Author's Note: Sorry about the delay I hope to back on schedule with updating my story. Let me know if you have any questions. Please enjoy.
Disclaimer: I will never own Twilight and Stephanie Meyer is awesome.
These Foolish Things
by Benny Goodman
oh will you never let me be
oh will you never set me free
the ties that bound us
are still around us
there's no escape that I can see
and still those little things remain
that bring me happiness or pain
a cigarette that bears a lipsticks traces
an airline ticket to romantic places
and still my heart has wings
these foolish things
remind me of you
a tinkling piano in the next apartment
those stumbling words that told you what my heart meant
a fairgrounds painted swings
these foolish things
remind me of you
The drive home from the high school was silent. Carlisle gave up trying to coax Esme and Edward into a conversation. Edward was distraught at the possibility that he could have lost control and given into his bloodlust. He sat with his head in his hands; Esme ran her fingers through his hair trying to comfort him. She sent him soothing thoughts letting him know how proud she was of his control. Carlisle also tried to console and reassure his son. Edward fled to his room when they arrived home. Esme sighed when she heard his bedroom door slam shut.
"Carlisle, talk to him." Esme pleaded, "I'm worried he will leave again."
"Don't worry Dear," He soothed, "I'll talk to him."
Edward was upset over how his first day at school turned out. He was convinced he failed Carlisle despite what he heard Carlisle say and think about the afternoon's schoolyard debacle. Edward knew Carlisle and Esme were not angry or disappointed with him but he could not help but feel undeserving of their kindness. The thought of exposing them by succumbing to his thirst frightened him.
All the surrounding thoughts from the neighborhood and the day's built up stress from the thoughts of his fellow students started to overwhelm him. His instinct was to run, he escaped his room through the bedroom window; he needed to get away from the intruding thoughts.
Carlisle knocked on Edward's door and became concerned when there was no answer. He opened the door carefully but couldn't help the uneasy feeling developing in his chest.
"Son, please talk to me." He called out for the boy as he entered the room.
"Oh no!" Carlisle exclaimed apprehensively.
Esme entered the room and became alarmed when she realized Edward was missing.
"Carlisle, don't let him run away again," Esme sobbed. "We just got him back!"
He gently took Esme's face in his hands and lovingly gazed into her eyes.
"Don't worry Sweetheart, I'll bring him back."
Esme followed him as he turned to leave. "I'm going with you." She said as she took her husband's hand. They jumped through the bedroom window and followed Edward's path. The early evening was dark and overcast and as they approached the woods they increased their pace. Edward was fast but he left an easy trail to follow, Carlisle hoped he would stop to hunt so they could catch up to him quickly. The winds were changing and it was threatening to storm. He did not want to lose Edward's scent. Carlisle was sure Edward had all intentions of returning home after he cleared his head but he was worried his son might do something impulsive or even dangerous.
They continued to run deeper into the forest coming across a deer path.
Carlisle pointed out the way to Esme, she stopped suddenly when she recognized a familiar scent.
"The nomad!" she panicked, "hurry, that vampire is tracking Edward."
"Esme, focus," Carlisle replied calmly, "we're getting close to Edward, stay behind me and I'll address the nomad if need be."
They raced forward coming upon a break in the trees where they could see Edward taking down a white tail deer on the other side of the clearing. He moved gracefully as he caught his prey in flight breaking its neck before drinking his fill. Edward was too engrossed with his kill to notice a figure moving towards him from the tree line.
"EDWARD watch out!" Esme screamed out in her mind.
Carlisle ran forward but did not get to him before the nomad.
Edward looked up in astonishment not believing what he saw before him.
The nomad vampire looked demonic with the feline head of a lion and a body with bird legs that had long razor like talons. It's torso was shapely female breasts covered with short fur. Huge bat like wings spread out from it's back with a ten-foot wingspan. The creature reached out with its clawed arm and grabbed Edward by the throat lifting him off his feet. He struggled in its grasp wriggling to get free as the monster examined him closely.
Carlisle and Esme approached and stopped in front of the strange vampire.
"Please release him." Carlisle ordered firmly.
The demon cocked its head to one side giving Carlisle a look of bemusement. It hissed at him as it wrapped one of its wings around Edward.
Esme growled at the creature and prepared to launch herself at it. She wanted to rip it to pieces but stopped when its threatening grip tightened on Edward. Carlisle stepped towards it, "My name is Carlisle Cullen," he told the beast, "What do you want? My son has done no harm to you let him go."
Edward kept fighting to free himself from the demon vampire's hold. "Desist your struggles young one," It told Edward, "no harm will come to you."
The monster threw him to the ground at Esme's feet. Carlisle was still standing straight and erect, relieved that the creature released his son but still wary. Esme and Edward were now growling and crouched down in defensive positions.
The nomad shimmered in appearance and it's shape shifted into a female vampire.
She appeared to be 25 years-old with long thick black hair that hung in snake like strands that coiled around her like it had a life of it's own. She was 5' 10" in height and of slender build. Her alabaster skin was translucent and had a glow to it as she stood before them naked. Her dark burgundy eyes studied the three of them with a critical gaze. "I have many names but you may call me Lamashtu." She purred.
"I know who you are Carlisle Cullen, I have been observing you and your coven for some time."
"Explain why you accosted my son like that?" Carlisle insisted.
"I was curious as to why such a gifted fledgling would be punished by his creator." She accused.
