Hey! Im glad to get another chapter up, even if i only had time to write it cause im sick. blech. Anyways, i hope this chapter is good. Please oh please review. Im trying to make everything about this story unique. Oh, I also want to let JustBella know that I didn't copy her story title, it was a conincidence. However, I did read her Esme's story, and it is fantastic. Anyways, enjoy and PLEASE REVIEW! ILY!

Discalimer:

I do not own twilight. However, I have started counting down the days until the movie comes out. Yes I will be watching it at midnight.

It was the day of Christmas Eve. I lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. Charles had left for work an hour ago. He said he would be staying at "work" late and not to expect him home until after 11. I knew that he wouldn't really be at work. Oh yes, he might be at work now, but he would leave early, claiming to want to spend Christmas with me, and windup at some bar, drinking with his buddies.

The wave of emotion was overwhelming. I wasn't sure how to feel. I was overjoyed to finally have a whole day to myself without Charles. And I was terrified. For the drunker he was, the worse the nights were.

And then it struck me. A brilliant beyond brilliant idea.

I threw my few belongings into a bag, bustling about the house making sure there was nothing else I needed. I looked through drawers and shelves, leaving the house in disarray, but not caring. I needn't worry about what Charles would think. Because when Charles came home, I would be gone.

I grabbed my bag and dashed out the door. I knocked on my neighbor's door for the first time since Charles had returned. She opened the door with a bright smile on her face.

"Oh Esme! How lovely it is to see you! It's been much too long. Please, come in and sit down."

"I can't Annabelle," I began to explain. "I hate to be rude, but I came here to ask a favor. Would you mind driving me to the train station?"

"I wouldn't mind at all. Let me just get a jacket." She ran in to her house and I waited on the porch, tapping my foot impatiently. I hated to be so rude to my dear friend, but there really was no other option. I needed to get out of here, and fast. And it wasn't like I could ride my horse to the station and leave in there. I scoffed at the thought.

Annabelle came back out of the house then. I followed her to her car and we both got in. We reached in the station in no time flat.

Annabelle pulled over to let me out. She let her hair out of the pony tail she was wearing it in and let her pale orange waves cascade down her back. I had always envied her beauty. She was beautiful with pale skin and odd colored eyes that seemed to penetrate your mind. She had always seemed familiar, but I couldn't place it. Then she looked at me and said something that surprised me.

"You best hurry. You're running away from him, aren't you? You're smart. You'll be okay. But don't ever come back here. You won't be safe here as long as he's around. I won't ever see you again. Don't worry, I won't tell him I took you here. I'll miss you. Goodbye."

"I'll miss you too. Goodbye." I said as I stumbled out of the car. I was shocked that she had realized why I was leaving. But I couldn't worry about that right now. I walked up to the ticket booth.

"One one-way ticket to Milwaukee please. On the first train."

I needed to be rid of this place as soon as possible. The train was boarding in 5 minutes, and I would gladly run across the station to be able to reach Milwaukee before Charles even reached the bar.

I dashed through throngs of people, but I finally made it. I found the nearest available seat and sat down. I leaned back, closed my eyes, and finally, for the first time in what seemed like forever, rested peacefully.

I felt a light tap on my shoulder a few hours later, awakening me from my slumber.

"Ma'am? This is the last stop. Are you getting off?"

"Where are we?"

"Milwaukee."

"Oh," I said flustered. I had slept the whole time. My hair was in a disarray, and I was sprawled out across my seat. I tried to fix myself up, but my efforts were futile.

"Oh, well I guess I am getting off here."

I made my way to the exit, indignantly refusing the gentleman's help. I expected to have to catch a cab, but, to my shock, Marie and her husband, Thomas, were at the station waiting for me with open arms.

"Oh Esme, its good to see you!" Marie cried.

"It's great to see you too!" I replied. "But how did you know to meet me here?"

Now it was Thomas's turn to speak. "We got a telegram from someone named Annabelle. Don't worry, she told us everything. About Charles and the baby."

Now I was very confused. I hadn't told Annabelle about the baby at risk of Charles finding out. And I wasn't showing yet. So how could she have known? It wasn't like she had children and could recognize the signs. Just like Marie, she couldn't have kids. But no matter how she found out, I was glad she had explained it to Marie and Thomas. It saved me from one awkward conversation.

We drove back to their home. They had set up the guest bedroom for me. I went to lie down on my bed. For a day I spent sleeping, I was very tired. So I slept, letting my head fill with memories of safer, happier times.

I had been imposing on Marie for 5 months now. I felt guilty, but she always assured me it was no problem. All she asked in return was to be able to help me with my baby. She was great with kids, and I knew she would be helpful when I had the child. So I was grateful for her request, rather than annoyed.

But that was the day the fateful telegram came.

I was sewing some new dresses for myself, seeing as I no longer fit into the old ones, when the doorbell rang. I opened the door to find the telegram carrier that always delivered messages to this neighborhood outside the door.

