AN: Bella takes the road by herself.

Chapter Two: On the road to where.

Bella, December, 2010…

Being on the road by my lonesome was scary. I was tired and if it wasn't for the music on the radio, I probably would've fallen asleep long ago.

I had never traveled by myself before and I had to admit, it was freaking me out.

However, aside from the pounding of my heart and my sweaty palms gripping the steering wheel, I haven't felt this exhilarated about anything in six long years.

The sun began to rise as I drove down the highway, making me realize that today was the second day I'd been on this journey to nowhere.

Yet, as terrifying as that may sound to someone else, for me it was comforting to know that I'd really done it. I had left James.

After driving out of that motel parking lot and down the road, I sped down the empty street, happy for the lack of traffic. It was early morning and I had never been so thankful for that time of day as I was then.

Every time fatigue crept up on me and I thought about stopping to rest, I stomped down the thought with the reminder of James' face.

"If I stopped, he would find me." It's what I repeated over and over again like a mantra.

If James caught up with me, I would be dead. He was a dangerous man, and I wasn't about to fool myself and think otherwise. A normal person didn't get away with as much as he did without being caught.

Leaving him was not an option. I had gone against everything he had warned me against doing. And for my troubles, I was sure he would torture and kill me if he ever caught up with me

But I also knew from the moment I ran away, I was heading for a life of constantly looking over my shoulder. However, the freedom I felt after all these years of torment was enough to trump my fear.

I was tired and my eyes were threatening to close so I sped up a little in my search for a motel. My injured body was screaming in protest for sitting so long in one position, and I needed to rest. It was seven-thirty in the morning, and I needed to sleep.

A motel sign came into view, lights blinking 'Vacancy' so I slowed and turned into the lot.

I got myself a room and parked right in front of it, grabbed my backpack with my things and money and got out; locking up my car and praying like hell I saw it when I woke up.

The room wasn't much, but it was perfect for me. As soon as I saw the bed, my body trembled in fatigue and I quickly climbed on before I dropped. My head hit the pillow and I was out before I could think of anything else.

Later in the evening, I woke up and took a shower, checked my injuries, and then grabbed my things and checked out.

The rest of my day brought another leg of driving. I was aware that it was dangerous for a woman to be out here by herself venturing cross country with no destination in mind, but it was needed. Yeah, it may have been a huge risk to take, especially at night, but I had no choice. I was determined to limit my stops and get as much distance between me, California, and James as I possibly could.

I had no phone to consult for anything and I didn't think to buy any maps when I stopped for food earlier. I was so used to not having a phone that the necessity for one didn't occur to me.

James had always said that there was no reason for me to have a cell phone. If anyone needed to talk to me they could reach me at the house, since I was always there. Another one of his reasons was that I had no friends so why have a phone. Whenever I'd go out, such as go to the supermarket, which was always on a Wednesday, I would be in and out before anyone could think to speak to me. It was like I was afraid of people. Since no one could hear my silent cries for help, why bother with them?

James had planned my life well, right down to what I ate.

James was the only one who could eat what he wanted in the house. I never thought of it as my home, so I always referred to it as 'the house'.

In the house, my food was monitored. Every piece of food that went in my mouth was all after his approval. I couldn't and would never do anything to ruin this figure in his eyes. I was to stay perfect and be able to fit in the tiny dresses his former stepsister, Victoria, would dress me in.

The mere thought of her made me sick to my stomach but I pushed down the feeling and continued down the highway, promising myself that I would buy a phone on my next stop if I found a good store to do so.

As I continued on my journey, thoughts and memories plagued me. I thought about my mother, Phil, Garrett, James and Vicky and all the abuse I experienced at their hands. My tears pooled in my eyes and blurred my vision so I pulled over, and cried. I let it all go, and when my tears finally stopped, I maneuvered my car back onto the road and drove on to nowhere in particular.

All through the drive, I kept telling myself that the further I got, the better it would be for me. The music was soothing and a particular favorite song of mine came on, easing my burden of sad and painful memories. Switchfoot, 'Learning to Breathe' was a favorite of mine. The lyrics were a savior to me and I sang along as I pressed gas. I have loved this band since Garrett introduced their music to me.

I still danced, when I wasn't too injured, because it reminded me of my time in dance class with Garrett.

He had been a jock, injured and a friend bet him to take dance class to work out his muscles. He had once told me that he came because of a joke and he stayed because he met me.

James never knew that I still danced. But I did. I danced every chance I got. I had panicked once when I overheard Victoria suggesting that James had security cameras installed since she thought that I could find some way of cheating on him with all his long hours away from home due to his duties as a doctor. But James never did it. He had caught me eavesdropping, and while hitting me, he told her that I wouldn't dare let another man touch me without his permission.

Before I knew it, I was on day three and my body hurting like hell, especially my ribs. I wanted to check, but I didn't want to stop. I needed to drive some more.

I knew I had painkillers in the medical kit Phil had given me, but I had to continue on my journey, so I opted to ignore my soreness and pushed on.

James drifted into my thoughts, on and off. Himself and all he'd done to me, haunted me. Even though I was scared about what my uncertain future would bring. I still breathe a sigh of relief that he couldn't hurt me anymore.

I wouldn't have to see his face again, and I wouldn't have to feel sick to my stomach when he trounced me. That was my past now.

But as I continued to think of him, the anger I have felt but could never express fell through the cracks and soon, I was screaming at no one while I drove. "Fuck you, James!" I screamed, taking the opportunity to talk back. "I hate you so much, you bastard," I continued while slowing the car down.

