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Thoughts and memories flooded his mind as he wandered the darkened street. A soft breeze carried the twisted tune of an old transistor radio around the corner, and it's melody graced the ears of the lifeless figure. His shoes scuffed the cobblestone street in the older part of the city, echoing off the bricks of the aged buildings. He walked drearily down the middle of the road, his mind fully occupied, and paying little attention to the happenings around him. This was a common occurrence for him these days.
Choosing to indulge himself in anything and everything that would get his mind off of the girl from his past, he chose to do whatever it took - even sitting in on evening lectures at the city college to waste time, which could possibly save someone's life. These days, he didn't care much about anything. The value of life had little to no meaning for him anymore.
The hour was getting late; the sun had been hiding behind a cover of clouds, but it was now getting dark. A fiery throb rose up in his throat, sweeping a dark grin across his expression. The source of his ache was just beyond a line of buildings and across the city park. Sorority party on the grounds at sunset.
The thirst burned him, and delighted him. In some sick, odd way, he saw the pain as a release. Since he had left the town of Forks, and the girl he loved, somehow he had built a wall in his heart. In turn, he used pain as a tool to push away emotions and feelings that reminded him of what he used to be. It was easy to recall certain things, but then there were some memories that would buckle him over in an instant, and he would crumble like a dilapidated building in an earthquake. It seemed that if he turned the pain around, he could control it, or rather use it as a shield. It was all bull, really. Just a time bomb waiting to go off, but it satisfied him to think he was getting away with murder. So to speak.
Walking aimlessly, his mind was pulled back to reality when the taste of sweetness filled his mouth, and in closer range than anticipated. Up ahead, a young couple stepped off the corner; the female playfully tugged on the male's hand as they walked across the street. She danced around in front of him, flirting, and his other hand reached out for her, only to grasp just one of her fingers. Slowing down, Edward watched them interact silently. The female's face lit up, her eyes sparkled as she looked at the lowly male. She was obviously in love with him. The entire time, she bounced around him; her eyes never leaving his. It was apparent that the male's attraction was mutual. His mouth was gaped open. The female teased him in the most ridiculous way. Edward shook his head and walked on. His Bella was nothing like the display he saw.
Hundreds of novels and poems he must have read. Displays of what he had just witnessed over and over, and yet, it had never appealed to him before. Never displayed so eloquently before as the way Bella looked at him. He hadn't been in the position to experience it before, or so he'd thought. Until he met the girl. He could fill a thousand books with the feelings he felt from just one look, just one touch of her hand.
But that was gone, and everything went to ruin.
He had no right to deserve such a gift, and yet he had been given it just the same. So, he would treat it with as much honor and carefulness as he could. The very reason why he left. To protect the one he loved. He would do whatever he had to do to keep her safe, even if that meant staying away.
Edward shook his head, knowing that indulging in this would only bring pain - the wrong kind of pain. He slipped his hands into the front pockets of his jeans and walked on towards the banquet that awaited him. He had returned to being the monster he so believed himself to be.
Turning the corner, his eyes beheld the feast of victims that were laid out for the taking. Bodies spread out across the lawn, some were mingling, some already passed out. All from what they called 'a good time.' His natural facade was amiable for the college masses. He could walk through the crowd, and someone would always bite. It was easy to lure someone off into the dark on their own. Very much like the human sport of fishing.
But his mood was already soured, and although the raking fire in this throat taunted him, his eyes fell to the ground. Thoughts of the chocolate-eyed girl haunted him, and could not be shook. Not tonight. Backing away from the cluster of students, he leaned against a brick wall, his hands at his sides. He was about to turn and walk back to the small loft he called home when the scent barreled into him like a tractor trailer truck.
His eyes shot up, and his muscles tensed. For a moment, he was a hunter. His mouth filled with venomous poison, and his body poised to attack. The next moment, he was struck with panic. "Bella?" He was off before he knew what he was doing. What was she doing here? Why would she be here? He hadn't thought his actions through; it was total knee jerk reaction and an old instinct had him now. Before he could pull himself out of his stupor, he had turned a corner in a full sprint. Two blocks blurred past him, then three before he stopped on a dime and stepped around a blinded corner.
She was standing across the street, her ear was to her cell phone. He had heard her voice before he ran. His mind was pulling back her words, but he had been too panicked to pay attention. Or was it excitement? Or fear? She had been speaking to Angela. Bookstore. The scent of old books. Now he understood his fear. Memories of the last rescue had filtrated his memory. Mixed in with her scent. Her scent swirled around him like a tornado and he was almost light-headed. His self-control didn't waver, but the memory of it was still strong. His mouth watered and he almost dropped to his knees from the weight of pain that threatened to crush him now. Their eyes met and she was calling out to him now. Maybe she hadn't seen him. It was almost dark now, she could be fooled.
He wouldn't do that, even though he should. He stood still as a statue. Wanting to run. To her and from her. He swallowed the venom that had collected in his mouth. "Hello, Bella..." His voice was as steady as he could make it, velvet and low. "What are you doing out here all by yourself?" He took two steps towards her slowly, "It's dark, and it isn't safe."