Author's Note: Maybe this story would get more reviews if I updated more frequently. It's not that I don't like this project-- I really get into the psychology behind James's motives. It's just that The River, as it's now called, is not my main story right now, and it's going to be much shorter than Without You. So I have less the ponder about it. ;) Enjoy!

4. Hannah

We followed the girl's scent to the edge of town, sticking to the shadows as we encountered the odd blue-collar worker heading home for the day. Victoria kept stealing sideways glances at me, as if expecting me to go completely beserk and kill everything in sight. Or perhaps she was anticipating another moment where I paused, as memories came flooding back to me.

That had been an odd experience, when suddenly past events had come back to pester me. I did my best to learn from the past, then ignore it completely. When you were going to live forever, what was the point of dwelling on old times? It would just fill your head with needless rememberances.

"Her scent's changed course," I said. "It smells like she's headed home, now."

"Where's home?" asked Victoria. Her eyes took in our close proximity to the more populated areas of town.

"It's down more by the river." I rolled my eyes at her tense form. "Relax, woman. If we act casual, no one will give us another thought."

She gave me a contemptuous look, then did exactly what I said. Like always, she took my word without question. I couldn't help but wonder why she thought I was the infallible source of all knowledge; I certainly didn't listen to everything she said, especially when her fiery temper was ignited. Of course, she mostly swore at me like a sailor when she was angry, or dove for my throat. That was always an experience, and if she knew how much I liked it, she would probably resort to a different tactic.

"We're too far in town," Victoria hissed. "Let's just settle for a tramp. There's one on the corner, let's go for him."

"You mean to tell me we tracked this girl all the way here, and you want to give up the hunt? Just when it gets interesting?" The woman was so tiresome.

"I value my obscurity more than my next meal, James," snapped Victoria irritably.

"That's why you hadn't had a decent kill in years when I found you." I wasn't going to let her skiddishness ruin my game. I knew how to handle Victoria-- if I just kept cool, she would follow. Anywhere, anytime, any place.

Unintentionally, my thoughts were thrown back into the far past.

I thought of another woman who would have followed me anywhere, but ended up following me to the grave.