Chapter Three

Twenty Years Later...

Bella sighed loudly as she raced past the dry and dusty terrain of her home. Twenty years of her life had past since her whole world had been turned sideways, yet she still looked the same as she did whilst fleeing from her fathers home. Her hair was still a short and messy cut, coloured a deep chocolate brown tinted with red. Her eyes a deeper and more sinister shade of red and her face still held her immortal youth. She was currently clothed in simple clothing consisting of torn jeans and a baggy white top that was covered in suspicious stains and tears, proof of the owners lifestyle. She didn't care how her clothes looked and would continue to wear them till they were totally destroyed, new ones were often hard to come by. Her chest had been tightly bound with bandages giving her the look of a pubescent boy, well a very effeminate boy. It was a look she had grown accustomed to over the years she had spent at war, surrounded by her male counter parts and could now honestly say she felt more comfortable here then she ever did in her home town in those stuffy dresses. She was currently racing back towards their temporary camp that was a vacated old barn in the middle of nowhere. In fact, it was only very recently vacated as it suited Maria's needs. Bella frowned at the thought of her creator, the one who made her into this monster.

In some ways She hated the woman for what she had done to her, cursed her with, but on the other hand she was slightly thankful. Though she despised killing, she loved her new family. It was just about the only upside to her transformation. Though she loved her new family she could never forget her old one. According to Jasper, her retaining her memories was a strange occurrence but just about everything about her was unusual. After all, she awoke early, didn't go through the new borne phase and had amazing control of her thirst, just to name a few. As thoughts of her brother crossed her mind she clutched the ornate silver pendant in her hand softly, as to not break it. She had never once removed it and it now sported signs of wear in the form of scratches and dents.

Quickly getting over her sadness, as she knew Jasper would pick up on it, she placed the locket back under her shirt. Skirting around the edge of the barn, she made her way to a large and noisy clearing. There were several blazing fires set in old metal cans and many vampires snarling and wrestling one another. In one corner she even saw a couple harass one of their new toys, supplied by Maria of course. She snarled at the thought as the two males enjoyed themselves with the buxom woman. If still human she would be thirty seven by now, yet she still remained a virgin. She cringed at the thought. It wasn't that she had never dreamed of doing it, in fact she had quite often and with one person in particular. But it would never be, she knew that. Jasper after all believed her to be a male and after twenty years of friendship she doubted he would take kindly to find she was lusting after him. Well she was sure he kinda knew how she felt, now that was awkward, every now and then he would look at her strangely and she was sure he knew, but it was a topic widely avoided. After all, to him it would be considered homosexual and she knew he was as straight as they came. But she would never look at anyone else in that manner, there was only Jasper and she loved him so much it hurt. But if friendship was all she could have then that was what she'd take.

Sighing, she saw the small group sat down to one side conversing quietly on an old log. Peter was talking animatedly to Jasper, who seemed to be listening intently. Behind Peter sat Charlotte, who was turned at the same time as herself. She and Peter instantly connected in a way that kind of made Bella jealous. There was so much love between the two. The only reason that Maria let her live and didn't turn her into a play thing was Peters protectiveness and Charlotte's ability to survive. The small blonde tried to stay out of Maria's line of sight as much as possible, that way she wasn't of concern.

As she made her way over, Bella silently steeled herself for their reaction. She had after all been gone for about a month now on a scouting mission.

"Hey guy's." she said softly before sitting on the floor in front of them. All three stopped what they were doing and looked at her strangely, no recognition in their eyes. It made her heart twang in pain at the blank look Jasper was giving her, it always did. She watched as their brows furrowed in confusion and as awareness overcame them. As their smiles returned to their faces she could finally feel the weight on her chest lift. It was like this every time she returned from a long trip, she figured it was her 'power'. She seemed to blend in wherever she went, no one took much notice of her. She supposed that why she was such a successful fighter. She was continuously able to sneak up on others and they wouldn't even notice she was there until she said something. The bad thing about her power though was when she left for long periods of time. Everyone seemed to forget she even existed, like she just disappeared. It hurt her every time she returned, to see the blank looks on their faces until they slowly remembered her again. The thought that no one would ever miss her filled her with pain and loneliness.

"Darlin'! Your finally back!" shouted Jasper with that handsome smile on his face and Bella found the tension in her face disappear. She sighed happily as he reached his arm around her neck and pulled her in close, ruffling her short hair.

"Bout time you got back Darlin' Charles, Jaspers been moping about for weeks." laughed Peter, finally glad to see his brother smile again. Bella smiled at the use of her nick name, 'Darlin' Charles.' They had started calling her that as a response to her small petite figure and her girlish looks. She didn't mind the name really though she pretended she did, well at first anyway.

"Owww." Peter exclaimed as Charlotte punched him in the arm, he looked at his mate with puppy eyes, as if asking her why she would do such a thing. She merely scoffed.

"Thanks Char." Jasper said causing Peter to scowl grumpily.

"No Problem Major. Welcome back Charles, we missed you." Bella smiled at her warmly though she knew they didn't really miss her, but they didn't know that. To them it would seem that they did, they wouldn't even know that they had forgotten her in the first place. She didn't feel the need to tell them that though, they didn't know of her so called gifts and it would only make them feel bad if they knew.

"Thanks Char." she said before pushing Jasper off of her and seating herself on the floor. He grumbled good naturedly and sat back down on the log.

"So, have I missed much?" Asked Bella.

"Not really." said Jasper causing Bella to snort, That's what he always said.

