The Beginning

The Beginning

Chapter 4: First Hunt

Esme was running through the woods with Carlisles hand still holding hers. The feeling of running so fast was amazing, almost freeing. Esme was surprised at the speed they were going and the fact that she could clearly focus on all the things around her. There were definitely some benefits to this new life, like heightened senses and most importantly the hand currently grasping hers. She wondered idly if he would let her stay with him for as long as she wanted or if he expected her to move on when he had taught her about what she was now. Then Carlisle stopped running so Esme halted her steps and looked at him.
“This is a good place for your first hunting trip Esme” he said smiling slightly at her.
“um. Okay but what am I supposed to do?” it’s not like she had any weapons to hunt with but she trusted him to know what they were doing.
“Just let your senses take over Esme. Close your eyes and listen to the world around you. Take deep breaths and focus on what your smelling” he instructed. He dropped her hand and stepped back a couple of steps.

Esme closed her eyes and let the sounds of the forest surround her. She couldn’t believe how strong her new hearing was. She could her the birds in the trees, the leaves rustling in the brezze and the insects buzzing high above her head. She could hear a stream not to far to the left and beatings that sounded almost like drums. Then she took a deep breath; first and foremost she could smell Carlisle’s summer scent and it sent a wave of longing through her she almost took a step forward before she caught herself. Focus Esme. She took another deep breath at the same time that a breeze swept over her from the direction of the stream. The scent hit her hard and she took off running before she even knew what it was. All Esme knew was that she wanted whatever was giving off that scent. As she approached the stream she could clearly see several deer drinking from the rushing water. Esme leapt out of the clearing and onto the back of a large buck. Without thinking about it she sank her teeth into it’s neck and drank from the beast until it was completely drained. When she was done she looked up to see that all the other deer had scattered and that Carlisle was still watching her.

Carlisle had watched her as she grabbed that first buck and fed from it. She had a grace to her that he just couldn’t ignore. He was staggered that she could be even more beautiful than she had been before. Her hair glistened and her face glowed with anticipation of the hunt. Her scent was also very appealing to him and he had a feeling he could have followed it anywhere. When she looked up at him from the buck she had just drained Carlisle felt the urge to move closer to her and wrap his arms around her. She looked stunned.

Esme was stunned. She could not believe what just happened without a thought she had tracked and killed the buck that now lay dead at her feet. She was horrified by what she had done. She had always been an animal lover and could not believe she had just thoughtlessly brought about the death of one. As she thought this over she realized that so long as she lived in this life she would have to survive like this. The idea was not comforting to her.
“Esme are you okay?” Carlisle asked approaching her slowly.
“I’m not sure. I cannot believe I just did that. I don’t know what happened I caught a scent on the wind and just couldn’t stop myself.” this was said so fast that Esme was surprised that he caught it all.
“Esme it is natural for us. It is part of what we are. You will have that reaction to the smell of blood for a while still. It is why we live so far outside of town so that the scent of the humans there does not tempt us.” Carlisle answered.
“Humans. Oh. I guess I need to stay away from people until I can control that better then” Esme said softly.
“Do not worry Esme. You will not be alone you are welcome to stay with Edward and I for as long as you want. Now lets hunt some more so that you can be more comfortable. Then I will answer all of your questions” Carlisle Said
“All of them? Promise” Esme said
“Yes Esme I will tell you anything you want to know” he answered. Esme nodded and they went back to hunting. They hunted for a few hours until the light started to disappear from the sky. When Esme was fully satiated they sat side by side against a rock in a small clearing in the woods. It was so peaceful here. Carlisle took her hand in his gently and looked down at her. Esme was again stunned by the beauty of the man before her. Carlisle smiled slightly.

“So Esme what question would you like answered first?”