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In her mind, a whirlwind of a million thoughts collided, forming a chaotic jumble of emotions. The sight of him left her feeling perplexed and startled.
The tall, imposing stranger captivated her. His piercing ruby-red eyes unmistakably revealed his identity as a vampire who preyed on humans instead of animals.
Until that moment, Esme had only encountered vampires associated with Carlisle, leading her to believe they were the only ones in existence.
Her gaze traveled over the curves and angles of his broad shoulders, down to the muscular physique barely concealed by a black tank top and grey sweatpants. And easily, she could almost spot the print of his demonic pound of flesh pressed within the fabric.
He was attractive, to say the least. But her gaze, as deeply as it wore him, didn't come without apprehension. Behind the veil of her restraint were carnal desires that sparked like a wildfire. She wasn't supposed to come across someone like him. It was a clear, absolution she harbored in her human life as well as in her immortal one.
And yet, this man stood before her while the cat that was once nestled in her arms, leapt into his tender grasp.
The action stunted her from her inner thoughts. Then Esme stuttered to him. "Y- your cat?"
He was no longer paying attention to her. Instead, his red eyes and dark fingers curled along the feline's presence in a manner that felt evident the cat did indeed belong to the stranger.
And he answered casually. "Yeah, Stacks here's a slippery little toy. But buddy's gonna always find his way back. No matter how much he annoys me. He's needy like that."
But she pushed away from the topic of the cat and asked the stranger, "What are you doing here?"
He gently put the cat down. Then, little Stacks scurried into the bedroom while he fixed his eyes on Esme.
It didn't take much for her to notice just how observant he was in return. The stranger etched her body with his vicious eyes, taking in her petite frame. Where curves were void, a thin elegance accentuated her, even in the button down and thick sweatpants adorning her body.
She would've been disgusted if not for the guilt attaching her to the fact that she was doing the same not a second ago.
"You know, for weeks, I'd hear you shuffle your feet up and down these halls a lot. Your head's always down, like you don't know why you're still here... I get it though. Makes me wonder how you do it."
"Do what?"
"Take it all in," he wondered. "The city gets quiet in the fall. Makes you feel like you're floating out on an island sometimes, y'know? I don't meet a lot of vampires. I keep to myself like that. But with you... I dunno. Don't you got a spot in New Jersey or something? With a doctor?"
He'd done nothing to ease her concerns. If anything, they elevated. It was a wonder to realize that he was here. But to hear that he'd been in the building this entire time was astonishing.
"How come I've never seen you here?"
But nonchalantly, he shrugged. "I'm just quiet. Which is more than I can say for you. Was wondering when you'd finally come around and show yourself... I'm Elias, by the way."
He smiled to her, then held his hand out. But Esme only stared down at it with hesitation. She didn't shake it, nor did she take his name.
And dropping his hand, Elias leaned against his doorframe and smirked some.
"That's fair. You don't know me. I don't know you; truth be told. I'd be pretty scared if there were vampires at my door too."
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"You don't scare me," she retorted. "You're just not... I don't see others like you often."
"What? Vampires?"
Quietly, Esme muttered. "Vampires like you."
His smile came back, curving along ever so slyly to indent the dimples in his cheeks. "Yeah, I don't see a lot like me either. So, all those people you're staying away from, they're like you?"
"I'm not hiding from them."
But Elias shot back, "Oh? They're staying away from you?"
She had no answer that would please either of them.
Instead, she pulled away from him, feeling that their interaction had lasted longer than she wanted as Esme hurried back to her own apartment.
Once inside, she couldn't lock the door fast enough; it was the first time she'd done so since she moved in. A sliver of guilt stabbed at her, though. He was alone, just as she was tonight, a feeling she didn't want to dig into anymore.
As she stared out at the soft glow of the dawn breaking on the horizon, Esme decided it was best to stay with the rest of the Cullens. She was ready for the new life they all planned. So, she packed what little she had, then she sat on the edge of the bed. The sunlight slowly crept through the windows, shimmering across her ivory skin in dazzling colors and sparkles.
Frustration struck her as she realized there was no leaving tonight. The night was over. If she stepped out now, she'd sparkle all over the place.
All she had to do was stay in, stay quiet, and wait for night to catch her again, so that she could find her way to Forks and the rest of her family.
