Chapter 28: Escape from Castle Volturi
1975 New York City
Esme scrutinized the blueprints spread out on her drafting table, her eyes meticulously tracing every line and detail. The soft glow of her desk lamp cast a warm light over the papers, accentuating the sleek, angular lines. The plans for the house, envisioned by her client as a chic, contemporary retreat, were nearly complete. Flat roofs, expansive glass windows, and an open floor plan dominated the sketches, embodying the minimalist yet stylish aesthetic her client desired. While Esme personally found the design to be somewhat barren, she respected her client's vision and had put in her best effort to fulfill his wishes.
As she double-checked each element, a sense of satisfaction washed over her. She eagerly anticipated the upcoming meeting next week, where she would present her proposal to the client. She felt confident he would appreciate her vision and the precision of her work.
Glancing at the clock, Esme realized it was time to get dressed. Nodding to herself, she left the blueprints on her drafting table and exited her office. As she walked down to the second floor to her and Carlisle's bedroom, she smiled at how welcoming the house felt, even after having lived there only a short time. It already felt like home, and she was glad.
After spending a little over a decade on the small and dreary Prince Rupert Island in British Columbia, Esme and Carlisle had moved to the Big Apple so she could pursue her dreams. Esme was extremely proud of the hospital Carlisle had established, where he eventually became its administrator and head doctor. However, the island had been rather isolated from the rest of society.
Before moving to Canada, they had spent the 1950s in Maine, where Esme had taken on the role of a young housewife. It had been an idyllic life, and she had made friends, but the life of a homemaker was not challenging for her; she wanted more. However, when Carlisle had been offered a job he desperately wanted, she had put her career interests on hold.
Now, they resided in a small rural town not far from the city. Over the past two weeks, Esme had visited downtown New York several times and had already noticed a significant shift in the city's atmosphere compared to their previous visits over the decades.
The New York City she now walked through had an edge to it that she hadn't felt before. The streets seemed grittier, the buildings more run-down, and the people warier. Graffiti covered the storefronts, and many of the once vibrant neighborhoods she remembered now had pockets of seediness that alarmed her. The energy of the city was still there, but it was tinged with a sense of decay and neglect.
When she walked through Times Square, she couldn't help but notice the stark contrast to its past glory. The bright lights and billboards still flashed, but beneath them, adult theaters and peep shows had taken root, casting a shadow over the once family-friendly area. The air was thick with the smells of the city—hot dogs, exhaust fumes, and an undercurrent of something less savory. The hustle and bustle remained, but there was a tension in the air that hadn't been there before, a palpable sense of the city teetering on the edge of something darker.
Esme reflected on the changes she saw in the everyday New Yorkers. The fashions was bolder and more provocative, the conversations she overheard were more cynical, and the faces of the people she passed often bore the marks of hard lives. The city had a raw, unpolished feel, a far cry from the more refined and hopeful atmosphere she remembered.
Despite the seediness, Esme was heartened by the resilience of the city and its people. There was a gritty determination in the way they moved, a fight to survive and thrive despite the challenges. It was this spirit that she admired and hoped to tap into as she embarked on her architectural career in this new era.
As Esme began to get dressed, she reflected on a positive aspect of this decade: women were finally entering the workforce and not being dismissed outright. It filled her with a sense of optimism as she prepared to work professionally as an architect, embracing this new chapter in the eternal merry-go-round of their lives.
She reached for her favorite pale blue dress, the one that had seen countless dances with Carlisle in Maine. The fabric felt soft and familiar under her fingers, evoking memories of twirling around grand ballrooms and lively sock hops. There had been no dance halls in Prince Rupert, but that wouldn't be the case here in New York City. The city thrummed with life and opportunities, and she was eager to explore every facet of it.
Esme had asked around, and many had pointed her towards 'The Loft' as the place to be. The thought of stepping into a lively dance hall again brought a smile to her face. She carefully slipped into the dress, the pale blue fabric hugging her form perfectly, accentuating her elegance.
