the scent of unemployment… I followed it all the way to the job centre.

Poking my head round the door, I peered in to see a young blonde haired woman reading a magazine at one desk and a young man, also with blond hair, at the other.

"Hello," the male said, and his tone was inviting. It made me feel happy when people noticed my beauty – I knew I was pretty, I was a vampire - no-where near as gorgeous as Rosalie, but I was still good looking.

"Hi, I'm wondering if there are any jobs available."

"What? Here?" he asked, looking around at the empty room.

It was pretty basic furnishings, a desk, a couple of posters and filing cabinets around the back of the desk. There was a door that led to a room that smelt strongly of coffee and biscuits.

"Errrm… okay," I agreed, unsure why I had. I actually meant any jobs that he knew of that were available - wasn't that the point of a job centre?

"How long for?" I heard the suggestive tone in his voice, and flattered myself by looking into the eyes that reflected his lust for me.

I thought of Jasper; his eyes didn't show lust, they showed love. I knew which one I preferred, but for the sake of today…

"Only a couple of days," I said, batting my eyelids and scrunching in my posture to increase the innocent look that came naturally to me. "I'm here all alone, and I need to earn some money." I said, in an almost baby tone.

"Sure," he agreed, straight away. I smiled, internally, at my success. "You only want it for a couple of days? Start now?" His tone was demanding, desperate as he waited for me to sit down next to him. I saw the way he eyed me up, absorbing every part of my well-dressed body. This was the kind of treatment I wanted.

"I can start now." I smiled, batting my eyelashes again.

The blonde haired woman put down her magazine. "Are you not going to ask me if she can work here?" she snapped, her mouth moving quickly and her eyebrows frowned.

"Since when were you put in charge, Sophie, shut the hell up!" he snapped. I realised I didn't know his name.

"I could ask you the same," Sophie sneered and I stood a little awkwardly whilst the two of them bickered.

"How about a cup of coffee?" he offered, trying to break the silence that had absorbed us all.

"Okay," I agreed quickly, following him into the make-shift kitchen in the backroom. He came up behind me, and I felt the warm hand on the lower of my back. "I can do it." I smiled falsely through gritted teeth as I spun round, making his hand retreat back into his body.

He nodded his agreement. "Oh, I'm Damien by the way," he said, taking a place next to me as I followed the scent of the coffee to the second drawer down.

"Alice." I smiled, switching the kettle on.

"Two sugars," he added, as I picked up the sugar jar.

But the scent of boiling water, coffee and sugar faded away right before me, replaced by the smell of human blood.

The image of a distraught Edward appeared in front of me and a woman I had no idea who it was. Her skin looked like it was fake-tanned, and her body was decorated with extravagant tattoos. I saw the tattoo parlour.

"Don't Sam," Edward warned his face stern. But Sam did not listen; she stepped forward and peeled back the skin coloured plaster that covers a small section of her arm. "Look, don't worry. I'm fine, it's just a graze." I eyed up the wound for myself.

"I don't like blood," Edward croaked as the temptation was waved in front of his nose.

"I know," Sam whispered, lunging forward, wrapping her arms around his neck and pushing her lips against his.

"Don't Sam," Edward shouted firmly, pushing her away with a controlled strength.

But I watched as she made the mistake of trying again, but this time, Edward pushed more fiercely.

"Alice!" Damien shouted, waving his hand in front of my face.

"I'm okay," I said weakly as I tried to analyse the vision I had just had. How long until it happened?

"O…kay," Damien said, not assured by my statement. Bending down, I looked to see the smashed sugar pot and the sweet smelling spillage on the floor. I went to pick up the pieces, but was stopped my Damien's hand on my arm.

"I'll get it," he offered kindly, but I saw the dangers.

"It was my fault." I defended, but he would not listen. He bent down and picked up the first piece, the sharp edge striking a cut on his fragile skin. A bead of blood appeared and I cut off my air supply with a final gulp, lifting my shoulders to disguise the lack of breathing.

"Dammit," he cursed under his breath, standing up and running the crimson liquid down with the water from the tap.

"Toilet?" I asked quietly, hoping not to catch a smell of the tempting blood.

He pointed with his unhurt hand to the door and I rushed in there, turning on the tap to create a sound. Sitting on the toilet seat, I closed my eyes remembering the scene I'd envisioned, the scene that proved trouble was going to happen between Edward and this Sam.

