Gabby's POV

Penelope and I spent all night together. I told her about Alex and Rob's plan, no matter how dumb I thought it was. I knew she wouldn't tell Cam, if she could help it. Rob and Mindy came back to the eventually, but reluctantly left when I asked them too. I found some very interesting things about Penelope. Like she preferred the name Ellie.

Penelope was about 24 years old, and as I already knew she had not been turned yet. It was not her choice. She had wanted to be a vampire for a long time, but Cam would not allow it. I also found out she hadn't always lived here.

At one point, she lived with two very loving parents. They provided gymnastic and ballet lessons for her. They cherished, and cared for her. However, when she was 13 years old, Eric came and killed her parents. He said they were not keeping Ellie trained for him. Did I mention I really don't like that guy? I figured it was time for a more exciting topic now. Well exciting for me!

"So, Ellie what's with you and Kyle?" I asked.

She looked at me with a mixture of shock and fear. She bit her lip, opened her mouth, and then closed it again. I smiled, thinking how I did the exact same thing.

"What…What do you mean?" Ellie asked.

"Oh come on. You've obviously held a decent conversation before. I doubt Kyle would of just complimented anyone. Especially not Cam's girlfriend, if he hadn't talked to you," I told her.

"Well, we're kind of friends," she replied with a blush.

"Friends?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Okay, well wehavekissedbefore," Ellie replied quickly.

"What?" I asked.

"We've kissed," she replied in a whisper.

"Ooh, how was it?" I asked feeling like a gossiping teenager.

"It was wonderful. He was so sweet. It was nothing like Cam's sloppy and controlling kisses," she said reminiscing.

"I know exactly what you mean," I said thinking of the differences between Alex and Brad's kisses.

Soon after that we decided to get a few hours of sleep. After a push from me, to get Ellie to agree to spend the night here. She had planned to return to Cam, to get what ever punishment that was waiting for her. I told her, that I would make sure no harm would come to her. Of course, I'm volunteering Rob as the protector.

Penelope's POV

Gabby had really helped me tonight. I never though anyone would understand why I put up with Cam, but she went through almost the same thing with Brad. At least, I had, had loving parents at one time, who I loved and loved me. That is until they were taken violently away from me.

I was glad Gabby trusted me with the secret plan to defeat Eric. I will never tell Cam their plan. I would be punished for talking with Gabby anyway, and I wasn't going to have Gabby and the others punished as well. I knew Gabby said she would protect me from Cam, but there was only so much she could do. I soon found myself falling asleep next to Gabby.

I couldn't believe it had been almost three years since my parents had been brutally murdered, and I was forced to live with Eric. But Cam had been great to me. He supported me and didn't let anyone else touch me. He only hurt me if I deserved it.

This was one of those days I deserved it. I had snuck out in the morning for a quick run. I actually did this every morning and always made it back before Cam woke up. However, today Cam had not been in the room when I returned. All that was in the room was a note.

Stay here! Don't leave the room. We will discuss your disobedience when I return!

I didn't dare disobey. I had been sitting in this room for five hours, not even going to the bathroom. I was scared what would happen, if Cam found out, I had broken another rule he had given me. I wasn't given any food either. The mixture of hunger and nerves was making me sicker than I ever had been before.

Suddenly, the bedroom door opened to reveal Cam calmly walking in. I quickly stood up, and looked to the ground. The clicking of the door, caused me to flinch.

I waited for the hit, but instead my chin was gently lifted by ice cold fingers. I shivered, but it wasn't from the cold. I was forced to meet his furious eyes.

"How was your day?" He asked calmly. I wasn't fooled though. He was just barely holding onto his temper.

"Ah, ok sir," I replied with a confused expression.

"Aren't you going to ask how my day was, sweetie?" He asked in a condescending manner.

"Um…how…how was your day sir?" I asked nervously.

"Well it probably would have been better, if my girlfriend wasn't missing when I woke up. Where the hell were you? Out sleeping with some other guy, perhaps? Or maybe thinking about running away again?" Cam asked me, referring to the time last year. I had begun to run away, but soon returned knowing that they would find me, and whomever else I was with would meet a dire fate.

He squeezed my chin bringing tears into my eyes. I tried pulling away in a fruitless attempt. I then resorted to apologizing.

"I..I was just jogging. I…I'm sorry sir," I told him desperately trying to gain forgiveness.

"And how many mornings have you done that?" He asked squeezing my chin even harder.

