Beauties | Esme Cullen

Chapter Five

 After that, Sarah went a few days without having any blood or feeding on anyone. Given what she had done, she was a little afraid to leave her apartment. What if someone in the neighborhood had seen her, and they recognized her out on the street? Then what would she have to do? It was because of this that she was thinking the best thing to do would be to just leave Los Angeles. Interesting as the city might be, she didn't think it was really worth anymore trouble. 

 Sarah wound up visiting Esme and Carlisle again to ask them, hoping they would have some good advice to give her. 

 After hearing her story, Carlisle said, "Well, if you want to leave Los Angeles, we wouldn't want to stop you if that's what you think is best for yourself. I would suggest trying to figure out a way to manage how much feeding you do when. In fact, I have something for you." 

 Carlisle walked off to another room, leaving Sarah with Esme. 

 "So, do you think it would be best if you left?" Esme asked. 

 Sarah nodded. "I guess it might be." 

 "Oh. Well, we should keep in touch. I'd like to think that we're friends by now." 

 Sarah couldn't smiling a little. She liked the idea of being friends with someone like Esme, definitely liked the idea. 

 Carlisle returned and handed Sarah a plastic bag. "Blood bags. I took them from the last hospital I worked at." 

 Sarah raised her eyebrows in surprise. "You stole from a hospital? And one that you worked at? I'm...kind of surprised." 

 Carlisle suddenly looked a little uncomfortable. "Well...I'm not always a goody two-shoes, you know. I am capable of...committing slight crimes every now and then. They were supposed to be in case of an emergency, but I think giving some of them to you might help you." 

 "Thank you, Carlisle," Sarah said. "I...I really don't know what else to say. This is just...well, it feels too kind a gesture." 

 "I don't think so. You're a fellow vampire going through some troubles. Besides, it gives me something to do. I'm currently not working, so I don't even have that to concentrate on."

 "Carlisle," Esme said suddenly, "We were thinking about taking a trip a little north of here, to a more rural area." 

 Carlisle looked a little surprised, but he said, "Yes, we were. Do you still want to go?" 

 "Oh, yes, of course I do," Esme said, not rushing her words as much. "I think Sarah should come with us on the trip." 

 Sarah raised her eyebrows again. "You...want me to go with you." 

 "Yes." Esme nodded. "I think it might be good for you. We'll all get out of here for a little while, and maybe by then this whole thing with you feeding will have turned into a cold case. And while we're away, you can see it's like feeding on animal blood instead of human blood, and see if it's something you would want to do."

 Sarah looked at Carlisle. "Is it okay if I come?" 

 Carlisle shrugged. "I guess so. It's been a little lonely, just the two of us. Some company would be nice." 

 "Oh." Sarah suddenly felt the need to ask what she had been wondering about. "Are you two...I don't know, in a relationship or anything?" 

 Carlisle and Esme glanced at each other, and they both smiled. 

 "Sometimes we tell people we're a couple," Esme admitted. "We're not, though. Sometimes we do when we're traveling because it just seems perfectly reasonable. I was one of the first members of a small coven Carlisle put together himself." 

 "Well, your kindness and good spirits did help bring everyone together," Carlisle replied. "Sarah, do you have somewhere cold you can store those blood bags? It would probably be best." 

 "Oh. No, my...my apartment doesn't have any furniture." 

 "None at all?" 

 "No. Whoever lived there before me must have taken everything with them." 

 "Well, we should be leaving within the next few days," said Esme. "They should be all right until then." 

 "Okay." Sarah smiled. "Thank you both. I'm looking forward to this now." 

 "Not at all." Esme reached over and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "You're perfectly safe with us, and I think we'll have a great trip."