WARNING: This chapter includes a scene which borders on sexual assault.

Also, as much as fanfiction shouldn't be too political, I would like to state that the use of guns throughout my story should be an illustration of why we need stricter guns laws, and not the opposite. It's far too easy for all the villains of fiction to acquire weapons, and whilst it makes for interesting tales it should not be seen as admirable.

This chapter was slightly longer than I expected, that always happens when I get a little carried away. The next chapter might be a bit late but I will try and get it out before next Friday.

This has never been pre-read or beta'd so mistakes are always my own.

BPOV

"See you tomorrow, pet."

The steel of the door shutting behind him was the noise that made me finally fall apart. I pulled my jellied limbs as quickly as I could towards the toilet and threw up. The retching burned my throat, and I had barely anything in my stomach anyway.

I gasped as I fell back against the rock wall, my head falling backwards. The bile in my mouth was now painfully acidic, and I knew I would have no respite until at least tomorrow. They did mean to starve me and dehydrate me after all then. I smiled slightly, despite absolutely everything. The pain was a reminder that I still could defy Caius, and if I could do that, maybe I could save myself.

But when I collapsed against the bed, I knew it was a naive belief. I couldn't save myself alone. His face was what I saw as I closed my eyes.

Edward.

Edward. Please find me.

I woke up with a start, my body covered in a sheen of sweat. I panicked for a moment, uncertain of where I was, and then when I realised I felt even worse. I felt like I'd been gone for awhile, and my throat was burning. I jumped from the bed, but my whole body protested.

My muscles felt sore, probably from a combination of being dragged around and the exhaustion that comes with dehydration. My vision started to go a little and a sharp pain hit my head, and I had to sit back down on the bed.

Maybe it was early, I reasoned. I could have only been out a couple hours. Maybe I should just lie down. And maybe I could just fall asleep. I just felt so weak.

Another immeasurable amount of time passed and I was roused by the dreaded sound of that steel door. My clothes were stuck to my body with sweat, and my hair was plastered to my face. I sat up quickly, not needing to throw back the covers as they were completely unnecessary in this temperature.

As Caius entered my room I tried to swallow, but my throat was too dry, and the small amount of saliva only seemed to scrape across it.

His eyes lit up as he saw me sitting on the bed. His disgusting smile spread easily on his cheeks.

He wasn't nearly as panicked as he should be, and that gave an indication in itself that Edward hadn't advanced yet. I hoped beyond hope that he'd have come storming through by now. The only logical solution is that he had no idea where I was, just as Caius had promised, but I couldn't allow myself to despair like that just yet.

"Are you having a lazy morning, my dear?" My captor asked me.

My contempt for him knew no bounds. Yes, Caius, I'm having a swell fucking time.

There was only artificial light in this room, so the concept of a morning was already lost on me. I did however want to know the time. I needed to at least track how long I'd been in this hellhole.

"What's the time?"

Caius clapped giddily. "Just gone 11am. I couldn't sleep personally! Too excited!"

He was literally insane. This must have been a short spiral because last time we'd met he was sinister but not completely crazy like he appears today. If anything his insanity made me more frightened, he was so unpredictable.

"For what?" I asked, not quite comprehending the source of this enthusiasm.

"The ceremony of course, silly!" Caius cried.

"Oh yeah."

My voice was dull as the 'excitement' of this evening sunk back in. I was basically cattle for the slaughter and there was nothing I could think to do.

"Have you seen your dress yet?"

"My what?"
"Honestly Isabella, wake up. Your dress. For the ceremony."

I gritted my teeth. Of course. I have to look perfect for Caius Volturi. Though, there's no way that's possible in this dank place.

"I haven't seen it."

I kept my voice steady, never knowing what might set him off. I needed time to think and come up with a plan.

"It's in your wardrobe! I thought women loved clothes! I'm shocked you didn't take a cheeky peek as soon as you could!"

"I wanted it to be a surprise," I responded, trying to swallow the sarcasm as it naturally formed in my mouth. I hated surprises.

"Oohh that's the spirit!" Caius said genuinely, his posture more relaxed and his eyes ablaze. "I love surprises!"

Oh, what a shocker.

I glanced down, knowing I wouldn't be able to reply politely and sticking to the mantra of not saying anything at all.

"Well I don't want you to get it dirty so I'll come back in later to help you get dressed!"