"Punished?" Carlisle questioned, "What are you talking about?"
"You require him to live among humans and drink from animals." She hissed, "That is demeaning to our kind."
"He is not being punished and we all choose this lifestyle freely." He replied, "And you are welcome to ask any questions about the way we live but I can see you have already judged us."
"The way you exist is an abomination." She sneered in disgust.
"It has nothing to do with you so leave." Edward retorted dismissively.
She laughed at him as if he were a toddler that spoke out of turn.
Esme did not like the way Lamashtu appraised Edward, as if she intended to acquire possession of him. She snarled at the nomad as she stepped in front of Edward protectively. "I think it best you leave peacefully Lamashtu," Carlisle stated firmly, "We wish no quarrel with you but I will protect my family."
Lamashtu snorted at his use of the word 'family' as she backed away from him.
She nodded at Edward and left so quickly she was a blur of motion.
Esme sighed with relief when the nomad disappeared and she grabbed Edward in a tight hug. "I was so worried she would hurt you." She exclaimed.
"I'm fine Esme." He said as he hugged her back.
Carlisle refused to take his word on it and insisted on examining Edward for any injuries. He was satisfied when all he found were a few tears in the young vampire's clothing. "Edward, I realize you had a bad day but please know Esme and I love you and you are our family." Carlisle reassured, "Let's go home and talk."
Esme stood between both men and placed her arms through theirs as she started towards home.
The three vampires sat in Carlisle's study sifting through aged books. They searched through ancient myths and legends anything pertaining to shape shifting vampires. "Edward, what could you read in this nomad's mind?" Carlisle asked.
"She is the oldest vampire I have ever met, she knew I could read her mind and made it difficult by thinking in an ancient language I couldn't understand." He frowned. "Not only does she follow the traditional diet, she believes the Volturi
heretical to true vampire nature."
"How so?" asked Carlisle.
"Vampires in her view are godlike creatures to be worshiped by humans," Edward continued, "she thinks the Volturi law to keep our existence a secret from humans cowardly."
"Carlisle, here's something," Esme pointed to the book 'Ancient gods and mythology of Mesopotamia' she was holding, "In 4000 B.C. Mesopotamia mythology there is a demon goddess named Lamashtu described to have the head of a lioness and feeds off of the blood of children."
"Esme, I think you found our ancient vampire." Carlisle responded.
"By the looks of it," Edward added, "She is an extremely malicious creature."
"Now if we could find out what she wants here." Said Carlisle.
"I could hear in her thoughts, She is interested in my mind reading ability." Edward stated soberly. Esme raised her eyebrow at Edward and replied, "She is interested in more than your mind." Perhaps it was an inability to see oneself objectively or perhaps it was his inexperience with women but Esme couldn't help but think Edward could be very obtuse concerning relationships.
"I don't know Esme, her thoughts towards Carlisle seemed a bit lustful." He smirked when Esme let out a low growl.
"I think we can expect her to return and continue to test us." Carlisle said.
"Please no more hunting alone, I don't know what I would do if I lost either one of you." Esme stated softly.
Carlisle put his arms around her to soothe her anxiety. "Don't worry Love we'll convince this nomad to move on."
Carlisle hurried to get ready for his shift at the hospital. Since it was going to be a sunny day he wanted to get to his office and beat the sunrise. He was also relieved that the sun would keep Edward home from school. They would watch after each other while Carlisle was away. He said his goodbyes to them by giving Esme a kiss and ruffling Edward's hair.
"Stay safe you two." Carlisle requested expectantly.
3 p.m., Tuesday, January 13th 1931, Clearfield City Hospital.
Officer Van arrived at the hospital for his meeting with Carlisle. The report contained possible locations of where the killer could have obtained medical instruments that would be used in the gruesome murders. Besides several medical suppliers listed, Carlisle gave Van the hospital's medical supply inventory lists from the past three years. Van stared overwhelmed at the enormous pile of information with dismay.
"I know it's a lot of information Van," Carlisle began, "but I'll help you sift through it."
"Thanks Doc, I can see we have our work cut out for us." He sighed.
They labored over the reports and lists for hours. Finally Van gave a long yawn, his hand moved down his face and he looked over the piles of the papers dejectedly.
"We have to find a pattern Doc, anything that will help get this guy caught."
"We will Van," Carlisle replied, "You can take these file to the police stations for Lieutenant Shaw to review and I'll try to trace any medical instruments the could have been used in the murders."
"I'll check with the other suppliers and see if they had any big purchases." Van added, "I appreciate your help Doc."
Van gathered up the files and placed them in boxes to transport them to the station.
Carlisle helped Van load his car with files and evidence. It was approaching 8:30 p.m. and he was ready to head home to Esme and Edward.
Officer VanBushkirk arrived at the police station in ten minutes. He took the boxes of files up to lieutenant Shaw's office. Shaw was in a heated discussion with the Mayor and Chief Hogan. Van cleared his throat and placed the files on Shaw's desk.
"Hogan I demand you stop wasting time and catch this killer!" Mayor Caldwell yelled.
"Mayor we are…" Chief Hogan was cut off in mid sentence as Officer Haus entered the office urgently.
"Lieutenant that reporter John Rennie is dead!" Haus cried, "His body turned up in an alley behind the bank."
Van couldn't help but sigh "Yep, it's going to be a long night."