Hi guys!

Sorry for the delay! What with the holidays coming up I've not had much free time! So this is quite short and sweet but hopefully the next one will be longer for you!

Anyway...

Disclaimer: I own nothing aside Bella.

Rose walked into her little apartment, throwing the keys into the bowl with a clatter. She shut the door with a slam the lock clicking automatically. Her apartment was small but live-able- just. The kitchen was attached to the living room and her box bedroom was off to the side with a bathroom connected. It was small, very small. But it would do.

An ashtray that was full to the brim was at the side of the couch with bottles either empty or half empty were scattered over the living room and kitchen worktops. A few pizza boxes were scattered about and the dirty dishes were piled high in the sink. The street light from outside bathed the room in a orange glow as sirens and car horns occasionally filtered through.

Rose flicked on a lamp and shuffled her way through the discarded clothes and shoes that littered the floor. She pulled open the fridge as the bottles inside 'clinked' together when rattled. She pulled out three and twisted the top off one taking a strong drink before flopping down onto the couch. She took another long drink and shrugged out of her leather jacket.

Her headache thankfully was subsiding as she rubbed her forehead.

"What a day." She mumbled.

'Knock-Knock'

"Who is it?!" Rose snapped.

"Only your best friend!"

Rose rolled her eyes. "Fuck off!" She shouted. The person behind the door giggled before swinging the door open. Rose twisted to look over the couch, her eye brows knit together in confusion.

"Sure I locked that door…" She grumbled.

"Hmm, nope. Can't have done… drunk already my dear?!" The intruder gasped in mock shock. Rose twisted back round and slumped further into the couch.

"Not as much as I want to be with you around."

The guest giggled again before taking a seat on her armchair. Rose didn't look at him, she would barely call him a friend… more of an acquaintance who loved to annoy her. But he seemed to be the only person that could stand to be around her. Hugo was a skinny man… much too skinny considering his tall height. His limbs seemed jagged and sharp, his chin was a prominent 'V' shape which was framed with a small black goatee. His hair –black also- was gelled back, slick making him look all the more greasier. His pixie like ears were pinned to his head, while is outfit was nothing short of flamboyant.

A flora print suit with black small heeled boots. Hey, Rose didn't judge… whatever floats your boat. You know, as long as it didn't hurt anyone. Well.. within reason.

Hugo was a mischievous man, also landing her in the most awkward situations. But he spoke to her and gave her some form of company, if she hadn't found her own 'fun' for the night that is.

However after the evening she'd had, she was in no mood to deal with his shenanigans tonight.

"So.. I heard you got thrown out of Jenks? How positively… delicious! Tell me every juicy detail!" His eyes glittered as he lent forward in anticipation, almost enjoying her misery.

"Just some skank that thought muscling in on my guy was a good idea." Rose muttered taking another swig.

Hugo giggled and clapped his hands together. "Oh Rose… you are scandalous! Anything else… happen?" He asked, his voice raising slightly.

Rose contemplated telling him about the girl and her attractive father but just the thought of them gave her another headache. She rubbed her head again and finished off her bottle, dropping it on the floor and grabbing another.

"No."

Hugo's shoulders slumped and he 'humphed' and lent back into the chair crossing his arms.

"What's it to you anyway?" She snapped.

"Just… just a set back." He muttered, clearly brooding.

"Glad to know my life provides so much entertainment to you." Another swig.

"Oh you have no idea."

"I don't even know why I stay in this shithole. This city is bent, the people are dogs and the booze tastes like piss!" She hissed examining the bottle in her hand. Hugo rolled his eyes.

"While I do find your little rants… fascinating." His eyes widened for a split second in sarcasm. "Your sad little life is starting to bore me."

"Boo fucking hoo. Piss off then if I'm not as miserable as you would like me to be." She snarled taking another drink.

"Such a drama Queen… you darling, need a man."

Rose rolled her eyes. "Tell me something I don't know."

