A/N: Thanks to everybody who is leaving me awesome reviews! They always make me smile. :) And anybody else who is reading this story and hasn't left me a review yet, it would be great if you would! Please. You know you want to. So, anyway, here's Chapter 7. Hope you guys like it.

Chapter 7

Esme's POV

I have never before experienced guilt as profound as mine was now. There are no words to express the range of emotions that dwell inside of me; I was only certain that guilt was chief among them. My anger came and went, like heavy waves crashing down on me. It was directed toward me, Carlisle, and even my husband. I would think that if only John had tried to help me, then everything would be normal again. But I knew these were foolish thoughts. Fault could only be placed with me. I was living in a nightmare, never to wake up.

The days passed slowly.

Carlisle had insisted that we leave at once, despite my reservations. I hadn't wanted to leave the only home I had ever known. In the end, Carlisle had persuaded me to go along. He reminded me that staying would only bring me horrible reminders of what had happened.

My feelings on Carlisle were quite mixed. I couldn't help but like his kind and cool demeanor, but bitter resentment towards him would still creep up. After all, it was he who had made me into the creature that I despised. Were it not for him, I would be dead and my husband would be alive. This is how it should've been. But I could not remedy my current situation, so I did the best thing that I could-I let Carlisle help me. He taught me everything that I would need to know about being a vampire; I let him train me to hunt for animals so that I could drink their blood and survive.

And now I was living with both he and Edward in a remote Alaskan town. Months had gone by and things were going relatively smoothly. We kept to ourselves most of the time, especially me and Edward. Carlisle had to interact more with the townspeople since he was acting as a doctor. They accepted us and didn't ask too many questions, which was fortunate for us. They took our word that we were all siblings without a doubt. I had started to believe that I was adjusting fairly well to my new way of life. I began to grow bolder as the days went by.

It was a crisp November day and I decided that I was going out to hunt. It would be my very first hunt without Carlisle by my side. Edward and I were alone in the house because Carlisle was attending to a patient.

"Edward, I believe that I'm going out to hunt."

He glanced up at me from the newspaper in his hands. A deep frown was prominent on his face. "You're not thinking of going out alone, are you?"

"Well, yes, I think that I'm quite capable of hunting by myself now. Carlisle has been coming with me for months now. He has taught me everything that I need to know. I'm ready to go on my own now. And, besides, Carlisle isn't even here now. He's helping a patient."

"Well, I suppose I'll have to go with you then. You're definitely not ready for a hunt on your own. You will need my help."

This was just like Edward to assume that I would need his help. Indignation grew inside of me at his implications of my ability to hunt on my own. It seemed like I had been having help with everything! It was time I got my independence back. Gritting my teeth to keep from saying all of this, I simply smiled.

"I think that I am ready for this. I've listened to everything Carlisle has taught me. It's just one time and I really need to hunt. I haven't been in quite a while since Carlisle's been so busy. I can't wait any longer."

Edward hesitated for a long moment and slowly nodded. "I suppose you are right. But please be careful."

"I will be. I promise."

And without another word, I was out the door. Oh, it felt so good to have some freedom. It was nearly dark now and the secluded forest near our home was so peaceful. I hadn't been alone in ages. Either Carlisle or Edward was always hovering near me. I knew that they meant well, but I needed some time to be by myself. I needed some time to think and figure things out without being afraid that Edward was hearing my thoughts.

For the first time since becoming a vampire, I actually felt alive again. I ran and ran, without caring how fast I was going, just enjoying the wind in my hair. Suddenly, I saw a large deer in front of me. Without thinking, I leaped through the air and pounced on the deer. I tried not to think as I bit into the deer's neck and felt it's blood pulsing into my mouth. Though this was necessary, it still disgusted and repulsed me. It was better if I concentrated on my surroundings then on what was actually taking place.

And my surroundings were beautiful. Trees loomed high above my head, seeming to go on forever. The forest was so dense that it seemed almost magical and unreal. Snow hung heavy on the branches and clumped around my feet, glittering slowly as the sun set for the day. I became lost in nature's beauty as I finished my meal and began to walk around. I didn't run this time; it was much too breathtaking for that.

Time meant nothing to me. The sun had sunk below the horizon and the moon had taken its place. Still, I wandered on. I had so many things to ponder and consider. What was I going to do with my so-called life now? I had no idea what my options were. I could stay with Edward and Carlisle for the time being, but would they always want me around? Would I even want to stay with them? I didn't think I could stay on my own. Just the thought of my husband and child sent me into a state of panic. Even now, intense sadness crept its way into me and my thoughts.

I finally noticed the dark skies. Carlisle would be home now and would probably be worried about me. I began my journey back home, walking along the overgrown path. I was only a short distance from our house when I began to feel a strong sense of unease. It was as if I was not alone, as if something were with me in the dark trees. I laughed silently to myself. Even now as a vampire, I was still afraid of the dark.

But my feeling did not lessen; in fact, it increased. I definitely felt as if there was another presence here with me. It was more of a sense than anything. And then I heard a slight sound behind me. Whirling around, I was met with just shadows. The cry of a distant bird made me jump. This was beginning to get ridiculous. I was a vampire! Nothing could hurt me. I had no reason to be afraid.

I kept repeating this to myself in my head, over and over, as I stared out into the inky blackness. But then, seemingly out of nowhere, a shape began to form. It was the shape of a person. And for some unexplained reason, a single chill crawled down my spine. The chill turned into a shudder as the form spoke.

"Well, hello, Esme."

A/N: Okay, there's Chapter 7. Hope you all liked it! And please, please, please, everybody that's reading this story, leave me a review! That would make my day! Thanks!