Chapter 21 - Choices

Bella's POV

Things had been getting better, I had started to feel as though it could actually turn out okay. But the bitter truth had reared it's ugly head and I realised I truly had no choice, I was forced to live a life I had no interest in living.

I still went to see my teachers, I learnt to fight, to speak, how to dress and act, but I just felt empty; what was the point of it all?

Richard had dismissed me for the day and I wandered off to the area I had come to recognise as home, although I knew it was probably Caius' place. I was surprised by the scent I encountered as I approached. Opening the door I found Marcus sitting silently on the couch.

"What are you doing here?" I asked the ancient vampire cautiously.

His eyes met mine and as always I was unnerved by their emptiness. "I came to speak to you," he replied simply.

I made my way to the chair adjacent from him. "What did you want to talk about."

"Nothing," the old man replied, everything about him seemed so tired, although his age did not show in the usual ways, it still was very clear just how old Marcus truly was. "I have not wanted for anything in so many centuries," he began tiredly. "I am here for your benefit and nothing else. I know what it is like to have no choices, but I must warn you not to keep living because others tell you too, find your own reasons, no matter how hard you have too look for them." Marcus instructed me.

"And what will happen if I don't?" I asked, my curiosity forcing me on.

He was silent for a moment. "You will end up like me." The vampire warned me.

"And that would be a bad thing?" I asked uncertainly.

Marcus sighed, his eyelids drooping momentarily to reveal how tired he is. "A very bad thing." The ancient vampire confirmed. "Once you give up there is no going back," he informed me.

"But I have no choice," I protested, desperate for him to understand my situation was more complicated than he thought.

"You have plenty of choices," Marcus contradicted me. "Just not the ones you want." He pointed out. "Make choices just for the sake of making them, to remind yourself that you still can and let others know you won't just roll over and allow them complete dominance over you."

"What is the point?" I asked him tiredly. "Why should I even bother trying?"

"Because once you give up there will be no going back," Marcus explained. "Know when to back down but always find reasons and ways to stand up you yourself. Don't turn out like me." And with that said he stood and left.

I watched the ancient vampire curiously as he left, pondering the things he told me. I suppose he was right, I did have some choices, but which ones could I chose without incurring Cauis' wrath?

I thought long and hard about what Marcus had said and a sly smile grew across my face when an idea finally came to me. Quietly I crept through the halls of Voltera until I reached my destination. I must have been imagining it but I swear the journey took three times as long as usual.

I knocked softly on the door and after a painfully long minute, it opened.

"Bella," Cassandra greeted me warmly. "I wasn't expecting you."

"I was hoping you could help me with something," I began uncertainly.

A smile grew across the vampire's face. "Come in," she insisted stepping aside.

Authors Note: Any guesses what she intends to do? Also I am going to apologise for this not being up on time but I was drunk and not in a position to make sure it was all written properly.

toomanycats21 - Thank you.

Lady Skyelite - Probably wouldn't be a bad one. You are almost right there, but the rest will come up later and I don't want to spoil it for you. Lets just say Caius doesn't have much experience with women. And she has Cassandra as a friend, sort of, she reminds her of Alice. I agree with almost everything you are saying and it is deliberately written that way because things will get worse before they get better. Mistakes have, are, and will be made, but in the end they will get through them, makes for a more interesting story though. And as always I loved reading your review, I love how you ramble on about it.

Babysis64 - She didn't forget, she just thought that seeing as he hadn't done that yet he wouldn't. Well, she hoped.

Guest - Fair enough, you are entitled to your own opinion but I will continue to write it this way. I'm glad you liked it despite your hate of Caius, thanks for reviewing.

the obsessed one - Excited? Any idea what Bella is going to do? And I have no idea how to spell obsessed so if it's wrong I haven't noticed.

YunaNeko - Sorry about the wait.

harryginny9 - You're welcome, thanks for reviewing.

xMiaCarax - Thanks for voting, all we can do now is cross our fingers and hope. And no you shouldn't be concerned, Caius has quite the interesting personality in this story.

FanWriter Harrison - Oh he has no idea how to deal with women, I thinks it's cute.

ArabellaWhitlock - Don't worry, there will be.

01katie - I'm glad, thanks for reviewing.

SilverSoks - Thank you, and Caius' character is so complicated, different yet exactly the same and I love it, I'm glad you are enjoying it too.

1tinac - What exactly don't you get? I'll do my best to clear things up.

My Eyez Are Watching Everyone - I admit, I quite like the idea of that too.

brebre99 - Thank you, I can't tell you how much it means to me that you would call this story your favourite. And you completely get Caius.

~SophieAngel69