Bella POV

When I awoke, I was laying in s bed in a dark room. I sat straight up and looked around. No sight of James. I slowly stood up, and walked over to the window. Yet again, the house was surrounded by trees. Where does he find these places? I creeped over to the door, and was shocked to see it unlocked. Upon opening the door, I realized that I was on the main floor, so there was no second story. There was a bathroom right next to the room I was in, and then a kitchen. A door I assumed was a closet, and then the living room. Still, there was no sight of James. He must have gone out. I sighed as I relaxed a bit upon the realization that he was not here. Then, I walked into the kitchen. Looking at the clock, I saw that it was 4:30pm. My stomach growled and I realized I didn't remember the last time I ate. I opened the fridge and saw that there really wasn't anything inside except eggs. I shrugged, took a few eggs out, and searched for a pan. I finally found one and within minutes I was making scrambled eggs. The smell wafted through the house and I realized I was starving, and I couldn't for them to finish. I hoped that I could eat before James got back because I knew he would try to limit what I ate.

"Eggs?" I heard a deep voice say. I jumped and turned around. However, instead of seeing James, I saw a tall man, bigger than James, with dark hair, black as night. I stared straight into his black eyes, fear crippling through me.

"Um- who are you?" I asked, my voice shaking. Just then James walked into the room.

"Ah Claire. This is Laurent." He said. It was strange, but upon seeing James I relaxed a bit. I should have been afraid, but I was not. I knew what James could do. But I had no idea what Laurent was capable of. "This is his place. He said we could stay here for a bit."

"Oh." I said. James gave me a look. "Um, thank you." I finished, earning a smile from James as he walked over and wrapped his arms around me. Did Laurent know that James had kidnapped me? Would he hurt me too?

"It is my pleasure having you two as guests. James has been a friend of mine for a long time." I nodded at his words, and went back to cooking the eggs.

"Claire you might want to add a bit more to that. Laurent has a hearty appetite, that won't be enough for both of us." James said. My heart lurched, but I nodded. Of course I wouldn't be eating.

"Just the two of us? James I understand your situation but let the poor girl join us for a meal. Look how skinny she is!" Laurent said, and I felt both his and James' eyes on me. I hated the feeling, but I continued to cook.

"Fine. She can have a few eggs. But not a lot. I don't want her to get bloated for tonight." James said, winking at Laurent. I gulped.

"Um, what's tonight?" I asked stupidly.

"Don't worry sweetheart, you'll have fun." James said, kissing me on the cheek. I faked a smile and put the eggs onto three plates. I then poured myself a glass of water, and got the guys each a beer, then brought everything to the table. We ate dinner in silence, as I just sat there fearful of what the rest of the night would bring. I finished eating before them as I had a lot less food, but I did not dare get up from the table. Everything I always did I waited to be told to do. Finally they finished eating.

"Do the dishes and then go downstairs." James said, as he and Laurent stood and walked through the door I had originally assumed to be a closet. I gulped in fear, but did as I was asked. As I washed the dishes nerves spread throughout me. What was going to happen. This was going to be terrible I can already tell because there's two of them. Two people to hurt me instead of just one. I was shaking as I finished the last dish and put it away. I then wiped off the table and looked around. Everything was done. No more stalling. Time for hell. I slowly walked to the basement door and opened it. It was brightly lit in the basement and that made me feel slightly better. When I walked down there I saw a bed, a Tv and chairs, an expensive looking armoire, and a door I assumed to be a bathroom. The two of them were watching Tv as they sat in the chairs. Laurent turned as he heard me approaching and smiled.

"You like it down here? It's my basement suite. A few years back it was just an unfinished basement but I wanted another living area. Since I renovated, I spend most of my time down here. It's quieter I feel. And it's normally me, and I like being alone." I nodded at his words.

"It's very nice." I squeaked out. He smiled.

"Come here babe." James said, beckoning me over. I slowly walked to him and he pulled me down to his lap. Once I was sitting he pulled me in for a hug. I was holding my breath, wondering what was going to happen. However, he just held me there as they continued watching Tv. Something weird was going to happen, but I didn't know what. Finally the program ended and James pulled me up so he could look at me. "So supposedly when you tried to run away that was when someone spotted us and reported it. That's why the police came searching. That's why we had to flee." he explained. "We almost got caught and I was freaking out cause I didn't know what to do, but then I remembered Laurent here. I lost the fuzz and came here, and he graciously let us stay with him. Tonight is gonna be a special night. First, I'm going to give you your punishment for almost getting us caught. Then, you are going to thank Laurent for being a gracious host. Understood?" he asked.

"Yes." I nodded.

"Good." James said as he pulled his arm back and slapped me across the face. "Get over there against that wall." he commanded. I did as asked, and I saw him slipping off his belt. I knew what was coming then, and so I faced the wall and put my hands on it without being asked.

"Wow James, you have her trained well." Laurent said with a smile. James laughed and let the first blow hit me. I held in a scream, knowing it would only give him satisfaction and I wasn't going to let him have it. However he kept whipping me so many times that I lost count. Before I knew it I was on my knees, whimpering in pain as I felt blood drip down my back. Finally it stopped. James walked over to me and grabbed my face.

