Part 2
Chapter 7- A New Path
"If you think it long and mad the wind banners that passes through my life and you decide to leave me at the shore of the heart where I have roots, remember. That on that day, at that hour, I shall lift my arms and my roots will set off to seek another land."
-Pablo Neruda
1929
It had been a full year since Edward began his new existence, completely on his own. He had spent it lurking the shadows by day and at night, he carried through with his killings of criminals and humans that were in his opinion, worthy of death. He did not associate with anyone but his prey and did not often like to think about his past, or the ones he left behind. From now on it was his life and he would live it how he wished.
He stood on the pier at the heart of San Francisco. Post-war America was proving to be one of enormous social and economic growth. The atmosphere was changing; many people in the city now owned an automobile, new generation girls shortened their skirts, drank and smoked; everything from speakeasies to upbeat jazz music and extravagant parties had life in the city. Around him crowds gathered by street performers, music played from the ferry and the smell of street food radiated through the air. He looked out from the bridge, over the ocean. He listened to the waves, smelled the scent of the water, felt the caress of the breeze on his ice cold skin. His micro vision enabled him to see deep past the waters surface at the fish swimming; all different colours of the rainbow reflecting off the sea as the sunset and water became one.
It felt strange being in the city where there were no forests he could dwell in. Most of the smaller towns usually had a deep wooded area, but then again, he did not need them to feed on animals any longer.
Night was falling quickly and soon the streets would be empty except for a few strays that walked the nights. He decided that it was time to hunt for a prey. His eyes were black so he did not wear his usual sunglasses. He left the pier, pushing through crowds to get to the back alleys where he would most likely find an appropriate meal for himself.
There was not much light in his location but for a few streetlamps along the corridor where he walked at a slow human pace. He stuck his hands in the pockets of his lengthy, grey trench coat to make it look like he was keeping his fingers warm like a human would on a chilly night.
It did not take much for him to find a man a few yards away, plotting a way he could kill his co-worker who posed a threat to his future promotion. Edward was behind his unsuspecting figure in a matter of seconds and in an instant his neck was snapped and Edward fed on his fresh blood. He savoured the taste that he had not had in over the three weeks he had not hunted.
"How is it going mind reader? You're far from home; I see you took my advice." A scarlet laced voice said from a few feet behind him.
He stopped feeding and turned his head to look up, knowing exactly whose voice it was. He wondered how she could sneak up on him like that without him hearing her thoughts or smelling her.
"Fidelia," Edward said. She smiled at him and moved closer in a flash.
Her lips whispered in his ear, "You couldn't stay away could you?"
In part she was right, Edward had not forgotten that she stayed in west end of San Francisco which was basically why he came here of all places. He also hadn't forgotten how fascinating her bold demeanour was.
He mimicked her response during their last meeting and replied with a hint of a smile, "Just passing through."
She smirked at the comment and then said,
"Finished?" while motioning towards the drained body of the man lying on the cement.
The sound of a group of humans laughing with each other and unsuspectingly, coming their way made both their heads turn. They could not let them see their red eyes while still letting them live, this signalled that they had to go soon.
Fidelia turned away and began to walk down the now dark and quite street, while telling him in her thoughts to follow. Her luxurious fur coat covered her red fringed dress and she strode gracefully in her black high heels.
He followed her as she made her way to a door, squeezed between two small business offices running along the street. It was unlocked and inside was a dim, beige panelled hallway. There was a concrete staircase that ran down. Edward followed her down the stairs that were so steep, they probably would frighten a human. The farther he got the less light there was, but this did not bother his vision at all.
She opened the door below to a well lit room with panelled walls and expensive, grand furniture to match her taste. On the far right of the room there was a door that led to her bedroom. The kitchen counter ran along the wall and the door revealing the bathroom was to the left.
Edward walked in and said, "You do know how to get around don't you?"
She shrugged and replied, "Well let's just say I've had a lot of experience."
"Wait, so how long have you been a vampire?" Edward asked as she took off her fur coat, exposing her slender body uncovered by her sleeveless dress and sensual cleavage that almost sent Edward into a stir.
She moved closer to him, her body touched his slightly and she said teasingly, "Don't you know it's impolite to ask a woman her age?" Of course he did not show any lack of composure. He had years of practice, hiding his emotions.
Edward smiled back at her when he heard in her thoughts that she had been a vampire for much longer than he had. He said with playfulness in his tone, "Too late for manners; mind reader remember?"
She laughed, "Darn it, I forgot."
Then she kissed him and he responded this time, moving in closer to her touch. His hand ran upwards through her dark curls and he pushed her into the wall behind her, they continued kissing passionately. They both craved each others touch, felt the erotic adrenaline flowing through them. Her hands traced down his chest to the upper part of his trousers, loosening his buckle with one hand. Edward stopped kissing her and she looked at him with confusion.
"What is it?" She asked.
Edward responded, "It's just... I haven't actually ever done this before."
Fidelia didn't seem to hear what he had said. Instead she knowingly stroked the side of his face while guiding his free hand to the red fabric covering her breast. She kissed him, her teeth gently biting his lower lip. Whatever uncertainty Edward had before, was lost to him now. Right now he was completely enticed in the moment; every fibre of him wanted her.
He growled, giving in to his restraint and in seconds, they were sprawled on her enormous bed in her lamp lit room. She slid out of her dress and kicked off her heels. She helped him get his shirt off quickly and he unfastened her bra, throwing it across the room. He pushed her back onto the bed and his lips ran down her stomach. She moaned as he undid his trousers and moving in so that they could feel their skin against each others, they're bodies gracefully entwined.
As a human, Edward had planned on waiting until he was married to have sex, but then again he had planned on a lot of things that could never happen. So here he was now, with a woman that he barely knew apart from her luring, sensual attractiveness. Feeling like his grey reality had suddenly turned an infatuate maroon and there was nothing to think about but this very moment. Somehow, Edward was alright with that feeling.
