Carlisle's POV
He finally came back hours later. His clothes were tattered and covered in blood. His expression was set, extremely hard to read. I had heard him screaming, of course. His tortured cries were as clear as if he had been sitting right beside me. He sat down with me as if his outburst had never happened. I waited patiently for him to find the words he needed to say to me.
"I'll stay with you." Edward began. "But it's not because I feel any sense of gratitude towards you."" He glared at me. "I'm going to stay with you because you are the only one who can teach me how to live like…this. You are the only one that can show me how to not harm humans."
His face was very serious and I knew instantly he would be a very good vampire. He wanted to learn. Edward would follow the rules I had set for myself and live a peaceful life. And his surprising gift for reading minds could only be a positive tool for his future. I had chosen well. As I studied his stern face though, I couldn't stop myself from wondering if he had harmed anyone while he had been away. His dishevelled appearance, the blood on his clothes, all spoke of an encounter of the human variety.
Edward had stopped speaking and was looking at me strangely.
"What is it?"
"Please ask me questions directly. I'm not comfortable with hearing the questions in your head. It's very strange."
"I'm sorry, Edward. I know this new sense must be hard for you to adjust to. I'll try harder to quiet my thoughts."
"I didn't hurt anyone." He answered my unspoken question for me. "I just took down a few more deer and, I think, some elk." He glanced down at himself and offered a shy smile. It was the first time he had smiled since awakening this morning and it made me smile in return. "I guess I need more practice, you haven't even got a drop of blood on you."
"You have all the time in the world to practice, Edward. I have a feeling you will be able to master anything you set your mind to." I assured him.
Edwards POV
Carlisle thought I would be a good vampire. I had to rein back my laughter when I heard that. How does one be a good vampire? It went against all common sense. But he was right about one thing. I did want to learn. I didn't want to be a killer, running senselessly through the streets of Chicago, biting the necks of my unsuspecting human prey. I would stay with him and study at his side. I would become as good at being a pretend human as he was.
"So what happens now? What do you…what do we do?"
"We'll stay at the house for awhile, until you are more accustomed to your new life. Then I suppose we shall have to move on to another city."
I looked at him curiously. "Why is that? Surely, you can't just leave your patients?"
"What do you think would happen if someone sees you? After I've convinced everyone you died from the influenza?"
"You told them I died?" I let that thought roll around in my head for a moment. What else could Carlisle have told people? Certainly not the truth. It was probably far better that any friends or relations believe I was dead than to know that I was now a killer.
Carlisle nodded, his eyes closed as he relived his decision to transform me into a vampire. I could feel the searing pain once more as his memories filled my head as well.
"After I bit you to begin the change, I had to convince the staff to leave the floor. You were screaming in …", his eyes clouded over as his words broke off. "You…you were in extreme pain. It's been over 200 years and I can still recall that excruciating torture. I know how much it hurt and I apologize for causing you that pain." He looked at me, his eyes asking for forgiveness and I nodded shortly. "I told them you were in death throes and it was better if they leave to tend to other patients, to comfort them if they heard your screams."
Carlisle paused and took an unnecessary breath. I gave him the time he needed. It touched me and, at the same time, pleased me just a small bit that the memory was as painful for him as it was for me. As I waited for him to resume his story, my fingers moved to the area that Carlisle had bitten and I traced the scar carefully. I could barely feel it. I glanced over to Carlisle and saw the rough, circular scar on his throat. His fingers had pushed down his collar and were also tracing his scar, unconsciously copying my actions. In my head, I saw a brief flash of the horror in his eyes as the black eyed demon ravaged his throat, then he closed me out. Carlisle breathed deeply and continued.
"I wheeled your bed to the morgue and bundled you in death blankets , then I smuggled you into my car. Fortunately, I had driven myself that morning. I don't think Frederick would have been able to withstand your cries."
I smiled to myself. Frederick must be the driver whose blood smelled so delicious.
"You went through the rest of your transformation at my home. It was horrifying watching your change. I had no idea if I'd done it properly. I didn't know if I had caused you more pain than necessary or if I had done this to you and it was all in vain. Your screams…" he shook his head. "I'm so sincerely sorry, Edward."
I nodded briefly again, unsure of how to respond. Obviously, Carlisle was feeling great remorse over his decision, but I still held some anger towards him.
"What happens when you…we…move? What about my things…my home?" I asked. I wanted to say more, but I heard my voice cracking and I stopped myself.
"Well, your parents…" Carlisle began.
"I know, I know, I saw it in your thoughts." I muttered. "They're gone too."
Carlisle sighed. "I believe your uncle is looking after the sale of the house and contents."
"I would very much like to have some of my things, my books and journals especially."
"I kept your bible for you." Carlisle almost whispered, but I heard him clearly.
My mouth dropped open. "You kept it for me?"
"It seemed rather important to you." Carlisle replied simply.
"It was." I replied, my voice tinged with bitterness. "It belonged to my grandpapa." I stared down at the ground, frowning. "I don't know that it will be of much use to me now."
