Chapter 11: Leaving

Elta just sat there. She had been sitting in exactly the same position for the entire night. She couldn't stand it. Elta wanted to run and feast. But Aro had refused to let her out of the tower without Felix and Demetri present.

"Being a vampire sucks!" Elta said quietly to herself, studying her nails. She heard a chuckle and her head whipped to the stair opening, where Demetri stood.

"It may right now. You just have to give it time, Elta," he reassured her, zipping to her side at lightening speed. Elta moved over on the bed, making room for him to sit down. Demetri scooted in close to the newborn. They were so close that if he was human, she could have heard his heartbeat. But instead there rang an empty, cold silence. Elta ran a hand through her curls, not knowing what to say or do.

"I'm sorry about that whole losing-my-self-control-completely thing last night. It was unexpected, even for me," Elta said quietly, her words resonating through the room. Demetri let out a laugh and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"I don't blame you at all. When I was first a newborn, Aro wouldn't let me out at all after I tried to kill Gianna. But sometimes things happen. You'll be able to control it eventually," Demetri said, brushing a mass of hair from her shoulder. Elta sighed and took out the purple hair pieces.

"So, where can a girl get some clothes around here? You know, besides one of those robe thingies," Elta said in a giggle. She felt out of place in her clubbing gear. Demetri laughed and pulled her up from the bed. They both raced down and around inside the walls for about 5 minutes until the came upon Heidi's room. Heidi was composing music on a small electrical keyboard. As her door opened, she looked up, her beautiful piece lost from the air.

"Can I help you? Because if not, I'm gonna kick your ass. I was in the middle of writing," she said impatiently. Demetri smiled.

"Actually, you can help. I was wondering if young Elta here could borrow an outfit or two before we can get her to a late night sale in Milan," Demetri said, giving Heidi a charming smile. Heidi begrudgingly got up and searched through a bureau. She pulled out a few pairs of jeans and 3 V-neck sweaters in orange, purple, and white. Heidi went to a closet and threw out a pair of silver Converse All-Stars. She handed Elta 6 pairs of socks with the shoes.

"Now, shoo. I need to finish what you disturbed," Heidi spoke, pushing Demetri out after Elta. Elta ran her load back to her small room, locking Demetri out as she changed into a pair of flared dark wash jeans and the white sweater. Elta slipped on the fuzzy white socks and laced up the sneakers in lighting speed. She ran top unlock the door, bumping into Demetri, for he was standing right outside. Elta giggled and slipped past him. She and Demetri wandered around a bit until he led her to a large oak door. Elta knocked timidly, the sound echoing throughout the empty hall.

"Come in," Aro said through the door. Elta and Demetri slipped in silently. Aro smiled. "And what can I help either of you with?" he inquired. Elta sighed.

"Demetri and I would like permission to leave here," Elta rushed out. Aro raised his eyebrows.

"Demetri? I thought you were one of my most loyal," Aro commented. Demetri approached his master.

"Of course I am, but I wish to leave and find a new life. With Elta," he managed to stammer. Aro nodded, thinking this over.

"Well, I have no reason that I need you here other than you are an excellent member of the guard. Well, as I wish not to force you here unhappily, you may leave. But I will need your cloak, please. I will also need you to empty out your room for new recruits," Aro requested. Demetri slipped off the cloak, handing it to Aro. Aro accepted it and turned to Elta.

"Now, you, Elta are a matter of uneasiness to me. You must, absolutely must, remain under Demetri's control. When a newborn gets out of hand, we step in. I would hate to destroy such a beautiful and talented immortal being," Aro commented, delivering Elta a rather creepy smile. Elta nodded.

"I have already promised to Demetri that I will listen to him and take his guidance," Elta said, eager to leave. Aro nodded.

"With that, you are dismissed. Demetri, you may clean out your room and leave the city once night falls," Aro said as they slipped through the doorway again.

When they were in the hallway, Elta let out a giggle. "I've got to say, Aro kind of creeps me out," Elta giggled as she and Demetri ran to his room. Elta gave Demetri a once-over. She had never seen him without that hideous robe on. She had never seen what was underneath it, either. But now, Demetri was clothed in faded jeans and a deep blue long sleeved T-shirt.

"We're here," Demetri announced as he flew into his room. Elta had barely taken a step in the door when he had one duffle bag slung across his shoulder. Elta blinked.

"That's all you have?" she asked disbelievingly. Demetri nodded.

"We travel much, so it's good to pack light. Besides, when you wear that robe all the time, no one sees what's underneath. Oh, but before we get things from your room, we need to tell Heidi we're leaving and ask if you can just keep the things she gave you," Demetri said.

"She can have them. They were things I never wore, anyway," Heidi said as she stood in the doorframe, arms crossed. "Why are you leaving?" she asked Demetri in a pleading tone, as if she forgot Elta was standing right there. Demetri sighed.

"There is nothing here that interests me anymore. Aro gave Elta and I permission to leave, so we're taking the opportunity," he explained. Heidi's face looked as if she had been punched in the gut when Demetri had uttered his first sentence. Heidi stepped closer to him.

"But what about us?" Heidi stammered, her voice trembling. Demetri shook her off.

"Us? What us? When we're in front of anyone, you hate me. When Felix is around, I don't exist. Yet when we were alone, I was your world. You, Heidi, are just a bitch. So, if you don't mind, Elta's going to grab her things and we're leaving," he said, pushing past her. Elta had already returned with a smaller duffle bag slung over her shoulders. Looking out the window, Elta and Demetri saw it was dark. "Goodbye. Forever," Demetri said to a very still Heidi as he grabbed Elta's hand. They jumped out Demetri's window, landing outside the city walls. They ran, having no inkling of where they were to go. They just ran.