My head snapped up. There was no fucking way he was dressing me. "I'm not really a dress person. Do I have to wear it?"

"I don't like your tone, Isabella. It's a beautiful dress, it'll fit you perfectly. You will wear it for me," Caius ordered, his mouth much less smiley.

I took a breath in, then let it out.

"Ok."

"Much better." Caius nodded with approval. "There's other clothes in there as well, maybe you should change in the meantime."

I smiled slightly to myself. I hoped I looked and smelled absolutely vile, just to irritate the man.

"Yeah maybe I will," I replied disingenuously.

"Feel free now, don't let my presence stop you."

His eyes were hawk-like, drifting over my body like a piece of art, or more accurately a piece of meat. I didn't like how his eyes seem to cling to my neck, like he was a predator and I was his prey.

"Maybe later, I'm still a little tired?" I spoke as convincingly as possible.

"Oh that's fine, my dear. You will need your rest after all!"

So I didn't have to change in front of him, but now he was implying I wasn't going to be getting much sleep? If I had anything left to throw up it would be rising in my throat right now. But instead the presence of bile only served to hurt my tender esophagus more.

"I almost forgot why I came in here. I was going to ask in you want breakfast, but since you're sleepi-"

"Yes! I'd love breakfast," I cut in, the desperation in my voice as obvious to me as I'm sure it was to him.

Caius' face lit up with my interruption, but he lifted his hand and waggled his finger patronisingly.

"Hold your horses, Isabella. You haven't said the magic words!"

The hope that had started to brew was quashed

"Please?" I questioned. "Thank you?"

"Both lovely words, my Isabella. I'm glad you're grateful. But the words I meant were 'Caius, I want to be your mistress'. Remember?"

I swallowed painfully against my thirst. "I remember."

Caius gazed at my face expectantly. "So?"

I looked down once again. Not verbally telling him no because I feared the reaction, but definitely telling him no through my body language. Eat a dick, Caius Volturi.

"Clearly someone isn't very hungry if she can't even say a few measly words."

"Yeah, not hungry," I responded, lacing my voice now with the contempt I'd tried to hide. How dare he? I glanced up boldly, and his eyes were boring down on mine. His mouth was twisted in a grim line as he took as step forward. I tried not to flinch.

"Eventually Isabella, you will realise that I'm doing you a great favour. Many women would love to be my mistress, but I've picked you to be my first! It's an honour. Not only that, but I'm saving you from that horrible Edward. You should be thanking me."

I just gaped at him, my voice not seeming to be able to come up with any words that would do justice to the pure ignorance that he just spewed. He seemed satisfied however with silence, which was probably good for me because if he had waited any longer I have told him where to stick his honours.

"I'll be back later. I'm blaming this reluctance on the natural tendency of women to deny men." Caius assured himself. You merely mean to increase my desire by refusing me. I'm sure you will be much more polite when I return."

My mouth still hadn't shut.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, but as he turned the anger started to encompass my body. I lurched up, and as he reached the door I dived after him. The door shut firmly behind him and as it locked I threw my body weight against it in physical protest.

You're fucking dead! I'll kill you! As the thoughts swept through me, slamming my palm against the door as I created a metal cacophony of my anger. It was fruitless, I knew that, but I needed to fucking hit something.

I hit my hand against the wall a few more times, the noise and stinging pain a reminder that I was still here, and I wasn't going down without a fight.

Spinning round, I pressed my back against the door, sliding down to the floor. I put my head in my hands and thought about what on earth I was going to do.

I tried to go through a reasonable list of what I knew.

Caius Volturi was a psycho.

He wanted me to be his mistress, in order to prove some point to Edward.

He had locked me in a cell, and there was no window.

Was there a vent?

Maybe. There might be a hole somewhere to let some air out, surely. My head lifted and I started pacing around the room. In the corner over by the makeshift bathroom I see a little hole near the top of the wall.

In an instant, I'm standing on the toilet, leaning as far over as I can to get the best view of this potential escape route. Immediately I see too problems. There is no way for me to get the metal grate out, it looks like it's embedded in the wall, not bolted on. Second, even if there were, the hole is too small to even fit my head.

Damn.

There goes that idea. The despair tries to attach itself to me but I force myself to focus. I try and see this situation like Edward would, with an analytical detachment and steely determination.

What else do you know?

Caius will be returning at some point in the next few hours.

