Two months later…

I sat in my bed calculating the total amount of money I had in the bank. I had gotten a part time job, it didn't pay much but it was still a good sum of money to add to my already growing bank account. It was a month ago that I was rummaging in the attic, looking for little odds and ends and I'd found some cash tucked away in a corner. I was ecstatic when I saw it. Apparently when Renee left she'd forgotten her stash. And it was all mine!

I finished calculating and tucked my book under the floorboards. Hell would rise if Charlie only found out I had money, much less and account!

I tucked it under some pieces of wood before collapsing onto the bed. I moaned, however, when the bell rang. I sauntered down the steps and opened the door. Alice glided in, without invitation, (thank God I cleaned) and turned around.

"Where's your room?" She asked brightly. She held two full shopping bags.

"Um…up the steps to the left." I tried to grab her before she skipped up the steps but I missed. "Alice, what…what are you doing?" I ran after her.

She was casually setting down dresses and shoes and accessories on the bed. "Choose something to wear, we're going out."

"Alice how many times do I have to tell you, I. Am. Not. Allowed. To. Go. Out!"

"Oh Bella have some fun will you! Are you going to be little miss obedient forever? Besides," She mumbled. "Everyone's at the house waiting for you anyway so it would be very rude not to go."

"So, I won't be missed. I never am."

"Well Miss Swan it would be very embarrassing for you to not show up at your own birthday party…"

"What! Alice are you crazy? Insane? Psychotic?"

She giggled like a maniac. "C'mon be happy! Isn't it wonderful? I just invited Angela and Katie though so it's not much of a party. Just you, me, Angela and Katie, your normal school friends."

I groaned. "I have nothing to w-"

"I brought these, I know you like red but I couldn't decide which dress to buy so I bought them both, you can use the other dress for some other event." What? My funeral? Charlie would kill, no maul, no...peel the skin from my bones if he found out!"

"Alice…"

"Bella please just this once, please. Esme can keep the girls occupied in another room. Please."

I sighed. There was no use trying to argue it out. It was Alice. She would tie and fetch me to that party if she had to! "Ok"

She clapped her hands gleefully. "Great, go change and put on your robe, I'll comb out those dreadful knots you have then I'll do your make-up. Oh it will be fun Bella! Absolute fun!"

I shook my head and changed, as I was ordered, and sat while crazy Alice did all kinds of things with my hair and face. And then finally she said, "Done."

I looked admiringly at my face. I looked…pretty.

I smiled. "Alice you're a fucking genius and I love you!"

She laughed. "That's what they all say. Now c'mon and slip this baby on. You're going to look hot tonight Bella."

I blushed but before I could squeeze myself into the hot red dress I heard a vehicle park. Oh My God! I thought.

Charlie!

I ran and glanced out of the window. It was him!

"Alice you need to get out of here now!"

She looked at me as if I was crazy. "What? Why?"

"Did you drive over here?" I asked frantically.

"No Edward dropped me over. Bella what's wrong?" She followed me into the bathroom. "Why are you washing your face?"

"Alice my dad is here. If he finds you here he is going to beat me. If he sees this make up on my face he'll kill me alright."

I heard the door shut. I hushed her. "Get into my room now." I whispered. "If you hear any footsteps hide under the bed alright. And whatever you here Alice, don't come out."

She started trembling. "Bella you're scaring me now."

I ripped the dress off of me and dragged on a pair of jeans and a shirt.

"Bella get your scrawny butt here now!" Charlie shouted.

"Bella" Alice whispered.

"Shh" I said before closing the door.

"Yes Dad."

"I'm going out where's my lu-. What's on your face?"

"Huh?" Oh shit I thought my face was clean. Oh God! Please don't let him kill me!

"Huh? Are you dumb? I asked what was on your face Isabella!" He came closer to inspect. "Make-up? You're wearing make-up? You're going out or something?"

"No Dad I was just experimenting." I whispered. I was trembling, the closer he got the more I wanted to run.

"Experimenting?" He eased his belt from his pants. "Do you think I'm stupid?"

"No Dad, of course I don't."

"Liar!" The belt slapped my foot. It stung. "You thinking of leaving like your mother did?"

"No" I tried to say but my response came out muffled as I poorly tried to shield my foot. Instead my hand got the blunt of the blow.

