Chapter 1:

As she traveled from place to place, Wynn found this new lifestyle to be extremely harsh. Forced to migrate often and seek shelter in poor, run-down areas, this 14-year-old had to grow up fast. Needing food, she stopped in a market filled with strange people, and spoke with an equally odd vendor,

"Excuse me, sir?"

"Well, hello, cutie. What brings you here without and escort?"

"There is no reason, but I would like to buy some fruit from you."

"You would? Well then, what would you like to buy?"

While Wynn was picking out some fruit to buy, the vendor just stared at her with a wicked grin on his face. Suddenly, his hair changed to black and his eyes darkened. He threw the orange he was holding into the air, caught it, and replaced it on the pile. Wynn finished picking her fruit and gave him the money to pay for it.

"Thank you. I'm very grateful."

"Well, Wynn, you are very welcome."

"How--how do you know who I am?"

"I just thought Wynn suited you." The vendor shrugged innocently. "I didn't mean to scare you. Run along, young one, and stay away from strangers."

(This man just happened to be a spy for the very vampire after Wynn. His duty was to follow her around so when they wanted to kill her, it would be easy to find her.)

"Um...yes sir. I--I have to go."

Wynn picked up her bag of fruit and slowly backed away from the cart. Her back met with another cart before she turned and fled. Before she reached the up coming inn, she tripped and fell on her bag of fruit, crushing every piece.

"Oh, isn't that just great? How could I be so clumsy?"

While she was sitting on the ground sobbing (covered in crushed fruit), the manager from the inn saw her. He ran out to her to see if he could help her.

"Oh, you poor child. Are you alright? That was a nasty fall there, wasn't it? Now, stop crying; it's alright. Stand up and brush yourself off."

She wiped her eyes. "Thank you. I'm fine, really I am. I need to get to the inn and check in and find somewhere to work. I spent the last of my money on this--this fruit."

"Well, I am the owner of the inn and I could give you a job to pay for a stay at the inn. The extra money will be yours to keep. All you have to do is clean rooms and help my wife."

"You would do that for me?"

"Of course I would."

"Oh, thank you sir! Thank you so much!"

"You're welcome, little girl. Come on now. I can get you some clean clothes, supper, and a nice warm bed."

"It won't be for long; I promise. I'll only be here until I have enough money to--"

"Hush, hush, hush; you can stay here as long as you want, dear."

"Can I really stay as long as I want?"

"Of course you can, um..."

"My name is Wynn. Are you sure you won't mind having a little girl around?"

"Well, my wife will certainly adore you. She loves little girls and you can't be more than 12."

"I am 14, not 12! Don't you think 12 is an immature age? Why would I be wondering around nowhere--"

"Wynn! I'm sorry for that mistake. Can I ask you why you are wondering around?"

"My parents are--are--well, they're dead. They were killed b-by vampires. You probably don't even believe me...nobody does."

"I'm not like the rest of them; I believe you Wynn. I had a close encounter with a nasty old vampire once. He told me that my blood belonged to him and then he tried to bite me. I lit a match and caught his cape on fire. That drove him off. I was one of the lucky ones though. Anybody else would have been killed."

He gave a nervous laugh and opened the inn door. While she was walking inside, Wynn remembered the note that had been left in her house. The innkeeper led her into a lobby and sat down in a rather big chair.

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"Aren't you going to sit down, Wynn? Go on, sit."

"I'm fine standing for now. May I ask you a question?"

"Of course you may."

"That vampire told you that your blood belonged to him, right?"

"Yes he did. Why, is there something bothering you, dear?"

Wynn took the blood-stained note out of her bag and showed it to the innkeeper. His eyes widened as he read it.

"Oh dear God. That would be him alright. He uses the same line every time he threatens someone, I guess."

"All I know is, I have to keep running. He's going to kill me!"

Wynn started to cry and sat in one of the big chairs, bringing her knees to her chest. The innkeeper called for his wife to come help him. When she came in, she made the innkeeper leave the room so she could talk to Wynn.

"Poor baby! Alright now, stop that crying. I'm sure it's not that bad."

"Yes it is! My parents are dead and I'm sure I'm next! How am I supposed to survive on my own?"

"It's alright. You're not alone anymore. I will take care of you and my husband will give you a job. You have nothing to worry about."

"What if that man finds me? What will happen?"

"I won't let him hurt you darling. You'll be safe here."

"I guess I can stay, but how long will I be allowed to stay here?"

"As long as you need dear. By the way, what is your name?"

"Wynn."

"Oh, that's really pretty. My name is Dolores. Don't worry Wynn; we'll keep you perfectly safe here."

"Thank you, Dolores."

"Come with me, hunny. I'll show you where your room is."

"Alright."

Dolores took Wynn to a cozy, single room and gave the child some clean clothes. After she left, Wynn sat on the bed and thought about how she make her hosts glad they had kept her around. She had just laid her head on the pillow and fallen asleep, when she was called for dinner.

"Wynn, hunny! It's time for dinner!"

"I'm coming!"

Wynn ran down the stairs and into the dining room. Dolores and the innkeeper were standing in the doorway waiting for her.

"I'm sorry for being late. I fell asleep."

It's quite alright dear. We haven't started yet."

"Thank you, Dolores. I am quite hungry. What are we going to eat for dinner?"

"What sounds good to you right now?"

"A salad sounds good to me."

A salad it is. I'll be right back, hunny."

Dolores went into the kitchen and brought out a salad for Wynn. They all sat down and started eating. Wynn stayed quiet so she didn't interrupt her hosts. She was very grateful these people were so kind and she feared that they would be angry if she spoke too much.

When all of them finished eating, they sat around the fireplace talking about Wynn's journey thus far. After they had had enough, the couple walked Wynn to her room and then went to bed themselves. As soon as Wynn's head hit the pillow, she fell asleep. She was smiling, glad that she had a bed to lie on.

While she was sleeping, she dreamed that her parents were alive. She dreamt that those evil vampires had never ruined her life and that she lived in a happy home once again.

Over the next two months, Wynn lived and worked at the inn alongside the innkeeper and his wife. Once she had made enough money to restart her journey, she said her goodbyes and tearily departed.

Again, she sought revenge. And again, she would stay in one town for quite some time. However, her belief in vampires would soon fade.