After picking up the sunglasses I set off for the town. When I was at the edge of town I slid the sunglasses on and was ready to go. I aimlessly walked down the streets, intertwining in the shadows, sticking to the alleys where there weren't many people. When I did find someone I flipped through his or her thoughts, which ranged from whether someone's crops would grow to mourning a death. My sharp mind picked up on the face in this particular thought. Then dreadful realisation hit me full force; it was the woman I had killed earlier, the one that fell and cut her hand. Carlisle was right; they do have a family, the people I kill. A sigh escaped me as I carried on through the winding streets, loathing myself for so many reasons.

After a while, I picked up on the thoughts of a man; his thoughts were of a girl with him in an alleyway. Well, they were not pure, let's just say that. He would do as the next pawn in my game. Through the smooth air I pinpointed his location and set off at a deadly speed, making sure no one saw me. After a few seconds, I was at the edge of the alley. I turned into it.

"Come on love, wriggle about a bit." This was my queue.

"I would stop there, if I were you," I growled. Being with Esme had taught me that women should not be treated like filth on the bottom of a boot. Esme's voice in my head kept telling me to stop this and do some justice for once.

"What's it to you, bucko?" he retorted. A lot, I thought bitterly. I walked up to him and removed his hand from the poor woman.

"Run, get away from here, never stop," I told her. She automatically took off running, her heart galloping at a frantic speed. Now, to deal with the man. I slung my hand back and sent him flying. He landed in a heap in the darkest part of the alley; no one had to endure seeing this. I flew up to him and got ready for my reward.

"Well, well, well. Isn't that a curious picture," I heard from behind me. Regretfully, I got off the wriggling man and he got up and took off for his life. In a fit of rage I turned to meet a pair of crimson eyes. The man was called Aro; I recognised him from somewhere. He was leaning against the alley wall, looking amused. His long black cloak was barely blowing in the tame wind.

"I'm Aro."

"I know who you are." Carlisle had thought of him a few times and he had told me all about Aro: that he was a collector of powers. He prided himself on having anyone he chooses at his command. That much easier to kill, don't you think?

"Why, of course, Carlisle must have spoken to you many a time, or at least thought of me." he pushed himself off the brick wall and started walking towards me. "But, what I'm trying to work out is why an adoptive son of the infamous Carlisle Cullen is out on the streets killing humans. Has Carlisle finally seen sense?" he asked. Every word was laced with doubt.

"No," I growled, "he's still hunting animals; he doesn't want to be a monster. I have no choice but to be a monster."

"How so?" he asked

"I don't have the control it takes to refrain from humans." Aro nodded. Such devastation from him, it is like he has given up living. His thoughts ringed in my ears. Devastation? Of course I'm feeling devastated! I've just turned away from the only people close to family, twice!

"It's not easy, that's certain. But even normal, er, non-vegetarian vampires have to develop control, Edward. How else would we be able to walk in the streets relatively unnoticed?"

"That much I can handle. At least you're not living on the equivalent of tofu," I answered. Aro chuckled to himself.

"I cannot see how that man does it," he mused, "What did Carlisle think when he knew your choice?" he curiously asked.

"He wasn't pleased, naturally. I removed myself from his house," I informed him.

"Where are you living?" So many questions, I wasn't in the mood for them.

"Homeless." The one word brought everything crashing down on me. I had ruined my life for one thing, something I just didn't enjoy anymore.

"You know you could always join me, you wouldn't be restrained in any way and you'd be a valuable member of our family," he announced.

"Sorry, I belong to a family. I agreed to that when I took the name, 'Cullen'" I pointed out. I was not going to become another trophy for Aro to collect and show off to everyone.

"Very well, Edward. We may cross paths again, one day, but for now, goodbye."

"Farewell, Aro."

Aro was quite a peculiar creature when you get down to it, really. I decided to give up on hunting humans now. Way too much hassle! And to be honest, I wasn't very good and it didn't feel right. I was not me if I hunted that way. After this unexpected meeting, I slumped in the alleyway, unsure of what to do.

"Someone looks as if they need a hug." I looked up to find Tanya gazing down at me with a smile on her beautiful face. I gazed at her through my sunglasses. As I got a good look at her a siren went off in my head. EXIT, it screamed. An exit from everything that's happened lately.

"Oh Tanya, you have no idea how nice it is to see you." She bent down to make eye level with me.

"Someone's mister grumpy gills." I smiled at her. She then pulled me to my feet. "Come on, you're coming back to Denali with me," she told me. We walked to the end of the alleyway and to a car; the back door was open. Tanya slid in the back and beckoned me forward so I joined her on the back seats.

"Onwards," Tanya commanded the driver and then she raised the shield so we were out of earshot from him.

"I take it you're wearing glasses because your eyes are bright red under them, yes?" I nodded weakly. "Well, I can't say I'm surprised, really. Every teen has their rebellious stage."

"But I don't want to, anymore. I need to be away from everything," I moaned; I wanted my mind to close down just for a few minutes.

"Well, Denali can help with that. You can stay with us as long as you wish," She replied sincerely.

"Thank you. I won't be too much of a burden," I assured her.

"Nonsense, it's no trouble. So you still love me?" she asked playfully.

"No more and no less than last time, Tanya," I replied in a monotone. I knew where this was heading and didn't like it a single bit.

"I'll get you one day, Mr Cullen. Mark my words." Her eyes twinkled with delight. Her mind was very disturbing, us ... together ... getting married. I shuddered at the thought.

"Please, control those childish little fantasies, Tanya. You may be harbouring me for a few weeks but we are not, I repeat, not going to get married."

"Automatic rights," she piped up. She started to sound like a petulant child throwing a tantrum.

"What?" I breathed evenly.

"Automatic rights. Harbouring someone automatically gives you the right to marry them."

"Well not in my book, my friend."

"We'll see," she responded defiantly. I just sighed at that.

"Give up."

"Never." The twinkle in her eyes got more prominent. "Wait until you get to Denali. We are going to have sooo much fun." I internally groaned. What was she planning?

I tried to read her mind but she was blocking it. Damn; guess I'll have to find out the old-fashioned way. When it's too late to do anything about it.