The Latin word 'Fugio' contains the meaning of 'to flee' or 'Effugi Effugiturus' to flee from.
The meaning in these words all came back to one simple English syllable.
Escape.
The last few weeks felt like the longest years in her life.
Shortly after the events that took place the month before, a cold war was waged between them.
For some strange reason, a new height of tension arose from their midst.
Charles kept a cool distance from her ever since that day and Esme kept hers.
By now everything was laid out on the table, black and white.
Charles sensed the silent feral anger that Esme contained towards him and retreated in a temporary ceasefire.
They no longer spoke nor made eye contact.
The conflict between them was undeniable. And Esme made it clear that she was no longer going to be the victim.
Which placed Charles at a horrible position. He was no longer in control.
He could feel it in his bones.
Esme's plan took exactly the half of the month to complete.
Since Charles was beginning to spend more time away from home on some mysterious excursions, it gave her more of a vantage point as to what her next move may be.
She sent out a secret letter to her cousin in Wisconsin, explaining the nature of her dilemma.
Now it was only a matter of waiting for her reply.
A reply that would determine the ending or beginning of a new horizon.
She received a reply no less than 5 days later.
Her decision had been made.
Now it was down to a matter of the correct time and place.
Charles was home that rainy Saturday afternoon.
He was comfortably seated in the living room reading the newspaper while she worked in the kitchen.
As she finished washing the last plate she took a pause and inhaled deeply. Her right hand slightly gripping the edge of the sink as her left hand found its way softly onto her belly. Esme caressed it slowly, sliding her fingers gently.
She knew now that she had to escape, not only for her sake, but for the sake of the new life that was forming inside her.
Esme secretly knew she was pregnant.
Even before the signs could be detected. She knew.
Her ever growing belly she kept hidden underneath her dresses. But she knew she couldn't hide this precious secret forever. She had to leave before the signs could be even more evident.
She looked at the window and noticed the rain had stopped pouring. But the cumulus clouds were still there, gathered at the centre, hovering over the town in an ensconced embrace.
She bit her lip.
Everything was already set. It was only a matter of time to set the wheels in motion.
She already had the train ticket she had underhandly purchased yesterday morning, the little piece of paper ruffling in her pocket ever so quietly as she gave it a slight squeeze to release her tension.
She swallowed her breath and headed to the living room to face the proverbial 'Dragon' for the last time.
The train was due to leave at 3:30 pm.
It was already 2:00 sharp. Time could not be wasted. This has to work.
She slowly approached the familiar room with ease. She saw Charles's leg sticking out into view as the lower half of his body sprawled out lazily onto the carpeted floor. The upper half heavily slouched into the easy chair as his face was covered by a copious amount of newspaper.
Esme stood quietly a few meters behind the chair. She could hear the familiar rhythm of his breathing.
"Charles?" She called out softly.
He turned to look at her blankly from his chair.
"What is it?" he said gruffly.
Esme was tempted to fidget with her hands but forced them to remain still.
"Dear, we ran out of eggs. I was wondering if you could be a darling and fetch us some from the market?" She replied, praying that he would not notice the slight shiver in her voice.
He eyed her cautiously.
"In this weather?"
"The rain stopped. You might as well get them for me; you'll have nothing to eat for breakfast tomorrow." She reasoned quietly.
He stood up from his seat as he tucked the newspaper under his arm. Charles walked right up to her and looked her in the eye as if silently scrutinizing her.
It took all her will power not to break under his gaze as an image of the packed suitcase that was hidden in her closet popped up unbiddenly in her mind.
She could no longer take it when her lips spoke sporadically.
"Is there anything wrong?" She asked raising both eyebrows innocently.
"No, nothing at all. I won't be long." Charles replied casually as he walked past her, exiting the room.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Esme allowed her body to go limp with relief.
There wasn't a moment to lose.
She peeked from behind a window curtain as Charles got into the motor-car and swiftly started to drive away. She had to make sure he was out of sight before she could proceed.
There was something odd about him today.
It's as if he's moving in a slowed pace. Too slow for her liking.
She knew him long enough to know when he's suspecting something. And she had no intention of lingering in that house any longer for him to figure her out once more.
