Three weeks had passed.

Three weeks and I was still hibernating in my room.

I'd watch the sun rise and fall day after day.

Rosalie would bring me food but she never lingered. She made small conversation and then would leave me be. She never brought up my absence, always telling me that I can come down whenever I please, whenever I was comfortable.

If it had been three weeks already, what if I was never comfortable?

I struggled to keep myself sane in this room. I'd find myself muttering words and gripping at my hair. I was frustrated. I wanted to go downstairs; I wanted to interact because there was no point in hiding up here all by myself, holed up in this room.

This was my new home.

I have to get used to it.

But every time I would open my door, I would hear something. A laugh, a shuffle of feet, a tap of dishes, a sneeze... It would set me off. I would step right back into the room and shut the door. It was a reaction. I couldn't help it.

I didn't cry as much. I realized that if I was going to keep myself in this room I would not stress myself out. Tears were futile. I was not going back to Deer Isle. I had come to terms with that a few days after I had been here. If I felt like crying I would go to the bathroom and splash water on my face. It kept me distracted. It kept me focused.

By the second week, I wondered why my purpose wasn't being fulfilled. Mr. Cullen had not taken any blood from me. That was why I was here, wasn't it? To have my blood ready for him to drink so he could survive. A couple of days after me questioning it, a knock on my door made me regret ever thinking of it.

I slowly opened the door and saw Mr. Cullen with a briefcase. His smile was faint but genuine which gave me the slightest confidence to trust him.

"Hello Isabella." He said kindly, dipping his head forward. "May I come in?"

I felt a liquid freeze running down my spine as my nerves reacted to him stepping closer. I had no choice, though, and allow him in. I slowly opened the door, stepping aside and watching him walk in. He took a look around the room, noticing the door to the balcony wide open, my bed strewed with my sheets and most of the books and music on the shelves out of place.

I stood still near the door, hands in the front as my head bended down.

"Come here, sweet child." He told me and I looked up seeing him pat the bed. I slowly stepped forward and sat down on the edge of the mattress, watching as he brought a chair close to me, sitting down and setting his briefcase on the floor next to him. "You know your role, correct?"

Role.

Donor.

Slave.

I nodded my head slowly.

Mr. Cullen reached for my hand, grabbing it gently with his cold fingers and inspected my pale arm. I felt my breathing hitch, my arm stiffen as I closed my eyes. My heart accelerated tenfold and my chest began to hurt as the anxiety washed over me.

"I see no bite marks." He murmured, grabbing my other arm. "I can only assume he took the blood out of you with a needle?" He asked me and I opened my eyes, nodding my head. "Just as I suspected." He said, grabbing his briefcase and opening it on his lap.

"Are you going to bite me?" The words came out suddenly, rolling off my tongue.

Mr. Cullen looked up at me from his briefcase with wonder.

"Would you like me to bite you?" He asked, raising a brow.

I quickly shook my head.

"Then I will not bite you." He said simply, pulling out a large needle and a clear vile nearly the size of my hand. Even if he weren't to bite me, I still felt myself shake with tension. I bit at my lip, feeling him put a cotton ball to the opposite side of my elbow, the antiseptic filling my nostrils.

"Relax, little one." He told me, rubbing my hand gently. "I will not hurt you." He said and I nodded my head, feeling threatening tears swim around my eyes.

I tried to be brave.

I found my backbone and dried my eyes, watching as the tip of the needle went into my arm. I looked away, feeling the blood leave my body. He was done within seconds and I turned to watch him empty my blood into the vile, it only half full. He grabbed my arm once again, cleaned it up and put a bandage over where small drops of blood dripped out.

He grabbed my other arm, cleaning it with antiseptic and stuck the needle in. I closed my eyes, feeling a bit lightheaded as he filled the needle, finishing and topping off the vile. He wiped the blood away from my arm, putting the bandage on and placing the vile in his brief case.

"That's all for now, child." He said. "You did well."

I looked up at him with a slight smile.

"I see you are enjoying the scenery." He said, looking out to the open door. I nodded my head in response. "It's okay to talk, Bella. You won't get in trouble."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Cullen." I said quickly, hoping I did not offend him.

"No Mr. Cullen. Call me Carlisle." He said, touching my cheek. "I have to admit though; it's much more beautiful outside when you actually explore the woods." He chuckled. "Not so great from the balcony."

"I'm…" I gulped, feeling as my throat went dry. "I'm trying." I whispered, looking down.

"I know little one. And that is fine. Just know that this is your home for now. You might as well take pleasure in it. I'm very lenient when it comes to donors. As long as you promise not to run away." He said sternly, looking at me in the eyes.

"I wouldn't…" I whispered, shaking my head.

"I believe you. Emmett and Alice enjoy it here. I hope that one day you will too." He said with a final note, smiling and rubbing my knee before standing up and exiting the bedroom.

Carlisle's talk happened nearly a week ago and I had still yet to step out of this room. I felt guilty. The situation was nowhere near perfect, but I had to count my luck. If the odds were against me, I would still be in the basement back in Italy. But I was here in a heated bedroom with food and water and social activity literally handed to me.

I couldn't hide anymore.

I wanted to leave this room.

I wanted to be normal.

Or as normal as I could get.

I plucked up my bravery and stepped off my bed, opening my door as wide as it could go. I heard voices downstairs and I could feel myself shrinking back. But the voices were kind and I knew that these people would not hurt me.

And with that thought, I took my first steps.

Just want to thank you guys for the love so far. I know I may not have a shit-ton of reviews, but I see the stats and I know a bunch of you are reading. So thank you. and don't be afraid to leave me a review. I would love to hear from you.

Edward will be coming in soon, just be patient little doe's.

ii