He will want me to put on a dress and go to a ceremony.

Maybe the ceremony was the only chance I had. Wait until he tries to do his mafia voodoo on me, and then knock him out or something? How? With what? What if the ceremony is held in this very room? Ah shit. I had nothing, and I knew it.

I would not, however, give him the satisfaction of watching me change. That was beyond vile. Changing before he returned was at least some kind of defiance, a personal victory. I could wear the dress around in this tropical heat, and sweat in it so much the garment would look awful.

When I opened the wardrobe I instantly saw the dress since it was the only item hung up. It was blood red, and when I reached out to feel it the material was silky. I knew before I put it on that it would cling to me. It was at least a decent length.

I was still uncertain if there were cameras in this room, and not wanting to risk a peep show, I confined myself as well as possible within the vanity screen. The wooden screen was slatted but had three panels and I managed to sort of triangulate it around me. No-one was having the satisfaction of watching me undress.

Pulling it over my head, I felt the dress fall against my knees. I didn't look down at myself, I didn't want to know what I looked like dressed as Caius' puppet. Unfortunately as I let myself out of my self-created cage I saw a brief flash of red reflect muddily in the steel of the toilet.

It was fucking awful. I'd been imprisoned for over a day. Whose life was this, because it certainly didn't seem like mine.

In. Out.

A brief twinkle of reflected light caught my eye, and I found myself kneeling beside the toilet. I don't know how I hadn't seen it before, but there was a quarter lying on the floor. I grabbed it instinctively and looked at it.

It was a normal ordinary quarter, but somehow I thought it could be the key to this place. I pressed it into my palm and stood, instantly aware that whatever I was doing might look a little suspicious if I am in fact being watched. But then, so would the vent adventure, so perhaps they weren't watching me after all. Perhaps they believed there was no way out, so there was no point.

I looked at the steel door, the flat metal without catches or even a hinge on this side. A quarter wouldn't help me there. Then my eyes drift slowly across the floor and I see the chairs.

The chairs! They were bolted down at each leg with circular bolts. I could use the quarter to try and unscrew one chair, wait by the door for Caius to return and then knock him out and make a run for it. Maybe I could take his gun then I'd actually have a chance to get out of this hell alive. It was a fucking reckless plan, and not a day earlier I'd ruled this out as being too risky (not that I had a way of unbolting them before), but now, it was all I had and I was running out of time.

This entire plan relied on there not being any cameras in the room, because as soon as they saw what I was doing they'd stop me, and I might be punished. I figured it was worth hedging my bets though, either they didn't have a camera and I got away with it, or they did. If they did, I just prayed that Caius' interest would save me from death.

I couldn't do nothing.

Resolved on my plan, I got onto the floor by the steel chair furthest from the entrance, and pushed the quarter firmly into the groove of the first bolt. I don't know how much time I had, but there were four bolts. I twisted the quarter as hard as I could, and nothing.

Fuck.

I tried again. And again.

On the eighth twist, it loosened fractionally. Even that was tiring, and my body hurt from the exertion. I had to keep going though.

It was long painful work. I needed to drink something, and every time I managed to loosen a bolt I'd swallow desperately. My throat was sandpaper, my fingers were cramped, and a couple of my nails were broken off and bleeding from when the quarter would slip and my hand would brush painfully on the rock floor. After what felt like days, but was probably a few hours at max, I had released three of the bolts.

After each bolt I took a quick breather, and it was in this break where I heard a noise that sounded like footsteps coming towards me.

Fuck fuck fuck.

I looked at my handiwork wildly, pushing my hair out of my face. There were three bolts lying on the floor. I grabbed them and stood, pulling at the chair. Maybe if I just yanked hard enough the last bit would come free. Instead, hopelessly, the seat swung in rotation left and right, the bolt firmly in place.

I heard a clunk - the first lock coming free.

FUCK.

I settled the chair back where it was and ran across the rocky prison. Clunk - the second and final lock. I managed to just reach the bed and shove the bolts under the pillow when the door swung open and the blonde haired villain of my life walked through the door, his eyes meeting mine instantly.

He smiles, but then tilts his head, "You're out of breath?"

I swallowed and floundered for an answer. "Uh, yeah. I usually work out most days so I did some exercise?"

He looked at me condescendingly. "In your dress?"

"I couldn't wait to wear it," I said, giving him a wan smile as my heart pounded in my chest. "It's so pretty."

