*Disclaimer I own nothing recognizable, all those rights go to Stephenie Meyer. As all Song Rights go to the listed artist. I only own any original characters.

A/N:

I'm sorry for the long absence. Wish I could say it wouldn't happen again but real life always seems to have other plans.

First as always I want to thank all of you who have reviewed, added this story to their favorites and to their following list.

Also I want to thank all of you that voted for my story, voting Peridot Redemption Best Tear Jerker in the non-cannon awards!

All of your support means so much to me, Thank You!

As for this Chapter:

This is the chapter that will start to push Bella home. This is going to be a rough one so I'm warning you now that there will be character deaths.

Another quick note, please remember that Bella is using the alias of Mia.

Hero

It's just another war
Just another family torn
(Falling from my faith today)
Just a step from the edge
Just another day in the world we live

Hero

By: Skillet

"Where do you think you're going at this hour?"

'Shit!' Mia winced at hearing her father's voice as she made her way to the sleek black '67 mustang fastback she built with her own two hands. She never once allowed her uncles or her father to help her in the build as she truly wanted it to be her car, even if she couldn't drive legally. With a pause in her stride and an innocent look on her face she turned, "Shopping."

"It's nine at night, Mia."

"So I have been told by the big and little hand on the clock behind you."

"And as glad as I am that those lessons at teaching you to tell time didn't go to waste, why do you feel the need to go shopping at this hour?"

"I need some stuff."

"Again Mia, what could you possibly need at this hour?"

" Oh, Just a few things before you ship us off into podunk hell!" she bit out.

Manny pinched the bridge of his nose as he knew to much about his daughter. First she hated shopping and second she was pissed off when told last week as they sat around the Thanksgiving table that they would leave in a little over a week for their new destination – Telluride, Colorado. He didn't expect her to be thrilled about leaving the only place she has ever known, especially on this short notice but time was a factor; they all knew they were taking a risk for to long and Rico's strangle hold would soon clamp down around them for double crossing him. With a deep sigh he walked over to Mia with arms open and a smile in hopes to welcome a hug and as she nestled into her father's embrace, he snagged the shiny metal from her hands.

"WHAT THE HELL!" she shrieked as she pulled back.

"You're to predictable, my dear Mia. You hate shopping; so there is only one place at nine at night you would be going in your car, and that would be out to the Friday night street races," he huffed as he made his way back to his office with her keys in hand.

"So what if I am? It's my last chance, seeing as of tomorrow we leave for hillbilly hell."

"Doesn't matter, you're not racing."

"Why not? It's my car!"

"Because."

"That's not a reason!"

"It's enough of one to me and seeing as I'm your father and you're eleven, it's a final one. Now get up to your room and get some sleep as we leave early," as the words left his lips a wrench whipped past his head and landed with a heavy metallic thud as it bounced from the shop wall to the shop floor.

"I HATE YOU! I HATE that you are forcing me leave here," she bellowed out only to be followed by mumbling curses and thudding footsteps up the stairs.

He winced at the words, 'Ah, gotta love the early teen drama,' he sighed to himself.

"What are you four looking at?" he bit out at his snickering brothers.

"Not a thing," Fonz smirked.

"Then I guess it shouldn't be to hard to turn your attention back to finishing up the work so we can get the hell out of here tomorrow."

Chuckling, the guys returned to their jobs. He only hoped Cruz hadn't done the usual and fell asleep in the backroom and that he got all the parts organized and numbers scratched off. He wanted to leave no trace of anything to tie any of them to any crime. A clean break; that's what this was.

Finally reaching his office he pulled out the drawer and dropped her keys in and locked it safely out of her hands. He couldn't help but chuckle a bit at her reaction, throwing things and cursing. She acted like a true hot blooded Latina; they really had rubbed off on her.

Manny looked around his office that now laid bare; there was so many memories here mostly not so good ones, but the good ones all started here and now they were to close a chapter here. Of course it pained him to leave a big piece of himself behind but this move was for the best.

Glancing down he closed the folder that contained all the documents needed for their new life; a life he couldn't wait to live out. With a smile he turned to flick off the light when he felt something hot pierce his chest, quickly followed by another. He felt things going blurry and his lungs becoming flooded and warm liquid flowed from his mouth as if he was drooling. The pain quickly forced him to his knees; slowly he reached up to his mouth as he touched the liquid he pulled back to see bright red liquid drip from his finger tips to the floor, pooling with the seeping puddle below him. As Manny fell to his side, he forced himself to focus. Looking up he could see his friends scrambling before dropping to the ground like a sack and remain motionless. The contents of the oil drums were now spewing all over the floor, making the once gray shop floor shine in black slick crude.