The clock was ticking away in the living room; she could still see him out in the fields. She tapped her foot impatiently as she continued to watch him. After what seemed like an eternity in a minute, he was out of sight.
Esme quickly bolted up the stairs and into the bedroom. She quickly uncovered the suitcase she had packed from the mountains of clothing she had hidden it in inside her closet. She quickly descended the stairs and grabbed her wallet she had concealed behind the grandfather clock that was situated next to the fireplace. There wasn't much in it, barely a hundred dollars but she didn't care.
Her goal was now within reach. Now all she had to do was grasp it.
As she stepped out of the house, the storm had renewed itself carrying howling winds with the cold rain.
She was soaking wet within minutes.
Esme knew she would never forget this day.
She made her way out the front door and past the porch and started walking rapidly, the rain tumbling its way onto her body as she clung tightly to the suitcase which only contained 3 pairs of dresses.
She was practically leaving with nothing but the clothes on her back.
As she crossed halfway into the open fields, she stopped and craned her neck. Taking a last glance.
The house stood there defiantly. Impervious to the rain, a dark speck amidst all the greenery surrounding it. Yet it was as if the house itself was solemnly bidding her goodbye.
She pried her eyes off of it as she started to run, delicious warmth spreading through her body as her legs soared gracefully over the soggy grass. She didn't want to linger a moment longer as she gained speed. Like a ship setting sail into the infinite blue seas, it's majestic flag raised high to the heavens as the wind shared it's breath into it's sails. Giving it, it's wings.
The train station wasn't very far from where she lived.
Ironically it was a kilometre and a half from her home.
But she didn't mind running all the way there, not at all.
She was alive again; she could feel it as her heart pounded wildly in her chest. Urging her, screaming at her to go on further into the mysterious distances that lay ahead. To flee from him as far away as possible, and to never look back in fear.
And she never did.
Finally she had arrived.
She took a pause as she leaned on a wooden post to catch her breath. Her hair was in wild disarray; her cheeks a vivid flush of pink and aside from the fact that her dress was extremely sodden and crinkled. She shook her head as a soft laugh escaped her lips. She couldn't almost believe she had pulled this off.
The train's whistle pierced through the sharp cold air. The people around the station started to gather up in front as they started to enter the train. She was in luck; there were very few passengers that day.
She got in line with the boarding passengers, patiently waiting her turn to hand over her ticket to the conductor. She took a glance at the sky; the storm clouds were slowly melting away as vague traces of sunlight pierced through the dark cotton like a sword.
She had made it just in time. Esme gave a quiet prayer of thanks as she quickly handed her ticket and proceeded to ascend the train just as it was about to set off.
She had just only made it to the first step of the train when she felt a large and painful hand grasp her shoulder. Terror shot through her when she turned and saw Charles trying to yank her down from the train.
This can't be happening.
By now the train was already starting to gear up for full speed as the shocked conductor tried to detach Charles's painful grasp off of her.
"Have you gone mad, man! Let the woman go! You're going to get yourself killed!" One of the conductor's assistant yelled as he tried to pry off Charles's hand.
Esme shook violently as fear tried to intercept her body.
"No woman leaves me." Charles hissed into her ear as he moved his hand to her wrist, clasping it painfully.
The train was moving faster and he was still clinging on to her like a leech.
There has to be a way out of this.
She had to take matters into her own hands now.
Esme caught his gaze one more time. As he looked at her, she vowed that this would be the last time he would ever see her again.
She felt fear slowly leave her body as she raised her foot and flung it at him with all strength as she kicked him off of her.
She watched in delighted bewilderment at her own strength as he rolled onto the concrete floor of the train station.
She swore she could hear Beethoven's Ode To Joy playing inside her head as the train moved faster and away from him. The last thing Esme could hear before Charles dissolved into view was him screaming that he would find her again.
Let him try.
The sun was finally out of the dark. The air was sweet again as it laced her nose with the smell of dew.
The kind conductor and his young assistant helped her to her seat.
"Are you sure you're alright Miss?" They both asked in coincided unison.
"Yes, believe me I'm quite alright. Thank you, thank you for your kind help. I-I don't know what I would have done." She replied with a thankful smile.
They both nodded as they politely excused themselves from her presence.
