Esme sipped from her cup of tea and sighed as daylight faded. She didn't mind the quiet. It meant that no harm was coming her way. On the same note, she loathed having to think in that way.

The embers from her fire were beginning to die out one by one and so she lit a few candles to keep enough illumination in the area so she wasn't in total darkness.

It wasn't overly late, despite the setting sun. She pulled her clothes off the line, folded them neatly and put them away in the lone bedroom in her little house.

What now? Esme thought. She should have gone to bed. It was the safe and obvious choice. Still, night after night she was in bed just after the sun set.

I can't let them control me, she knew. That was no way to live.

Esme's eyes drifted out the window and then glanced T the nearly dormant fire. Rather than shut herself out from the world -again- she decided to allow herself the smallest bout of freedom in spite of the hate and death all around her.

A walk. A simple walk. To the cliff.

The cliffs overlooked the ocean nearby. It was a short walk. Esme loved the view from the cliff, though she hadn't wandered down there in awhile.

With no remaining doubt in the back of her mind she secured the doors and windows before beginning the short walk down to her intended destination.

...

Carlisle sat on the ledge of an oversized collection of rocks and let his feet dangle over the edge. He had watched the very last rays of sun as they disappeared below the horizon.

Since then, darkness had engulfed him and he wondered if that was where he truly belonged - in darkness.

Should I even be dabbling in this human world? Are these people safe around me? Could I one day allow the thirst to take over?

Carlisle, despite all of his success in harnessing his blood lust, often saw the glass half full when thinking of himself. He had self doubt. Loathing at times. He hated what he had become and as much as he tried to contribute to the human world, he knew deep down that he *wasn't* human.

I don't belong, Carlisle thought to himself as he sat there on the ledge.

"Hello.." A woman's voice made him spin around, catching him completely off guard. It startled him.

Carlisle's eyes met those of a woman that he had never seen in his office before. Who was she? How had he not heard her human feet crunching through the leaves and sticks that made up that path that led her right to him? Moreso, how had he not sensed the blood that pounded in her veins so close to him?

I guess I'm more in control of it than I thought, Carlisle acknowledged of his desire for blood.

"Hello." He finally responded, after an abnormally long pause.

"Aren't you.. you're the doctor."

She knows who I am? Despite his notoriety around town, Carlisle was amazed that the woman knew of him.

"That's right." He took in a breath, though he didn't need to. Carlisle smelled her blood now - barely.

"My name is Esme Platt." She gave a polite smile.

"Carlisle Cullen."

Esme took a step in his direction. It was in Carlisle's instinct to move backwards but he had nowhere to go. "What are you doing out here so late?"

She was honest; bold even. It made Carlisle grin. "I suppose I could ask you the same question."

"I live nearby," she explained, "I enjoy the view out here and it's been a little.. crazy in town."

"More than a little crazy," he agreed. "I can't witness another hanging."

"It's awful."

"It really is."

A silence lingered for a moment as they stared at one another.

"I'm glad someone else thinks so," Esme said finally.

Carlisle could hear the pickup of her heartbeat. It was subtle, but it was there. "I, uh.." he was about to say he should go, but a part of him didn't feel right about leaving her there in the woods alone.. at night.

"You never did tell me why you were out here," Esme asked again, smiling a little wider at him.

"Oh.. I guess.." Carlisle hesitated when he heard her heart rate pick up some more. It was like thunder in his ears that pounded again and again. "It's similar to your reasons. To get away from town for a bit. The negativity can become overwhelming."

Esme nodded. His answer seemed to satisfy her. "I understand," she said to him with a nod.

"I should probably go," Carlisle said finally, though a part of him wished he hadn't. He wanted to stay and talk to her - to Esme.

Such a unique, beautiful name, he thought.

"Well, be careful," Esme warned, though was sure he would be okay.

"Thank you, you too." Carlisle wasn't about to let her remain there completely alone. He would wait. He would make sure she was safe. He would make sure she got home alright.

If you had any sense you would stay and talk to her, he told himself.

"Well, Goodnight Carlisle Cullen." Esme didn't want to take her eyes from him. For a moment she felt smitten. Despite having seen him around town on occasion, speaking with the handsome, young doctor gave her butterflies in her stomach.

What if he's married? She decided not to attempt any more conversation as he excused himself from her company. With that, she wandered past him toward the cliff as he began his trek in the opposite direction.

"Goodnight," Carlisle replied simply, though inside he felt an unfamiliar emotion. It was difficult to put his finger on because he hadn't felt it before - a touch of initial infatuation, attraction.. a touch of excitement and intriguing desire to get to know Esme Platt. That hadn't happened to Carlisle.. ever.

He closed his eyes for a moment when he turned and then kept walking back into the woods.