Standing in front of the mirror, Esme put the finishing touches on her outfit. She delicately applied her makeup, each stroke enhancing her transformation. Her fingers deftly arranged her hair, each curl falling perfectly into place. The reflection staring back at her was poised and radiant, a picture of timeless beauty ready to step into the vibrant nightlife of New York City once again.
"Carlisle," Esme called out, her voice carrying a playful lilt. "You better get ready." She barely finished her sentence when Carlisle appeared behind her, his hands gently resting on her hips.
"You look beautiful, sweetheart," Carlisle murmured, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Esme's neck. The warmth of his breath against her skin sent a shiver down her spine. She glanced at their reflection in the mirror, her smile widening as she watched Carlisle's tender affection.
Esme felt a familiar warmth envelop her, and as always, his touch ignited a deep yearning within. However, she reminded herself of their plans for the evening and the need to maintain her composure—at least until they returned home. Tonight, they had a special evening planned, one she was eagerly anticipating.
"Oh, I know," Esme replied, grinning from ear to ear as Carlisle continued his gentle ministrations. His kisses trailed along her neck, each one sending ripples of pleasure through her. "But if we're going to go out, you need to get dressed as well. Hop to it, dear. I think I'm distracting you."
With a playful sigh, Esme extricated herself from Carlisle's hold, giving him a teasing wink as she did so. She turned and gracefully made her way out of their room, her dress flowing around her as she moved. The anticipation of the evening ahead filled her with excitement as she descended the staircase, the soft glow of the house's lighting casting a warm ambiance around her.
She had just finished descending the stairs when Carlisle zoomed past her, his speed a blur. By the time she reached the bottom, there he was, fully dressed and looking impeccably dapper on the sofa. His dark suit was perfectly tailored, accentuating his broad shoulders and lean frame, his golden eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Esme couldn't help but laugh, the sound filling the room with warmth. Men seemed to have it so much easier than women in so many areas, she thought, her eyes twinkling with amusement. Especially when it comes to getting ready. It seemed any old suit they put on looked perfect. But she had a sneaking suspicion that it might just be Carlisle who looked perfect in anything he wore.
Carlisle stood up, his smile broad and infectious. "You ready to go, my dear?" he asked, extending his hand towards her.
Taking his hand, she felt the familiar, comforting strength in his grip. "Absolutely," she replied, her voice filled with warmth. "Let's make this an evening to remember."
Together, they headed towards the door, their movements in perfect harmony. The night ahead promised adventure and joy, filled with the thrill of new experiences.
An hour later, they were entering the city proper on their way to Manhattan. The lights of the city flickered in the distance, a beacon of excitement and possibility. Esme gazed out of the window, taking in the sights of New York as it came alive under the cover of night. The streets bustled with activity, a dynamic mix of cars, cabs, and pedestrians weaving through the labyrinth of buildings and illuminated signs.
Feeling a desire for some music, Esme pushed an 8-track into the player of their new car. The familiar, soothing sounds of Elvis's "Love Me Tender" filled the vehicle. As it was one of her favorite songs, Esme relaxed, a contented smile on her face, as Carlisle put his arm around her and pulled her close.
Elvis's soothing voice and Carlisle's comforting embrace put Esme further at ease. She leaned into his shoulder, her thoughts wandering to the evening ahead. The prospect of going dancing again brought a smile to her lips, and she resolved to make this a weekly tradition.
Esme had much to be grateful for, knowing that in just a few short months her family would be together again. Emmett and Rose had not relocated with her and Carlisle to Canada; instead, they had moved to Tennessee. It had been a week after the Kennedy assassination that Emmett had learned of his father's passing. He and Rose left immediately so Emmett could say his goodbyes. Once back in his home state of Tennessee, Rose had seen how it lifted Emmett's spirits and she had suggested they stay there for the next chapter of their lives. From their conversations and the times they visited her and Carlisle in Canada, Esme could tell that living near his old hometown had done Emmett a world of good.
