Notes: I know there are other stories out there depicting Carlisle's change. I suppose this is my version of events, everyone is entitled to theirs are they not? Not sure where this one will lead, but enjoy none the less! As ever, I do not own the characters, perhaps William, I just like to have play dates with the others!
Suddenly Nocturnal
The grey cobblestones gave way to a compacted and worn earth track to the door of a modest looking timber house with a slight lean to its roof. He opened the door with its slight creak and tried to avoid the loose floorboard. If he was not so busy leading raids, questioning folk and his studies he would have that hinge fixed and nailed that floorboard. It too often gave his father notice he was home when all he longed to do was lie on his cot or sit in the chair beside the fire.
The house lacked the feminine qualities a lady so often brings to a home. His mother having died giving him life (for which he prayed and thanked God for her sacrifice everyday) had been gone from this home for some 23 years now and no woman could or had been found to replace her.
The hunting of those wicked vampires and their consorts were not the only things plaguing Carlisle Cullen's mind. His aging father was adamant he should be the leader of the hunts, that he should take a wife soon to continue the Cullen line and that he should be more forceful in his duties and not to dally for the Lord could take them at any time.
"Is that you boy?" a gravelly voice issued from down the stairs. Carlisle's attempts at subterfuge had failed. "Yes father, it's I" Carlisle replied rolling his eyes. No one else let themselves in unannounced. He took his brown overcoat off and hung it in the hook, and removed his hat, patting his hair down as it flew about with the removal of his hat.
"Did you find any today boy?" his father asked with heightened interest.
"No father, we are going out again tonight" he called up to his father whilst examining the table to find that there was naught but crumbs left, again. "Father, have you eaten all the bread again? I'm going to have to hide it and I don't feel much like going to Bessie and asking for more" he said in frustration.
His father was the one doing the hiding, he tried to encourage Bessie and Carlisle in any way he could, if only to bring about an announcement sooner. He smiled at this thought and plan of his and innocently added "You know I cannot stomach much, I am ailing and can only withstand bread and milk. Bessie shall not mind a jot" he added.
Again, Carlisle rolled his eyes. He was glad his father couldn't see this, the thrashing he received years ago for getting caught at mocking his father taught him to never do it again. Well, at least not in front of him. He instinctively rubbed his arm from the memory.
"I know she doesn't" he replied "nor does she mind any gentleman who comes to visit her" he added quietly to himself. He quickly evaded anymore talk by falling asleep in front of the fire. This raid was going to prove fruitful he assured himself and fell asleep. He woke to the smell of the fire smoldering; he stoked it up again and stretched his limbs. The stars were out now and that meant time to go hunting again.
There was a soft knock on the door, Carlisle put the poker down and opened the door. His friend William, helping in the hunt had come to collect him.
"Are you ready" he said eagerly, smiling and rubbing his hands, his breath issuing in clouds before him. "Comon Carlisle, get your act together" he said laughing. Carlisle, still in a slight sleep induced daze, took his coat from the wooden peg beside the door "Say a prayer for me father" he called up the stairs to his more than likely asleep father. He shook his head as no answer came and followed William to the fountain in the centre of town.
The smell of smoke wafted on the air, there was no breeze and the clouds hung low, dim lamp light spilled onto the streets where windows were open. "Where do you intend to go tonight, Peter keeps telling everyone that the house on the hill with the old croan.." William babbled.
"They are not there William" Carlisle calmly told him "My money is under the very earth we tread".
"Hell?" William questioned him.
"Almost my friend, the sewers is what I refer too. No one ever goes down there, its filthy, it's a genius hiding place when you give thought to it. That's why we don't leave the thinking up to you" Carlisle joked and quickly stepped to avoid a jovial punch to the arm. The two were laughing as they approached the small crowd.
"Evening Carlisle, William" the tallest man said stepping forward and nodded to the pair.
"Good evening Thomas" Carlisle replied. "Do you think we have everybody accounted for?" he asked eyeing the crowd with flames from the torchlight licking their faces. They almost resembled the very things they hunted with their determined expressions.
"Where do you intend to go tonight?" Thomas asked. He was the oldest man present, being of some forty years, the rest were young and in high spirits for the capture of one of the beasts of the night. Too many innocents had been taken from their town and revenge was so close tonight they could almost taste it.
"I intend to take a party to Bent street" Carlisle began, but was interrupted by groans and loud audible exhaling of breath.
"But we've already been that way Master Cullen" Peter began stepping forward, "We are wasting time going over old ground, your father would have moved on already" he continued, clearly annoyed by the plans just explained.
"That's exactly why we are going over them again" William spoke up, cutting off anything Carlisle was about to say. "We have not been back for how long now? And besides, we do not intend to search above it, but below it" he said defensively, closing the matter. "If you wish to go now then go, but I for one am staying" he folded his arms defiantly over his chest.
"I knew there was a reason I keep you beside me" Carlisle whispered to his friend, relief ringing in his voice, he hated conflict.
"Think nothing of it, you can get me back later" William replied, a smile playing on his voice. This exchange went unnoticed in the dark; the crowd were trying to decide whose side to take. They silently sided with Carlisle; Peter fumed, but said not a word.
"If we are all at one, then follow me" William said, turning and leading the party to Bent Street. Carlisle and William walked a few feet in front of the crowd, the two could almost be mistaken for brothers if it were not for the fact that Carlisle were fair haired and William's were black as pitch. Their shadows fell on the little wooden houses, ominous and elongated in the torch light. The pitchforks they held making the crowd look even more menacing.