~The idea for this story has been in my mind for months and I finally was able to gather the courage to write it out. That, and a few weeks ago, I stumbled about the story Dark Whispers by the amazing Oriana de la Rose and hot damn, my inspiration just about skyrocketed!! If you haven't read it, you MUST. It's a dark and deliciously sinful Jasper/Bella story.

Themes and events will be dark, depressing and maybe a bit twisted to some. At any rate, if you continue to read, then thank you so much!

Chapter One: City of Delusion

Stay away from me
Build a fortress
And shield your beliefs
Touch the divine
As we fall in line

Can I believe
When I don't trust
All your theories
Turn to dust
I choose to hide
From the All Seeing Eye

Home.

Four simple letters that are supposed to describe a place that is filled with unconditional love, happiness, acceptance and above all, comfort. However, none of that seemed to exist in my world anymore; only faint glimmers of it every now and then.

It wasn't always like this; there was actually time when the word homedidn't strike fear throughout my body. Yes, such a time existed I just, don't remember what it was like. All I know is that my life these days is filled with terror, anxiety and I find myself walking on eggshells each and every moment.

These days, all it takes is one wrong glance or step and it'll unleash my stepfather's fury. My stepfather, a man who once was in the military, who had promised to give my mother everything but in reality, had taken all her happiness away.

Biologically, Esme Cullen is not my mother but she has filled that role in my life since I was five years old after my real mother, Esme's best friend, died in a car accident. She had took me in with no hesitation, bringing me into her family that already consisted of a husband and a son. Her son, Edward, became my best friend the day I moved in. He was the same age as I was and we instantly connected and we've been virtually inseparable since day one.

However, nothing in life can ever be perfect. After living with the Cullens for two years, Esme's husband Carlisle was diagnosed with cancer. He was such a wonderful man, Carlisle, always treating me like the daughter that he never had. At seven years old, Edward and I did not fully understand the concept of caner and death and yet, it was something we both experienced at such a young age. When we lost him, it affected Edward greatly. His father was his hero and mentor. I did all I could to help him get through his grief but, there was only so much that a little girl could do to help her brother when she herself was lost and confused.

A year and half later, a still grief stricken Esme met Thomas Whitlock while he was on a business trip. She was immediately taken by him. He was handsome, from the South and according to her, had an accent to 'die' over. They hit it off right away and before I knew it, he had completely swept her off her feet. She fell in love fast with him and when he asked her to marry him, she didn't think twice. So tired of being alone and sad, she saw Thomas as her salvation.

Little did she know that six months after they got married, he would soon become her hell.

We all moved to California, moving in with Thomas and his son, Jasper. Things were so great at first. Edward and I got along great with Jasper and he immediately became part of our little group. We were siblings, growing closer with each passing day. They didn't exclude me from anything but rather, made sure I was a part of everything.

But then, everything changed.

One small little thing set everything off and the pain hasn't stopped since.

We had been sitting around the kitchen table, father has asked us a question and no one answered him right away for we had no answer. He completely snapped standing and bringing his hand across my face. He held no remorse after he did, didn't apologize. Rather, he said that I deserved it for being incapable of answering him quickly. We were all shocked, minus Jasper. He confided in us that father had always been strict and had hit him a handful of times.

Though, after that night, things got worse, the slaps turned to beatings and the beatings sometimes turning into cruel punishments. Once, father made the three of us go three days without eating simply because our hands weren't clean enough when we sat down. Another time, he broke every plate at the table and then made me pick it all up by hand. My hands bled for hours, and it took forever to remove the shards of glass out.

At any rate, we have all been living like this for almost ten years now and they haven't gotten any better. It's been nearly a decade since father and mother got married and I don't think any of us will ever be able to escape this hell. I don't know if there is any part of father that loves us. Maybe he loves mother, he must. But the three of us, I find it hard to believe. How can you love someone and yet them hurt them on almost a daily basis? It seems impossible.

All I know is that each day is a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I survived another day; a curse because I know what my reality is and the future doesn't look too bright for any of us.

OoOoOo

Today had started like any other day. Like always, I was up by six, making sure father's breakfast was on the table by six thirty. He had the same thing every morning; coffee and eggs. They had to be perfect otherwise there'd be hell to pay.

"Do you know what today is dear Eliza?" father called me back to the table after I had served him. I hated it when he called me dear; it made my skin crawl. However, I didn't hesitate before answering him.

"It's Friday father, the end of the week." I answered him precisely.

"Yes, but what else?" I racked my brain quickly, trying to think of any important day. It wasn't anyone's birthday or holiday so I was coming up short.

"I'm sorry, I..I don't know father."

That was always the wrong answer, no matter how I phrased it.