Emmett, to his great delight, even managed to discreetly check in on his extended family. He took great pleasure in seeing the McCarty line continue to flourish. Emmett had been the oldest of many brothers and sisters, and it warmed his heart to see their families growing. His younger brother, who had always looked up to him, even named his firstborn after Emmett. Now, there was another Emmett McCarty living in his hometown. Rose often remarked how the younger Emmett, now the same age as Emmett had been when he was changed, was the spitting image of him in his human years.
Esme lifted her hand to intertwine her fingers with Carlisle's, the simple gesture filling her with warmth. As she gazed out the car window at the bustling cityscape of Manhattan, a deep sense of contentment settled over her. Soon, their family would be complete.
However, her smile faltered for a moment as a pang of sadness crept in. She quickly amended her thoughts: almost complete. Edward, sadly, was gone, and she sent out a silent prayer, hoping with all her heart that he was at peace.
As Esme stood in the dance hall, she found herself at a loss for words. She didn't quite know how to take it all in—the music, the people, the dancing. Everything was so...
Carlisle returned to her side after speaking with the bartender. Looking up at him, she saw the same rather stunned look on his face. "What did you find out?" she asked.
As she looked at Carlisle's face, the sparkling reflections mirrored off it were both new and all too familiar, highlighting his beautiful features in a dazzling display.
"I asked, and it's called a disco ball," Carlisle said, his voice a murmur against the backdrop of the lively music. He looked up at the glittering sphere in the center of the large room, seemingly as mesmerized as Esme.
Esme turned to gaze at the dazzling object. Its reflective surface cast shards of light across the entire room, and she was struck by a profound sense of astonishment and a hint of apprehension. The sparkling display was the perfect embodiment of their kind, glittering like millions of diamonds. Caught between shock and awe, Esme stood transfixed, unable to tear her gaze away.
The disco ball spun gracefully, its pulsing lights dancing and twirling in perfect harmony with the music. Esme remained captivated, the colors and patterns cast by the spinning sphere creating a hypnotic ballet of light that filled the club with an almost magical aura. It was a stark reminder of their own otherworldly nature, their beauty and their curse, all encapsulated in this one dazzling ornament.
Reaching out, Esme took Carlisle's hand, the contact grounding her amidst the surrealness of the moment. Finally finding her voice, she had to say it aloud. "You know, Carlisle, if this thing catches on, we're going to have to hear disco ball jokes till the end of time."
Esme felt Carlisle squeeze her hand, but when she looked up at him, he wasn't smiling. "I fear it's already too late, dear. The bartender told me that discotheques are popping up all across the country, and he said the popularity of disco music would never end."
Amidst the chaos, Esme and Carlisle remained motionless, silently watching as the world changed around them. Carlisle observed men in wide-collared shirts and flared pants moving with precision, while Esme's eyes followed women in shimmering dresses twirling and spinning, some with large, rounded hairstyles that seemed to defy gravity. The air was thick with the scents of sweat, cologne, and cigarette smoke.
And at the center of everything was the mirrored disco ball, casting shards of light that sparkled throughout the room, creating a surreal, dreamlike quality. The exuberant faces of the dancers, glowing with excitement and abandon, reflected a world of glitter and glamour, of fleeting moments and endless nights. The strains of "Do the Hustle" filled the air, and the entire club seemed to move as one, every step and turn synchronized to the music.
Esme glanced back up at the circular monstrosity spinning above them. Only one word seemed fitting.
"Fuck!"
1975 Volterra, Italy
As Demetri sauntered into the dimly lit cell, a sinister smirk playing on his lips, Edward could practically taste the tension in the air. "Have you made your choice, Edward?" Demetri's voice echoed off the stone walls, his tone dripping with menace. "Aro will not accept any more delays. Either you join us, or you die."
