Chapter Two
France
Daylight was falling upon France, and a new day was dawning. I
looked up and my wet cloak. I'll just leave it there for a lucky
person who finds it. I pulled the hood to my cloak over my head and I
walked into the town square of France.
There were some shop owners set up already with fruits and veggies. I
saw no people out, however I kept my breath held.
That's when I heard small, dragging footsteps. And a heartbeat.
I clenched my teeth fighting a sudden burn in my throat. I didn't
breath. I turned to face the heartbeat. It was a small boy, with dirty
blonde hair stuffed under a Barrett and with torn clothes. I could see
the blood in him. I could hear the blood I him.
I fought the urge
"sir?" the boy called to me
I was afraid to respond. Afraid of a breath.
"Yes?" I said walking towards the boy keeping my reddish eyes down.
"Do you have some food?" asked the boy.
"No but I can buy you some" I offered. That was it for air. If I was
to speak again I was going to have to breathe.
"Thank you sir"
I nodded. I walked to a bakery, with a scribbled sign saying open. I
pulled my hood down. Inside the shop was a woman, who was about 21,
22. When I walked in I looked towards the floor and her eyes widened.
"What can I do for YOU sir?" she asked, with a soft edge in her voice.
I had to breathe. I had to.
Breath. A sweet luscious smell filled my nose, an irresistible smell.
No. No. You're not a monster. I opened my mouth slowly to speak.
"Just a loaf of bread ma'am," I said only glancing up for half a second. She froze and her eyes were mystified.
"are you sure that's ALL?" she blinked at me furiously handing me a
warm loaf of bread.
"Yes ma'am," I said handing her money.
"Have a GREAT day," she waved, disappointment on her face.
When I got outside the boy was in a ball, in the middle of the plaza.
I handed him the bread. He smiled with rotten teeth,
"thank you sir!"
I nodded.
"Sir do you have a quiet place that I could eat at? The men here
aren't very polite and they may steal my bread," he said, a quiver of
fear in his voice.
"I have no home, but I can offer you a quiet place" I said waving him
along. My air was out again. The boy came running to me and I took an
excruciating breath of air before he could get too close.
"Once again, thank you, sir! May I ask your name?" asked the boy
politely.
"Carlisle," I responded, keeping my response quick.
"I'm Treel, sir, Treel Cullen," Cullen. I should replace my last name
instead if carrying the name of a preacher. Carlisle Cullen.
I pulled my hood over my head as we left the plaza. I tried to walk
slowly, and although I thought I was, the boy had to jog to keep up.
When we reached the alley the boy grabbed my cloak. I guess the alley
was a bit scary.
I stopped, realizing that I had left the body of a dead bloodless deer
farther down.
I held up my hand.
"Here" I told the boy, who was already sitting down and feasting on
the bread.
"What are you?" the boy asked with a mouth full of bread.
"Excuse me?" I said suddenly frightened. Was it that obvious
"well, you're too kind to be human," said the boy seriously.
"Why thank you," I said smiling. I blinked just to ensure him I was
human.
"You didn't answer my question? Is it a secret?" insisted the boy.
"Yes," I said giving a warm smile. Breath and burn.
"I won't tell," said the boy, "I can tell you're not something bad"
If he only knew.
"I must be going," I said looking in his eyes.
"Your eyes, they're dark orange. Nearly red." the boy stated.
I looked down quickly, stood up, and walked down the alley.
I needed to feed.
It was about 10:00 AM in France and the sun was covered by clouds.
The entire sky was covered in clouds. But I still pulled the hood as
far as it would go over my face and I kept my hands in my pockets. I
looked down and used my hearing to navigate.
I reached the forest and thought about the nearby blood. Mistake. My
throat flared with intense pain. At that point I wasn't Carlisle
Cullen. I was part of the forest. Part of the air. Part of the wild.
Thump thump thump thump. Those weren't hooves. They were paws. Heavy
ones. Thump thump thump thump. I took a deep breath, inhaling the
sweet scent of the new intoxicating blood. I sprinted towards the
scent, the scent getting stronger with each step. Then I saw it. A big
brown mass, a huge bear, with huge teeth. With animal like instincts I
jumped, landing on the bears back, strangling it until there was no
life left in its body. I sunk my teeth into the bear, letting the
bloods warmness fill my body until I was as strong and controlled as
ever. I wiped my mouth, cleaning the traces of blood from my face. I
looked at Edmunds old cloak and noticed how dusty and old it was. I
was going to need more clothes. I reached into the pocket of my
trousers and pulled out the small amount of money I carried from
London. It was enough for new clothes. I needed something
inconspicuous that would help me blend in.
I stripped my cloak, exposing my damp clothes from London. Nothing but
a jacket with a plain peach shirt and a neck tie and tight orange
pants with high boots. I combed my hair to the left side. I was
presentable in public beside my eyes. They were lighter then Edmunds,
but still too red to call them Hazel.
I laid the cloak over the dead bear, who I now felt sorry for. This
was still inhumane and monstrous, but it was better than killing
humans.
I walked into the city limits of France with my head still down. The
streets were now full with pedestrians and bikes. I felt people
staring at me, ladies in particular. It couldn't be my eyes could it?
I was keeping them down. I kept my breath held, not needing to talk or
smell anything. I tried not to notice people's heart beats, or the
burning my throat gave. Then I heard a loud fall. I looked up. A lady
in a glamorous green dress was on the ground before a beefy man with
expensive clothes on. He had his hand raised. I walked towards the
lady, but not inhumanely fast.
"Ma'am, are you ok?" I asked, ignoring the man, and offering a hand.
Before she could take it, the man grabbed my shoulder twirling me
around.
"This is none of your business," said the man. I could hear his heart
beat and I was only inches from his neck. I ignored it. "The lady
doesn't know how to keep her mouth shut," he spat in my face. I looked
up and stared him in the eye. He took several steps back at my glare.
"Leave the lady alone," I said politely, tuning around and pulling the
lady up slowly. The man scowled and walked away mumbling.
"Are you ok?" I repeated
"you're so cold" she said, looking in my eyes. Cold? I had never thought
about it before. Was it a vampire thing? She kept staring at me, so I
chuckled and looked down.
"Are you going to the ball tonight?" asked the lady, still staring at
me.
"No ma'am, I wasn't even aware there was one," I said smiling. There
went the air. Breath burn blinks.
"Oh I was sure that you were invited. Only the finest gentlemen and
ladies are invited." she said, examining my face.
"So I take it your invited?" I commented for politeness only.
"yes, actually," she said laughing, "and I am aloud to invite someone,
I was taking him, but you see the situation" I saw where this was going.
"Well, ma'am I really must be going, I hope you find someone to bring
along," I gave a warm smile and began to walk off.
"Wait, sir," she called
"yes?" I asked
"what's your name? I am Lisa Moore." she said walking towards me.
"Carlisle, Carlisle Cullen," I said.
"Would you accompany me to the ball, Carlisle?"