Chapter Six – Screaming

This Chapter is dedicated to my precious computer. Its currently refusing to complete start up, and only half my stories are backed up on USB! *cries* Its done this before, and the problem just went away by itself, but I love my computer and I want it back. Now. I promise that if I get it back I will back everything up on USB immediately, and I can only hope that this dedication will appeal to its better nature. Everything before you belongs to Stephenie Meyer.

-Also, I have the next three chapters uploaded, but the three after that are stuck on afore mentioned computer and I can't remember exactly how I wrote them before. So. Would you prefer me to a) continue to update every 2/3 days and possibly have to wait a little longer if I don't fix things by the time I run out of chapters or b) update every 3/4 days and give myself more time to fix the computer/ rewrite the chapters. What do you think?

EPOV

One of the less pleasant things about staying in Volterra was the feeding times. All of us looked towards them with dread. It seemed that no matter where you went in the castle, vampiric hearing made it impossible to escape the sound. That didn't stop me trying though.

It was the first time they had fed since we had returned, and I was wandering the now familiar corridors. I'd just turned into the hallway which lead to the tower, when I heard the distinct sound of someone weeping. Curious, and yet knowing all the time what I would find, I followed the sound, and then the scent, to find a tiny half-vampire sobbing in an alcove off the hall.

'Hey there'

She looked up, eyes red and cheeks wet with tears. 'Hey'

I crouched down to be at her level. 'I hope you don't mind me asking, but aren't you supposed to be in the tower?' I asked, inclining my head down the hallway.

She nodded, wiping her tears on the back of her hand.

'So what are you doing down here then?'

'Mummy and Daddy and the others are feeding,' she sniffed ' They leave a guard on the stairs, but I'm all on my own. I don't like being on my own. Not when the screaming starts.'

I nodded. 'So. If there's a guard on the stair how did you get down?'

Her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed.

'I won't tell'

She frowned. 'You won't be able to help it'

How could I have forgotten Aro? 'True.'

She took a deep breath and sighed, 'There's an old laundry shoot from when the castle was occupied by humans. Nobody's ever even paid it any notice 'cos its so small. Its not like anybody could ever fit in it. Anybody but me that is. I climb up and down it when I don't want to get caught'

Whatever I'd been expecting it certainly wasn't that. I nodded again.

She looked up at me pleadingly. 'Will you stay with me? Please?'

Don't get involved! I reminded myself harshly. But how are you supposed to look a crying child in the eye and refuse to help her?

I squeezed myself into the alcove beside her. 'I'll stay' I answered, and she hugged me tight.

*************************************

I spoke to Carlisle and he agreed that something had to be done. One day Isabella was going to get caught or hurt herself. So after one of Carlisle's examinations we asked to speak to Aro and Sulpicia out of Bella's ear shot. They were surprised, Sulpicia suspicious, but they agreed.

'Carlisle' prompted Aro when we were far enough down the stairs.

'We've been wondering, Edward and I,' began Carlisle 'about what happens to Bella when you feed'

'She stays in her room'

'Alone?'

'Yes' Sulpicia answered with a look so plain that I didn't need to be able to read thoughts to know what she was thinking.

What on Earth does this have to do with anything?

Carlisle nodded. 'I thought so. Have you considered leaving someone with her?'

'Why?' Aro's voice was sharp and he addressed me, not Carlisle. Nevertheless, it was my farther who answered.

'Its fairly common for young children to get lonely. They find being on their own scary. In the absence of other young people, it would be understandable for Bella to feel this more acutely...' Carlisle lied effortlessly, but Aro didn't buy it. I just hoped that he wouldn't be suspicious enough to check our thoughts. '...I really would recommend leaving someone with her.'

Aro continued to eye me carefully. And you're volunteering are you Edward?

'No, I am not volunteering'

Sulpicia snapped her head up, alternating her glare between her husband and myself. Placing her palm in her husbands, she sent him a thought What are you up to Aro? He pretended not to notice.

'Such a pity, you're one of her favorite people you know...' I'm sure she'd be ever so pleased...

I refused to be emotionally black mailed. Besides, Aro was being very careful with his thoughts. I was certain he was hiding something.

'...but if you're sure...' his eyes darted quickly to the side, and I turned to find that a pair of brown eyes had followed us.

'Please Edward' she begged. I kicked myself for relying so much on my extra sense to alert me to the presence of others, but it was too late. I slumped my shoulders in defeat as Aro smiled. How could I say no?