Chapter 2, alright! Judging from what people have said, which isn't much, it's a 50/50 between those has a good idea what IT is and who doesn't. So there is sort of a big clue right in the beginning. Remember, keep talking to me.

Disclaimer: If you come near me, you creepy smiling billboard lawyers, I'll make Rosalie eat you. And not in the good way.

Chapter 2: Oh joy

Bella

The phone wire bit into my wrists. I was pretty sure I was bleeding, but there were more important things to worry about.

I was trapped in darkness. She hadn't left any lights on for fear I would try to escape again. The carpet felt crusty under me, particularly near my legs, indicating where I had bled the most so far. I would've rolled over, onto a fresher spot, but every part of me rejected movement. Little scratches covered me from head to toe, tiny but painful marks left by cruel nails. I thought one of my ribs was cracked, if not broken, not to mention the milder dark bruises covering my stomach.

My face had thus far sustained the least injuries. Just my face. She smacked me around a few times, but nothing more severe.

It hurt to breathe. The bruises that wrapped around my throat were resistant to stretching, and my damaged rib was making a nuisance of itself. But I kept breathing all the same, not knowing what else to do.

This was day 3.

My eyes flew open. I sat up, panting harshly. I could feel the sweat all over me. I wasn't surprised to see the sheets kicked away willy nilly.

I rubbed my face with my hand and looked at my alarm clock. 4:32 am. Great. Just lovely. I knew there was no point in going back to sleep, so I stumbled out of bed and started taking off my sheets.

I trudged downstairs and threw them in the washing machine. Then I trudged back up the stairs to the bathroom to shower. Carefully, I turned on the light and shielded my eyes. After a minute it was all good, so I got to it.

I avoided looking in the mirror.

The water was cold, but these days I liked that better. I washed my hair with my little shampoo bottle and stood out of the water to let it sit. Sitting there, I lifted up my arms and looked at them. That phone wire had left its marks, little raised lines wrapping around my wrists and forearms with the slightest pink tint to them. It did its job at the time, keeping me from getting up while taking away what was my best form of defense. She was resourceful.

I shuddered. I needed to stop thinking about this. I put my arms down again and made the water even colder.

At 5, I went to check on my sheets. Almost done, I moved to the kitchen. It was Sunday, so I imagined that Charlie wouldn't be up for awhile. I made breakfast for myself from the meager supply of suitable food available to me.

The sun slowly rose, hidden for the most part behind a bunch of gray and white clouds. I went outside with a towel and sat on the porch steps. I actually liked the feel of the air, the humid coolness that comes in breaks between bouts of rain. It was, in a strange way, soothing.

Here I sat, watching the neighborhood gradually awaken. This place was so different from Phoenix; it was so much more… at ease.

I hadn't even realized that I had fallen asleep again—blissfully without a dream—until a car horn rudely awakened me. I squinted at a faded red truck that was parking in the driveway. A teenage boy with russet colored skin and long black hair hopped out of the driver's seat. I didn't recognize him, but I recognized the older man he helped into a wheelchair. Billy Black.

Charlie came out with this big smile. "Well, look what the tank rolled in." He slapped both men on the back as boys do. Then he looked back at me. "Bells, come on over here."

I did. The boy looked at me with a mix of curiosity and eagerness. Billy looked at me much more knowingly than I particularly cared for.

"Bella, you remember Billy," Charlie.

I nodded to him. "How have you been, Billy?"

He grinned and nodded at his legs. "Still dancing."

"And this here is Jacob," Charlie continued, gesturing to the boy.

He smiled and held out his hand. "Jacob Black." We shook hands, and I made note that he had what was bordering on an uncomfortably strong grip. "I think you know my sister, Rachel."

Again, vaguely. "Yes. She good?"

He nodded, but rolled his eyes slightly. I looked to the tank-like truck. "This is quite a piece," I said, running my hand over the faded paint.

He looked decidedly proud and smug as he patted the beast. "Rebuilt the engine myself. Now it's completely functional… for the most part."

"You rebuilt the whole engine? By yourself?"

He nodded and grinned. "Not entirely from scratch, but let's just say there wasn't much to go on when I started.

I eyed him speculatively. "That's impressive. I don't know much about cars, to be honest, but I know enough to know this beast is rather seasoned."

"As in 1950s seasoned," he said. He took on a stance you would expect of a commercial car salesman. "But, with a little work it now not only runs at speeds of up to 40mph, but it also has working air conditioning, seats with no holes or cracks, and two completely closable doors. It's also great for scaring off wild animals due to the fact that it sounds like one."

I grinned at him. Charlie came over and patted the truck's door. "Say hello to your homecoming present."

I stared at him. "Are you serious? This is mine?"

He nodded. "All yours."

I looked back at the truck. "Judas Priest," I hissed under my breath. My hand reached out again to stroke it. I circled it, feeling its hard contours. Well, I thought wryly. At least if I get into a crash, there'll be more damage to the other car. I looked back at the three males. "Thank you. Really, thank you so much."

Billy nodded like it was nothing. "Not a problem. And besides…" I didn't like how he looked at me with that knowing. "We could all use a little more protection these days."

We looked into each other's eyes. I tried to look deeper, to try and see just how much he knew, but it was too well hidden.

Charlie and Jacob were oblivious. "Alright, let's go folks. Got a big day ahead of us."

So the day passed. Charlie and Billy watched the numerous football games going on and I spent most of the time with Jacob. He was nice, really nice, and fun to be around, if a little like an overgrown puppy in his eagerness. I even think I smiled once or twice. But I knew firsthand that niceness can only tell so much about a person.

They left after nightfall, when the final game ended. I was cleaning up the kitchen table when Charlie sat down.

"So what do you think of Jacob, Bells?"

I should've expected this. "Uh, he's cool. He's friendly."

He turned towards me. "You like him?" The fact that I knew this was awkward for him too kept me from snapping at him.

I just looked at him. "Dad, are we really going to talk about this?"

He blushed. "I just… I just want you to get along okay here. Make friends, do teenage things, maybe… I dunno, get a boyfriend or something."

I gave him a sympathetic look, but shook my head. "You know I'm not going to get a boyfriend, Dad."

He blushed again. "W-well," he stuttered, rubbing the back of his head. "Boy, girl… some—I don't know."

I grinned sadly. "It's okay, Dad. I get it. You want me to be happy here. I want that too. But it's going to take time. Maybe a lot of time."

He sighed and stood. "I know. I do." Another sigh. "I can't imagine how hard this has been for you. And I want to help you, anyway I can. I just… I feel like I've missed so much. I haven't been around. I mean, the last time we saw each other was three years ago. I want to make up for… lost time, and all that."

Aw, he looked so flustered. I took a risk, set aside my instinctive fear, and gave him a hug. I pulled away before he could really respond, and just sorta smiled shyly at his surprised look.

"I'm gonna go to bed now. Okay?"

He nodded after a moment. "Yeah. I'll, uh, see ya in the morning."

"Night, Dad."

I went upstairs, got into pajamas and got settled onto my bed. I turned my head an picked up Harold from his spot on the nightstand. I set him on my stomach.

"School tomorrow, Harold. I get to make friends, oh joy! But don't worry, you'll always be my buddy."

I held Harold a little longer before setting him back and turning off the light. I prayed—not literally—that I would not dream, but I didn't have my hopes up.

I resignedly shut my eyes and waited for the unconscious to come.

I'm sorry if some of you are disappointed. Rest assured, our favorite vampires and favorite blonde beauty make their first appearance next chapter. Review!