Pulling himself further into the office and away from the oily mess, he could focus and hear the gun shots raining down on them. In that moment he knew they were one day to late. Rico knew and nobody here would make it out alive. 'MIA!' shot through his mind; she was to young and she shouldn't die for his mistakes. Trying with all his might he tried forcing himself up, but he couldn't move as he didn't have the energy. He could feel his heartbeat slowing down, and he could feel himself slipping from his propped position to the cold floor; it was then he could smell the smoke. Struggling to focus, he could see through the office doorway the flames burning in the pattern of the fallen crude. His eyes followed the weaving dancing flames, stopping as he could see Jay's body becoming engulfed from the puddle he was lying in.

Warm soft hands wrapped around him and forced his face away from the horrid sight. As his head was raised, he was met with the soot covered, tear and blood streaked face of his Mia. 'Yes, this is a much better sight to leave this world with,' he thought as he pulled his last bit of strength and reached up to cup her face.

"Papi, it's gonna be okay-"

He placed a finger over her lips to silence her; he needed to do this quickly. He couldn't leave her to die here, and he couldn't leave her to the streets or to her own demons.

"Mi niña, listen and listen good. Can you do that for your Papi?" he wheezed out as he watched the coughing, teary girl nod in understanding. "I need you to leave, get out of here. There is nothing left here, take the '53 and go, go to the cabin in Yosemite," he cut off as pain surged through him. His breathing became even more difficult but with a determined grit, pushed past it "My office has all you need to know in the safe behind the wolf painting. Remember this - 35, 11, 9. Do you got that?" he winced and she nodded her understanding. "NO! Say it."

"The Yosemite cabin. Your office. A safe behind the wolf painting. 35, 11, 9," she sobbed before coughing from the fumes and smoke that were creeping up around them.

He nodded knowing she would find her way from there if she so chooses that path; but at least she would have the tools. But first she needed to get out of here, out of this burning hell that would be his tomb. He wanted to say more, so much more to her, but he felt it. His vision tunneling and focusing deeply on those big peridot eyes. He allowed them to comfort him as the last sight he'd see and if there was an afterlife, take with him to comfort him for eternity.

Slowly Manny's hand dropped from Mia's face and fell to the floor; causing her to scream and sob for him, as she shook and beat on his blood soaked chest. Suddenly arms wrapped around her, pulling her away, causing her to buck and kick to free herself and to get back to her father's side.

"Mia, stop!" as the words were spoken her face was pulled up to see the soot covered face of Cruz, while she recognized him she still bucked and fought to get back to where her father lay. "Mia, STOP IT! We need to get out of here," he yelled as he pulled her face back to focus on him again. "MIA, he is gone; do you understand. I know it hurts but now isn't the time for this. We need to get out now. You know he wouldn't want you to die here so live for him! Okay?"

As much as she didn't want to leave, she knew he was right. Manny wouldn't want her to die here, he wanted her to go, and she should follow his wishes. With a nod, Cruz grabbed a hold of her shoulders to pull her to her feet, causing Mia to screech in pain as Cruz's grip barred down onto her wound. Pulling his hand away Cruz finally noticed the gaping hole in her shoulder that spewed blood. She had been shot.

"FUCK!" he screamed out as he grabbed his shirt over his head and ripped it, taking the torn fabric he wrapped it around her wound. "Ready, brave girl?" he asked as he saw Mia take a deep breath as her left hand reached out and grabbed a hold of the scissors that sat on the desk. 'Good girl,' he thought as he saw her prepare herself with a weapon.

With a quick nod of her head he grabbed her hand and they were off, dodging the dancing flames, as they coughed from the smoke and stench as they weaved through the shop. He knew they should have crawled for cleaner air but there was no time, they needed out now. As they reached the backdoor to their lot, Cruz placed Mia against the wall before drawing his gun from his waistband and kicked the slightly cracked door dislodging it. He didn't take time to relish in the fresh air. He surveyed the area quickly before grabbing Mia and pulling her out and in front of him. "RUN!" he gritted out as they started towards the old faded red truck at the back of the lot. They were no more than a few steps away from the building when Mia felt herself stumble from Cruz's imbalance. As she righted herself she turned to see Cruz wrestling on the ground with a tall red haired man; punches being thrown repeatedly as each reached for the black shiny weapon that laid close by. Landing two hard punches caused his attacker to become disoriented. Cruz turned his attention to the doe eyed girl. "I SAID RUN, NOW RUN! AND DON'T LOOK BACK NO MATTER WHAT YOU HEAR," he bellowed before being slugged in the face again. Mia felt frozen; part of her wanted to grab the gun and help, and the other part wanted to obey. "MIA, FUCKING RUN!" Cruz bellowed again causing her to finally act and do as she was directed; turning, she quickly ran for the truck, it wasn't the fastest thing but it would get her out of here.

As she was about no more than three strides from Cruz she heard a pop, and then silence. She knew Cruz didn't win the fight because if he did, he would have called out to her. She was alone now. Picking up her pace to the truck she knew she needed to be faster than her pursuer and a bullet. She felt her heart beating harshly against her chest and her lungs felt as if they were congested and on fire from all the smoke she inhaled. She could see it now, she was almost there. 'Just a few more strides,' she yelled to herself, causing her to push herself harder. That's when she felt like she was hit by a freight liner from behind, forcing her to face plant and skid against the rough concrete. Her face burned and throbbed from the road rash, forceful hands caused her to turn over onto her back, but even in her daze she put up a fight as she bucked and kicked trying to force her attacker off her.

