Disclaimer: I don't own the characters.

A/N: This story has been stuck in my head for so long I can't even remember when I started thinking about it. While I can't promise that I'll update frequently (since I have another incomplete story to be responsible for, and school), I just want to pen down the first chapter and get your thoughts. I do hope you like it ;)

Brief summary: Edward's family was brutally murdered by Charles Swan, the boss of an underworld syndicate, but somehow Charles took pity on him and took him in. Thereafter, he was brainwashed, trained and educated to be a member of Charles' triad. Unbeknownst to Charles, Edward remembered everything that happened to his family, and vowed revenge. However, there was a small complication in the way of Edward's plan to avenge the deaths of his family- Bella Swan.

September 2000

Edward woke up with a start. He panted heavily, gripping his pillow tightly to his chest as he tried to erase the bloody scenes in his mind.

He had a nightmare.

The piercing scream from the faceless woman in his dream rang in his ears.

Tiredly, he wiped his sweaty forehead with the back of his hand. It was too hot.

Edward also realised belatedly that it was too quiet.

There was no whirring of the ceiling fan.

He blinked and looked up.

The ceiling fan had stopped.

Then, he peered around his room and realised that he could not spot the blinding red of his digital clock.

It was almost completely dark, aside from the little light streaming through from his bedroom window.

"Shut up, woman," an unfamiliar voice hissed.

There was a woman sobbing. Edward froze on his bed.

"Please...please don't hurt Edward." Elizabeth Masen pleaded, her voice shaking treacherously.

Blood drained from Edward's face. His mother.

His mother was scared.

Had someone invaded their home? A thief? Was there a burglary?

Where was his father?

Something told Edward that there was danger. He wanted desperately to go out into the living room and find his mother.

But he knew better.

He wouldn't be able to save his mother, and might even cause more trouble for her by appearing in the living room.

He needed to hide.

Unthinkingly, he quietly crept off his bed and hid under it.

It was uncomfortable, and because of the darkness, he couldn't see. But Edward refused to budge an inch. He realised that he was shaking violently.

"Where are the documents?" The invader growled.

"I...I have no idea what you're talking about..." Edward's mother whispered.

"WHERE ARE THEY?" The man roared.

Edward jumped to his voice.

Tears leaked from his eyes. "Mom..." he sobbed quietly to himself.

"Search the son's room," the man ordered.

Footsteps could be heard, approaching Edward's room.

Edward shut his eyes tightly, willing for all of this to be a bad dream. He would wake up, and his mother would be there, comforting him, telling him that everything was all right.

He opened his eyes again.

He was still hiding under the bed.

"No! Don't go there! Don't hurt him!" Elizabeth screamed, running into Edward's room.

"Get out of the way, woman!"

"Where's your son?"

"I'll kill you!"

There was a sickening crunch, and Elizabeth Masen fell to the ground, sobbing.

Edward stuffed a fist in his mouth to stifle his scream. His mother had fallen to the ground, her head bleeding.

Elizabeth widened her eyes when she caught sight of her little boy under the bed.

But she kept silent.

Edward saw the emotions swimming in his mother's eyes. Love. Fierce determination. She was pleading with him to take care of himself.

Edward sobbed quietly, his fist still in his mouth. He tasted blood.

"Where's the son?"

"Is she dead?"

Edward saw his mother being flipped around like a dead fish, and then several shots were made.

He could not stop the blood curdling scream that escaped from his throat as he watched his mother being killed. Her body jerked awkwardly as every shot was made. Her eyes became glassy, and her head fell to the side.

He lifeless eyes bored into Edward's.

Edward let out a loud sob.

"He's under there."

"The rest of you, search for the documents."

"Bloody waste of time. Fucking woman." Another man muttered crudely.

Edward's eyes widened as someone stretched an arm under the bed and dragged him out.

The man let out a menacing laugh as he pulled out his gun.

Edward felt his heart beat faster than ever before, and he knew he was going to die.

"Stop." A quiet voice rang out.

In the dim light, Edward saw a man, with hard brown eyes. His lips hardened into a thin line.

"Leave him."

"But -"

"Leave him," he repeated.

Edward felt himself being dropped to the ground. He caught one last sight of the emotionless brown eyes, and then everything became black.

A/N: What do you think?