Chapter Eight
Change
I continued to study in the dim room, mostly reading medical books
and science books. I m already pretty positive that being a doctor was
what I want. But I fear that if someone comes in loosing blood,
gushing blood- that I won't be able to control myself. I almost lost
it hunting, when Jane set down the bowl of human blood. I can't afford
to lose control like that. But I DID regain control enough to hold
bowl to my chest and carry it back to Aro. I give myself cheers for
that. Was it luck? Maybe it was, but it still shows I have enough
control to be around humans with exposed blood. I'll just have to
feed often.
But none of my doctorly business matters right now because I'm still
stuck with the Vultori. The murderers.
Just then the room to my study opened. And unexpectedly I heard a
heart beat. It was a human. I turned around in my seat. It was a woman
about my age with long dark hair and golden tan skin. I breathed from
habit and I immediately regretted it. The sweetest most luscious sent
I'd inhaled filled my lungs. I fought not to lunge.
"Yes ma'am?" I struggled
"Aro said to enjoy," the woman said puzzled. By that I knew he didn't
mean the study. He meant her.
"Tell him thank you, but no thank you," I responded, with my throat
slightly burning. She smiled and walked out. Was this ever going to
end? A few seconds later I heard a scream. And after that I heard
vampire running and then Aro appeared in my door way.
"How do u maintain so much... Control? I couldn't control myself so I
sent her to you." Aro licked his lips. I could tell he had her for
dessert by the color of his eyes.
"Aro, I've already informed you that I only hunt animals. I refuse to
hunt humans. Refuse." I said as calmly as I could manage. Aro just
rolled his eyes and sped off...
1789
1:00 AM
you can't do this. It's too perfect. No it's not perfect they kill.
But look around you. Books and books.
And killers. You must leave
But where will I go
to the new world
and do what
be a doctor
I arguing with myself daily. But today was the day. I was leaving. I
had accumulated enough money from petty things to go off on my own. I
could buy a passage way to the New World. I could be a doctor.
I walked slowly up the stairs and that was not normal for a vampire.
The redness of the walls made me wince.
I walked in the throne room and Aro was standing there with clasped
hands.
"Could you have walked any slower?" Aro told me. He sounded aggravated.
"Aro, we need to talk," I said mumbling.
"What is there to talk about?"
"I'm leaving, Aro."
"May I ask why?" he didn't look as surprised as he made his voice
sound. His eyes were black. That's why he was moody.
"You know enough why Aro. You kill. Which I disapprove of. And worse
enough you try to get me to" I shook my head disapprovingly.
"Fine. Take all the books you want and leave," Aro said, returning to
his throne. I tried to keep my shocked expression from my face.
"Thank you Aro," I said speeding out the door.
I only grabbed one book. Medical a-z.
I decided I needed to go to Europe, because it was closest to the sea.
I had just fed the night before. I was not thirsty. So I made a quick
decision and I sped off west.
I reached Europe at dawn. It was, amazingly, and thankfully, a cloudy
day. No sparkles today. I went as far west as possible until I met sea
and there were many docks.
Right away I spotted a crowded dock with people raising their hands. I
walked over there. I tapped the nearest MALE at the dock on the
shoulder. In response he grunted.
"Sir, where does this ship lead?"
"The New World." he responded. I nodded. Perfect.
"Any teachers?" the man standing on a crate on the end of the dock
asked. Two women raised their hands and stepped forward. They handed
the man money.
"Is this for individual riders?" I asked the man. He nodded again.
"Any blacksmith?" asked the man and three men raised their hands.
"What is your occupation?" I asked the man.
"I am a doctor." said the man.
"Well then! So am I!" I said smirking.
"You are in the individual riders?" asked the man, looking at me for
the first time. He noticed my elegant clothing too, by the way he
scanned me.
"Yes Sir," I said with a friendly smile.
"Any Doctors?" the man called. The man and I raised our hands. As we
walked by I heard ladies giggle. I held laughter back.
"How much?" I asked the man on the crate.
"Twenty Five," he said scowling, "Shouldn''t be a problem for YOU."
I didn't know if he was referring to what I was wearing or my
occupation but I handed him the money. He grunted.
I walked on board. It was a small ship. The wood looked old and
rotted. The mast were huge, however. The other doctor held out a hand
to me.
"Hello, I am Doctor Jackson Davis" he said. He was wearing similar
clothes to I, except his were worn. He had a black beard and mustache
with eyebrow length black hair and blue eyes. He was chewing a cigar.
Not very healthy.
"Hello, I'm Carlisle Cullen," I said shaking his hand. He shivered.
Typical.
"The man charged us Cabin price, meaning we get a cabin, with two per
cabin. Would you share a cabin with me?" the man asked me. I smiled
nervously.
"Sure why not." we walked down stairs together. It was dark and it had
a disgusting odor. We finally reached a large room. It had small cots.
The man kept walking, though into another room. This room had two
beds, a dresser and a candle. The man set his brief case on the right
bed. I sat on the other. After he shoved things in the dresser he sat
down too.
"Where you a doctor at?"
He asked me. I was going to have to lie. I had more doctor experience
then him, more than likely, but I'd never been in the field.
"Italy," I replied, smiling.
"Ah, I was in London. But my wife caught a ship to The New World
without me because I had a surgery, but it was her only chance to
leave before-" he stopped. I could see worry on his eyes. "And you?
You're not married?" he asked through narrow eyes.
"No sir." I said raising my eyebrows.
"Why?"
I was going to have to make something up, of course, because I
couldn't tell him about how I wasn't just going to create a companion.
"I haven't found her yet," I said with a real frown. That At least was
true. The man laughed.
"This is an individual trip. That means ladies alone, Mr. Cullen. And
you should have seen how they were looking at you!" the man's cigar
bobbled up and down as he laughed. I laughed too.
"so, Mr. Cullen, where are you from?"
"Call me Carlisle- and I was born in London," I said.
"London? You don't sound British. I mean, look at me!" he said
laughing.
"I have been in Italy a while" a longer while then humanly possible.
The man nodded and lay back on the bed, staring at the wood above us.
I knew he was thinking of his wife. I didn't know what to say.
Speaking about doctors didn't seem appropriate.
"What's her name?" I asked Jackson Davis.
"Laney." I wanted to get him talking.
"What is she like?"
"She's beautiful. She has golden hair and green eyes with specks of
gold that come out in the moon light. She's the funniest and warmest
personality you've ever imagined. She can really make you happy when
you're down." He was sad when he was speaking. I could tell he hadn't
spoken to anyone about this.
"What happened to her?" I asked, seeking information.
"Her father would hurt her. Would beat her. As soon as she met me we
got married. We knew we were right for each other. Her father found out
and wanted to kill her for just running off. She needed to leave. She
got on the next ship out to America. I couldn't leave my work. I had
to wait before I could leave.
"I haven't heard from Laney in a couple of months. She said somehow we
will find each other again. But American is big." finished Jackson. I
didn't say anything. I just nodded and walked on deck
