I was burning alive and had long since given up on the hope that death would release me. Ignoring the pain was impossible.

As my flesh was seared rigid and I cooked in my skin, I couldn't move or writhe or scream myself away from it. There was no one to comfort me, no hope for relief and no answers for my questions. As time went on, the fire only grew more violent and my heart and consciousness never faltered.

Nothing existed before this pain and it seemed like nothing ever would. It was so difficult to focus on anything other than burning alive. I screamed internally to every entity I knew of for mercy, for answers. What had I done to deserve this? Was this hell? Had I died from this pain only to relive those moments for all eternity? It'd already felt like several had passed.

My heartbeat sped up considerably as the moments passed. My blood was hot, rushing furiously in my ears. My heart began to siphon the fire; gradually pulling the flames from my fingers and toes. I was left with a dull tingle that crept up my calves and prickled my neck. My back began to arch unnaturally as the flames condensed in my chest. After several moments, my heart stuttered and slowed.

I could've wept in joy from the sudden change. As my heart rate slowed to only a few beats per minute, I regained movement in my limbs and an awareness of my environment. I could feel the cool breeze scatter leaves across my skin. I could smell pollen, topsoil and tree bark in the air and was vaguely aware of several small insects tugging at the curls in my hair.

The heels of my bare feet dug into the warm damp earth as my spine fell out of its arch and my heart gave a final thump before going silent. I felt insanely disoriented and relieved as I settled onto the soft ground. I was sure I'd never been more comfortable than I was at that moment. Opening my eyes hesitantly, daylight assaulted my vision, though I lay mostly shaded from the sun's glare.

Hesitantly rising to my feet, I looked around, marvelling at the amount of detail I saw. I could see clearly every crease in the leaves and distinguish the grains in the branches on the tall trees surrounding me. I was aware of the wet scuttling produced by the critters in the fallen tree husks. Walking through the streams of light peeking between the leaves, I was startled to find it reflecting off my skin. My pale olive skin tone glittered and shined almost blindingly bright.

As I took a deep breath, I noticed how unnecessary it felt. I held my breath experimentally for a short while and though vaguely uncomfortable, my body wasn't screaming at me for the function. It felt more like I had detached myself from sensing anything around me. Growing bored with my experiment, I allowed myself to breathe and taste the air. I could pinpoint the smell of moss and ripe berries I'd crushed beneath my feet. An incessant buzzing and sweet aroma emitting from deep within a hollowed tree several yards away. I might have claimed that I felt at peace if it weren't for the growing scratchy heat that throbbed in my throat. I couldn't swallow the raw feeling away. But who was I to complain? It was a tickle compared to my previous state.

I shuddered at the memory, then froze when no others came to mind. I had no recollection of getting here or even where this forest was located. My name... My age… It's very unnerving to suddenly become so unsure of yourself and in such an unfamiliar place. Okay, step by step. What do I know?

Suffice it to say I was dead. What with the lack of a heartbeat and extraordinary senses. So what sort of afterlife had I ended up in? Was the fire I felt my punishment in purgatory? If this were my own little version of Heaven, shouldn't someone have been welcoming me right about now? God should seriously reconsider throat discomfort and confusion as part of the Heavenly Welcome Package. Maybe I'd been reincarnated.

As the wind shifted, it wafted a scent so unexpected; disinfectant. The sudden sound of a tree limb breaking made me pause. I couldn't hear a heartbeat or smell anything aside from the harsh chemicals. The wind wasn't strong enough now to cause the sound. Angling my back away from the possible threat, I moved cautiously away from the area.

"That won't be necessary just yet." A smooth masculine voice murmured from a few yards away; hidden from sight.

Curiosity would be my downfall, it made me hesitate. "Who are you?" My voice sounded steadier than I felt.

"A friend." He was closer now but I hadn't heard him move. "My name is Peter."

"Did you bring me here? How did you find me?"

