Kate slowly walked back up to the door. Her eyes locked with the man's and all of his desperation and loneliness was conveyed to her. "My name is Kate."

"I'm Edward." He looked down, then back up at her, then down again. Kate wondered why he was so shy. With a set of…what ever those were, almost anyone would be confident.

"Do you want to come in," Edward asked shyly, in a voice so low Kate hardly heard him.

"Sure." Kate followed Edward into the mansion. Her mouth hanging open, she looked around at the once beautiful house that had fallen into disrepair. "You live…here? With no one else?"

Edward paused. "There used to be someone else…but he's gone now."

Kate followed Edward up the huge staircase to the room that contained the broken window.

"I-I don't have any chairs," Edward said, his hands clicking tensely. Kate smiled, trying to make him relax.

"It's ok." She leaned against the dusty wall, looking back at Edward staring at her. "So. What happened to your hands?" Kate could have slapped herself. 'Tact! Learn it!,' she mentally screamed. "I'm sorry. It's none of my business."

"I'm not finished." Edward said it without anger that she had intruded. Kate squinted. "Not finished?"

Edward nodded. "Yes. My father left me before he could give me hands."

Kate's mouth dropped open and she stood up right. "By father, do you mean mom and dad father, or Frankenstein father?"

Edward just looked at her. Kate sighed, trying to think of another way to explain. "Were you born or created?"

"Aren't those the same things?" Edward looked confused.

Kate shook her head. "You aren't a real human, are you?"

Edward thought carefully. "I don't know." Kate walked up to him and gently touched one of his 'hands'. He instinctively pulled away, cutting her hand. Kate flinched but didn't make a sound. Edward turned away, shame washing over him. This was why he couldn't be near people. He only hurt them. First Kim, now this new girl. He would never have another friend because he was incapable of human contact.

Kate watched him, amazed. He wasn't a true human being, but he had human emotions. He could feel and think, but he wasn't real. "Edward, look at me."

He slowly turned back to her, his eyes on the ground. Kate bent her head so that she had a better view of his face. "You didn't hurt me. It was an accident. Ok?"

Edward looked up from the cold stone floor. "You don't think I'm dangerous?"

Kate smiled warmly. "No, I don't." She looked out the window and then down at her watch. "I have to get home now but I'll come back. If you want me to."
Edward nodded eagerly. Kate smiled faintly. "Alright. I'll be back. Goodbye Edward."