"Understood?" he asked. I nodded, tears rolling down my cheeks. "Good. Now whatever Laurent wants, do it. Got it?" James said.

"Yes." I squeaked out. James let go of my face and I fell towards the floor. I then watched as he sauntered over to the stairs, gave me one last look, and walked upstairs, slamming the door. Now I was completely alone with a new man. What would he do to me?

"Claire." Laurent spoke. I looked up at him. I hadn't noticed before, but he had walked over to me, and he now stood above me.

"Yes?" I asked, fearing the worst.

"You don't really look like a Claire." he stated. My cheeks lost their color. If he made me tell him my real name I would be dead. James would be pissed, and I would be dead for sure. "Whatever, I'm going to give you a very special nickname. My pet." He said. I nodded, and he grabbed me, pulling me up. He then ripped off my shirt and I went limp. I knew what was going to happen now. He pulled me over to the bed and ripped off the rest of my clothes. Meanwhile I closed my eyes and let it happen. I knew there was no use fighting back at this point, and if I fought Laurent then James would kill me. Instead of focusing on what was happening, I thought about what James said. The police were chasing us. That means my family had not given up on me yet. They were still fighting for me. That means I have to fight back for them too. And I will not give up. I will see them again.

Edward POV

11 months. She has been gone for 11 months. It has been a month and a half since we almost got her back. But since then there have been no new leads. Christmas was only 1 week away, and we still didn't have her. Would we ever find her?

"Alright class, time is up. Please turn in your exams and leave." Mr. Banner said. I looked down to see that I had only answered 15 questions out of 45. I groaned and put my head down on the desk as everyone else shuffled out of the room.

"Edward? Do you need more time?" Mr. Banner asked. I looked up at him.

"I'm sorry I just can't focus on anything." I said. "I only have 15 finished." I said honestly. He walked over to me and took my exam, looking it over.

"Well, all the questions you answered are correct, so I have no doubt if you were to continue it would go on the same." he said. "Here, I know you are a good student Edward, you're one of the best I've taught. And I remember you telling my freshman year that you wanted to be a doctor like your father someday, and I have no doubt that you will succeed in doing so. I know the past year has been extremely difficult for you and I understand that it is still all you can think about." I nodded at his words. "How about I give you an A, and you can go home now and spend break with the people you love. This is your last final I assume?"

"Yes." I said.

"Okay." he nodded. "So since I know you would get an A anyway I'm going to give it to you. Just promise me that you use this break to recollect yourself. I know it's difficult, but you can't live in the past; you need to move forward. So promise me that you'll come back from break ready to learn. If not for anyone else, do it for Bella. She would want you to succeed. Okay?"

"Okay." I nodded. I knew he was right. "Thank you Mr. Banner." I said, standing up. He clapped me on the shoulder and gave me a smile.

"Merry Christmas Edward."

"Yeah, you too." I said, forcing a smile towards him as I walked out the door. I found Alice and Emmett waiting by the car.

"IT"S CHRISTMAS BREAK WOOOO-HOOOO!" Alice yelled with excitement. "We can go sledding, and skiing, and were gonna get so many presents! And we can build snowmen and drink hot cocoa and watch christmas movies! And no school and no homework! Ah I just love Christmas!"

"Yeah I'm so excited for some good old fashioned snowball fights. Eh Edward? Ready for our traditional three-way fight with Jazz?" Emmett said with a smile. As I pulled out of the parking lot.

"Um, I don't know if I want to participate this year Em."

"And why not?" he gasped.

"Well, you know. We would always build forts beforehand. Rose helps you, Alice helps Jasper, and.. she would always help me. But she's not here. And building it without her would honestly just feel wrong." I said. I saw Alice frown in the rearview mirror.

"Edward we will all help you build your fort. And come on you know Bella would want you to have fun. It's tradition. You know better than anyone that Bella loved traditions and hates change." she said.

"Yeah I guess. I'll think about it." I said. The rest of the ride was quiet then, and we finally pulled up at home. I pulled into the garage and we went inside.

"Hey guys." My mom greeted us with a smile. "I have good news. Well, sort of." she said.

"What?" Emmett asked with excitement.

"Sit." she commanded, and we all sat down on the couch. "The police found this old house in the woods and they believed it to be the place where Bella's kidnapper fled from. This is a little gruesome but they found pieces of DNA throughout the house. Some of it they identified to be Bella's, so she was there. The other DNA samples they tested and matched it to a guy names James Piers. He's been arrested a few times by police in the past for trespassing and robbing a few convenience stores. Point is, they know who the man who took her is. And now they are tracking down people from his records that know him and they are asking if they have any idea where he is. It's not much, but it is something and it's nice to know that we finally know who it is. This opens up a lot of doors in the case!" She finished.

"James?" I asked. That was basically the only thing I picked up. I was thrilled honestly because she was right. Knowing her kidnapper did open a lot of doors. As long as he wasn't good at hiding himself, we could find them soon. However, knowing his name killed me inside. This is the guy who took her. And now I knew the name of the man who would pay. I would make sure of it.