A pale, lean man, roughly 6'3, with close-cut silver-blonde hair and dark red eyes emerged from a thicket of tightly knit trees. He was a handsome guy dressed in dark trousers and boots with an evergreen button up shirt.

Gazing at me curiously, he spoke. "You're surprisingly even-tempered..." His look turned thoughtful.

"Yes…? For now." I answered uncertainly.

He smirked at me, seemingly amused. "What is your name?"

"Uhm…" Could I outrun this guy? What would be a good weapon?

"Trouble remembering? It happens." He spoke nonchalantly as he moved a step closer to me; his arms at his sides. "Does 'Dorothy' sit well with you? Jane Doe seems a little too…cliché."

The crinkle near his eyes confirmed he was having fun. He unsettled me so I agreed for the sake of moving things along. "What do you want? Why are you here?"

"Aren't you curious why you're here?" I grew weary of his deflection and was sure he could see it since he elaborated. "I'm here to answer any questions you may have and guide you from there."

"Why did I wake up in a forest? What happened to me? Where are we?" I rattled off, barely holding in my irritation.

"A small forest within the mountains surrounding Monterrey, Mexico. You were in an accident; in the wrong place at the wrong time." He'd taken two steps closer to me as he spoke and I promptly renewed our distance.

"Care to continue?" I hissed scornfully. "What sort of accident?" If he wasn't a serial killer, I'd be surprised. I wasn't sure I could outrun him if it came down to it. Hell, I plan to run regardless if he provokes me but the chances were slim to none I could fight him off if he caught me...

"Helloooo!" Yup, definitely couldn't fight him off. I noticed the weight and force of his hands smacking together as he attempted to regain my attention. He moved to close the distance between us again as he spoke. Again, I stepped back. "Christ, you newborns are so easily distracted."

Great, the serial killer was irritated.

"As I was saying, the accident you're curious about? Before I begin, if you haven't already figured it out, you're dead; technically. That is to say, you're no longer human. Your death was the result of the transformation concluding. And that transformation was the result of the accident." He paused, seeming to analyze my reaction to him.

I'm sure I fully showcased how lost and agitated I was and appearing to be satisfied with that, he continued. "I was assigned to accompany a handful of newborns on a hunting trip. The size of the party determines the area in which we feed. That evening we were headed towards a small rural town just outside of the city, as to not draw attention to ourselves. Unfortunately for you, we came across yours and your companions scent along a hiking trail, unavailable to the public. Once an appealing scent is detected mid-hunt it's near impossible to stop until our prey is captured. Your male companions scent was...more appealing, as he was promptly subdued by 3 of our group. The other two fought over you, destroying themselves in the process. You'd been bitten and injured quite severely before their territorial dispute, hence your current existence. Our leader Maria was none too happy to hear of the loss to her faction and ordered you to be either recruited or destroyed. So I'd suggest you adapt very quickly if you choose to live. I can't honestly say which would be the better option..."

I was stunned. I died; violently... Someone I'd known had suffered and died along with me... Who was he to me? What else had I lost and couldn't remember? I was alone and unsure of myself. As bitter as I was about these events, I resolved to gain everything beneficial to my survival.

"What're newborns, exactly?" I asked grimly. That seemed like the best place to start.

"Those new to the life of the undead. Generally lacking in self-control and rationalization. Most are too irritable and insatiable with bloodlust to focus. They're stronger and faster than those who've been around longer. After a year, the remaining human blood in your body will've been used up, causing those attributes to wane."

I struggled to keep the elation from my face. I was stronger than him! Faster! I could stand a chance at escaping…

He could tell where my thoughts went. There was now a cold look in his eye and clenching of his jaw muscles.

"Regardless of what I've said, there are still only two options for you. One of them is not escaping. I wouldn't try it." A coldness crept into his voice that put me on edge. I knew he meant it. I needed to know what I'd be getting myself into.

"You mentioned recruiting me? For what purpose?"