I smiled and waved at Sarah's Dad as I turned down the road. He nodded and closed the blind, seemingly looking away. Yet I knew that he would be waiting by the phone for me to call when I got home. I hiked my backpack up on my shoulder and rubbed my hands together. I had forgotten my gloves at home and the evening was chilly. I pulled my scarf tighter around my neck and glanced at the park. I took a deep breath and began walking through. This park was where I had met Sarah, my best friend, when we were both three. Our moms had hit it off and we had been with each other since. I kept my head down and froze when I saw movement by the swings. I turned towards them and saw the most handsome man sitting on one. I shook my head to clear my thoughts and kept going.

A scream escaped my lips when a hand landed on my shoulder.

"I'm so sorry but I'm afraid that I got lost. I was trying to find a classmates house to get together and do a project. Could you help me?" His voice sounded as if it belonged to an angel and his smile was dazzling.

"It's okay. What street were you looking for?" I took a slight step back as I felt that he was too close to me.

"Yours." I felt his teeth sink into my neck before I could react. His hand clamped over my mouth to keep me from screaming. I drew my foot back and kicked him as hard as I could. He laughed and threw me over his shoulder.

The pain from the bite was spreading and I was starting to have trouble thinking. I knew that I had to get away from this monster before he killed me. He was running now, moving faster than I could picture. I was going to have to fight my way away. When I felt his arm brush against my mouth I bit. It hurt and felt like my teeth were going to shatter. I put all my resolve behind the bite and clamped down until he slowed down.

"You're more trouble than your worth. " He threw me into a tree and took off. I gasped in little gulps of air until I could draw a deeper breath. I brought my hand up to my neck and applied pressure. I began to crawl.

He had made it to the base of the mountain that over shadowed our small town, before he threw me away. I had to make it up the mountain where no one would find me. I'm not sure why but there was something screaming within me to get out of there. I took a shaky breath and continued up.

There was no way that I could walk with this pain but I would die before I would stop crawling. I had been hit by a car when I was seven and the pain of a dozen broken bones didn't compare to the pain that was descending down my neck. I wanted to scream but knew that if I unclenched my teeth I would never be able to close them again.

I grabbed a small tree trunk and pulled myself higher, pushing off with my toes. I had heard from others that there were caves further up. I had to make it there. I took another deep breath and grabbed the next root that was above me. I noticed that the pain was in my shoulder and beginning to shoot down my arm. With each breath I climbed a little higher. When my left arm went numb I almost gave up. Almost. I felt a single rain drop hit my cheek and I knew that I had to keep going.

With a grunt I pulled myself to my feet. I clenched my teeth harder and grabbed for the next tree. With great effort I took one step and then another. With each movement I felt as if fire was rushing through my veins. I knew that I wouldn't make it much farther so I looked around to see where I might find shelter.

A large tree caught my eye, the kind I have no idea. It had a curve in the base that I could fit into and perhaps no one would notice. I shoved off the tree that I had been leaning on and lurched towards it. I felt my legs begin to buckle and grabbed at a branch to keep myself from falling. With one more push, I flopped into the curve. I pulled my legs close to me and closed my eyes, praying that I could sleep through this.

Yet sleep eluded me. The pain was the only thing that I could focus on. It devoured each part of me but refused to let go. It was a fire that burned through every part of me, including my heart. After three or perhaps it was four days, the pain began to leave me fingers and toes. It became replaced with a cool that was like a mountain river. It was refreshing and a relief. I was about to unclench my teeth when my heart began the pound. It felt as if I was having a panic attack. Then it got faster and began to hurt. The fire that was leaving my limbs was pooling in the very center. In my heart.

I clutched at the tree and felt my fingers dig into the bark. I gasped as my heart began to race like a horse. It felt as if it was going to explode from my chest. A scream finally tore from my lips against my will. I felt as if I was crying but nothing was running down my cheeks. Then it stopped.

I froze, unsure of what to do or how to react. I slowly removed my fingers from the tree and opened my eyes. Everything was so vibrant. I could see the very threads of the web that a spider was repairing. I could see the trail that I had taken to get here, from minor broken branches to crushed leaves. It was as if I had suddenly gained supernatural powers.

I took a small breath to test the air and gasped. A cough ripped from my chest and I quickly calmed down. The air had such smells! The growing moss, the water, the sap within the trees. And the tastes! Everything had a taste yet there was one that stood out. It was like chocolate but better. I had to find the source.

I took another deep breath and the scent was still there. I stood and followed the scent on the wind. I could run as fast as that man! It felt as if I was flying! Suddenly the scent grew stronger and I lost all focus. I wanted whatever it was. Would kill for it.

I came across a clearing and stopped. It was the campground on the other side of town. There was a family here and the children were running around playing. The wind blew my way and the scent was so sweet. Dread poured down my spine as realization sank in. The scent that I wanted so badly was them. This innocent family. I wanted to eat them, or some part of them.

With disgust I swung around and ran back the way I came. I climbed to the top of the mountain and found a cave that I burrowed into. I sat with my back against the cave wall and allowed myself to give into my fear and grief.