Chapter 4

"I got the new world in my view, on my journey I pursue. Oh, I'm running, running from the city. I got the new world in my view. Come on, get an army, help me run this holy righteous place." King Britt

"She done it, she done it!" wailed Renee, Isabella's mother was positively hysterical. She was dressed only in a sheer nightgown, raving like a lunatic on the front porch as the police questioned her 911 call.

"Ma'am, please try to calm down. Tell us exactly what happened," said Officer Sparks in a placating tone. This was a small town, but he didn't know much about the Swans. They had always kept quiet, never attending church or social functions.

"My no good daughter, that's what. She killed Phil, there's blood everywhere. He's…dead! In the kitchen," she cried, collapsing on the wooden porch, while giving the police officers a good look at her body through her see-through shift.

"Call an ambulance Smith, and Ms. Swan please stay here and do not enter the house."

Officer Sparks pulled out his gun, making his way into the ill-kept house. When he entered the kitchen the scene before him was hard to take in, it looked like something out of a horror film. A man lay dead, a knife protruding from his neck, blood spattered across the walls and floor. In the corner of the room a small, dark-haired girl sat on her haunches, rocking back and forth in shock. Her white dress was covered in blood, and so were her pale hands.

"Jesus Christ!"

Long Island, New York

Edward drove to his next destination, trying to clear his mind. He had one more target for the night and then he was going on a much-needed vacation before resuming his responsibilities to his family. His next target was a woman, which was very unusual. His father knew that he didn't like killing women and only did so under extreme circumstances. Edward parked his Volvo, reaching for his suitcase before closing the car door. Even though Edward wouldn't admit it to anyone, he secretly hoped this would be his last kill. Something about this assignment screamed wrong to him, and not just in killing the woman. This particular target was shrouded in secrecy. No else but his father knew of the details, which weren't many according to him. All he did know for certain was that this assignment was very important, there could be no mistakes. Preparing himself, he climbed the steps to the twelve-story building in which the mysterious woman resided. Arriving to the final floor he made his way to the roof of the building. He took out the M24 from his suitcase, waiting for the woman to leave the building. Edward remembered his father's instructions, red-hair, 5"10, and leaves the building at 4p.m every evening. Just like his father said, at exactly 4p.m the red-haired woman exited the building. Edward jerked as he saw a boy between the age of ten and twelve skip up to the red-haired woman and grab her hand. She looked down at the boy adoringly while they crossed the street together. At precisely 4:01p.m Edward's cell phone rang. He snatched the phone out of his pocket, quickly pushing answer.

"Is it done?" his father asked.

"You didn't tell me there was a kid involved," Edward seethed.

"Fuck, it's a decoy. Kill them both, now."

"The fuck you say…" Edward let out in frustration and disbelief.

He looked back through the scope, taking aim. He went to pull the trigger and simply could not do it. If he took out one he would have to take out the other.

"I can't do it," he panted, his heart racing.

"Damn it, Edward! You have fucked this up royally! You have five minutes to get out of there…and don't come home," were the last words his father spoke to him as the line disconnected.

Just as Edward originally thought the situation was bigger than what he knew. His father didn't have to tell him that there was now a death warrant placed on his head. Cursing, he packed his gear and fled the scene.

Raleigh, North Carolina one week later

"We the jury, find Isabella Swan…guilty of murder in the first degree, and is hereby sentenced to life in prison."

There were tears and gasps throughout the courtroom as I heard the juror's damning words. Momma was weeping behind me, still playing her part. My own mother had testified against me, swearing that Phil was an honest man, and that I, her daughter, held a grudge against him for trying to replace my real father. Oh, my mother should have been an actress. She had really put on the fireworks, telling the jury what a burden it had been to raise such a hateful child. At one point my lawyer had tried to plead insanity, but the appointed doctor examined me and knew I wasn't crazy. At this point, I was beginning to feel crazy. I knew I shouldn't have killed Phil, but in the moment I was not in my right mind or maybe I was. Evidently the jury did not take kindly to my confession of years of abuse. They thought I was just another spoiled teenager that was depressed at being raised without a father.

"I'm so sorry my dear," my lawyer whispered to me.

As the bailiff led me to the door of the courtroom, I didn't even bother looking at Renee. I would call her mother no longer. She had betrayed me in the most final way she ever could. My life was over before it even had a chance to really begin. I didn't break down, I didn't cry, I didn't exist anymore.