"Almost every morning sir," I replied in a whisper. I knew better than to lie.

He pushed me into the wall, causing me to collapse. He then began kicking me, and throwing me around like a doll every time I tried to avoid his foot.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," I kept repeating.

"No you're not, but you will be," He said emphasizing his point by taking his belt off. And then the leather came towards me.

I woke up with a gasp. I used to scream, but learned quickly to remain silent thanks to Cam. He didn't like his beauty sleep interrupted. I felt a hand going through my hair.

I kept my eyes closed, and flinched at the sensation. I whimpered as the hand came off my head. Cam had always put his hand through my hair before doing some kind of abuse towards me. It amused him, to see how nervous I came to be while waiting for the blow.

"Shh..Shhh Ellie. I'm sorry. It's just me," I heard a voice say that was defiantly not Cam.

I slowly opened my eyes and saw Gabby sitting next to me. She had her hands up, as if she was surrendering. I sat up and looked around at my surroundings and finally remembered where I was.

"I'm sorry Gabby. I thought you were somebody else," I replied not meeting her eyes.

"No reason to be sorry. I shouldn't have done that. It's comforting to me, but I can see it's not for you," Gabby told me.

"Not anymore," I answered flatly.

"Well hopefully that will change in the future. I wasn't to keen on human touch really, until after Rob, and I formed a friendship," She explained.

I just gave her a half smile. My chances of getting out of the battle at the ball a free woman were slim. Cam would do everything in his power to make sure I was stuck either living with him the rest of my life or dieing alongside of him.

"Now don't think that way. I can see you have all negative thoughts about your future. But you have to be optimistic. Even I'm optimistic, and I barely know how to use my powers. I mean come on, I'm fighting Shanna, who has had her powers for years. But I know my friends will back me up. And they will back you up too, since you are my friend and soon to be theirs!" Gabby exclaimed.

"Thanks Gabby. But I don't think that Rob or Alex will want to help me," I told her.

"Oh yes, they will. Because I said they have to," Gabby said like that settled the matter. I just laughed at her.

"Ha, I knew I could get you to actually laugh," She said with a look of triumph. A knock was heard at the door, ending my moment of happiness. Gabby motioned for me to stand beside the door, so I would be behind it when it opens. She went to the door and opened it a crack.

"Oh, it's just you two. Come in," Gabby said. I saw two shadows move into the room. Gabby shut the door, leaving me to the view of Jenna and Carlos.

They looked at me and said a greeting. I looked at them in shock, why weren't they surprised, I was here? Did Cam send them here? I backed up looking at Gabby with a look of betrayal. Did she have Rob inform Cam where I was?

"Ellie, it's not like that. I know what you're thinking. But they aren't here to take you to Cam or Eric. These two are my friends," Gabby told me softly.

"But…but they knew I was here," I said trying to make sense of everything.

"yes, how did you two know Ellie was here?" Gabby said turning towards the guard and my sister.

"Ah…Rob sent me to check on you guys, since he had to meet Eric and Cam for some private business," Carlos explained.

"What business?" Gabby asked. Carlos gave a pointed look towards me.

"Um…Ellie you might want to leave the room. Because when Eric asks where you are, Rob is going to have to tell him," Jenna explained.

"Why? I thought you said he was good? It was all part of the plan," I said desperately to Gabby.

"Shh...he is good. He will have to tell Eric to keep his cover," Gabby said putting a hand on my shoulder. Surprisingly, I didn't flinch.

"You told her about the plan?" Carlos asked in an angry voice. I flinched and waited for him to hurt either Gabby or I.

"Would you lower your voice? You are scaring Ellie. And yes I told her. I trust her," Gabby said sincerely. I gave her a small smile of gratitude.

Carlos and Jenna looked at me. They studied me and seemed to come to some kind of conclusion. If I had my bruises still, I would say they would probably trust me. But I heal really quickly. After whispering to one, another Carlos spoke to me.

"Very well. We will give you a chance for now."

"Thanks," I replied shyly.

"Um…your welcome. But you really should leave before Cam arrives. Unless your ready to face him?" Jenna asked.

"Ah, no not quite yet," I said.

"Come one Ellie. Let's go see if there is any food left in the kitchen," Gabby said taking my hand.

After a quick good-bye, Gabby and I walked out of the room together. I was very worried about what Cam and Eric were going to do to me, but I knew I now had a friend to get me through it!