Considering: Der Tod
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I stayed by her side from that moment on. For an entire year after that, I remained invisible to her, following her actions, watching, waiting.
She drew me in now more than ever. It was something that I had never experienced before. At times the mere sight of her sent a shiver down my spine. She refused to conform to the world around her, choosing instead to lead a life of her own, to follow her instincts, even though it was frowned upon by modern society.
She reminded me of myself in some ways. Elisabeth was headstrong, determined, never looking backwards, only forwards to the future. I could see a fire burning in her eyes some days, a flash of determination hidden in her dark orbs.
For a while I became wary, unsure of what was occurring, knowing that I would probably never feel this way again, and not wanting to let the source of my feelings go. I watched as she grew into a young woman, a woman being forced to adjust to a society that she did not wish to be a part of.
Sometimes at night I would sit on her bed, as I had that first night after the accident, watching her. At times she would cry out, having a nightmare, running from something that she couldn't escape. I would take her hand in mine, stroke her hair, until she quieted. After a while the nightmares became less and less frequent.
I was somewhat amazed that she wasn't repulsed by me. I usually don't take the time to explain my identity to those I come into contact with. But she had asked me, and I could not keep it from her.
The rest of her family remained oblivious to my presence, though from time to time they would seemed worried about Elisabeth's behavior, no doubt still thinking about what she had about Der Tod standing in her bedroom.
I knew there was a reason I did not take her with me on the day she fell. She was not ready then, to be taken. But I knew, as I continued to watch her, to feel the swirl of emotion within my breast whenever she came near, that she would be mine one day.
Finally, in August of 1853, everything changed.