Disclaimer: I do NOT own the Twilight series or any of its characters. They all belong to Stephenie Meyer.
Chapter 11: Runaway
Columbus, Ohio 1920
As we left the doctor's office I knew Martha was expecting me to say something but I also knew it had to wait until we were truly alone. Once I started I wouldn't be able to stop. The car ride was silent and strained, tension thick in the air. I could see Martha making sideways glances at me, willing me to speak, but I was unmoved. I needed this vital time to sort through the plans racing through my brain at a frightening speed.
The minute we got inside her house Martha could tolerate my silence no longer.
"What is the devil is wrong Esme? You have the look of ghost. Is it terrible news? Are you very ill?"
"Not ill," I replied, my voice shaking, "I am pregnant."
"This is such wonderful news Esme!" Martha responded immediately, shocked by my lack of enthusiasm and pale face.
"No." I stated firmly, perhaps more vehemently than I meant to, "I am- I am terrified."
"How could this be bad? You're scaring me Esme, I have never seen you so pale." Martha said softly, concern and fear evident in her tone.
"I will tell you," I spoke as evenly as I could, "But I need you to listen to it all before you speak. If I stop I don't know if I will be able to continue."
My friend nodded solemnly and I began to weave my tale; the nightmare of my life which began with an arranged marriage that degenerated into a hell of beatings, rape, and cruelty. Martha sat in stunned silence as I told her of the real Charles Evenson, a monster hiding behind a façade of a polite businessman. She wept as I spilled out every wound my husband had inflicted on me. It wasn't until later that I would realize tears had streamed down my own face as I spoke of unimaginable horrors.
As my tale came to an end I looked into Martha's face and saw a rage that took me aback. Never had I seen my gentle happy friend look so murderous.
"That bastard will pay for what he's done to you Esme. John and I will protect you." Martha spat venomously.
"No Martha," I said quietly, "I am his wife. I can do nothing against his power. Nobody would believe me and even if they did he would kill me and my unborn child before anyone could help me. I only have one choice. I must save the innocent soul of my child. I have made my mistakes and paid for them but this child is blameless. I have to run."
"If he is what you say then he will hunt you to the ends of the Earth Esme." Martha warned.
"Then I will just have to hope that I can run a little faster than he can," I replied, calm and decided, "I have an idea of where I am going. I cannot tell you or anyone where I will be but rest assured I will be safe. I hate to burden you with any more knowledge; Charles will be furious as it is. You've been the best of friends Martha, a better companion I could not find again. I only need to ask you one more favor."
"Anything." Martha replied firmly.
"Will you help me gather my things and drive me to the train station? The hours I have left are few before Charles comes home and I cannot risk another night in his house." I asked.
Martha nodded and we both walked silently to the car. The drive was short and we were at Charles' house within minutes. It was his house, not my home, never my home. Martha bolted up to my room and began packing my things at a frantic pace. The first place I went was to the kitchen. I ripped up the loose floorboard with more force than I meant to, leaving it permanently damaged. I picked up my one treasured possession, Carlisle's handkerchief, and then rushed upstairs to help Martha. We had all my belongings packed in a sadly short amount of time.
The drive to the train station was longer and when we finally got there I moved to get out of the car but Martha stopped me.
"Please take this Esme." Martha said as she handed me a plain white envelope.
I looked inside and saw a thick wad of cash. The amount in the envelope was staggering.
"I can not take this!" I replied, shocked by her generosity, "I am sure it will beggar you to give me this much!"
"It's not so much," Martha said as she pushed the money closer to me, "Besides, John's family and mine are both well off. This money will hardly be missed and you need it far more than I do."
"Thank you." I answered through a flood of tears.
After one last hug for my friend I turned to the station and strode boldly to the ticket counter and purchased my way to freedom.
I would spend two glorious months in Milwaukee with my cousin Sara Beth. She and her husband had been surprised when I had shown up unexpectedly on their doorstep, but they took me in without complaint and made me part of their family. I envied there easy and loving relationship and the enjoyment they had in spending time with their two daughters, Jane and Emma. But as time went on I began to feel less envious and more enraptured by the idea of being a mother. All I wanted out of my life was to live peacefully and be a good mother to the child that was growing in my womb.
Fate, it seems, had other plans for me. My cousin, feeling sorry for my frantic parents, had secretly written to my mother. The letter I received from my mother shortly afterward had frightened me. My mother was a good woman but she didn't understand what had happened. She pleaded with me to return and told me in her letter of Charles' tender concern. He knew. I ran.
I knew that I would only be safe if I was surrounded by strangers. I left my cousin's house and moved to a small house just outside of Ashland. I applied for my dream job and became a school teacher in that small little town. I told everyone I was a widow and nobody questioned me. I was Esme Anne Platt again and my world was blissful.
I was teaching a lesson to my students on one particularly cold January morning when my entire world shifted around. I began to go into labor.
"Miss Platt?" one of my students asked hesitantly when I stopped mid sentence and clutched my swollen belly.
"Run along and fetch the nurse Thomas." I gasped to the questioning student, "I believe the baby is coming today."
Everything was a rush of pain and noise when I reached the hospital. Fever swirled around me and clouded my senses. After several hours of delirium and pain, my son was born into the world.
My little boy, Henry, was the most perfect child in my eyes. I was able to forget his father when I held him in my arms and the promise of my new life opened up fully in that one instant. I was a mother. I was as complete as I could ever hope to be. My life revolved around the new little boy in my arms. At last I didn't feel as if I was running away. I was running towards something out of a dream, my little Henry.
AN: Well here you are my lovely readers and reviewers, a chapter without Charles and one Chapter away from Carlisle! I'm so excited! I want to thank everyone who has read or reviewed my story. You guys are awesome and you keep this story alive. The next chapter might take some time because I really want to get it right. Carlisle deserves all the love and attention I can give him as I reintroduce him into the story. He has been gone so very long and I thank you all for your patience. See you next time and I hope you liked the chapter!!