The seat that she was in was situated next to a window. Her dress was no longer sodden but was quite in a state of dishevelment, she smiled sheepishly knowing how rugged she looks. Esme ran a hand through her caramel locks as she scooted closer to the window. She watched with moist eyes as the familiar town she knew was slowly disappearing into the long distance behind her.
Her heart somehow felt a sense of sadness yet was overflowing with enlightened euphoria.
She sunk back into her seat. Breathing the air around her, as gentle rays of sunlight caressed her face.
She was free.
We, are free.
She quietly whispered as her soft hands rubbed her belly through the soft fabric of her dress.
She closed her eyes and kept still as a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
Her heart was no longer beating alone.
Esme's cousin lived near the Wisconsin countryside, 2 kilometres away from town.
Like her rambunctious cousin, she too loved nature.
Her name was Cathy. She was a lovely suntanned brunette with dark eyes who shared Esme's love of reading and art. She was sort of the 'Black sheep' in the family because she was the only one who wasn't married; it was also due to the fact that she refused to be latched on to a life of domesticity. She had nothing against it of course, but her strong will and honest remarks made her reputation quite the scandal during that time.
But deep down she was the kindest person Esme knew. And she loved her like a sister.
Cathy came from a well to do family thanks to her father being a prominent business man. Cathy's mother however passed away while giving birth to her. Something that her father never quite recovered from, which resulted in his passing shortly after Cathy had turned 18.
She inherited her father's wealth thereafter, but lives a life of understated modesty.
Esme arrived to her home a few hours later and was welcomed with open arms.
As Esme hugged her cousin she couldn't help but hold back a sob as tears escaped her eyes.
She couldn't even remember the last time she had felt at home.
Cathy took her suitcase and placed it in one of her guest rooms upstairs.
Her home was spacious yet comfortable. Nothing luxurious, but everything a simple and good home needed.
"Em!" Her cousin fondly squealed as she came back running down the stairs and lunged herself at her cousin in another embrace.
"It's far been too long." Cathy said as she held Esme at an arm's length. Brushing a lock of hair out of her cousin's face.
"I know. . . " Esme said quietly.
"Come let's sit by the fire." Cathy gestured with a smile.
They both walked to the pale pink living room that was filled with porcelain knick knacks, snow globes that were filled with intricate figurines along with colourfully embroidered tapestry that was leisurely strewn across the furniture and hung on the walls. They exchanged excited giggles on the way as they both made themselves comfortable with a good warm cup of tea.
After they had gotten their little conversations out of the way. Her cousin gave Esme that familiar look of 'What really happened' without even uttering a word as her dark brown eyes fixated onto hers.
"I-I don't really want to talk about it." Esme said averting her gaze.
"Em, if you ever need to speak to me about it, I'm always here." Cathy said as she gave her cousin a light squeeze on the shoulder.
"Thank you Cat. But right now..." Esme sank back into her seat as her voice broke. Her eyes threatening to well up with tears once again.
"I can't...I can't talk about it just yet..." She whispered.
Her cousin nodded understandingly. "It's alright, you don't have to explain anything. You are here now, and that is all that matters." She said as she watched a smile form on Esme's lips.
"Cat, I have a secret." Esme said, changing the subject. A mischievous glint in her eyes.
"What is it?" Cathy replied excitedly as the light in the fire sparkled in her eyes.
Esme nodded down at her belly.
Cathy cocked her head slightly as her eyes widened at the notion.
"You mean?"
Esme nodded.
"Oh my goodness!"
Cathy smothered her in an excruciatingly tight embrace as Esme giggled excitedly in her arms.
She pulled back from their embrace, her smile never wavering from her lips.
"How long has it been?" Cathy asked.
"Hmmm." Esme pursed her lips slightly in deep thought, her caramel hair turning into a deep shade of reddish gold due to the light of the fire. "I think 3 and a half to 4 months."
"Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?" Cathy asked, as she pounced eagerly close to her cousin.
Esme let out a laugh she had been holding as she softly shook her head.
"It does not really matter. As long as the baby is healthy and well, I can't really ask for more." She sighed dreamily as she rubbed soothing strokes on her abdomen.
She looked at Cathy when she spoke her next words.