"Well you won't leave ever! Not if I kill you first!"

He kept on whipping me with that belt. I didn't run. I knew if I did he would only beat with more vengeance.

I screamed. "Daddy, please!"

I begged for him to stop. The bruises that were healing well now began to bleed again, decorating my white shirt with red sports about the abdomen.

"That'll show you. You're never going to escape you hear me. Never! So just wipe that silly thought from your mind."

I continued to lay there until I heard the door slam. Long ago had Paige and Hope learnt to stay inside when Charlie was home. I checked their rooms to ensure they were okay before staggering to my own and freeing Alice who was on the bed trembling, her pretty gold eyes wide with fear and glistening with tears.

"Alice, I don't think I'm going to be able to make it tonight. Tell Angela and Katie I'm sorry for wasting their time."

"Bella why didn't you tell me? All those injuries…"

I smiled. "It's not something I like to share."

"We need to call Carlisle. He needs to know. He can do something to help you." She shakily took out her i-phone but I shook my head.

"I've been planning on going away. I've been saving. We won't be living lavishly but it'll have to do until I get a job. I was thinking maybe Phoenix. Renee used to live there; maybe that's where she went. I could get her to at least give me some money to keep us all up."

Alice held my hand. "You're so brave and strong. I can imagine going through something like this and not breaking down every day." She said sniffling. "But you don't have to be strong anymore Bella; I can help you. I'm sure Esme and Carlisle wouldn't hesitate to adopt you and the girls."

"No Alice. Charlie would have to be jailed and the whole town will be buzzing with talk of the poor Swan girl that got abused since she was twelve. People will be gawking at me and imagine what children at school will say! I'd hate it. The girls will be so uncomfortable and heartbroken. I can't. I need to leave Alice."

She nodded her head, accepting my decision. I had thought long and hard about this, about staying in Forks but I needed for us all to have a fresh start. Somewhere where the girls could forget all this drama and heartache and have a new beginning. They needed that…and so did I.

"I'm going to miss you like crazy Isabella Marie Swan. Please tell me you're going notify me when you skip town."

"Of course I will. You're my best friend after all."

She smiled and we hugged. We both had tears in our eyes when we left each other's embrace.

"Well I'm going home and make up some excuse for you not showing up."

"How are you getting home?"

"I texted Edward, he should be here any moment."

"He's here. Bye Alice"

"Goodbye Bella"

She got up and walked away so hastily, sobbing all the way.

I watched from the window as she got into the Volvo and drove away.

I crouched into a fetal position and balled. I let go of all my bottled emotions.

I cried because Renee left. I cried because Charlie stayed. I cried because Charlie was abusive. I cried because I was too pale. Anything and everything I remembered I cried for. I even cried harder when I remembered that day when Susannah Mallory took away my Barbie doll in kindergarten.

Silly I know but I needed to let everything go because I knew that this coming weekend I'd leave Forks and I needed to be strong for those two children that to them I represented mother.

It was a painful week but I struggled through it. Alice and I said very little to each other after our teary encounter. She'd kissed me goodbye Friday and slipped a few hundred dollars into my bag.

"Use it well Bella and have a safe trip." She pecked me lightly on the cheek before skipping to Jasper, her boyfriend.

Edward looked at me then at her. He smiled my way and I waved back. Oh God I would miss those sexy green eyes terribly. I thought sadly.

When I reached home I got myself and the girls bathed, dressed and ready to go.

I got our bags into the truck and took one final glance at my home of eighteen years. I had experienced happiness, joy, sorrow and fear in that house.

Not wanting to see more I drove us to Seattle airport and boarded the plane destined for California. I changed my mind about Arizona. Charlie would probably guess that was where we'd be headed and track us down. I didn't need him showing up in my life.

Ever

I had plans to color my hair blonde and do so many other things that I'd always wanted. The girls were so fascinated by the plane. We shared the excitement as I too had never flown before.

We looked out the window as the plane left Seattle. I breathed a sigh of relief as we left the state I had no plans on revisiting.

Right there and right then I knew I would make it. Through hell or high water I would rise above all things that life had thrown my way and succeed.

We would succeed

Okay I'm finished for now. A sequel will be written and I'm hoping persons can review and send your ideas for it. Hope you enjoyed my story and follow me for updates on the sequel please!

Thanks for reading!