Carlisle's POV

Edward and I spent the next morning hunting. He was becoming very skilled at tracking the animals, it seemed that with every kill he was more accurate and his speed astounded me. I'd never seen anything like it. He could sense a deer miles away and be feeding from it in seconds. He had a voracious appetite, even for a newborn. After running the parameter of the forest and ensuring that no humans were in the area, I would watch as Edward ran and hunted freely. He seemed to revel in the freedom to be able to just run and try out his new skills in the solitude of the forest. He hadn't spoken much since the night before, the only words we had exchanged were about hunting. I let him be. I knew only too well how overwhelming it was to realize that your life was suddenly and irrevocably changed.

"When are we going…home?"

I looked up from my kill and over to Edward, who was sitting at the base of a tree across the field. I was startled by the sound of his voice after almost a full day of silence. His words had faltered slightly, even though he was trying his hardest to keep his voice steady. He wasn't able to keep the emotion from his face though.

"You look so upset. Everything is going to be alright."

"I'm not upset."

"Feeling more comfortable with reading my mind?" I asked, silently

"No, it's still a very bizarre feeling." he admitted.

"We can go home whenever you feel ready…son." I tested out the word, unsure of how he would react to it.

"I don't like it. You're not my father. You're nothing like my father."

"Edward, I thought it would be best…" I began to explain. I was beginning to see myself as his father, or at least a father figure. He had no one else to lead him now. He'd even said I was the only one that could teach him to live peacefully among humans.

"No. Especially because of what you did to me."

This would take some getting used to. I wasn't sure if it was possible to silence your thoughts, but I would need to figure out a way around Edward's gift.

"I don't like being able to hear your thoughts anymore than you enjoy sharing them." Edward spit out. He turned on his heel and crossed his arms over his chest. "May we please go home now?"

I wanted to ensure that Edward's newborn appetite was fully satisfied before we made our way back to the city. We would be travelling by foot and I wanted to minimize the chance that temptation would make Edward succumb to his thirst. I implored him to take down a few more deer, just to be sure. He scowled at me, but dutifully sped off towards the forest without comment.

As we started on our journey home, Edward remained silent. I left him alone with his thoughts. He would adjust, I was sure of that point. He'd only had a couple of days to absorb his new life. At this same point in my life, the realization of what I had become had me screaming in agony and trying to throw myself off of tall buildings in a vain effort to kill myself. Edward was seemingly faring much better than I had. I would let him be and give him time to learn and space to be alone. What more could I do?

"Edward, you are a fine young man and will lead an honourable existence. Thank you for choosing to stay with me and giving me the opportunity to teach you my ways."

Edward continued to march on, not giving me any sign that he had read my thoughts. Suddenly, I froze. The scent of a human was in the air. I don't know how I missed the scent earlier, this human was close. Too close. Before I could react, Edward tensed his muscles, growled and attacked. The hunter didn't have time to turn around. Edward had leaped onto his back and bitten the man's neck before he knew what was happening. At least he was merciful, the poor soul didn't have time to feel any pain. Edward had probably drank half his blood before I regained my senses and urged him to stop, to remember that he had to control himself. He lifted his head and stared at me with tortured eyes, before dipping back down to the man's throat and resuming his feeding frenzy. He drained the body of its blood and let it fall to the forest floor. Refusing to look at me, he turned away and began to run. After a few moments, I caught up to him and kept pace at his side.

"You're angry with me." he stated.

"I'm disappointed." I admitted.

"I couldn't control myself, the smell…" Edward let his words drift off, his eyes closing at the memory. "It tasted so much better than the animals, Carlisle. It was exquisite."

"I will never know, Edward. You know that I feel that it's not right to take a human life."

"You took mine!" Edward wheeled around, his teeth bared and a low growl coming from his throat. "You didn't seem to have a problem with attacking me and turning me into a monster!"

"Let's go home, Edward. We can work on your self control there." I moved to put my arm around his shoulder and he darted quickly away.

"Please don't touch me!"

"Edward…" I said out loud. "You did nothing wrong ."

He glared at me, his eyes wild. "Be angry with me!" he screamed. "I just killed a man!"

"It was your natural instinct." I replied, calmly. "You didn't mean any harm."

"I'm a cold blooded killer!"

"You will learn control, Edward. You will. You will learn how to resist the strong siren call of human blood."

"I'm a monster!"

"No, you're not. You are still learning, Edward. You are not a monster." I remained calm, I knew this had been a momentary lapse from a newborn vampire. It was an event not entirely unexpected. "It was a momentary lapse, Edward. Do not be upset with yourself."

He turned to face me, his eyes still blazing. "Let's just go home, like you said."

Edward's POV

We arrived back in the city late at night. Carlisle wanted to avoid exposing me to any people that might be on the streets and thought that later would be better. We moved swiftly through the night, only stopping briefly to let the occasional vagrant pass. Carlisle restrained me silently, encouraging me with his thoughts and pleading eyes to practice self control. It was difficult, my every muscle and sense wanted to attack. That first taste of human blood had me now craving it, even though I was more than full from the animals…and the human. Whenever we hid in the shadows to let an unfortunate soul pass us, I could feel my muscles tensing, preparing to leap to the kill. My mouth filled with fluid, which I surmised to be the vampire venom, and I growled a low warning. I let Carlisle's constant, silent refrain - "No, Edward. Remember you don't want to hurt anyone." - take over my brain and I struggled to hold myself back. As we stepped onto Carlisle's street he praised me - "Well done, son." - and patted me on the back. When we arrived at Carlisle's house, I stared in awe. The house had to be one of the largest in the city and possibly the most lavish. I was sure it was a home whose architecture I had once admired once during a walk or drive. How very strange that it was now going to be my home for a short time. We entered quietly and I marvelled at how I could see everything clearly, even though it was pitch black inside. Carlisle silently ushered me up the staircase and opened the door to a large room at the top of the stairs.

"You don't need to sleep, of course, but you can have this room as your own, for your sanctuary." He gestured to a room down the hallway. "That room there is mine. My office and the library are downstairs just off of the great room. Please feel free to look around and help yourself to any books you may wish to read." Carlisle made a move to turn away. "I'll be in my office."

I watched him walk down the hall for a few moments before I spoke. "You're going to leave me alone?"

"I thought that being alone was what you wished for."

"I can't be trusted, Carlisle."

"You may surprise yourself, Edward. I think that you possess more self control than you think ."

"I shouldn't be left alone, I can't control these urges."

"You can. You're very strong."

"Why are you doing this to me?"

"Doing what?"

"Speak to me! Out loud! This is still all so bizarre."

Carlisle's face softened and he gestured for me to join him. "Let's go to the library and talk, Edward. I will answer any questions you have for me."