Stardust*

Sometimes I wonder why I spend
the lonely nights
Dreaming of a song.
The melody haunts my reverie
and I am once again with you.
When our love was new, and each kiss an inspiration.
But that was long ago, and now my consolation
is in the stardust of a song.

*The melody of this song was written in 1927 by Hoagy Carmichael and the lyrics added by Mitchell Parish two years later. It was first recorded in 1927 by Emil Seidel and became a hit in 1930 with Isham Jones' version. This song became so popular that many prominent singers and bands recorded it including Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Benny Goodman and Nat King Cole

Sunday, January 11th 1931. Moshannon State Forest Pennsylvania.

Edward was nervous about his starting back to school. He was worried he could lose control of his bloodlust while around so many humans. He didn't normally seek out humans other than murderers for his prey. While running errands around town with Esme he noticed there were very few criminals and no one violent, so he had no leads on the Clearfield ripper, and felt no temptation towards anyone that crossed their path. Still, he thought extra precautions needed to be taken and hoped hunting the night before would help.

Carlisle was confident that Edward would not have any difficulties but saw no harm in humoring his son's wish to take precautions. Since they did not come across the strange vampire he still did not want Esme or Edward hunting alone. Esme led the way towards a herd of whitetail deer, taking down the first deer in her sight. Edward chased after a buck getting further ahead towards a small creek. Carlisle decided to double back, climbing up the face of a near by cliff. He wanted a better view of the surrounding area.

Esme was finished with disposing of her kill and started to walk towards Edward, who had just brought down his third white tail. He was absorbed in his prey but suddenly lifted his head towards the east and growled. Carlisle looked in the direction that caused Edward's loathing but could not detect anything amiss.

He kept a thorough watch over the immediate area noticing something indistinct in the distance moving at a blurring pace. Edward jumped back and rushed to meet Esme, he crouched in a defensive position in front of her.

Carlisle barreled off the side of the cliff towards his wife and son making sure he would cut off the approaching vampire. He came to stand between his family and the unknown. The newcomer was crashing through the brush at an alarming speed but veered off to the south when Carlisle blocked its' course of action. The blurring vampire was moving too fast for him to get a good look at it.

"What was that!" exclaimed Esme.

"Carlisle," Edward started, "That vampire's thoughts were desperate and malevolent." He growled after the retreating figure. "It was hard to read its' thoughts clearly, there were so many at once and too convoluted to follow."

"Well, it would seem that it doesn't like to be out numbered." Carlisle observed, "Let's hope that will deter any violent confrontations."

Carlisle considered them both carefully, "I think we should return home."

Edward nodded his head in agreement and Esme looked on with a worried expression. They traveled home in silence, arriving home well before dawn.

"I don't understand," Esme began, "It was a vampire but it also smelled like a lion."

"It moved so fast I couldn't begin to describe what it looked like."

"I couldn't tell if it was male or female, vampire or animal." Carlisle replied.

"I wonder if we can reason with it."

"No!" Edward scoffed forcefully, "that creature was hunting us and when you interrupted it's intent, I sensed it's hatred towards you." He frowned, "Carlisle, it considered attacking you."

"Why would it hunt us?" Esme asked her eyes wide with surprise.

"I couldn't hear everything clearly. " Edward answered sourly, "But it wants something and it won't leave without it."

"You can't tell what it wants," Carlisle asked "but you know it means us harm?"

"I'm sorry I couldn't get more information," Edward said dejectedly, "but its thoughts were aggressive and emotionally intense."

"That settles it," Carlisle answered," we will have to change our hunting habits, different times and locations." He continued, "No hunting unaccompanied, and we must remain cautious, no wandering off alone."