"You incompetent little girl." Before I could register it, his hand had reached out, pinching my inner thigh roughly. I didn't scream however, just bit my lip tightly. If I screamed, it'd be so much worse. "You know that Friday nights, I take your mother out. Which means, you are to have dinner ready earlier as I will be coming home sooner and don't think for a second that I'll be left waiting."

What! That was nothing new; this was routine every Friday, I didn't need reminding. It had been a trick, I knew it. Father was always looking for an excuse to inflict pain. It was like he got some sort of sick pleasure out of it.

"Now go Eliza" his hand lingered on my thigh, moving it up and down briefly "Get out." He moved it away, going right back to his breakfast. I nodded my head quickly, making my way upstairs to start getting ready for school. Standing in the shower, I couldn't shake the feeling of disgust that creeped all along my skin. Every time father put his hand on me, it made me want to cringe and die. Though he was not my real father, he was he only father figure I had and for him to touch me that way, I didn't like it. I knew that was the reason why he only allowed me to sleep in these silk shorts and either tank tops or t-shirts. He enjoyed seeing me dressed that way in the morning, I just knew it. However, I wasn't brave enough to wear anything else. Only when he was off on business trips could I wear my sweats and ratty shirts. Oh, how I loved those few days when he was gone; we all did in fact. We were all so much happier when he was gone. Countless times, I had thought about what would happen if we all ran away but that fantasy quickly faded away. Father had powerful connections and no matter where we went to, he would surely find us.

By the time I was done showering, it was seven, giving me exactly thirty minutes to get dressed, attempt to cover up the bruise that was still a bit fresh from where father hit me Monday night after I hesitated too long in answering his question.

I was standing in front of my mirror in just a long sleeve shirt and some boy shorts when there was a knock at the door. Knowing that mother was already gone, I knew it had to be one of my brothers.

"Come in" I didn't bother looking when the door opened.

No words were spoken for a few moments, until I felt someone breathing against my ear, their chest pressed against my back slightly.

"Liz" my brother, Edward, sighed, running his fingers down the side of my neck, over the bruise I was trying to cover up with some concealer. I gave him a small smile, looking at him from the reflection in my mirror.

"It's not that bad, Edward." I turned, touching his cheek gently. "And you know it."

"I know but" he stopped when his eyes dropped lower, eyes landing on my still bare legs. "Liz" his voice was suddenly softer, strained. "What, how?" he dropped, crouching down so that he was eye level with the bruise that was forming on the inside of my thigh. His cool finger touched it gently and I winced, it still being so fresh.

"He tricked me again with his stupid questions." I sighed, my eyes sliding shut for the briefest of moments as he continued to touch me. Though he was my brother, I couldn't help but feel something a bit odd when his hand moved a bit higher, dangerously close to where no one had ever touched me before. I wondered for a second what it would be like to be touched there.

"Edward" I sighed "we need to get going."

"How dare he touch you there?" He stood, wrapping his arms around me tightly, burying my face in his chest. I did not cry however, knowing tears would be a waste of time. This was nothing compared to the other things father had done to me. "How dare he?" he whispered and when I looked up, I frowned when I saw his eyes glistening slightly.

"Shh, Edward we can't go upset, not right now. We have to get to school. You know what happened last time we were all late to school." I saw fear in Edward's eyes as he thought about that day last year, when the three of us had been five minutes late to school. Not only had father hit each of us but, he had hit us with dishes, flinging plates at us with impeccable aim. He had hit Edward in the back of his head, causing him to have to get stitches. "We must be strong." I wiped a tear that had slid down his cheek "we have to."

He nodded slowly, lowering his head to press his lips against my forehead "I love you Liz." After that, he left me to finish getting dressed. It didn't take me long, ten minutes tops before I was heading downstairs where my brothers were waiting for me. It was easier for them, hiding any physical remnant of father's abuse. And even if someone saw them, they would be easier believed if they said they had been playing a sport or got into a fight with some other guy. Me on the other hand? I had to be so cautious, especially during PE when we had to change in front of everybody. One too many times had girls caught glimpses of cuts and bruises. And, one can only explain and lie so many times before people stop believing you. Granted, while I may be rather clumsy, how many times can you say you tripped and fell down some stairs before they realize you're lying?

Edward and Jasper was standing in the living room silently when I came down, bag slung over my shoulder. Their silence told me that Edward had already told Jasper about the bruise on my leg. Edward and Jasper were extremely different when it came to certain things. For one, Jasper was father's biological son so he didn't endure the abuse as much as I did but he still got it either way. And unlike Edward, Jasper did not cry or get as emotional. No, he would just look at me with anger burning in his blue eyes every time father hit me. He'd look with anger along with fear because he knew there was nothing he could do about it. Though different, both of them had been my protectors since we were younger and I loved them dearly for it.

For nine years, we have stuck together through thick and thin. We were all each other had.