"Yeah there was, remember Jasper, that new guy." Said Peter excitedly, almost bouncing in his seat like a little boy.

"The creepy one." inserted Charlotte giving an exaggerated shiver as if to prove her point. Bella frowned.

"Why's he creepy?" she asked, turning towards Jasper for an answer. He just shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly before replying.

"He's Maria's newest toy, he's special." Bella now understood. Their boss always took a liking to the new ones, especially the ones with powers, Jasper being the ideal example. To avoid that sensitive topic and to alleviate the sudden tense atmosphere, she subtly changed topics.

"Why's he special?" She queried, leaning her back against one of Jaspers legs comfortably, whilst the man rested his chin on one hand with his elbow on the opposite leg. She looked towards Peter as he leaned forwards wiggling his eyebrows as if he were divulging a great secret.

"He Knows things..." he trailed off suggestively, to which Bella rolled her eyes, used to his childishness.

"Looks like you've found your soul mate then." she dead panned back causing the others to chuckle at Peters pout.

"Shut up, I'm nothing like him, I'm sexy and knowledgeable, he's just creepy. There's a difference." He retorted with a smirk. Bella just laughed acceptingly as if to a small child.

"You have me there Peter. So what kind of things does he know? Like your favourite colour? That's real helpful." she snorted before Jaspers hand connected with the back of her head.

"Owww! What was that for." she whined, spinning around giving Jasper her patented puppy dog eyes.

"Watch out Major, he's pulling out the big guns." Laughed Charlotte as Jaspers expression remained neutral, though his eyes shined with amusement.

"Stop being a smart ass." he said, whacking Bella around the head again, as if to prove his point. Bella straightened and pulled out a mocking salute.

"Sir, yes sir!"

"Your an idiot, you know that right." he sighed. "I don't know how I manage to put up with you." he kicked out the leg that she was resting on causing her to stumble.

"Hey" she yelled indignantly before grinning at his still stoic features and whipping around to sit down cross legged in front of him.

"Sorry sir, mister major sir! Please enlighten me with you wisdom." She said grinning up at him, the small tilt of his lip indicating his amusement.

Peter and Charlotte quickly took up residence either side of her acting as if they were in class.

"Ohhh, please enlighten us!" called Peter as all three looked up at the major batting their eyelashes. Finally Jasper let out a deep chuckle at their ridiculous antics.

"Children, your all children." he sighed, dragging one hand down his face in exasperation. Bella Laughed loudly before jumping up to her feet and struggled to wrap an arm around Jaspers broad shoulders, the top of her head barely reached his nose.

"You know you love us Major. So What's up with the new guy? what does he know?" she asked, her playful features hardening into seriousness. Jasper could feel her emotions shift. It was part of the reason he connected so well the the smaller guy. He was dangerous for sure, but he also knew how to have fun, easing all the heavy emotions he was subjected to daily. Jasper and Bella moved to a more quieter area away from Peter and Charlotte who were now wrestling playfully, stealing kisses here and there. They sat down facing each other, all playfulness gone.

"Unlike Peter, this guy knows things for certain. He doesn't just get hunches or vague guesses he just knows things about people and events, its a terrifying power really. Maria is over the moon about him" Bella frowned as a dangerous glint shimmered in her eyes, testament to her time fighting and planning.

"Shes leaving you alone?" she asked quietly, reffering to Maria, as Jasper stiffened.

"Somewhat." he said awkwardly, looking into the trees at nothing. Bella's hand clenched in anger. Maria played Jasper around so much, like he was her little boy toy, ordering him to dispose and create newborns and seeking her own perverse pleasure from him. She made Jaspers life a living hell, it was harder for him then most as he could feel the pain and suffering he was inflicting. But they were tied to this place, through Maria's hypnotism and the fact that they did not know any other way of life.

"Jasper, is he dangerous to us, does he need to be disposed of?" she asked darkly. Jasper focused on her again, features blank and his battle mode on.

"Yes, there is too much he could tell Maria about us." he said referring to their small group of four. Maria got insanely jealous and no friendships were tolerated, their group mainly got away with it by being subtle and being more of the advanced fighters of the group. Bella stiffened sharply.

"Does he know?" she hissed out. Jasper felt her fear at the statement and sent out soothing waves that calmed her down a little and she gave him a silent nod in thanks.

"I don't know." he said frowning too.

"He probably does, but he hasn't said anything yet. We will have to speed up the plan before he decides to rat us out." Bella nodded before standing up sombrely.

"Do you really think we can do it Jasper?" she asked softly, a faint hint of desolation colouring her voice. Jasper stood also and pulled the smaller figure into a hug. Bella sighed and felt herself relaxing into his warm and firm physique.

"We can do it Charles. I don't think I can stand being here any longer, I feel like I'm starting to fall apart and the only things keeping me together are you guys." He said softly, burying his head in the crook of her shoulders. Bella was sure if she was still human she would be crying at his unusual tenderness. It was times like these where she remembered that Jasper wasn't invincible. He always acted so strong and impenetrable, but she was glad that he relied on her, even if it was just for her friendship and nothing more.

"Thanks Jasper." she said. Trying to send all her trust and reassurance his way, knowing she succeeded when he ended the hug and pushed her forward lightly.

"Come on shrimp. Enough of this sappy business." he huffed stalking forward, face once more neutral. Bella just let out a soft smile and followed him back towards the main camp. Yes they would get out of here, make an escape. They had been here for long enough, they were actually the oldest vampires there bar Maria and for some reason her control over them had waned somewhat over that time.

They were going to run and never look back.