But Edward was unfazed. Oh no, he had been plotting his grand escape ever since he was thrown into this dingy dungeon. With a sly grin, he rose to his feet, his eyes gleaming with determination. "I have made my decision, Demetri," he declared boldly. "And after what you did to Mindy, it's you who doesn't deserve to live."
Demetri's eyes widened in shock as Edward lunged forward, brandishing a stake he had fashioned from his own bedpost. With a swift and decisive motion, he drove the makeshift weapon into Demetri's chest, the vampire's features contorting in agony as he crumbled to ash before Edward's eyes. As the dust settled, Edward retrieved the stake, a triumphant glint in his eye. Oh yes, he was just getting started.
As Edward made his way through the dimly lit dungeon corridors, dispatching Aro's henchmen with a flick of his wrist, he could feel the adrenaline surging through his veins. His resolve to put an end to Aro's reign of terror burning brighter with every foe he vanquished.
Ascending the stone stairs leading out of the dungeon, more of Aro's minions lunged at Edward from the shadows. With lightning-quick reflexes, he slayed them all one by one, each vampire bursting into dust as his stake met its mark. Kicking open the heavy oak door at the top of the stairs, Edward emerged into a torch-lit hallway within the depths of the Volturi castle. Pausing to breathe in the fresh air, a grin of determination spread across his face. He knew his freedom would soon be at hand, but the hour held more in store for him—a date with destiny and a false king. With unwavering resolve, Edward pressed forward, the thrill of battle fueling his steps as he strode towards the throne room, where Aro awaited his reckoning.
But standing in his path was Heidi, Aro's scantily clad, buxom concubine, her curves practically bursting out of her skin-tight dress, her hypnotic gaze locking onto Edward like a vise. "You can not win, Edward," she purred, her voice laced with seduction. "Submit to me, become one of us, a Child of the Night, and I shall grant upon you eternal life." Her voice grew louder as delusions of grandeur filled her diseased mind. "And in return, you will destroy Aro for me, and I shall become the queen of all vampires!" Her ruby eyes flared with a malevolent light as she exerted her power, her words dripping with a venomous promise designed to ensnare even the most rational of minds.
Edward, however, was not one to succumb so easily to Heidi's wiles. He scoffed, seeing through her facade to the true horror lurking beneath. "Never!" he declared defiantly, his voice resonating with a resolve as unyielding as steel. With a swift motion, he raised his stake, poised to strike. But before he could plunge it into Heidi's exposed milky chest, she was upon him, her supernatural speed unmatched. With a twist of her wrist, she snapped the stake in two, casting aside the useless pieces with a wicked grin.
"You fool. I offer you pleasures beyond your wildest dreams, and yet you choose death?" Heidi's once beguiling mask melted away, revealing the hideousness of her tainted black soul beneath. "Very well, to hell with you!"
Yet Edward was not one to surrender to despair. As Heidi lunged forward, he stumbled backward, his eyes scanning the dimly lit corridor for a weapon to match her unholy strength. Then, in a stroke of luck, he spotted it – an ancient suit of armor, holding a battle axe in its sturdy grip, a relic of a bygone era beckoning him to wield it once again against the forces of darkness.
With a roar of determination, Edward seized the axe, swinging it with all his might. Heidi's eyes widened in shock as her head rolled from her shoulders, her body bursting into flames and crumbling to ash before his very eyes. Edward stood victorious, the flaming remnants of his foe smoldering at his feet. With a grim determination, he knew that the time had come to end this once and for all.
With a grandiose flourish, Edward swung open the doors to the throne room, the ancient hinges protesting against the weight of his righteous fury. "Aro! Your reign of terror ends now!" he thundered, his voice reverberating off the stone walls.
The room fell into an eerie silence as all eyes turned toward Edward, the vampires shrinking back in terror at the sight of him. His form stood bathed in the dim light, his axe shimmering with the ichor of his vanquished foes. They trembled, fully aware of Edward's fabled past. For was he not known as the avenger of the oppressed and the scourge of the wicked? No, none would meet his furious gaze or dare to impede his path towards confronting his arch nemesis.
