Hobo Trail Chapter 1: untitled beginning, a twilight fanfic

Disclaimer: While the attempt has been made to be medically accurate, some artistic license has been taken, and statements made by Carlisle are not to be regarded as authoritative.

Do not post without permission. Do not copy/print without including the above disclaimer in its entirety.

A/N: See my DeviantArt account for the complete version of the cover picture. (I have the link on my profile, in case they ever get them working again…)

This story is a series of one-shots, so it's possible I may eventually add another even after I mark it complete. (I don't have any ideas for anymore right now, but you never know!) Barbie

1930
Edward gone for two years

Carlisle

I walked home slowly, my mind still on the newspaper article I had read on my break. It told how men who had lost everything were "bumming" rides on trains, traveling aimlessly in hope of finding work. I shook my head; there couldn't be any kind of medical care in those "hobo jungles."

I reached the house and paused on the doorstep, mentally preparing myself before stepping inside. Edward, if you can hear me — I broke the thought off, knowing he couldn't. If he was close enough to hear our thoughts, Esme's would have brought him home long ago.

When I first walked in, the house appeared to be empty. But I knew where I would find Esme; the same place I had found her so often lately. Softly I climbed the stairs to Edward's room and pushed open the door.

And there she was, sitting at his deserted piano. I eased onto the bench beside her. "Esme?"

She sighed, leaning her head back against my chest. "Is he ever going to come back, Carlisle?" she whispered.

"Of course he is," I replied, wishing there was more conviction in my voice. I reached around her and began playing softly with one hand. I might not have Edward's genius for composition, but I could play fairly well. "Esme, love, it isn't good for thee to sit brooding all day like this." The plan that had been playing at the back of my mind suddenly crystallized. I had to get her out of this house…among people who needed her to mother them. I was coping by thinking about my work; Esme needed a distraction as well.

But when I explained my plan, Esme shook her head. "No, Carlisle. We can't leave — if he comes back and finds the house empty, he'll think we abandoned him."

"Esme, love, be reasonable," I said softly. "I can't stay here much longer anyway; Edward knows we have to move on every few years. We'll leave a letter telling him how to locate us; he won't think we abandoned him."

Esme sighed. "Whatever you say, Carlisle," she acquiesced softly.

I ran my fingers through the hair at her temples; I hated to see her like this. What his absence was doing to my Esme was almost worse than knowing that Edward was killing humans…that I had created a monster.

On those worst nights, when even I began to lose hope that he would ever return, I wondered if I had done wrong to change him…or to let him go. That final, fateful night when we had argued and he had left… should I have destroyed him…?

I closed my eyes, the memories pouring over me.

The first time we discussed it had been before I changed Esme, just a year or two after Edward was changed. He had brought up the topic, asking about it almost hypothetically. He seemed to accept my conclusions, and the subject was never mentioned again. Perhaps it was naïve of me to assume he never thought of it.

I certainly thought little of it until seven years later, when he came home red-eyed and defensive. To this day I didn't know the nature of that slip. Had his first taste of human blood been pure accident; a simple matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, as when Esme had slipped? Or had his intentions been truly altruistic; an attempt to rescue someone that went too far? Or…my mind refused to dismiss the darker possibility. Had he had this in the back of his mind ever since our conversation, until finally he gave in, killing a murderer for the express purpose of drinking his blood?

I would never know; in the end, I supposed it didn't matter. He had had his first taste of human blood, awaking his thirst for more. We had argued that night, Edward claiming he was doing humans a service by ridding the world of menaces; I insisting that his true motive was not altruism but thirst. He had stormed out then, slamming the door behind him…and I knew that I had lost him.

Should I have handled it differently? Been more understanding? Could I have stopped him somehow?

Should I have let him go?

"Carlisle?" Esme said softly, bringing me back to the present.

No, I couldn't have destroyed him…destroyed any hope of his ever coming back to us. Because he would return. I had to believe that; had to believe I had raised him better than to turn into a red-eyed killer. I had to believe, for Esme's sake as well as my own.

oOo

Esme looked over her shoulder one last time as we left the empty house. "Carlisle…it feels like giving up."

"No, love," I murmured. "We'll never give up hope." I tucked the key carefully behind the loose shingle where he knew to look. Inside, on the table where he could not fail to see it when he walked in, lay the letter.

My Dear Son Edward,

Please know that we have not abandoned you. I will be in touch with Dr Thomas Richards; when you return leave word with him, and we will come immediately.

I write this fully believing that you will read it someday; I have faith in that. Read it knowing that you have my full forgiveness, Edward my son. I have not spent a day in which I did not regret my harsh words to you the night you left.

I look forward to the day we see you again.

Always Your Loving Father,

Carlisle

Edward —

How I miss you, my son! I long to hear you play the piano for me again. You are never far from my thoughts.

Esme

First episode next week!

I proofread all my stories at least once before posting, but if you see any mistakes I might have missed, please let me know!

Please note that I have internet access only once a week, and may not have time to respond to all reviews/messages. If you have questions regarding my Twilight alternate history, check my profile first to see if they're answered there. (I also have a chronological list of my stories, so you can see where they fall on my timeline.) Thanks for your understanding! Barbie