Jasper came up to me, both hands on my face before pressing those full lips against my cheek for a brief moment. When he pulled away, he nodded, his eyes asking the unspoken question if I was okay. Of course, none of us were okay but he was more so asking if I was okay to make it through the day. I nodded back at him before he turned and headed out the door, Edward and I following him. Edward handed me two pills, a bottle of water and a granola bar as we walked outside, the chill hitting me as we did. It was mid February and the wind was cutting through me like a knife. I shivered as I got into the backseat, both my brothers frowning in disapproval as they saw me. The thin jacket I was wearing was no match for this weather. But, I knew that unless father changed his mind, he wouldn't be paying for me to get any new clothes anytime soon. Father was very peculiar in how I dressed. I was never allowed to be too exposed but when the time would come for some big event, he made sure that we were all dressed to the nines; for appearance sake of course, making it seem as though we were the perfect family.

My mother, bless her, couldn't buy me things even she wanted to. All her money came from father and that man kept close tabs on all the money she spent and what she bought; even groceries. Though he had plenty of it, he still made sure he was control of it all. Once in awhile, he would give us children money for who knows what but, we never spent it. Why would we? Knowing father, he would take whatever it was away from us.

We got to school with ten minutes to spare so there was no time to talk, just hurrying off in different directions. As hard as I tried to pay attention in my first few classes, my mind kept drifting back to this morning. Not so much about what father had done to me but rather, the way my brothers had reacted and done.

When Edward and Jasper touched me, I felt two very different emotions. With Edward, it was comforting but with Jasper, when his hands touched me and lips were against my skin, something inside of me yearned for him to give me more, to touch me again. His hands, though a bit rough were like heaven against my skin.

I have never had a boyfriend, thanks to Father, so I didn't quite understand some things. Like for example, why when either of them touched me, why did I suddenly feel funny on the inside? It wasn't highly unpleasant to say the least; I just didn't know what it was. Though, I'm pretty sure whatever it was, I wasn't supposed to be feeling these things with my brothers. Though we were not actually related, I lived with them, thought of them as brothers and yet, their hands were starting to send my body into hormonal overdrive it seemed.

Though I had to admit, I'd feel this more with Jasper than with Edward. I think I knew why though. Edward, when we were about thirteen, confided in me that he was bisexual. Though he enjoys the opposite sex, it seems as though he leans towards men than he does girls. Which, there is nothing wrong with that in my book. Edward is Edward, and I don't think any less of him. The only problem was that, when father found out, he practically forbid Edward from ever being romantically involved with another man, telling him that he was only to be with women and that was that. Edward was crushed but knew better than to try and defy father.

And then there was Jasper; my brother who had a few girlfriends here and there but had never really been serious about anyone. In my eyes, he was perfection. Though usually stoic and serious, there was a side of Jasper that not many people saw. There was a part of him that was fun and carefree; a side that I had only seen a handful of times. I couldn't blame him. We didn't exactly have the easiest life and there wasn't usually much room for smiles and laughter. My heart ached for both my brothers so much.

I was extremely tired by the time lunch arrived that I could hardly keep my eyes open as I stood in line, waiting to get food along with the rest of the school. I spotted Edward at our table, always the first one there. After paying for my things, I joined him, setting my tray in the middle; it was routine and tradition. Being as father didn't give us much money, we had to make do with what he gave us. No one ever said anything about the Whitlock/Cullen kids sharing a tray of cafeteria food. I'm sure they thought it was weird but that was the least of our problems in all honesty.

Edward and I talked quietly as we waited for Jasper to join us. He always came in a few minutes later, being as his class was further away than ours were. When he finally did walk in, I felt something odd in my body as I saw him talking with some girl, who was laughing at whatever he told him. My eyes narrowed as I watched them walk, before splitting off as she went to her friends and he came sauntering to our table. Edward looked at me confused and I just shrugged. Jasper sat on the other side of me, across from Edward, completing our half circle. He was about to reach across to grab something from the tray but he quickly pulled his hand back, staring at Edward before looking at me, as if something had just dawned on him.

"Liz" Jasper leaned in closer to the table "Edward and I were talking…"

Oh, no. That was never a good sign. When those two got to talking, especially about me, it was never good.

"Jasper and I are concerned about you, Liz. You've lost a lot of weight again and it's not good for you."

I scoffed. They had no idea. "Liz, we know why you don't eat as much." Jasper glared at me, his eyes going right through me. Okay, so I guess they did know.

"You guys don't understand." I whispered lowly, so no one could hear me "the pressure, you know what will happen."

"Bullshit." Jasper snapped "your health is more important Liz."