"Would you like to be the baby's Godmother?" She asked, an impish grin lighting her face.
"I'd be more than honoured!" Cathy exclaimed.
They chatted aimlessly for more than 5 hours. It was the most fun Esme has had in over a long while. She couldn't even remember the last time she had laughed out loud. It was definitely one of the most happiest times in her life.
As their conversation progressed, Carlisle's name unbiddenly slipped through the conversation. Without any planning or forethought.
Esme was describing the first time she had met him. Actually it was the first time she had mentioned him to anyone at all.
"He had this beautiful eyes, you see..." She said, her eyes fluttering bashfully as the memory resurfaced into her mind.
"I couldn't stop staring at him. He was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen. . ." Her heartbeat began to quicken at the mere memory of him, his voice clear as day when she remembered it.
"I don't know where he went after that night. I never did see him again." She sighed dourly as she sank deeper into her seat. The spark in her eyes dimming ever so slightly. The fire, cackling in between her words.
Cathy sat there patiently as she listened to Esme talk.
"I never could forget him, his kindness was immeasurable. It seemed when I thought I did finally forget him; his memory would come back rushing at me, rather chasing me to be honest. It's like I can't escape the very thought of him." She said as her breath constricted slightly in her throat.
"I don't think I even want to escape his memory." She conceded.
Esme snapped herself out of her thoughts when she heard Cathy chuckle beside her.
"Oh shush!" She said defensively as she playfully shoved her cousin on the shoulder.
Their laughter died down after a few moments and rested on contented silence.
"You know," Cathy said as she slightly twirled a finger around her dark locks. "He sounds a lot like Dr Cullen."
Esme's heart skipped a beat. She had never even learned Carlisle's last name.
Her eyes widened as she turned to look at her cousin.
"What?" Her cousin asked, slightly bemused at Esme's expression.
"Who is Dr Cullen?"
Esme was beginning to feel this tingly feeling at the pit of her stomach.
"Well, he was this Doctor I met who treated me for an embarrassingly bad case of the flu last year. Em you wouldn't believe it, it was shortly before I could even take that excursion to Europe! Dr Cullen conveniently came and took over temporarily for Dr Marshall. Oh Em, did you hear by the way what happened to him and his wife last Febuary? I heard that-"
"Wait, Stop!"
Esme's head was throbbing slightly.
"Cat, be an angel darling and tell me one thing at a time first?" Esme asked sweetly as she gently rubbed her temple with her right index finger.
"Oh, I do apologize Em." Cathy said as she smiled shyly. Her nose slightly crinkling as mirth lighted her eyes.
"So you were saying about Dr Cullen, what did he look like?"
"Hmmm. If I'm not being too subtle. He was probably, singularly the most attractive man I've ever seen." Cathy cooed.
Esme laughed. "Alright, you've made your point Cat. On to a more descriptive title of the man please."
Cathy turned slightly pink.
"Tall. Blonde. A face that could mostly launch the 2nd world war. Figuratively speaking. It's a crime to possess a face such as his."
That's him, It's him!
"I can't believe it." Esme said, feeling a little out of breath.
"So Dr Cullen is this man Carlisle?" Cathy asked.
"I think so." She replied unsurely. Her mind thinking hard.
"How long was he here for?"
Cathy waved a deprecating hand in the air.
"Oh you wouldn't believe it Em. That man is like quicksilver, He works fastidiously and is extremely thorough and the next thing you know he disappears!"
"How do you mean?" Esme asked raising an eyebrow.
"He might as well be a phantom. He was transferred to a new hospital the day after I had met him. Like you, I never saw him again." Cathy replied as she shrugged her shoulders lightly.
Gone again.
Esme thought to herself quietly as she settled back onto her seat. She took a sip of her tea and felt the warm fluid slide down her throat.
A phantom he might be.
A/N: Another Update for ya guys! Thanks so much again to all who read and reviewed. And I DEEPLY apologize for the delay, the house got a little hectic the last two days. Anyways, I LOVE you guys so much! Please keep reading and reviewing, I love to hear all your lovely thoughts and comments. Stay tuned!
Chapter 14 won't be too far behind :D
Please review :D they make me excessively high on happiness ;)
A big shout out to my awesome beta reader Jucy Sam! :D