Instantly, I knew I had successfully convinced him. I was a terrible liar, but Caius clearly wanted that to be the truth so badly that he was willing to believe me. Maybe I had got away with it. I breathed out slowly, trying not to betray the relief.

His eyes showed the mirth that came with my untrue admission.

"Of course, my dear. I only wish you had waited because I didn't want the pretty thing to get messy."

I try to look guilty. "Sorry."

Caius giggles. "No time for sorries! Only time for fun!"

He was confusing and terrifying in equal measure. His blonde hair flipped around his face as he pointed dramatically to the chairs. "Take a seat, Isabella, and let's discuss this evening's itinerary."

My heart leapt. If I sat down the chair would move, and it would be entirely obvious. He couldn't find out, I just had to kill enough time until he left again.

"Wait!" I called, trying to keep my voice light and not desperate. "I'd rather we discuss it here."

I motioned beside me on the bed, and my stomach rolled as his smile increased to a thousand watts.

"Whatever you'd prefer," he purred. He sauntered towards me and I tried to stop myself hyperventilating. I realised quickly that if he sat right next to the bolts, they might roll out and that would compromise the entire plan. I shifted, scooching up to sit on top of the pillow, crushing the evidence beneath my weight.

"So jumpy," Caius said softly. "I won't hurt you, my sweet."

You already have, you bastard.

He lowered himself down next to me, sitting at my side. I felt the hairs on my arm raise as his leg touched mine. I could smell his rank breath, see his white palms reach towards me.

"What did you want to talk about?" I spluttered.

He smiled, and pushed his finger against my nose. It happened so quickly I didn't react, just blinking in silent terror. "Well now you're all dressed, there isn't much left to do. We will leave shortly."

In. Out.

"I see," I said weakly.

He shook his head. "There's no need to be self-conscious, you look ravishing!"

Woodenly, robotically, I replied, "Oh thanks."

What the hell was I supposed to do now?

He reached over, his hand resting lightly on my lower thigh.

In. Out. My body shivered with fright, and his grip tightened.

"Maybe you could come back a little later? I feel a tad tired."

He frowned properly now, his hand inching up slightly. I stared down at it, willing it away. "You've been sleeping all day."

Fuck. I said I was tired last time.

"Um, yeah. But the heat and the lack of water is really taking it out of me."

His hand crept higher and I slapped my own down on top, stopping his movements on my mid thigh but now unintentionally I was holding his hand in place.

I glanced up and I was met with dark eyes.

"Are you being ungrateful, Isabella?"

My heart stuttered.

"No," I breathed.

He glared down at me. "What do you say?"

I tried to swallow but found I couldn't. "Sorry?"

His mouth twitch and it seemed like my fear was amusing to him.

"No. What do you say to me?"

Realisation poured over me.

He wanted me to say it. To say, Caius, I want to be your mistress.

Maybe if I said it, he'd leave for a little while. Maybe if I said it, there wouldn't be a challenge anymore, it wouldn't be fun for him, and he'd leave me be. But I knew none that to be true. This was a power struggle, clear and simple, letting him win would only give way to more torture, to more ways he'd make me submit.

Just as I felt my time was up, I had been silent a second too long, a tone played from down by his legs. With a start I realised his phone was ringing. He reached down, removing his slimy hand from my thigh, and hooked his phone out. My eyes still avoided his as Caius quickly raised it to his ear.

"What?" He barked.

Maybe this was my chance. His arm, reaching up, made his jacket ride up slightly. Beneath it I could see the familiar cold metal of a gun.

It was easily within reach, only a few inches from my grasp. Slowly, as he listened to the person on the other end of the phone, my hand crept forward.

"No! How is that possible?"

His voice was loud, angry. Something big was happening. I hoped so much it hurt that this thing was Edward related, but maybe it wasn't. I couldn't let this opportunity slip from my reach. If I didn't do this, I was as good as lost.

My fingertip brushed the cool metal.

"How many?"

His aggressive voice and animation meant he moved fractionally away, and my fingers once again reached forward, my eyes glancing up at his face. He wasn't looking at me, his eyes were closed in frustration. Part of me thought that only Edward could cause another man to be this distressed, but that could be wishful thinking. My hand slipped further forward and I brushed the jacket material lightly out the way as my hand grasped towards the grip of the gun.

"Why are you just standing there? Fucking kill the bastards!"

