Carlisle

I had been hunting for hours, trying to find any easy game in this measly woods, when I saw her. It was Esme from Columbus. I thought for sure she would be with her new born. He seemed to have a slight plague of asthma, but it did not seem too serious as long as Doctor Vemer treated the baby the way I had told him to.

I had needed to leave the night before. She had smelled so wonderful, so tempting, I could not have betrayed Edward or myself by devouring her or her son. Aside from that she must have noticed my eyes, my skin, and certainly the fact that I had no pulse when she grabbed my wrist. I was about to leave her to her thoughts when I heard the rhythmic steps of her run. I spun quickly but for once in my long life I was too late Esme plummeted off the cliff to the cold beach hundreds of feet below.

My heart had not beat for 257 years yet I felt as if it were going to rip out of my chest as I saw her fall. I ran off the cliff determined to save her. I forgot to keep up my human charade as I heard a sickly series of pops on the ground. She would die slowly, being in retched pain for hours at least, possibly days.

I was at her side as soon as my feet touched the ground. I could smell internal bleeding under her skin. Her torso felt like a lump of dough with marbles in it. Her rib cage was shattered.

"He's dead Carlisle." Even I could barely make out the words almost mouthing from her lips. Any human would have easily missed it.

"Who's dead Esme?" I had a horrible feeling. I could not even think the words. "My baby is dead Carlisle. I didn't even get to name him, but he's still dead. I was going to name him Carlisle. He was going to be you." She made a contorted sound that might have been a laugh and splattered blood onto the grey sand. The true red stood out against such a bland background.

I could not let her end like this. She was much too good for this.

I lifted her into my arms with the utmost care unable to cause her even the slightest whisper of pain. Edward would be undoubtedly upset but he would have to understand. Esme drifted into unconsciousness on the way to the house. I let her down on the most comfortable thing in the house, the couch we only used for showing to guests.

Esme's skin looked so soft, I wondered how it would taste when I bit into her neck. The first slide of my teeth into her soft flesh was pure bliss. I could not have asked for such a wonderful meal. The warm liquid flowing sated me and I gently let Esme lie back against the couch trying to make her as comfortable as possible for the torture she would have to endure.

Esme was already screaming by the time Edward arrived home. He was infuriated by my decision I didn't even try to explain what had happened I merely told him she was too good to die like that.

"But what if she turns on us Carlisle. You know I would stay with you through anything, but I don't think you could kill her if she becomes a problem."

"If she turns then it will be her choice." I waved him away and tried to shift Esme into some semblance of a comfortable position.

I saw the first glimpse of her red eyes today. She was ravenous and ate three deer before she calmed down. Her manner is erratic and strange, consistent with Edward's first behaviors. She is very strong and often overwhelms me, but Edward and I can hold her down together.

When the autopsy report came for her baby I burned it. She would not need such things to upset her, yet I felt guilty for hiding it form her. Maybe one day when she would be older I could tell her.

She lost control and devoured a child today. I had never known a vampire could cry until she started to sob into me. The action was so human I had to hold her to me, I regret causing her so much pain, turning her into a monster.

Esme is starting to retain information. She is becoming more human by the week.

Esme looked at me today, it was different form any other time she had ever seen me before as a vampire. She had been outraged by our lifestyle at first, but now I believe she is coming to peace with herself. Esme has taken to mothering Edward as her own child. She rather enjoys the experience. I believe he is growing fond of her as well. We shall see how this all pans out, but I believe changing Esme has been for the best.