A/N: So, here is chapter two... ready to go. I hope this chapter catches more attention than the last. I was a little disappointed in the small amount of reviews.

Disclaimer: Still don't own Twilight or any of the recognizable characters... all original characters are directly from my mind (and that can be a scary place!)

"Wake up in a dream,

Frozen fear,

All your hands on me,

I can't scream."

"Snow White Queen" - Evanescence

Chapter 2 - Bait

Cold…

Dark…

Pain…

Fear…

My nightmares were becoming very repetitive and getting lost in my reality. The lines were blurring. At first, I slept to avoid the pain; to avoid the fear. Of course, the fear was there in my nightmares as well. The pain was different but it was there too. I wasn't sure when I was asleep or awake anymore. It was always dark. I didn't know how long it had been, I only knew I wanted it to end. I didn't even care how at this point but I wanted it over.

Dark…

Fear…

Pain…

Voices…

I registered voices at one point. I tried to open my eyes but it was still dark. I wasn't sure if I was unable to open them or if it was just dark where I was. It hurt to try and move so I didn't try for very long. The voices paused momentarily as I struggled and then resumed. I tried to pay attention but they were talking very fast and the sound seemed to be coming from a distance. It was muffled. I was cold. I was lying on my back and the ground beneath me was cold and hard. My shoulder throbbed and so did my head.

I tried again to focus on the voices. It sounded like an argument. Someone sounded agitated. The voices were still talking too fast for me to pick up the words.

After a few more minutes I heard a door open and close. It sounded very close. I held my breath, unsure of what else I could do.

Suddenly, with no sound of approach, I felt cold hands on me. I struggled weakly but repressed the scream that was choking in my throat. I felt a tug on my left arm that was very sore because of my injured shoulder. First there was a blinding pain and I knew they were torturing me further. Then there was another pop and the tears came. I wanted to scream and sob but it only came in a pained groan.

"There's food by the door. Eat," a male voice commanded and I immediately realized it was Riley. I didn't respond in any way to his words. I lay perfectly still and fought the urge to breath. I felt something connect with my right side and realized as the pain registered that he had kicked me.

"You will answer me," he hissed. I coughed as I choked to regain my breath. I tried to speak but couldn't. He laughed and I heard the door close again.

I continued gasping for several minutes as I tried to sit up. I reached my right hand up and felt that there was something black tied around my face. As I pulled it off the light of the room was nearly blinding. I put my hand up to try and block my eyes as they adjusted.

I saw that I was sitting on a blanket on the floor. The blanket was smeared with blood. I looked away quickly not wanting to think about where that may have come from. If it was all mine it was amazing I was alive. By the door I saw a few slices of bread and a glass of water. There was another opening and by leaning I could see it was a small bathroom. The walls around me were concrete and the floor was as well. I looked up and saw narrow windows high above my head. I must be in a basement of some kind.

I pushed myself slowly and carefully into the corner. I wrapped the blanket around me, more as a way to feel safe than to help with the cold. I ignored the aches and sharp pains in my body and pulled my knees up to my chest. It occurred to me that this is very likely the room where I will die. That fact plus the pain that spiked with every heartbeat reminded me that it won't be quick. I will likely suffer more than I already have.

I used the walls to help me stand and walk toward the opening for the bathroom. I kept the blanket wrapped tightly around me but it wasn't helping the violent tremors that ran through me. I looked inside and saw that there was very little in the room. Only a toilet, a sink, and a tub with no curtain crammed together. I was almost relieved there was no mirror because I wasn't sure I wanted to see how I looked. I walked to the sink intent on at least getting some of the blood off the parts of me I could see.

After I felt like the blood was under control I made my way back to the main room slowly. I walked back to the corner and slid down slowly. I kept my knees drawn up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them despite the protests of my injuries. I leaned my head onto my knees.

I stayed in that position until my many injuries required me to move. I would stretch my legs in front of me and lay my head against the concrete walls in the corner. I have no idea how long I stayed in that corner. It could have been days. I didn't mark the passage of time in any way except noting as my injuries healed.

I noticed when I could fully open my left eye. I noticed when I could rotate my shoulder with almost no pain. I noticed when every beat of my heart didn't seem to feel as if it were beating in my head. I slept when it was absolutely necessary. I knew sleep would pass the time faster but I also knew that sleep would make me an easier target.

