Hi, everyone! Welcome back to Bloodstream. Hope you're all enjoying it so far.

This chapter is named after 'Avenue of Hope' by I Am Kloot.

Disclaimer: Twilight isn't mine

Bella Swan's Point of View

When I awoke, I found I was alone in the large and vast room that Edward had brought me. I was wrapped in soft, silk sheets, my head laying on warm feather pillows.

I struggled to open my eyes and focus on the room around me, full of its rich red colours and modern furniture. I rolled onto my back, the mattress below me firm, yet ridiculously comfortable. It was the greatest bed I'd ever lay in.

A sharp stinging pain suddenly emerged from my neck and I winced as I raised my hand to touch it. Two small bumps had swollen and risen on the skin, the stinging worsening as my fingers touched them.

I was suddenly flashed back to last night.

To the feeding.

I had to admit, it wasn't as bad and traumatic as I first thought it would be. The initial bite had been the worst, the sharp and searing pain his fangs had caused throughout my skin hurt like a bitch. In all the months we'd been running from the vampires, never did I think I'd end up being in the vulnerable and helpless job of being a Blood Slave.

After that first piercing of my skin, he had begun to drink from me, stealing my blood and life-source. The stinging maintained throughout the feed, but the pain had slowly subsided to become a dull ache that I had been able to handle.

I wasn't sure if he used some kind of anaesthetic or painkiller, but it wasn't too harsh.

The main problem for me had been my strength and my ability to keep awake and alive. The more blood he drank, the weaker I had become. Slowly but surely my body had become tired until I was total unable to maintain my own strength and hold my own body. I had relied on Edward's vampire strength to hold me, which he easily did.

I barely remembered falling to sleep. It was like the feeding and the unconsciousness blurred into one.

One moment I was being fed, and the next I was in the bed, reflecting on the events.

I pulled my fingers away from my neck and wrapped the blanket tighter around my body, wondering where Edward was.

Edward…

He was far gentler than I thought he would be. My mother and I had heard many stories of the terrible and incomprehensible thing the vampire could do to their victims. Torture, mutilation, torment, there was no limit to ways they could cause harm to humans. To their prey.

As soon as I had been chosen, I thought I was screwed. I belonged to one of these creatures, I was theirs to do with as they wished. In any way, in any form. I was no longer a living creature with rights and feelings. I was simply an object, something to play with and throw away when done with.

But Edward had surprised me. Whilst I could never forgive him for the cruelty of feeding from me, he had almost shown compassion where I thought I would find torment. He had shown a slight human side to this vampire-run world. Even little things like offering me his dressing gown, putting me to sleep in the bed, these were things he did not need to do.

He could have left me to freeze, he could have abandoned me on the floor. Yet he had shown me compassion, something I was not expecting.

It almost brought me hope, hope that this place would not be the hell hole I was expecting.

It was the tiniest flake of hope, but it was hope all the same.

I just wish I knew why he had shown me empathy. I was just another human after all. Probably one in a long line that he has fed from no doubt. My mind flashed back to his questioning as I lay warm and comfortable in the bed.

What are you…?

This was the strangest thing he had said. I knew not what he was implying with his question. I was human, and it was fucking obvious I was. Four limbs, opposable thumbs, the ability to talk. I seemed pretty human!

But his question, whilst confusing me, also frightened me. Vampires had heightened senses, the ability to do things at a far superior level compared to normal humans. I was scared he had sensed something that should not have been. Was I a normal human or was I different? Was I special?

I didn't want that. I wanted to be normal, bland, grey. I wanted to blend into the background and for no one to see me. Differences meant I stood out… and that meant they would all see me more, question me more, want me more.

And the last thing I needed was the attention of more vampires…

A gentle knock broke me from my thoughts. My eyes quickly flashed to the large wooden door the noise had come from. I swallowed, praying it was Edward.

Having nobody there would be better, but if someone had to be there, I'd rather it a vampire I knew.

The door slowly opened and in slipped a small women with short black hair and bright red eyes. She closed the door behind her, a smile in her face. In her hand she carried a tray upon which lay a plate of food and a glass of water. She was gorgeous.

"Isabella?" she asked sweetly. I merely nodded. "Fantastic! I'm in the right place. I wasn't sure where Edward had brought you." She walked gracefully towards me, placing the tray in my lap and sitting beside me on the bed. "Thought you could use a little nourishment."

I looked down at the plate. It was filled with bacon, eggs and toast. It looked and smelt delicious. My belly started to grumble; I hadn't even realised I was hungry.

"Thank you," I mumbled, grabbing the cutlery and tucking straight into the food. It was heavenly.

"No problem, sweetheart," she grinned ear to ear. "Figured you could use it after the night you've had. The first feed is always the worst."

I drank half a glass of water as I looked at her. She was so petite and small and beautiful. She could be a super model if she were a little taller. Her red eyes told me exactly what she was, but her kindness and sweetness totally confused me…

I held on to that little ray of hope.

"It was…" I said as I finished up my meal. It didn't take me long, I was hungrier than I thought. I put my cutlery on the plate and finished my water. "Where is Edward?"

"With Aro," she replied. "Volturi business."

"Business?" I asked.

"Of course," she giggled. "You can't expect a Volturi prince to not go to meetings and discussions."

A prince…?

Holy fuck…

Edward was no ordinary vampire. He was a fucking prince, the highest of high. And a Volturi prince at that.

"Wow…" I whispered.

"So he sent me to make sure you were okay this morning," she said. "I'm Alice, Edward's sister."

Now this surprised me. How could these two have been siblings? Whilst he had shown me compassion to a degree, he had still fed from me and taken me. This girl was like pure sugar! I wondered if she was even a vampire in the first place. They were completely different.

"Hi," I said meekly.

She giggled. "No need to be so quiet and scared, Isabella. I'm not going to hurt you. I'm here to make sure you're okay and well. Besides I've already fed this morning."

This did not fill be with confidence.

"Right…" I said. "And call me Bella."

"Of course, Bella. I wanted to get your clothes and shoe size. We can't have you in that dressing gown during your whole stay."

I looked down. Sure enough I was still wearing the black gown Edward had given to me. At least nothing untoward had happened after I passed out last night. Just the feeding.

I blushed at the mere thought and wrapped the gown further round my body. Alice laughed.

"You're cute, Isabella," she said as she stood up. "I like you already." I offered her a weak smile as her eyes roamed me. "Looking at you, I'm guessing you're a size six or eight in clothes and a seven in shoes.

I nodded. "Yes, I am." The girl was good.

"Perfect," she smiled as she stood up. "I'll make sure you look beautiful."

"Thank you," I smiled, slowly opening up and warming to Alice. Her positivity was infectious. There was no denying that. "I'm sure I'll like whatever you bring back."

"Of course. I have an eye for fashion," she said and turned to leave.

"When will Edward be back?" I found myself asking. Why, I did not know. I should not wonder where the vampire who owned me was, but I was curious.

"Soon," she answered. "After he's finished discussing business with Aro."

"And what business is that?"

"A ball," she replied. "We have one every few months, and it's a great way for us to show off our Blood Slaves. Don't worry, your gown with be stunning."

My eyes widened.

A ball?

To show me off?

In a room filled with vampires?

Fuck…