"Now, what is a little pretty thing, doing here with rough necks like these?" a smooth amused voice cooed out.

Mia looked up and into the soulless blue eyes above her, she didn't need to take in any other features as his eyes told the story of how evil this man truly was. Mia bucked and fought harder; it might have been years but she remembered so many men with those eyes.

"You know, maybe I should tell Rico to keep his money and take my payment out on you," he mused as he ground into her pelvis to get the point across.

Panic filled her; she didn't want it to end like this. She didn't want to be raped, beaten, then killed - no it couldn't end like this! She needed free and as she felt his hands loosen a bit so he could hold hers in one hand, she remembered what was resting between her flesh and the waistband of her shorts. Taking that little bit of advantage she pulled her left hand free reached down and pulled the scissors from her side and struck, stabbing the man in the thigh, causing him to shriek in pain and roll off allowing her to get to her feet. Every step hurt and her whole body ached but she needed to run and get to the truck. Reaching out and taking the handle into her grasp, she felt a sliver of relief before she was thrown to the ground, causing her head to bounce off the hard concrete. Roughly again she was placed on her back.

"YOU LITTLE BITCH!" he bellowed as he held up the bloody scissors. "You think you're a quick one, huh? Well this time I'll make sure your hands are useless. Ever hear of how they do a crucifixion?" he asked as he crossed her wrists.

She knew it now, it was over and she was going to die. She should of known it would be her fate and right now she just wished she laid down next to her father and at least died next to his side. As Mia braced herself for the pain, the loss of weight that laid on top of her and a snarl had her opening her eyes. It was the most inhuman sound she had ever heard, and as if driven by a greater force her eyes knew just where to look. Sure enough there camouflaged by the blackness a pair of deep emerald green eyes shined through, staring back at her, and she knew without question they meant her no harm and that the owner of them had saved her. She tried to turn away but couldn't, the eyes were striking and enchanting; they were like hers - so unique. She couldn't break the gaze; not even the Cullen's unique eye color intrigued her like these did. The color seemed so comforting to something deep inside her, like finding that long lost part of yourself; and she could tell the eyes that stared back at her looked at her with the same recognition.

A pop after pop broke their intense gaze and Mia gasped as she watched the once emerald eyes quickly turn a hot golden yellow as a roar and snarl erupted. In a blink the eyes were gone and only the sounds of snarls and screams were left. Shaking her head Mia staggered to her feet and over to the old truck and as she pushed on the handle she paused and looked over her shoulder at the now silent lot. She knew her attacker was dead, but she could still feel eyes on her, and a big part of her wanted to know what and who they belonged to.

The sounds of sirens cut that desire off quickly as sirens meant police and police meant questions and foster homes. Wincing, yanked open the door and crawled up into the old truck and sighed; feeling some sort of luck that the keys were already in the ignition. Wincing from pain in her shoulder she twisted the key over, causing the truck to hum to life. 'Thank you,' she cried to herself at the truck's compliance. Reaching out she slammed the door shut, as it latched she forced her pain filled weak arm up and pulled the shifter into drive. As the transmission slipped into gear Mia stomped onto the accelerator, pushing the old steel truck ahead and through the locked chain link gate and onto the street.

Pushing the truck hard she whizzed by responding police. She held her breath to see if they would turn around and pursue her and as their lights disappeared, she sank into her seat and began the long drive to the cabin. Glancing down at the gauge she couldn't be more relieved to see the tank was full, it wouldn't get her there but the truck bed was filled with fuel cans, since Manny planned not to stop much on their trip to Colorado.

As she sped away from her former home, she couldn't help the sob that erupted as it all sank in. Never again would she see her uncles or her father. She was alone again. Alone, scared and on the run. She wasn't sure how she'd make it. Shaking her head to clear it she decided to only focus on getting to the cabin, and see what Manny wanted her to find so badly.

"35, 11, 9," she mumbled over and over, using those numbers as her focus and her mantra in keeping sane.

I know a lot of you loved Manny and his group of friends. As much as I enjoyed developing Manny, and the gang their deaths were a necessary evil. Why? Well in the next chapter you will get that answer as a lot more is revealed when Bella reaches the cabin and retrieves the safes contents.

She will also face her biggest decision of her young life at that point.

As we lost characters in this chapter, we have gained an important one, one with emerald green eyes, that turn a hot golden yellow.

I hope you are all interested to find out who Bella's hero is? That identity awaits you in only a three mere chapters from now.

The next chapter is ready and has been sent back to me after being proofread. So I hope to get it up before I leave for vacation.

As always, please review as they are very much appreciated; however as always flames are not.

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