I felt myself becoming weaker. I knew it was lack of food. I was starving myself and it was uncomfortable but not the most painful thing I had experienced. Not even the most painful recently. I would spend time debating my decision as I stared at the bread and water lay out by the door but I would turn away. I would die on my own terms and if that meant this way then so be it.

I had my knees up and my face down when I heard the door open again. I heard no footsteps but the door closed. I raised my head and saw two figures. Riley was looking down at the untouched bread and water and the other male was staring at me. He had dark brown hair and was nearly a head taller than Riley. His eyes were wide and trained on my face. I tried to keep my expression blank as I saw Riley turn in my direction. I knew he would be checking eventually to see if I had followed his instructions and eaten the food.

I stared him down as he walked toward me. I wasn't sure if the fear I felt showed in my eyes but I knew I couldn't let him see it anywhere else. I kept my face smooth and tried to contain the tremors in my body. I wasn't looking forward to seeing his reaction to my defiance.

"I thought I told you to eat," he said as he grabbed me roughly by my right arm. I allowed him to pull me to my feet without fighting him. I clenched my jaw to keep it from quivering in my fear. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"No," I said through my teeth. It sounded amazingly defiant. He raised his eyebrows in surprise momentarily before he smiled cruelly.

"You won't be so tough when we kill your boyfriend," he said while his grip on me tightened to the point of pain. I kept my expression under control with extreme effort. My strength to fight was weak because I hadn't eaten but his words infuriated me.

"I don't have a boyfriend," I said with conviction. I hoped that the pain I felt from his grip wouldn't come across in my words. He shook me before releasing my arm and I hit the wall behind me. I had enough sense to lean my head forward and tuck my chin in an effort to not hit my head on the wall. My shoulders took the majority of the impact and the nearly healed injury ached immediately. I bit my lip to keep from crying out.

I leaned into the wall and tried to slip back to the floor but I knew it was far from over. He grabbed my arm again in the same way and threw me from the corner across the room. I hit the other wall with my right side. I fell immediately to the floor. I didn't move in any way except to breathe but that was enough. The force of the impact had caused the ache in my side to return and I was gasping for each breath. I could see him from the corner of my eye as he approached quickly and was just about to kick me when I heard the voice.

"Stop," he said and Riley turned in his direction. It was the dark haired male by the door that had spoken.

"You don't give me orders, Jonathan," Riley said, his voice seething with hate.

"I'm not. I'm just saying let me talk for a minute," Jonathan's voice was controlled as he took a step forward.

"What is it you want to say?" Riley asked in a mocking tone.

"Victoria won't be happy if you kill her. She may already have internal injuries by the look of her. Let me take care of her and I'll make sure she eats," Jonathan's voice sounded persuasive.

"I don't need you to tell me what will make Victoria unhappy," Riley said as he glanced down at me. I kept my expression blank. I was unsure about Jonathan's motivations and wished that Riley would just kill me. "Fine. You want to take care of the girl, do it. If she dies, I'll make sure Victoria takes it out on you."

"Fine," Jonathan replied and stood motionless as he waited for Riley to leave the room. I didn't meet his eyes until the door closed behind Riley. I held my resolve solid that I would not show fear as my breath started coming easier. I looked up as his long arms reached out toward me. I forced myself to lock down, ignoring the impulse to cower away into the corner. He turned me slightly so I was sitting with my back against the wall. I looked anywhere but at his face as he kneeled in front of me.

"Bella, I want to look at your face and make sure that nothing is seriously damaged," he said but I didn't meet his eyes. I didn't respond in any way and after a few moments he simply placed a hand very carefully on my chin and touched spots softly with the other. I kept my expression blank. I was utterly terrified at his proximity and I knew my heart was betraying that.

He turned my chin with his hand and started to look at the left side of my face. He started touching spots near my chin and worked his way up. When he got to my cheekbone I lost my grip on my resolve and cried out as I turned my head trying to release myself from his grip. I felt the tears welling up in my eyes. He froze at the sound of my cry and released me. He moved quickly and I flinched expecting pain to follow.

After several seconds of silence I opened my eyes and saw he was across the room, near the door. He had his back against the door and it took a second for me to place the expression on his face. I had made a sudden movement and he was trying to calm down and not kill me. I stayed perfectly still although a part of me still wished he would kill me.