Striding boldly into the heart of the throne room, Edward surveyed his surroundings with a gaze as sharp as his trusty axe. Aro's throne loomed before him, its dais raised high above all else, and upon it sat Aro himself, his tyrannical reign having lasted far too long. Edward couldn't help but grin, knowing that it was all about to come crashing down.
Aro's eyes widened in dread as he beheld Edward and the glint of his menacing axe, its sharpened edge reflected in Aro's ruby eyes. That axe told a story that needed no words, and for the first time in 3000 years, Aro felt fear coursing through his immortal veins. The weight of the golden crown upon his head felt as heavy as a boulder, as he realized full well that the man before him intended to wrest it from him.
His smile faltering, Aro's voice trembled with desperation as he attempted to reason with his nemesis. "Edward, please," he implored, his words dripping with false sincerity. "We can be friends. There's no need for violence. Let's be reasonable."
But Edward knew better than to trust the honeyed words of a tyrant, especially one as deceitful as Aro. "No, Aro," he retorted, his voice ringing out like a clarion call. "Your time is up. You may have captured me once, but never again. Prepare to meet your maker."
Just as victory seemed within Edward's grasp, Aro started to laugh, his high soprano voice piercing the air and echoing throughout the throne room like a banshee's wail. "You fool," he sneered, his words dripping with venom. "You think you can best me? I've lorded over your kind for countless millennia!" Aro's snarl twisted into a manic grin, his eyes wild with the madness that had consumed him eons ago, his laughter growing louder and more unhinged by the second. "Guards!" he bellowed, his voice reverberating off the walls as he descended into a bout of maniacal cackling, his sanity slipping away like sand through his fingers.
With Aro's call, two hulking behemoths emerged from the shadows, Felix and Santiago, looming over Edward like titans of terror. Yet Edward remained unyielding, his determination unwavering, and he merely grinned, a spark of mischief flickering in his eyes. "Oh, Aro," he chuckled, his voice laced with amusement. "You underestimate the resilience of the human spirit."
With a swift motion, Edward spun around and hurled his axe high into the air, the weapon spinning and twirling in a deadly dance of death. Aro's eyes widened in horror as the axe shattered the stained glass windows high above, flooding the throne room with the radiant glow of true sunlight for the first time in millennia.
As the vampires around him began to scream and disintegrate into ash, Edward stood triumphant, his chest swelling with pride. With Felix and Santiago kneeling before him, gasping their last breaths, he ascended the steps of the dais to where Aro sat slumped in his throne, his once-mighty adversary now reduced to a trembling heap.
Aro looked up at Edward with pleading eyes, his voice barely a whisper. "But I was going to live forever," he whimpered, his immortal ambitions crumbling to dust before his very eyes.
Edward's smile widened as he reached out and plucked the golden crown from Aro's head, the vampire's cries of anguish music to his ears. " 'Going to' is the operative word, Aro," he declared, his voice ringing out with triumph. And with that, Edward watched with satisfaction as Aro disintegrated into nothing more than a pile of dust.
With humanity's long nightmare finally at an end, Edward surveyed the throne room, now devoid of life save for the swirling clouds of ash. Victory was his, and the world was safe once more.
As Edward stepped out of the dark and dreary castle, he blinked in disbelief as the warm rays of the sun caressed his face, a sensation he had almost forgotten. With a grin spreading across his lips, he basked in the glorious sunlight, feeling more alive than ever before.
But his moment of bliss was interrupted by the arrival of a sleek, shiny car, pulling up beside him with a dramatic flourish. To his astonishment, out stepped Mindy, her radiant smile lighting up the scene like a beacon of hope. "Mindy? I thought Demetri killed you," Edward exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief and wonder.
Mindy chuckled, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. "Oh, Edward, you should know better than to count me out so easily," she teased, her laughter tinkling like wind chimes in the breeze. "Demetri may have thought he had me, but I was merely playing possum. He's not the sharpest tool in the shed, you know."
