"Please, tell me what you're planning!" I pleaded for what seemed like the millionth time this hour.
"Not a chance. Now please, one more time of asking that and I will chuck you out the window," she threatened. The gleam in her eyes wouldn't dwindle a single bit. I muttered to myself the remainder of the journey and glared at Tanya whenever she tried to make conversation. As you can see I was trying to be polite.
"Lighten up, we're going to have fun, I promise. It's nothing horrible," she tried to comfort me. I didn't reply, naturally. We reached the driveway in the Denali coven's house within the next 5 minutes. I slowly walked up the driveway at a snail's pace. Something I thoroughly detested compared to the speeds I could reach.
"Er, I need to hunt." Ok, so I chickened out; it wasn't the end of the world. I turned and ran in the opposite direction, heading for: yes, you guessed it, a forest. It seemed a new home to me now. I had spent so much time there, almost routine. Carelessly, I trudged my way past the ferns and brittle branches, each and every one covered in snow. I caught the scent of something what seemed from a lifetime ago. Instincts took over and I made my way around trees and over roots to find myself staring at a mountain lion. Yes, I remembered the scent now. How long had I refrained from animal blood? About six months, I think. Not a lot had happened in those six months apart from a whole lot of death. Half-heartedly, I dragged myself to the animal and sunk my teeth into its neck. I forced the sticky liquid down my throat; the taste was not exactly foul but not as pleasant as I remembered it to be. Maybe it will return after time, along with my humanity. I had lost that the day I turned my back on Carlisle and Esme. With a twinge in my stomach I realised that for my humanity to come back, I must allow them to come back, back into my life. I would remain in Denali for a few more weeks; I was not quite ready yet. All these thoughts took the fraction of time for me to drain the mountain lion dry.
Once I was done I placed the carcass on the floor and uprooted a tree to dump it under. I sighed and headed back to the awaiting arms of Tanya. I saw that the door was unlocked but I still had the manners to knock. Tanya answered.
"Hello, Edward. Enjoy your hunt?" A hint of laughter was in her eyes.
"Ok, ok, I ran away. I'm back now, though," I pointed out.
"Yes, come on in, we needed you out anyway." I walked in the door and found the most gorgeous mahogany piano gracing the room. Overwhelmed, I ran my fingers over the keys, pressing an occasional note to see if it was in tune, and it was, remarkably. Every note was perfection.
"May I?" I asked, gesturing to the piano.
"Yes, of course, it is yours for whenever you are here. Welcome to my home." She left me to my own devices. All of her family were upstairs and she had gone to join them. I sat on the bench and a melody drifted in and out of the room. It was a peculiar tune, heavy sounding. It reminded me of pain, loneliness, fear, sorrow, and every sad emotion under the sun. Yet there was a hint of hope there too, there's always hope. As I focused on it the melody picked up and merged into a happier symphony, one of love. The notes intertwined in perfect harmony. Hmm, Esme would love this song, it shall be hers, and I will play it for her when I return. Note I say 'when' not 'if' me returning now is as inevitable as the sun rising in the east. This little adventure of mine is just another chapter to add to the book of my life. One day it will close forever but until it does, I'll make the most of what I have.