Chapter 5 – First Hunt – Vegetarian Style

Lucy's POV

Outside the front door, I paused, not knowing which way to go. I could hear the others inside, beginning to talk about me. I supposed this was natural. It was such a large coven and it looked to them like I would be staying for a long time. At least I knew that I wasn't going to leave for a while, that was for sure. I needed to be completely happy with this new life, at the very least, before I moved on. I had to stop being the monster that had almost destroyed me.

Esme grabbed my hand as though it was the most natural thing in the world to do and pulled me gently around the back of the house.

I heard the river flowing smoothly past, a few hundred yards in front and I gulped nervously.

"Um, I've never been a fan of swimming. You know; bad experiences as a young child."

Esme laughed gently.

"Don't worry honey; we're not doing any swimming today. It is possible for us to jump that. You won't even get your toes wet."

"And if you do fall in, I'll be right in after you to help you," added Carlisle, "don't worry, you are in perfectly safe hands."

Somewhat reassured I followed Esme to the river bank. A few metres from the edge she broke hand contact.

"Carlisle will go first, then you can follow, and I'll be right behind you."

I nodded my head vigorously. I didn't trust my voice to speak naturally. I knew it probably wouldn't let me down, not being my old human voice, cracking at the slightest amount of nerves, but I knew as well that if my heart was doing its usual job, right now it would be beating nineteen to the dozen.

As I looked at the river's width, I supposed it probably would be easy enough for me to make it; I'd just never tried something like it before. I didn't like using my vampiric abilities. It made me feel different, a feeling I'd always tried to avoid.

I watched Carlisle take a short run up and sail easily over to the opposite bank. Esme nudged me, and I took a few steps back, a deep breath, then I launched myself across the river.

I landed with a thud, almost colliding into a tree. Carlisle was just ahead and I ran to catch up. I heard Esme alight the bank behind me and she was quickly level with me. Carlisle smiled.

"Are we ready to go now?"

"Let's go hunt some animals!" I said, trying to inject a modicum of enthusiasm into my voice, and failing miserably. Carlisle and Esme laughed, then ran off away for the house.

I sprinted after them, catching up after only a few hundred yards.

We hadn't gone that much further when Carlisle stopped suddenly. Esme halted next to him and I ran into her. The sound was deafening!

"Oops!" I exclaimed, "Sorry! I haven't frightened the animals away have I?" By that point I'd lowered me voice to a whisper.

"No," said Carlisle with a small smile on his face, "they're too far away, but they're getting closer."

I threw back my head and inhaled deeply, keeping my ears open for any sounds.

There! On the breeze was the slightly unappealing scent of a herd of deer. However at that point I was thirsty enough that I'd eat anything. I was absolutely ready to go slaughter the entire herd if necessary, especially once I heard their hearts beating rhythmically.

I took off at top speed, startling them, but they were no match for my speed. I took down a large buck and immediately began drinking. Even though it was no where near as delicious as human blood, it was still like a balm to me throat, cooling and muting the sharp pain I'd endured for so long. I drained it dry in a matter of seconds, then turned, searching for my next victim.