A/N: Lots of hits for chapter one, I appreciate everyone who is taking a chance on Surviving! I would love to hear some feedback *cough* hint hint! I have no bata so all mistakes are mine…Sorry in advance!
I don't own Twilight. Why oh why is life so cruel!

BPOV

Little things. People take them for granted. Things as little as a hot shower, a new book, or warm meal. They are things you just have or can get easily so most times they are overlooked. My mother and I don't overlook anything.

Twelve years ago I was a happy child living in Jacksonville, Florida with my parents. I had just started kindergarten and had made my first friend. Twelve years ago my father was taken from me in a way that no one should ever have a loved one taken from them.

Some days I can barely remember my dad and it scares me. I loved him so much and when I can't recall his laugh or even the color of his eyes, it's like I'm losing him all over again. I want to ask my mom but whenever I mention him she shuts down and begins to mutter 'my fault, my fault, all my fault' over and over until she succumbs to sleep. I wish I had a picture of him. I know mom has a few in her bag but I don't think she can bear to look at them.

When we left twelve years ago all we had were the two suitcases filled with a few outfits each, a couple toys for me, some of my mom's jewelry, and about five grand in cash. After we climbed down the ladder we took off into the night. My mom hailed a taxi and told them to take us to the bus station. When we got there she put us on the first bus out of town. I don't remember where we went but I do remember calling for my dad all night. I tried to sleep but every time I closed my eyes I would hear the deep voice calling for my mom and the loud bang that ended my father's life.

For the next two years we moved around constantly, never staying in one place for longer than a week. My mom was very jumpy and would demand we leave if she got a bad feeling. I couldn't help but be mad at her. All I wanted was to be back in Jacksonville with my dad and my new friend.

On my seventh birthday my life went from bad to worse. We were sitting in the motel room listening to music and eating cake when someone knocked on the door. My mom got up and looked out the peephole. Her face went from smiling to panic-stricken in two seconds flat.

She turned around and grabbed her bag off the bed (she never unpacked it). "Mom wha.." her hand came over my mouth and she put her finger to her lips signaling me to be very quite. We slowly went to the window of our motel room and climbed out into the alley. The knocking was getting louder inside the motel. She took my hand and we ran toward the closest building. Once inside she dragged me towards the bathroom and quickly locked us in.

She began looking in her bag. "Fuck! FUCK HOW DID HE FIND US?" my mom was yelling. I had never heard her say such a bad word before. "Damn it Bella what are we gonna do?" She was sitting on the floor leaning against the wall. "Mommy, we can go home. Whoever that was isn't at our home anymore. We can go home. " I was pleading with her. I wanted to go home so bad. "Bella baby, we can never go back there. Ever. I don't know what to do" she put her head down and her shoulders began to shake. "Bella we have to get out of here."

"Why mommy? Why do we have to?" I asked. She put her head up and looked at me. In her eyes I saw fear. "Bella I can't tell you why right now. I promise one day I will tell you, but for now just do as mommy says. Okay?" "Okay mommy" I said. I made a promise to my dad to always listen to her. I will never break that promise.

We slept in that bathroom all night and stayed in there until the sun was going down the next day. As soon as the sun began to sink my mom grabbed our one bag, mine was left at the motel, and we caught the next bus out of town. That bus was headed towards Phoenix, Arizona.

Once we arrived in Phoenix my mom set out to find us a place to stay that night. She said that we were going to a women's shelter. When we got there they gave us some food and a bed. The food was cold and tasted like dirt, but I was so hungry I ate every last bite. We hadn't eaten since my birthday cake two days before. I was so exhausted that I feel asleep almost the moment my head hit the pillow.

In what felt like no time I was being forced awake and pulled into the cold morning air by my mom. As we were walking down the street my mom began to apologize for my life. She told me that she wouldn't be able to get a job. She said people don't hire the homeless and she couldn't risk using her real name. She said we were going to have to sleep and eat in shelters from now on and that she would try her hardest to make sure that we always stayed together. I didn't understand. We have a home in Jacksonville. Why couldn't we go home? I was too afraid to ask so I just nodded to let her know I was listening.

Over the next few years we adapted to living in shelters and on the street. It was easier to get into the shelters when I was younger. People didn't want a kid on the streets. But as I grew up people became harsher. They wouldn't think twice before telling us to get lost.

Over the years I've seen things I wish I hadn't. My mom tried to shelter me from the violence and pain of our world, but she couldn't block everything. Sometimes just hearing the screams was worse than seeing the actual act take place.

Through everything though my mom has been my rock, my protector. She tells me everyday how much she and my dad love me. How beautiful I am. How she knows for a fact I will find the love of my life ('someone who loves you as much as your dad loved me, who loves you for you, who would do anything for you' she always says), and live happily ever after.

Today is my seventeenth birthday. We have been homeless for ten years and like I said before it's the little things you miss. I haven't had a shower in a few weeks, my last meal came out of a trash can, and I have never had a new book. The little things, that's all I want. I don't dream of a fancy car or jewelry. I dream of a cozy studio apartment for my mom and me with a fridge full of food and maybe a few books with all their pages intact.

My mom was gone when I woke up this morning. I'm not worried though, she sometimes let me rest while she tries to hunt us up something to eat. While waiting for her to return I pick up my worn out copy of Sense and Sensibility. I know this book inside and out. All but the last few chapters. They were missing when I found the book.

I was so caught up in my book that I almost didn't notice my mom as she rounded the corner. "Happy Birthday my darling Bella! Here this is from your father and me" she says as she places a small package in my hands. I open it and immediately my eyes begin to tear up. I pull out a framed photo of my dad and mom on their wedding day. They look so happy, so in love.

"Mom…I….Its…Thank you. This is the greatest gift I could ever receive." I say as the tears begin to flow. "Bella I have a feeling. No just listen" she says as I begin to interrupt her. "Bella I know you think my feelings are usually wrong but just listen to me please. If I get kil….If someone….If we ever have to go our separate ways I want you to open the frame. Inside will tell you everything you need to know. Okay sweetheart?"

"Alright mom. Thank you again for the gift." As I reach out to hug her I hear a car slam on its breaks. I look up as a tall, bulky man dressed in a suit steps out of the car. "Bella" my mom's voice is low. I turn and look at her and watch as the color fades from her face. She looks like she's going to be sick. "Mom what's wrong?"

She keeps her eyes on the man who is steadily getting closer to us. "Bella remember the promise you made your dad?" "Yes" I whisper. "Bella….I need you to leave me. Get away from here. Don't come back.. no matter what. Get out of Phoenix as soon as you can. Bella I love you. Remember the picture." She looks at me "Go Bella. Now" I look into her eyes as I slip the picture into my pocket and nod. I get up and attempt to dash by the man but he grabs my wrist tightly and pulls me into him.

"Renee! How I've missed you. Isabella you sure have grown up. You are just as beautiful as your mom!" I freeze instantly. I know that voice. This is the man who killed my dad. The man who ruined my life. I pull my arm away from him and run into my mom's arms. He is staring at us like we're his prey. Oh god what is he going to do to us?!

My mom pulls me closer and whispers, "I love you. When I say now, run." I nod as the tears begin to fall. "Always remember how much we love you! I love you, I love you, I love you." She whispers over and over in my ear. "Bella now….RUN NOW!" she screams. I take off towards the opening of the alley as she jumps towards the man. I hear them fall and I take one last look back. "BELLA RUN!" she screams. "Yes Bella run. I love the chase." The man yells after me. "Make no mistake Bella I WILL FIND YOU!" The last thing I hear is my mom's voice yelling for me to run.