A/N : Chapter 2 of Value is up and ready for the reading! I have become completely engrossed in writing my own story, so humour me as I get overly excited and what-not.

Thank you to those who review, I love to hear every opinion you have! Enjoy!

I left the forest pretty sharpish, and decided to head west, towards the heart of Europe.

Still wary of my own self-control, I drank regularly, surprising myself as my meals became fewer and farther between.

Everything about the world had changed. Even my eyesight, previously average, had spiraled into a world of heat sensing, technicolour wondrousness.

I'm not kidding, it's pretty damn cool.

My hair was now a deep, permanently glossy Auburn, which fell down my back in loose curls.

Every mirror I saw stopped me in my tracks. I did not recognise myself anymore.

Even my weight seemed to have changed in someway. Maybe it was the amount of physical activity I was doing; sprinting across countries really takes it out of you.


I soon began to realise that the 'pheasant forest', as I now called it, had been on the outskirts of Russia.

This gave me a reasonable idea on where I was heading, and decided to head towards the southern, sunny beaches that lined Europe.

Italy. The home of huge pizzas and fast cars.

The journey, was less than perfect. I was starting to thirst once again, and just 'happened' to stumble across a well packed and bustling tourist spot.

The sky was gloomy as I stood in front of the small shack, watching groups of children, adults and adolescents scurry in through the doors, trying to escape the light rain that had started to fall.

Their scent was overbearing as I stood, transfixed, whilst one lady unwound her scarf from her neck, and rubbed it. She seemed anxious, uneasy.

Maybe it was my presence, or my constant feeling of guilt, but I ran from that shop as fast as my little legs would carry me.

So much for indestructible vampire.


I slowed when I reached the border, and slipped around the border patrol to find myself on the outskirts of Austria.

The beautiful countryside stretched out before me, hillsides and valleys spreading for miles around, encompassing your senses with the overwhelming smells and sounds of a summers day.

I made to run when a voice startled me.

"Hey, you, young miss!"

It was a mans voice, deep, echoing in his throat. I could sense his heart beat behind me, and my hands began to tremble.

"Young miss, hi, over here!"

I turned on the spot, and locked eyes with the speaker. He was a balding, middle aged man with a goatee beard and a bulging stomach. I felt a growl revebrate deep within me.

"You want a ride?" The man gestured to his van, and smiled grimly.

I moved my head a fraction the the left. This was a no.

The man walked towards me and touched my arm lightly. I shied away, and sprinted 100 metres to his left, my breath heavy and my eyes wide.

"It's Ok." The man sighed. "Calm down". He held his hands above his head.

I turned on my heel and made for the nearest by-road. I didn't stop until I reached the next border control unit.

Italy.


My mind was frazzled. I leant against a wall, mouth parched once again.

Why did I always get myself into these situations!? If I'd just killed that bear I'd seen in Hungary, this wouldn't be happening.

I slid to the floor, and shuffled backwards into the shadows, hoping that no one would be stupid enough to walk past this exact spot. I could not guarantee that this time I would restrain myself from sucking them dry.

My eyes must be ridiculous, I concluded, rubbing them back into my sockets and grimacing at the street light directly opposite me. At least it was now dark; sparkling would not be an issue and I could explore the city without interruption.

Hopefully.

I clambered to my feet and jogged a couple of miles to the nearest courtyard. It was empty, and the fountain in the centre was turned off and dry as a bone.

I walked to it and stared into the empty basin, savouring the darkness and lack of people. For once, I wasn't fighting myself and it felt... nice.

The silence was eerie, and I slid to the floor once again. For the first time in months, I let my guard down.

Someone slammed into my chest.