Hugo rolled his tongue over his teeth. "Do tell me dear Rose… what qualities would your perfect man need?" Rose let out a dramatic sigh and lulled her head back so she was looking at the stained ceiling.

"I don't know… muscles, tall, humour, wit, has to be protective, uhm exciting, a bit dangerous." She snickered slightly, Hugo had narrowed his eyes listening intently.

"Hmm, what about physical features?"

Rose craned her neck to look at him. "What?"

Hugo threw his arms out blasé. "You know.. eye colour, hair colour etc."

Rose turned back round thinking. "Uhmm I'm not sure… brunette, blue eyes?" She said offhandedly. Hugo made a scoff.

"What about redheads?" He hissed.

Dim lights and faded wallpaper. Dirty mirror and creaking bed. Scrunched up bed sheets. Laughter. Breathy moan. Laughter. Brown carpet and a red shirt. Hers? His? Two people and a locked door.

A flash of red. Red hair. Hers? Someone else? Short. The hair was short.

Ribbon on the bed frame. Tied. A soft touch. An arm over shoulders. A hand on neck.

On the end. A hat? Whose hat?

Red hair?

"Well excuse me! Don't you sit their and ignore me!"

Rose shook her head as the pounding grew stronger. She took another few gulps and finished her second bottle, throwing it to the floor with a 'clink'. Suddenly the girl's father came to her mind, she shook the image from her head. He was a redhead, that's why she thought of him. Yeah. Hot too. Still the ache increased. Fuck.

"Sorry Hugo… just a headache."

Hugo's eyes widened as he sat back slowly.

"How long have you had a headache for?"

"Just today." She muttered. Hugo's eyes narrowed again and his mouth tugged into a thin line.

"Rose… did you meet anyone today?" He voice was cold and clipped and it was starting to get on her nerves. She knew telling him about the hot redhead would launch him into a thousand more questions and she could feel her eyes getting heavy.

"No. Now fuck off, I'm tired."

She cracked open her last drink, feeling the effects of the alcohol buzzing in her limbs. She was starting to slip into unconsciousness the shots from Kilroy's also catching up with her. Much so that if she was paying attention she would have seen the snarl on Hugo's face. Hugo took a deep breath to calm himself before he schooled his emotions.

"Very well, I'll check on you in the morning." He stood and made his way over to the door pulling the automatic lock open.

"I don't need a babysitter!" She snapped, her voice slurring slightly. Hugo turned to look at the back of her head and sneered.

"It's not babysitting when I'm the guard and you're the prisoner."

He slammed the door shut as the bottle slipped from her grasp as sleep took hold.

Rose was jolted awake with a loud pounding on the door. She put a knee to the floor to steady herself, knocking over a few empty bottles in the process. She realised that she was still wearing the same clothing from the night before. The banging began again.

"ROSE!"

"IM A MINUTE!" She yelled back before wincing at the pain in her head. "Fucking hangover." She muttered. She kicked off her heels and curled her toes at their stiffness, a delightful shudder rippling through her body. The banging started again and Rose grit her teeth and stormed over. Pulling the lock off and retched the door open and sneered.

"What are you doing here?!"

The man glanced at her then walked past as if he owned the place. He had an air of arrogance about him and his icy eyes glided over the small space. He had short jet black hair and a strong jaw. His build was muscular and broad- a real looker, if he wasn't such a monster. He turned back to her his grey eyes narrowed.

"My associates tell me that you attacked them last night when they were on the job… care to tell me why?" His voice was cold and strictly professional. Rose rolled her eyes and marched over to the kitchen.

"I should have known you were behind that." She spat. She pulled out a cup and washed it out over the sink and tapped the kettle on. She started routing through her cupboards.

"I don't know who you think you are getting involved in things that do not concern you!" His voice holding bite. Rose pulled down a small box of painkillers and filled another glass with water.

"And I don't know who you think you are snatching kiddies. Seriously Cedric?! Could you sink any lower?"