He turned his head a bit toward the food on the floor and back to me slowly. He clenched his jaw and swallowed hard as he looked me in the eyes. I could see he was studying me but I wasn't sure what he was trying to find. I knew my resolve was gone and I didn't have the energy to keep up the bravado. I could feel the tears falling down my cheeks and I knew my eyes were showing the full extent of my fear.

He swallowed again and turned to pick up the tray of food. He opened the door and was gone. I barely had time to register that fact and wonder what had happened when the door opened again and he was back. He walked to the opposite corner where I had been when they arrived and placed the food and water there. He turned to look at me and his expression was firm.

"Eat," he said but it sounded almost like he was begging. I stared at him without knowing what to say. He turned and walked swiftly from the room. I watched the door for several minutes without knowing what to do. The pain in my cheek was horrible but I knew I had no choice but to eat. For some reason, I wanted to.

I felt that if I did what they asked, maybe I would find my chance to escape at some point. I sighed as I realized it would never happen. There were at least four of them now. Victoria, Riley, Jonathan and the other blonde male I didn't know. There was no escape for me. I would die in this basement but I couldn't help myself anymore. I had fought my resolve for so long but there was something in me that was broken now. I couldn't find my determination so I got up slowly and walked along the wall to the tray of food.

It was still just bread and water but it was fresher than what had been left in here for several days. I ate slowly, unsure how my stomach would respond, and drank deeply. When I finished I moved the tray back to its spot beside the door. I felt better and the trembling in my body slowly subsided. I curled my body in a tight ball in the corner and covered myself with the blanket before giving in to my exhaustion once again.

When I opened my eyes it was dark again. I pulled the cover down and saw that the light was off and it was dark outside. I sat up slowly, letting my eyes adjust. I had been asleep for a while, I could tell because my body felt rested. I couldn't believe I had slept so soundly. Someone had obviously been in the room because the light was off but I didn't know who or when. I took a deep breath and a new scent registered. I placed it immediately and knew someone had placed fresh food in the room. My stomach growled and my eyes scanned toward the door.

I wasn't sure if I was ready to move that far just yet but I knew the light switch was probably over near where I left the food tray before. After a while the smell got to be too much and I stood slowly and kept one hand on the wall as I felt my way around. When I reached the door I ran my hand along the wall until I found the light switch and flipped it on. I looked down and there was a tray of food that was more than just bread. There was a bit of lunchmeat and cheese and some chips. I wondered why the change as I quickly grabbed the tray and retreated back to my corner.

I sat quickly against the wall and picked up the sandwich. I noticed something else then. I picked up the small white pill and turned it over in my hand. Aspirin. There were three of them on the tray. I smiled slightly in relief as I took a few bites of my sandwich and swallowed the pills. I finished most of the sandwich and the chips and drank the water before I replaced the tray to its spot by the door.

I returned to my corner and pulled the blanket around me as I leaned against the wall. It wasn't long before the door opened and Jonathan came in. He looked down at the tray and lifted the empty cup. He walked into the bathroom and refilled it from the tap. He sat it on the floor and left it as he picked up the tray and walked out of the room without a word.

Time continued to pass in a similar matter. I would stay in my corner most of the time. I started to wonder how long I had been in here but quickly determined that it didn't matter. I was still very confused about Jonathan's motives but he was the only one I saw for quite some time. My meals came regularly and it was always sandwiches. I was grateful that it wasn't only bread. He continued to bring me aspirin for a while but I quit taking them once the pain in my cheek went away.

He didn't speak often and if he did it was always polite and cautious. He began to move differently after a while. He seemed more human and he would make sure his movements more deliberate. It seemed he was trying not to frighten me. He wanted to check my face again after I had refused the aspirin the second time and I nodded. I never spoke to him.

I felt my heartbeat accelerate when he stepped closer and I'm sure he heard it. He moved slowly as he kneeled on the ground near my corner. I slowly turned my cheek toward him but kept my eyes on his face as he reached out with his hands. He placed one on my chin the same as before and touched up my jaw and to my cheek again. I winced very slightly as he got near my eye and he stopped.