Unlocking the door, I staggered out and saw Damien picking up the rest of the pieces. I bent down, and grabbed the broken bits of pot with ease and put them in the bin. Damien smiled at me, half with shock but also gratefulness.

"I'll go and get some more sugar," I lied quickly, but Damien nodded his head, winked at me with a corny smile and I walked out of the shop, leaving Sophie cursing under her breath.

I walked swiftly in the direction that I assumed was correct, picking up speed when the scent of vampire, more accurately Edward, appeared in the air. I let the cool air refresh my lungs instead of the warm scented blood that called me to drink.

I arrived outside the tattoo parlour just in time to see where my vision had finished, Sam fell backwards with the force of the push and hit her back on the desk that held bits of papers on.

"Edward!" I thought, stepping inside the shop to see his shocked face. "Go and help her up!" I demanded through thoughts as he stumbled forwards and helped her up with her good arm.

"Sorry," he muttered and she nodded her head. I went forward and hugged Edward, hoping that the contact would help him, bring him back to... himself - the person he had not properly been for four days.

"Who are you?" Sam shot at me, her face full of disgust and rejection.

"Alice," I answered unsure why she was so hostile to me.

"What? Are you his bit on the side?" she snapped. "Got your wife, got your girlfriend… don't want me?"

"I'm his sister." I smiled, half amused, half annoyed. Edward and me? Ewww! Edward chuckled as he delved into my mind.

"I think its best if I got, Edward said solemnly with a sigh.

"Yeah, I think it is," Sam agreed hostilely, dusting down her extremely short skirt. She rushed to the counter, and pulled out a couple of bills, but Edward held his hand up.

"Don't worry. I'll find the money another way," he said, putting his hand on my shoulder and leading me out of the shop.

The words hit me: I'll find the money another way. I knew how desperate Edward needed to drink, especially after spending a day in the confine space of this parlour with the warm liquid being sprouted out of people every hour. Was this was it felt like? Was hunger and starvation the same as a burning thirst? It had been so long since I was human, and even then I could not remember. Not one single thing about my human life could I remember, but I assumed it was the same.

"I need sugar," I said, as we stood at the end of the road. Edward raised his eyebrow in confusion, but my mind filled him in on the details he was missing.

"I'll see you back at home," Edward muttered, turning in the direction he came from.

"Where are you going?"

"Bella," he answered, taking the door one down from the tattoo parlour and entering with apologies spilling from his eyes. I heard Renesmee squeal with happiness at her father's visit but I did not stay to listen for long.

Sighing, I walked to the store. I stalked down the isles, following the scent of the sweet smelling granules but paused. On the front of the bag was a large red sticker: $1.09.

I gasped at the price, and reached into my pocket, fumbling for change. The coins - yes, coins! – fell through my fingers and I made out about ninety cents as I counted in my head.

Embarrassment washed over me as I realised I could not afford a bag of sugar.

"Can I help you?" A middle-aged woman asked, eyeing my small physique up and down with a beady eye. I did the same to her, short, wrinkled, red headed and plump. Her eyes examined me, scanning over me. I didn't like the way she looked at me.

"Fine, thank you." I tried to smile, and knew that were I human, I would have blushed.

"Have you put something in your pocket?" The woman demanded, her voice strict, leaning in to touch my arm. God dammit, she thought I'd shoplifted!

"I have not!" I said, emptying my pockets to reveal the petty coins and a piece of cotton.

She nodded her head slightly, a stern, embarrassed look on her face and walked away without an apology! I stormed out of the store, with a sickly feeling in my stomach. I would not steal. I would not be desperate enough to steal, I repeated over and over as I walked back, ironically, to the job centre.

"Where's the sugar?" Sophie snapped as soon as I entered, placing down the lipstick that she'd re-applied.

"I didn't have enough money," I admitted sheepishly, and Damien stood up from his own desk, lowering the lid of his laptop.

"It doesn't matter," he comforted at my pouting face, but he didn't understand why I was like that. I think, now, after Edward's words and the fact I could not afford sugar made me see. People did not choose this life, I realised as I walked into the kitchen to make the sugarless coffee.


I hope that was worth the wait! I'll apologise once again for the delay, and I hope you enjoyed it.

Please review with your thoughts and comments.

Thanks for reading x