Edward's heart soared at the sight of his lady love, alive and full of sass and vigor. His smile widened as he absentmindedly twirled the golden crown in his hand, the symbol of his hard-won victory. Mindy's astonished gaze upon the crown was enough for Edward. "Yes, Mindy, I've ended Aro's reign once and for all. Humanity can breathe easy once more," he declared triumphantly.
Mindy beamed at him, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "Oh, Edward, you're a hero," she gushed, throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace. And as their lips met in a passionate kiss, Edward felt a surge of warmth and affection wash over him, the world around them fading into insignificance.
Finally pulling apart, Edward gazed into Mindy's eyes, his heart filled with love and gratitude.
"Are you ready to go back to America, Edward? Your mother and father have been worried sick about you," Mindy asked, her voice soft and gentle.
Edward nodded as he cast a final glance at the imposing castle behind him. "Yes, let's get out of here," he agreed, his excitement mounting with each passing moment to finally be rid of that awful place.
Mindy gracefully slid into the driver's seat, a mischievous gleam dancing in her eyes. Edward eagerly joined her, settling into the passenger side with a mix of anticipation and relief.
As Mindy started the engine, Edward couldn't help but smile. This was it—the moment he'd been waiting for, the end of one adventure and the beginning of another.
Mindy met Edward's gaze with a playful smirk. "Ready to take flight, my dear?" she teased, her words carrying an air of mystery.
Edward's surprise was palpable. "Fly? What do you mean?" he questioned, his curiosity piqued.
Mindy shot him a sly grin before pressing a mysterious button on the dashboard. Suddenly, the car transformed before Edward's eyes. Canvas wings unfurled from beneath the chassis, and a propeller sprang to life where the front grill had been, spinning with exhilarating speed.
Edward's jaw dropped in astonishment. "What the..." he began, but his words were lost in the roar of the propeller as the car defied gravity, lifting off with a triumphant whoosh.
As they soared into the sky, Edward looked to Mindy in awe. "It looks like I've missed some things while I was in that dungeon cell," he remarked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Mindy grinned back at him, her hair whipping in the wind. "Maybe one or two small advancements," she teased, her laughter mingling with the rush of air around them. "Let's go home, Edward," her voice laced with joy.
And with that, Edward turned his gaze towards the brilliant sun, his heart soaring as they flew off into the sunset, leaving those dark days behind them and embarking on what was sure to be many new adventures together.
Edward opened his eyes and smiled, though the fleeting joy of his daydream quickly faded as the harsh reality of his grim surroundings took over. The cold, damp walls of his cell were a far cry from the fantastical victories he enjoyed imagining. If only any of it could be true. He had never thought much of Bram Stoker's Dracula, but it sure was nice to imagine defeating a vampire so easily, let alone an entire castle full of them.
He closed his eyes, letting his imagination take flight once again. The throne room took center stage as he envisioned himself storming in with grand style, commanding everyone's attention. This time, however, it was Caius who sat upon his ornate throne, an expression of disdain etched across his pale, scarred, angular face. With a flourish, Edward pulled a wriggling rat from his pocket and hurled it with precision into Caius's gaping mouth. The sight of the creature burrowing down Caius's throat to devour what was left of his cold, dead heart brought Edward a gleeful sense of satisfaction.
Edward couldn't help it and laughed aloud at the absurdity of the scenario. How had he never thought of that one before?
I hope you've enjoyed reading Edward's fight for freedom as much as I enjoyed writing it. I aimed to capture the over-the-top performances and larger-than-life characters typical of movies from the late 1920s. My inspiration came from the old Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers serials of the 1930s.
Coming up, the next milestone in Bella's journey to her happily ever after comes when she finally meets another vampire. Who will it be, and will Bella like what she has to hear?
Comments are appreciated. I would really like to hear what everyone thought of this chapter. As you read, it was very different, and I'm hoping people liked it. Until next time.