"Why hello Nicholas, how are you today? Another telegram for Thomas? I'll give it to him."

"Well, actually Miss Esme, the telegram is for you."

"For me?" I should have known right away that this would not be good news. The only person who knew where I was living was Annabelle, and she wouldn't write me because Charles might find out. But at the time, I didn't think of anything like that. I just simply thanked Nicholas, and sat down to read the telegram.

I'm sure my face must have displayed the sheer terror I felt as I read the few words on the telegram:

He knows where you are! You have to leave now! He'll be on the next train. Run!

Good Luck,

Annabelle

I burst into Marie's room and thrust the telegram into her hand. I doubted that I could form words right now. She just said 5 words.

"Take the car, hurry up."

I hugged her and ran into my room, throwing my important possessions into my little battered old black bag. I dashed out to the car and started the engine.

I drove for hours, not going anywhere in particular. I just wanted to go. As far away as I could. I paid no attention the cities or streets, just drove. I didn't stop even once.

But soon it began to get dark, and I could feel myself getting tired. I began to look around for some clue as to where I was. By looking at the signs, I figured I was somewhere just outside of Ashland.

I circled for another hour, looking for an inn. There was nothing. Gosh, didn't this town get visitors even once in a while?

I finally saw a battered up apartment building with a sign outside saying Rooms for Rent. I quickly parked and went into the building.

A balding man, probably in his mid 50's was behind the counter, reading the paper. He had his feet up on the counter, and didn't look like he was really expecting anyone to come.

His head jerked up when he heard me walk into the room.

"Um, hello Miss. Is there something I can do for you?"

"I noticed the rooms for rent sign outside." I said, not really sure how to begin. "How much would it be to stay here?"

"Honestly, I'll take however much you can afford to pay. I haven't had someone stay here in years."

I handed him the small bit of money I had brought with me. "Is this enough?"

"More than enough Miss, umm, what is your name?"

"Esme Platt." I answered, deciding that it would be best to stick with my maiden name while Charles was still looking for me.

"Well, Ms. Platt, keep some of this money, for food and stuff." He obviously was just as clueless when it came to doing business as I was. But none the less, he handed me back half of the wad of money. Along with some keys.

"Down the hall, to your right. First door on your left. Best room I've got I'm afraid."

"Thank you kindly."

I found my room easily. It was nice enough. Not large, but not too tiny either. The bed was comfortable enough, although the sheets were a bit scratchy. It definitely was a room I could live in comfortably. I decided that I would get a job tomorrow and then pay the owner more money. What I gave him was simply not enough for a room this nice.

I did not sleep well that night. I tossed and turned all night, for every time I closed my eyes, I saw Charles staring at my with his evil grin, saying "Hello again Esme."

When I came back out to the front room in the morning, it was obvious that the man behind the counter had heard my shrieks last night.

"You alright Ms. Esme? You were screamin' bloody murder last night."

"Yes, I'm fine thank you. Well, actually, can I ask you something? Do know of any job openings around here?"

"Hmm, I think the school house is looking for a new teacher."

Could I really be that lucky? Could I get my dream job of being a teacher? I hoped that after making me live a life of punishment for some mistake I must have made, that God would grant me this. This one little gift.

"Thank you." I said and dashed out the door. I wanted to get to the school house as soon as possible.

After a short interview with the head of the school, they decided that I was just what they wanted. I would start tomorrow. I would have a class of 4th and 5th graders. I got to meet the students, and they were lovely children. They were all friends and had known each other forever, since this town was so small. I couldn't wait to start work.

That night I screamed much less.

Being a school teacher was great. I earned a decent enough salary that I could pay back the owner of my apartment. I loved my students and they seemed to love me. I was friends with the other teachers too. Many of them had husbands at war. They all asked me what it was like to have a husband be found dead. It was hard to lie to them when I saw the innocent looks in their eyes. Truly believing and worried. I tried to lie convincingly yet gently. It was the hardest part of the job.

One day, when I was in my room after work, I felt a sharp pain in my stomach. Then another. And another. It got worse and worse and I collapsed on my bed. I started to scream for help. I knew what was happening. I was having the baby. I kept screaming, hoping that someone would hear and drive me to the hospital.

I fought the blackness with all my might. I could not afford to let it win. I just shrieked and shrieked, hoping someone would hear me. I needed to get to the hospital, so someone could help my baby. I couldn't black out and just wait for someone to find me.

Black spots clouded my eyes but I would not give in. My baby needed me. Then finally, I heard the sound I needed. Someone was coming into my room.

I felt him pick me up and put me in a car. I hoped it was the owner of the building, not some psychopath intent on killing me. I didn't have the strength to open my eyes and check.

But soon enough I found myself in a hospital laying on a hospital bed. I would have relaxed, but the pain just kept getting worse.

I tried to distract myself from the pain. To think of anything else.

So I thought of another place, another time. A different hospital. A hospital I went to long ago. A hospital where my best memories took place.

And with those thoughts filling my mind, I was able to endure.