I had never heard Caius lose it before, and whilst it was horrible to be this proximate to it, it was so satisfying to see him on the receiving end of something bad that it made up for my fear.

My hand was almost around the grip.

"Do you think I care? Kill them all. Now."

With that, he stood up, hanging up the phone and throwing it across the room. As he stood I gripped hard and the gun came out of his pants and was cold and hard in my hand.

As his phone smashed into a hundred pieces across the room, he whirled around, feeling his belt for the loss of weight.

I lifted the weapon with both arms, my hands not shaking like I thought they might be. I focused it on his head, and pulled off the safety.

"Isabella?" He asked, his voice strangled.

"Tell me what's going on," I said slowly, my voice as steady as my hands.

He raised his hands in a mocking way. "You're not going to shoot me."

I raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

He swallowed, his face flashing with fear before it turned into anger.

"It's your little friends, the Cullens," he spat.

My heart juddered a little but I managed to keep the gun steady still.

"Where are they?" I questioned.

"Here. But don't worry, I outgun them and outman them. They'll all be dead within the next ten minutes," he said flippantly.

"I don't believe you."

He smiled. "It doesn't matter if you believe me or not, if you get out of here all you'll see are their corpses."

I breathed in. And out.

"You're going to knock on the door, and tell the closest man that everyone is to stand down. Then you're going to let me and the Cullens leave."
"Or what?" He responded, grinning wickedly.

"Or I kill you."

He took a step forward, towards me, and I pointed the gun again.

"I'll do it!"

Caius' grin widened. "See I don't think you will. You're just a pathetic little girl who relies on big strong men to do her dirty work. You were supposed to be mine but I don't want a disrespectful tramp like you."

He took one more step forward. He was now only a step away from being in reach.

"Take one more step," I warned.

I heard noises outside the door and I tried not to let my eyes flick across to the door.

Caius heard it too. "That's probably your precious Cullens. Dying. Getting shot ten metres from you. Just put down the gun, and maybe I'll let you see their bodies before I kill you. Hey, maybe I'll let you live!"

"One more step and you die. Call off your men."

He lifted his foot dramatically and I aligned the sights between his eyes. "You're not going to shoot me."

He started moving his foot forward and my finger pulled back on the trigger. The bullet hit him straight in the head, I watched it impact and disappear. The stunned look on Caius' face was the last thing to register. His body tilted and he crumpled to the floor in a heap by my feet.

My hands had been pushed back my the kick of the gun and they were stunned still in that position. I lowered them, slowly, releasing my tight fingers one by one and letting the gun clatter slowly to the floor.

I stared straight ahead, where that man used to be.

I barely heard the locks on the door moving. Clunk. Clunk.

The door was opening.

I was resigned to my fate. A man would walk through now, see his boss on the floor, and probably shoot me. I didn't say any prayers, I didn't say anything at all. I just sat and waited.

Someone, coming towards me. I blinked, almost involuntarily, and my glassy eyes focused a little.

Copper hair? Like Edward's. That was weird.

Beautiful face? Like Edward.

Edward?

I blinked.

A man crouching right in front of me. In front of the body. A gorgeous man. He was pulling at my hands and his eyes looked tortured.

Bella, baby, it's me. Can you hear me? Are you alright? Are you alright?

Edward.

Edward.

"Yeah it's me, baby."

It was really him. Oh my God.

"Edward," I said, the realisation hitting.

I was safe, he had found me. I glanced behind him and saw Emmett and.. Jacob? Emmett was okay. Emmett was fucking okay. Oh my God.

"Caius!" I said, the reality starting to hit.

My breath came out too fast. Edward was massaging my hands, his eyes filled with both adoration and rage. I knew the rage wasn't at me though.

"Who killed him?"

I blinked. "It was me."

I almost felt shocked at the truth of it. I killed Caius Volturi. Edward nodded, his face betraying nothing negative.

"Good. Are you okay?" He demanded.

I nodded. "Yes. I-I think so."

He tried to smile at me, but it didn't reach his eyes. He looked so worried about me. His hand reached up and stroked my cheek.

"Just breathe, baby. You're safe."

Edward had found me.

I felt sobs starting to form and I flung my body forward and into him. He clutched me to him, and I finally let myself cry. The racking sobs were like a purge of all of the evil of this place. He had found me, and I was alive. We were going to be okay.