"It looks as if it's healed nicely," he said as he moved slowly away from me. "Do you need anything?" His question caught me off guard and I stared at him, a bit bewildered. He laughed lightly in response to my questioning expression. "An extra blanket or two. A pillow, perhaps?"

I was unsure about this action from him. He had always made sure that I was taken care of physically but this was different. He continued backing toward the door as he spoke and I decided to take him up on his offer. I still couldn't bring myself to speak so I bit my lip and nodded.

"I'll be back later with something else to eat," he stated and smiled again as he left the room. I stared at the closed door with no idea what was happening. I never thought I would find anyone who wanted to help me in any way and here someone was trying to in the last place I would have ever thought.

I sighed and tried to get comfortable against the wall. I didn't really lie down often as I felt too vulnerable when I did. I fell into a comfortable sleep again and when I woke I smelled warm food. Pizza, if I wasn't mistaken. I sat up and looked toward the door. There were several bags and a pizza box sitting there. I stared for a moment as if it was going to disappear.

I slowly got to my feet and walked across the room. I looked in the bags and there was a pillow and some new blankets. There was also a towel and some clothes. I picked it all up carefully and went back to my corner. I ate slowly as I picked through the items in the bags. I froze when the door to the room opened. Jonathan glanced over at me and smiled. He stepped in and shut the door.

"Feel free to shower and change. Sorry it took so long for me to get that to you but I needed to wait for them to leave so I could go to the store. I also thought you might like something different to eat. I'm glad you woke in time to eat it hot," he stayed by the door as he spoke.

"They'll be back some time tomorrow. We've been in the same place for too long and therefore we have to go further away to hunt. They left Adam but he's easy enough to distract. I'll leave you alone now. Just put the clothes you're wearing in one of the bags by the door after your shower and I'll be back after a while," he said and left the room.

I had no idea how to react. There was no reason he should be this nice to me. I wondered if this was a trap but I couldn't see how. I had to make sure to keep him at a distance but otherwise I would take him up on this offer of help. I ate another slice of pizza and pulled out everything I needed for a shower. There was shampoo and a toothbrush; everything.

I stood in the hot water for a long time. There was no curtain so I was making a bit of a mess but I didn't care. I washed carefully trying to make sure I removed the dried blood and dirt from my hair. I could feel scars on my face that were probably very prominent from the attack at the house and was again grateful there wasn't a mirror. I search the bags after I dried off and found a brush. I pulled it slowly through my hair after I dressed and put everything I was keeping in the bathroom. I laid out the fresh blankets on the floor and put the pillows down as well. I put the old blanket and clothes in a bag by the door as he asked. I sat back down and decided to eat another slice of the pizza.

It wasn't long after I settled in that the door opened and Jonathan stepped in. He looked and saw the bag by the door. He removed it and was back a few minutes later. He stepped in and shut the door behind him.

"How do you feel? Better?" He asked but he didn't make any move to approach me. I nodded. I wanted to thank him but I'd made a point not to speak.

"I'm glad. Look, I wanted to talk to you for a minute if that's okay," he said and I felt the confusion on my face. I got nervous as he took a few steps closer and then sat down on the floor, still several feet away. It was obviously meant to make me feel more comfortable with his presence. I stared at him but didn't say anything.

"I need you to understand something. I'm trying very hard to keep you safe right now but I have a question I need you to answer as honestly as possible. Is there someone looking for you right now?" He asked and I wasn't sure how to respond. I thought it through and determined that while the wolves wouldn't truly give up, they would have probably assumed my death by now since I have not contacted them. I sighed and shook my head while my eyes were on the floor.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry. Listen, I'm here and if you need something feel free to ask. I may not be able to always help but I might," he said quietly and rose to leave. He walked to the door. I wanted to ask for a phone. Just one quick call but I knew better than that. Instead I listened for the click of the door as it locked from the outside.

I couldn't let him in this way. He worked for Victoria and while he may be making me more comfortable for now there had to be a reason for all this. I needed to be very careful of how I responded because I knew better than most that the closer you let someone, the more devastating it is when they betray you.

A/N: So there it is. Please take a moment and let me know how I'm doing. I will continue this story as long as I feel people are enjoying it, otherwise I feel I'm wasting my time. A huge thanks to the two of you who did review the last chapter. I will still send out a teaser for reviews!