Chapter 6

Wondering and The Finding

We pursued passed the trees and over the hills into the Olympic National Park, as we ceased in the midst of the emerald forest; never had I known how hard it was to run away from prey but my throat was being tortured in the burning sensation of my thirst – I looked up at Alec and Jane, and their eyes too were cold, black, and lifeless with thirst.

"Forgive me of that little, um, mishap, Aro." Apologised Carlisle, though it was most unnecessary. "That was Bella's father; Charlie Swan."

"And he is human?" stepped in Jane.

"Yes, but I assure you he has no knowledge of the existence of vampires." Replied Carlisle.

I saw it in Carlisle's eyes that he was telling the truth, but still that did not make feel any less concerned of the fact that a human had such a close relationship with such a coven of vampires – especially one as large as the Cullen Clan – or the fact that the smell of his blood had made me thirsty. I looked around at Jasper and Emmett; their eyes had not changed, where as I stared at Carlisle and instantly he noticed my reason behind the stare.

"Carlisle, my friend; would now be an opportune moment to teach us how to control our thirst?" I asked.

"I think it would be best to start out small; but we will begin when you are your thirst is at its best, so first things first – you need to hunt."

I could see Carlisle was deeply disgusted by the thought of having to take a human life; one of the many things about him I had never understood, but at the same time what I deeply admired about him in his eccentric uniqueness.

We travelled to Port Angeles, somewhere small, and hovered around the back streets searching for an inconspicuous catch; we sniffed out a group of six rather unruly and rough looking humans – a few looked rather similar to a few of the humans I had seen in Edward's mind, before heroically saving his Bella from them. I could see Carlisle was not going to be happy with us killing these creatures but it had to be done for our own sakes.

"What do you think, Jane?" I whispered.

"Well, Master, they're not as good as I'd hope but they'll do nicely."

"Very well then. Alec, if you please?"

Alec nodded, and a flow of energy rolled out from around his feet like a wave slowly heading towards the unsuspecting group; ten seconds later all six humans fell to the ground like leaves.

"Be quick, my young friends. Saver as much as you can." I smiled.

Licking my lips, the three of us dashed forward feeding upon two humans each; the succulent juice was so for filly and satisfying. After dinner we quickly disposed of the bodies and began walking through the outskirts of town; Carlisle's face was not content, I was starting to feel a little guilty – not because of the loss of human life but because he had to endure this a second time. Even the handsome Jasper seemed disgusted but Emmett hardly seemed to have a care in the world.

"I feel that I must apologise to you, Carlisle," I began. "And to your son, for having to endure this just for the sake of helping me; I actually feel awful for putting you through this… again." Again, being what he had to witness when Carlisle stayed with us so many centuries ago.

"Other than your disregard for human life, I feel that maybe it's my job to help you; to help you understand every aspect of this life. And you mustn't blame yourself; Jasper just hasn't abstained from human blood as long as the rest of us – though his self control has improved immensely ever since Bella was turned."

With a slight smile in his voice, Carlisle and I strolled a few paces in front of the group. The breeze was so warm against my ice-cold skin, looking around to the lake-side, as the sun was nearly setting behind the thick wall of clouds, we saw humans carrying on with their day to day activities.

Tilting my head intriguingly I was rather fascinated – I had been a vampire for so long, I had forgotten what it was like to be human – and for the first time in my long existence I wondered what it would be like to be human again. Other than the abnormal hole still implanted in my chest, I wondered what it would be like to feel rapid changes, to feel difference; and when being the coldest thing on earth, I wondered what is was like to feel cold. Even the coldest wind was warm against diamond skin.

"Carlisle?"

"Hmm." He replied,

"What do think this means? The fact that I actually wish to endure this; to learn how to control my thirst and proceed with having a child."

Carlisle chuckled. "I cannot say. Maybe you are discovering that there may be more to this life; for once you want to feel the love of a family, rather than the respect of fear."

In some ways his words made sense but in other ways they did not.

Our little group continued to stroll along the water's edge, Jasper and Emmett keeping to their father's side just as Jane and Alec were keeping to mine; but upon observing the humans that's when I saw her – a woman with wispy dark brown hair, clear fair skin, a magnificent healthy body, and beautiful dark brown eyes – she was unmistakably the very same woman from Alice's vision.

"Aro?" spoke Carlisle.

My eyes did not linger away, still trapped upon the woman; and more than any other human, her scent was becoming more and more potent as the wind blew head-on against us.

"She is perfect." My voice a gleeful, feathery, whisper.

From the corner of my eye the others followed my gaze.

"Master," questioned Alec. "I do not wish to speak out of term, but are you certain you need to do this?"

I nodded my head. "This is my only chance, dear Alec."

Carlisle sighed, and replied softly, "Very well, then."