"You disgust me. You abused me. You raped me. You made me feel like nothing, and I couldn't do anything about it. I couldn't go anywhere unless you sent me," I babbled on as the tears flowed down my face.

"You even let your friend rape me while you watched." I sobbed. "I hope you rot in hell!"

After I'd gotten it all off my chest, I sped up again. I checked the time only to see that it was six in the morning. I couldn't believe I had been driving for so many hours, no wonder my body felt like crap so I decided to stop and get some sleep. I'd have to check my injuries before moving on.

I found a motel and drove into the lot. Parking, I grabbed my things and got out, locking up my car. After paying for a room, I made my way to it, walking pass my car while saying a quick prayer that I would see it when I woke up.

The room was clean and tidy. I dropped my things on the bed and slowly crawled in beside them. My body was sore from all the driving and I promptly fell asleep. I was so tired, and I didn't wake up until noon.

Once awake, I got up and headed for the bathroom. After stripping down, I got in the shower, hissing each time I had to lift my hands to bathe myself.

I was really hoping I didn't have any fractured ribs because I had no intention of stopping at a hospital. Going there was a sure shot way for James to find me.

When I got out of the shower, I dried off, and examined my bruises. The huge one on my side covered my body from under my arm to below my ribcage. Looking at it now, I could practically still feel his kicks landing there. My right eye still has a slight black and blue bruise under it, but it was slowly fading. So I did what I could, and then turned away from the mirror.

After getting dressed, I grabbed my bags and left the room. I asked the girl in the office for somewhere to eat and she suggested IHOP, telling me that it wasn't too far away.

I thanked her and left, heading out to my car, taking the directions she had given me and left in search of food.

Following her advice, I found the place with ease and drove into the lot. After parking, I got out and headed inside. Once in there, I kept my head down, walking quickly to the first empty table I spotted.

I could feel others' eyes on me, but I didn't dare to look. I didn't want to see the pity or the questions in their eyes as they stared at the frail girl heading to the empty table. Sure, I did feel self conscious, but the sweet smell of the food on the other patrons' plates had me in such a trance that their stares hardly matter to me at the moment.

A waiter came over to me asking what I'd like for lunch. I quickly ran through the menu, and even though everything seemed so tasty, I quickly ordered a take two combo, getting the Loaded Potato and Bacon Soup, with a half Pot Roast Melt Sandwich along with a Splashberry. I also ordered a Tuscan Chicken Griller to go. I'll need something to eat on the road.

The guy threw me an incredulous look as he took my order, but I don't care, because he didn't understand. I felt like I've been hungry for six years.

Once all my food arrived, I thanked the waiter and dug in without a second thought. I savored every bite of it, moaning at the delicious taste of everything. It was all so good, and I felt like a starving man who was having his first proper meal in years. It surprised me that I could cook so well, and yet, I was starving to death. But James kept me on a restricted diet where everything was served in small portions, no snacks or desserts were allowed. The last time he weighed me, I stood at 102 pounds which was seriously underweight for my 5'6 height.

Finishing up my scrumptious lunch, I paid, grabbed my sandwich for the road, and left.

I drove a little more, smiling that I was now in Texas. I was doing it. I was getting far away.

For a small moment, something in me wanted me to stop in the next town and stay awhile, but that was a foolish idea. I needed more distance.

But the weird, nagging feeling wouldn't go away.

Maybe I'll stop in Louisiana or go as far as Georgia. I should really get a map and that phone.

With my decision made, I checked my backpack and my money. I was still doing okay on the monetary part of things, so I could get that phone. Phil had given me a bunch of numbers, including Charlie's and I was inkling to call him.

I wanted to hear my dad's voice. I needed to hear him.

Turning into a gas station I saw, I spotted a payphone beside the minimart out of the corner of my eye, and I decided to call Charlie.

"Hey there, pretty girl, you heading inside or what?" Two guys were leering at me through the windshield, but I ignore them, quickly parking and grabbing my things, I meant to duck into the store, but I wanted to make this call.

I grabbed the address book out of my bag and a quarter from my pocket. Sliding the coin into the slot of the payphone, I let out a nervous breath and dialed Charlie's number. I wanted him to know that I was okay. That I was alive and that I loved him.

I knew Phil said no contact, but I couldn't help it. Just this once.

His phone rang and I took another deep, shaky breath and prepared myself.

After two rings, he answered, "Hello, Hello?" I don't answer. Suddenly having him on the phone and hearing his voice, has rendered me speechless. So I just stood there, holding the receiver to my ear and listening to him.

I smiled as he asked, "Who is this?" But still, I didn't answer. It was so good to hear my father's voice. I knew that there was so much to be said, but I couldn't seem to even say hello to him.

Even though I didn't want to, I began to move the phone from my ear. However, hearing his sob and when he said, "Bella?" stopped me.

Still, I don't answer, I just let the tears fall as he continued, "Bella, I know you can't come to Forks just yet, so all I ask, is that you be careful. Okay, baby girl?"

"I love you, Daddy," I whispered before hanging up and walking away.

Wiping the tears from my eyes, I walked into the store. I headed straight to the clerk and bought a map. He got me one and I paid. As I turned toward the door, it dinged and a lady walked in.

She glanced at me or at the bruise under my eye before quickly looking away. She headed for an aisle and I moved to the door, but stopped short, wanting to buy some gas. I turned back and asked the clerk, and he directed me to pull the car up to the pump and pay there.

I walked out to go do just that, but when I walked out of the mini-mart, what greeted me brought me to my knees and the tears immediately began to flow.

My car was gone.

Next: Jasper and Maria, and the continuation of Bella's turmoil.