I shook my head. They honestly couldn't understand. When I said that father was peculiar over how I dressed, the same went for physical appearance as well. It was crucial that mother and I gained no weight what so ever. And believe me, he would know if we did. Once, I gained five pounds and he forced me to go on a diet until I lost fifteen. And when I wasn't losing it fast enough, he'd hit me and then proceed to make me lose more.

"You're bruising more easily Liz." Edward pointed out "and it's because you don't have enough strength or weight on you to handle everything. What if someone sees?"

He was right. God, no matter what I did, it was always a lose-lose situation. This didn't just have to do with me, this affected all of us. I just nodded, not wanting to talk about it anymore.

"Here, you eat this" Jasper pushed the sandwich that was on the tray towards me. I immediately felt guilty. It was supposed to be for them, not me. I was supposed to eat the fruit and whatever else I had thrown on there.

"Just eat it, Liz. We'll be fine." He pushed it closer to me and this time, my stomach couldn't resist. I ate that sandwich in earnest, savoring every bite.

A comfortable conversation fell upon us as we talked about all kinds of things, eating all the food from the tray. I wasn't feeling a whole lot better when lunch was over but, I knew there was only one more class to get through and then I'd be free for the weekend. Even better, my next class was science and I had it with Jasper. Science wasn't my best subject by any means but Jasper always helped me. And I needed all the help I could get.

As we took our seats at our lab table, I noticed that the same girl from the cafeteria was staring at Jasper, waving to him as we sat down. That's where I had seen her before! She was one of the more popular students with her beautiful brown hair and seemingly perfect body. She and Jasper would make a fine looking couple but, only on the outside. That pretty girl would never be able to handle our real lives.

"Friend of yours?" I looked over at my brother and he just brushed it off like nothing.

"She's been after me for the past three weeks." He mumbled lowly so I could only hear him "I don't have the heart to tell her to back the fuck off."

That earned a small laugh from me "Why? She's very pretty Jasper."

"She's not my type." He stated simply.

"No one's ever your type." He looked at me, as if he wanted to respond to that but instead he kept his mouth shut. I didn't have the time to ask him about it because our teacher walked in, my eyes immediately landing on the stack of papers in her hand. I could feel my hands getting a bit sweaty. I knew those were our tests from last week. The test that I had studied so hard for but still found it extremely difficult when I took it.

"I will just put your minds to rest and hand these back right now." She smiled at us "some of you did exceptionally well while a few of you may need to come see me after class." She began handing them back, different expressions coming from people. When she reached Jasper and I's table, she gave him his first, giving him a knowing smile before turning to me.

"Better Miss Cullen." She handed it to me and for a second, I was terrified to look down at the grade. Looking at it, I felt like I was going to be sick. There, highlighted in read was the number seventy nine. Which, meant I had gotten a C+ on the test. Quickly putting the paper down, I glanced over at Jasper, who had a bright ninety four percent staring back at me.

"Jasper" I slid him the test so he could see. His eyes locked with mine quickly, fear and sympathy filling them. He knew what this meant also. You see, in our house, anything less than perfection was unacceptable. And getting a C on a test was like failing.

"What am I going to do?" I turned towards my brother, fear already coursing through my veins.

He had no words. What could he possibly say? He knew what would be coming later, there was no denying it. There was no way we could lie to father, he would know. All he could do was reach over and squeeze my hand reassuringly, telling me he'd help as much as possible in the aftermath. I held on to it tightly, not wanting him to let go. I didn't care if anyone saw me, I needed Jasper.

The rest of the period was a blur; luckily we watched a film so I didn't exactly miss anything important. The bell ringing snapped me out of my daydreams, and straight into my living nightmare. With a protective arm around my shoulders, Jasper led me out of the classroom, to our lockers and eventually to the car. Edward sensed immediately that something was wrong and when I told him, the same look of fear appeared in his eyes.

Riding in car, I wanted nothing more to fall asleep and pray that when I woke up, we'd be anywhere but at our house. But, fifteen minutes later, we were pulling up into our driveway that led to our house; a house away from everyone, away from neighbors. A place where no one could hear our screams, our cries no matter how loud. I always wondered if father planned it this way. I wouldn't past him, he was a very precise man.

Getting out of the car, walking towards the front door, I could feel the fear already beginning to set in. It was one thing for father to hit us but, when you knew it was coming? Hell, it was so much worse. To know he was going to do something horrible to you and there was nothing you could do to prevent it, it was such a terrifying feeling.

Walking inside, I left my fake reality behind, entering my own personal hell. A hell that no one knew about, other than the people who lived behind these closed doors.

Home.

This wasn't a home, this was a raging inferno where no one was safe.

This is only the beginning and I'm both eager and nervous to see what people think.

There'll be more...hurt and Jasper next chapter.

By the way, the title of this story "Take A Bow" is taken from the amazing song by Muse.

Please review, I would love to know what you thought!