The nights were the hardest. The adults took the bedrooms and us kids had the downstairs living room. Jasper and Alice on one chair, and me on another. But despite the cramped conditions, I had never felt so alone. I would lie quietly on my makeshift bed every night, just crying. I know Alice and Jasper could hear me, but they never said anything. I think they knew I just wanted to be left alone. And to make maters worse, whenever I did sink into the dark abyss, I would be plagued by nightmares. My mothers face mostly, and Edward weaved his way in and out of them. His eyes almost smirking at me. That face was the one which caused me to wake up with a cold sweat. His face held no kindness in those dreams; I never wanted to stay watching him for longer than necessary.

"Bella, honey, I'm off to work at the factory." Charlie called into the living room. It was just before sunrise, the normal time for the men to leave.

"Bye dad!" Alice called, pulling the cover back over her head. I sighed, it was easy for her to sleep. But once I was awake, I was awake until sunset. Normally I would just lay still, staring into space and thinking about nothing. But today I felt strangely alive. Something that I hadn't felt since we had left Mainz. So quietly I stood up, quickly pulling on my boots and my coat. I looked down and wrinkled my nose. My clothes were discussing, as we had to leave our baggage at the station we no longer had a change of clothes. So as horrible as it sounds, we were left in the clothes we came in.

I didn't bother to tell either Jasper or Alice where I was going. They normally didn't wake until noon anyway. I would be back far before then.

As soon as I opened the door, a crisp autumn wind met me. I sniffed; the air was full of the smell of smoke. Probably blown over by the near by factories. Everything was a hazy dull grey and there was a low hubbub coming from each of the houses. A few children, scattered along the streets, were playing. Which I thought was unusual for the early hour.

A sudden scream pierced through the area, several people ran their houses to inspect the cause of the noise. A young child ran from round the corner, screaming as she went.

"Mama! Come. Quick! Julian.. He's…" The child didn't finish his sentence, as he fell to his knee's gasping for breath. His mother quickly ran forward, she looked surprisingly young to have a child of that age (around 5) but I wasn't focusing on her.

"What is it Joe? What happened to him." She shouted firmly, causing more people to move from their houses and into the streets. But I wasn't focusing on them either. I was more interested, or worried, about what was covering the young boy's clothes. Blood, blood was spattered over his top and part of his face. The mother was oblivious to this point, and was more interested in her sons wellbeing.

I heard the door open behind me and was quickly joined by Alice and Jasper.

"What's going on Bella? I heard screaming?" Alice muttered, wrapping her coat tighter around herself. Jasper moved to my other side, squinting and straining his eyes to see something.

"Bella… Is that blood?" He sounded disgusted, and screwed up his face. I slowly nodded, swallowing and trying to rid myself of the lump in my throat. I felt Alice stiffen beside me, but I continued to watch the scene in front of me.

"Where's Julian. Sweetheart. Please tell me he's alright!" The mother sobbed onto her son's shoulder. At that point she noticed the blood. She moved the boy back and inspected his T-shirt. I watched her as he took in everything, I had never felt so bad for anyone as I did at that moment.

"Where is he. Show me." She moaned, standing up and letting her son guide her. Instinctually I followed, accompanied by most of the people who were standing in the street. All the children were told to stay behind, minus the Mothers son. Everybody slowed as we neared the corner, letting the mother round it first. Everybody flinched as she rounded it and let out a scream.

"My Boy! My Boy!" She kneeled to the floor, clutching her head in her hands. I was the closest person, so it seamed fitting to comfort her. I ran forward, taking a quick look around the corner. My eyes were met by the sight of a young boy, no older than eight, surrounded by his own blood. I let out a strangled sob and stopped in my tracks. Unable to move. Sure I had seen death before, but never in my life this graphic.

"Bella. Come on. Everyone's looking." Jasper whispered in my ear, trying to pull me away. I shook my head and took another step towards the crying mother. She looked so small and crumpled, I felt like I needed to do something. Just as I was about to reach her, however, she stood up with a look of pure contempt on her face. I took a tentative step back, not wanting to antagonise her any further.

"Who did this?" She screamed at her son, a crazy look on her face. The son jumped but she did nothing so comfort him. "Tell me!"

"The people with guns did. They dropped some bread and we were hungry so he went to getted it. And then there was a big bang and he wouldn't move momma. Please don't be angry." He spoke to his feet, biting his lip the whole time. Without another word she got us and walked to the fence, screaming at the top of her lungs. She shook the metal violently, still screaming. A group of brown suited men moved towards the fence.

"Step away from the fence or I will have to shoot you." The man shouted, raising his gun and taking aim.

"YOU KILLED MY SON. YOU KILLED…." The rest was drowned out by a echoing gunshot. The mother fell to the ground.

"Does anyone else have a problem with our policies?" He barked, lowering the smoking gun. Everyone shook their head, trying not to draw attention to themselves.
"Good. Now get back to where you came from."

The crowd began to thin, but I remained standing in the same position. So shocked that my joints had all frozen into a locked position. I could hear Alice and Jasper trying to tell me to leave, but my mind was empty from everything. Apart from the vision of the two dead torsos in front of me. How could anyone do that to an innocent mother and her son? Her son. I looked around desperately trying to find the young boy. He was standing quietly in a corner, sobbing silently. I gasped and ran over to him.

He didn't look up until I put my hand on his shoulder. "Mummy's not coming back is she?" He sobbed hysterically. I shook my head, jumping slightly when he latched himself onto my waist.

"Erm. Joe. Do you have a daddy that I can leave you with? When he gets back from the factory?" I felt horribly awkward, and this was increased when he shook his head, his lip wobbling. I thought for a second, I couldn't just leave him. He would freeze to death in this weather. But I didn't think Charlie could take care of another little boy, and it would be unfair to ask. I quickly made a decision.

"Joe. Your going to come with me okay?" I whispered, grabbing his hand and leading him back over to where Alice and Jasper waited. He put up no fight, probably to upset to care what was going on at that point in time. They both gave me concerned looks, glancing from me to the boy. I ignored their confused stares, marching right past them and back into my home. I sat him firmly down, unsure what to do next when a shrill voice sounded from the hallway.

"Bella. What was all that. Alice said something about a little boy…" She cut off as she entered the room. Her head tilted to the side, examining the boy. She indicated for me to join her, which I quickly did.

"Who is he? Alice just said something about a little boy and his mum getting shot." She muttered, I was surprised by her. Normally she was cold towards me and never spoke to me in a conversation. It took me by shock.

"I.. erm. His name's Joe. He just lost his whole family. There's nothing left." I rushed, taking in her features carefully. She blinked a few times, something running through her mind.

"No parents." She repeated, slowly walking past me and towards the boy. She carefully knelt down in front of him, placing her hands down on his knee's

"Hello Joe, I'm Rosalie. I'm going to take care of you for a while." She muttered, her voice low as serious. He nodded resting his head on her shoulder. I felt like it was the perfect time to leave them to it.

I walked back into the hall and sat on the stairs. I heard someone approaching from behind, but didn't turn to see who. I felt them sit beside me.

"Rosalie can't have children you know. So this will be good for her." Alice breathed, her voice soft but serious. I nodded; my body still wasn't in the right mindset for a proper conversation. I felt Alice get up and walk back up the stairs.

I felt suddenly bad, all I had done since I arrived all I had done to Alice and Jasper was push them away. I knew I had to say something.. Anything..

"Thank you. By the way. For everything." I called up to her, tensing for her reply.

"Don't mention it." She called back. I suddenly felt that things were going to get better.