• And so my life as a murderous vampire began. I never wanted or dreamed of being a killer. I never wanted or dreamed of drinking the blood of the creatures I once was.

    I hid myself in the depths of a forest and away from the things that made up my meals. Of all things, I didn't want to be a monster. I would have rather been dead.

    And believe me, I had tried. I couldn't take my own life. I was too weakened to continue stealing my life once I was nearly finished. And I could not bring myself to destroy enough human life to bring myself into the awareness and sights of the Vampire Slayers.

    But then came the day when I was found by the tours. I was asleep during the first signs of morning. It was draining to keep from turning to ashes when the sun touched me, since I ate so little.

    I was startled when one of them tripped into my little burrow and snarled at the thin, wiry man. My fangs caught the side of his hand and I tasted the man's thick blood.

    The twelve humans shouted and screamed. They knew what I was and I knew that my horrible secret was out. What could I do? I had to kill them all. I had no choice. If only I had.

    I knew very well that I was doomed now. But just as I was beginning to realize that there was a whole nother side to myself. I had to live. I had to get away. The Vampire Slayers would not over look the sudden slaughter of twelve humans in the middle of a forest at the hadn of one creature. They would know that I was here.

    So I ran. I ran for my pitiful, lasting, undead life.

    I ran for miles, strenghtened by the surge of fresh, renewed energy I had achieved with the sad death of some humans.

    But I had no chance to survive now. I was going to pay for my mistake, as well as the humans' pitiful mistakes. I was not going to make it for long.

    It took them two days to find me. I was well hidden in the branches of an ancient tree, sleeping fitfully in the leaves that sheltered me from the view of people below me. My dreams were of my lost love, Kendel, and of his betrayal. Again. I had the same dream every night and every time I bothered to doze off. Which happened to be a lot more than normal creatures did. (Every chance I could get.)

    My eyes snapped open when my brain realized there was a voice nearby. I had not heard a voice like it in years. A Hunter's voice.

    It was calm, focused, and cautious. A man's voice that sent chills coursing through my body in fear and apprehension.

    I sat up silently and then peered down at the creature I so feared. He reminded me of my Kendel. His hair was the same color. I couldn't see the color of his eyes and I couldn't see his coloring well. It was dark enough that I could only see so much of him. But he was not Kendel. His voice was different and his scent. He was most definitely human. My mouth watered. My starved, emaciated body wanted more nutrients.

    I couldn't help it. Part of me was curious, part of me wanted to die still, and part of me wanted to taste his blood. I leapt down from my perch in the tree.

    ~TO BE CONTINUED~