"Oh Rose, don't act all high and mighty in front of me. I'm hear to handle your mistake." He growled. Rose rolled her eyes.

"What exactly is my mistake this time, darling." She sneered, he marched over and glared hard. Rose used all her will power not to recoil back or flinch.

"You let that girl get away." He hissed.

"She's a kid!"

"She's leverage!"

"What!?" She snapped. Cedric took a step back but the heat of his glare never faltered.

"That girl will help me bring a certain gang to their knees, allowing me to take control of the territory!" Rose scrunched her eyebrow remembering the three men that took the girl home. They were part of a gang? She knew most gangs and the faces of their high profiled leaders Rose scoffed.

"Gods Cedric! Do you have a death wish?! What are you playing at snatching a gang members kid? You know they won't let it go."

Cedric grit his teeth. "No thanks to you! Now get your shit you're coming with me!"

"Like hell I am! Get the fuck out!" She snarled, slipping two pills down her throat and drinking her water. The kettle made a click and she pulled it up and began pouring the hot water into the cup. Cedric snatched her arm, yanking it back forcefully causing the water to spill over the counter and onto the floor. Rose gasped and jumped back avoiding the scolding water. "What are you doing?!"

He pulled her towards him and then pushed her over to her room.

"Get. Your. Shit."

She stared at him, He looked murderous but she was over his attitude. She built up her courage and glared hatefully back.

"Who do you think you are? You don't own me!"

"You will always be mine!" He hissed.

"I'm not some fucking prize! I don't need you." She folder her arms in defiance but Cedric was not letting up.

"Yes you do. You have no one. You are no one. Your family tossed you out like the fucking disgrace you are. No one loves you, no one wants you, you're just a freak with mutant eyes-"

"Then why are you hear?!" She snapped her emotions getting the better of her, each word he spoke hitter her like a slap in the face.

"Because I'll have you."

Her eyes narrowed.

"We tried that remember? You made you're feelings for me pretty clear when you kicked me out." Her voice was like steel, something she had learnt to build over time. Do not show fear. A small smirk came to his face and he wandered over to her.

"Now, now Rose. We had good times didn't we?" He was practically circling her now. "I can give you anything you want, just come with me." He lifted her chin so she was looking him in the eye. She hated this man, she hated him so much. She wondered why him and Hugo were such good friends but then remembered she hated Hugo half the time too.

But the allure was something she hated herself for. He could provide for her, she knew that. Get her out of this dingy flat and actually have some decent food rather than ready made noodles. She hated Cedric, she hated him so much. But he's a powerful influence to have. Maybe… just maybe if she played her cards right she could work out some sort of deal to get out of this god forsaken city. Start a fresh?

Her life had been one train wreck after another, though she couldn't remember most of it. Her past memories were blurry and jiggered like someone had scrambled them. She remembered she had a family. A brother? No. A sister? Hmm, that seemed about right. There was someone else from her past that until recently she was surprised she barely remembered. An old boyfriend? She rolled her eyes. Probably best she didn't remember that, all her boyfriends deserved to be forgotten.

But there was something... something that pulled at her. Something that made her feel responsible. Responsible for something. Like something important, greatly important was missing. Missing and she had to get it back.

A fresh started sounded good.

The only way she was going to get out of here was with him. Tch. She hated him.

Still… she knew what she had to do. But she also knew who she was dealing with.

"Nothing to do with you is without a cost. What do you want?"

A bigger smirk was on his face this time as he stood in front of her.

"All in good time, now hurry up. We don't have all day."

With that he turned on his heel and stalked out of the flat. Rose was left staring at the spot he had just been. She was sick of this. Sick of being played, sick of being used. Well not anymore. She would get out of here if it was the last thing she did.

So I hope you all enjoyed that and it was more to chew over! Next chap I promise to have some Brick and Bella moments cos they're super cute to write/read!

Reviews are loved :)

CJR.x