As yet another flies by, causing dirt and debri to swirl around me, I drop my thumb in defeat.

'People really don't pick up hitch hikers anymore, damn those stupid movies.' I think to myself. Not one to give up I stretch my arm out once more as I see a car coming.

Once again they pass me. Out of the corner of my eye I see they they have come to a stop about a foot away. I sigh in relief and race to the passenger door.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you." I say "I have been walking forever, or at least that's how it feels."

"What are you?" she asks.

"What?" I ask as I turn to look at my saviour and my mouth almost drops and I totally forget her odd question. She is beautiful. Smooth olive skin, eyes that come across as both green and brown and a head of silky chestnut brown curls. I am so jealous.

"No problem." She says and glances my way. "So where are you headed?" She asks and turns back to the road.

"I have no idea. Anywhere. Where's the nearest town?"

"About 10 miles actually."

"What's it called?"

"Mystic Falls."

"Oh cool. So where are you headed?"

"I'm headed there actually."

"Business or pleasure."

"A bit of both."

I look at the passing scenery as it begins to get dark and thank goodness I'm not still walking.

"So," I say as I search through my bag for a snack bar "What's your name, I'm Marissa." Aha, found you. I grab two bars.

"I'm Katherine."

"That's pretty. Want one?" I asks as I turn to her.

Everything goes black.

Why is everything spinning? Damn did I get drunk or something?

I sit up and look around, trying to get my eyes to focus. I see a neon sign in front of me, Mystic Grill.

What the fuck is a Mystic Grill . . . . WAIT, Mystic. Where have I heard that from? KATHERINE!

Suddenly everything comes rushing back.

"I'm Katherine."

"That's pretty. Want one?" I ask and turn to hand her one of the snack bars.

"No but I am starving!" I gasp as I take in her face. Gone is the beautiful woman who was sitting there. Her face is contorted into an evil smirk. Her eyes have gone black and red veins are surrounding them. Then there is her mouth, which is open revealing two very sharp fangs.

"Your face." I say, barely. I feel breathless.

"What about it?" She says as the car comes to a sudden stop. I jerk forward, hitting my head on the dashboard. I reach up to see if I am bleeding but there is only a slight bump.

I reach for the door handle and jerk it open. I try to hurry and get out but I feel her grab my ponytail and pull me back.

"Ah ah ah, where do you think you're going?" She says "Close it." I don't move, not to be defiant but because I am too afraid. She tightens her hold causing me to gasp in pain and repeats herself. This time I comply.

She turns my head to her face. I close my eyes not wanting to see her inhuman face.

"Open your eyes." Reluctantly I do. "I don't know what you are but you smell delicious. So I'm gonna feed on you and if I somehow don't end up draining you then I'll do the courtesy of letting you make it to mystic falls. Although if everyone can smell what I smell you probably won't be alive for long.

"Please," I interrupt. "I am really don't understand what's going on. Please, just let me go."

"No can do. You should feel privileged to be the last person I feed on for the night." With that I feel her fangs pierce the skin of my neck just before everything goes black.

I feel myself being carried and I try to open my eyes but I can.t. I am lowered onto a hard surface.

"Open your eyes." I hear an oddly familiar voice say. I open them and shrink back when I realize it's HER! "Relax, I'm not going to hurt you, this time. Let's hope you're smart and leave town. Now listen closely. "She says and looks deep into my eyes. "You will not remember meeting me or getting into my car. In fact, if someone asks what happened to you you will say Elena Gilbert did this to you. Am I clear."

"Crystal." i say, trying to be sarcastic but it came out to weak.

"Well alright. Till we meet again Marissa.' Then she disappears.

I lie there looking up at the stars. You could never see the stars like this back in CA. That's where I'm from. I might as well tell a little bit of my story since I might die here. It's not very interesting so it won't take long.

I have no idea where I was born or who my parents are. I have been bounced from foster home to foster home for as long as I can remember. I hated it so I would always do something to get them to turn me back over to the system.

One time I went to far as to seduce one of the foster dads. I was sent back that night.

I turned 18 a few days ago and was released on my own. I was given 500 dollars and a small box that was supposedly found with me and sent on my way.

That;'s how I ended up here, well not here on this bench, just here.

I sit there in a slight daze when I realize that my shirt is sticking to my body. I look down and Im covered in blood. I reach my hand up to my next but to my surprise I can't feel anything. IMPOSSIBLE! I was sure she had bitten me. WTF was going on.

I stumble to my feet and almost fall but I manage to catch myself. i look round for my bag and find it on the ground next to me. I sling it on and start walking, where you ask? I have no idea.

I find myself in a neighborhood in front of a house nearly burnt to the ground. I stop in front of it and notice there is still smoke coming from it. I stand there in a daze, staring.

"Hey, are you alright?" I hear someone ask.

"Oh sure," I hear myself say without turning to look at the person.

"Are you sure? You are covered in blood you know?"

"Yea." I say. "It's just a new look I'm trying."

"Oh, ok. Well, as nice as it is, wouldn't you like to clean up?"

"Nah, I think I'm good"

"What are you?"

I turn to look at the stranger now and find myself lost for words. I am staring into the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. I would have taken time to check out the rest of his face but I couldn't look away from his eyes. I find myself smiling and then I pass out.