Sookie POV

I didn't expect Eric to leave so suddenly; I try to call him back. He's gone, but where I don't know. I settle myself in for the rest of the night and attempt to get some sleep. No such luck. Visions of Eric dance through my mind and I can't keep them at bay.

As the sunlight pours in through the small opening in the wall, I get up and head out to the beach. Eric said he's been here for less than a year with no evidence of another person or rescue. That thought frightens me. What if we're stuck here, never to leave? I don't think Gran would ever stop looking for me but she hasn't the means to conduct an extensive search. Now Amelia on the other hand… but I couldn't ask her to do that. Although, knowing her, she'll feel guilty that I was lost at sea while sailing on her father's yacht. And that's only if she's still alive.

I try to think of happier things because being depressed will not help matters. As the sunlight washes over my skin, I think about Eric, again. Where is he sleeping? Does he miss seeing the sun, the daytime—being human, even? Maybe I'll ask him or maybe I'll do even better to stay away from him. I am his only food source. I replay his haunting his words over and over again.

"You keep talking about food and I may lose my willpower. You would be wise not to tempt a vampire, Sookie."

He has to use his willpower to keep from biting me? That's not what I need to think about right now. I plop down into the warm sand and bury my feet. I remember doing this as a kid with Jason when we went on vacation to the beach. It wasn't very often, but when we did go it was so much fun. I start singing to myself to pass the time.

If you like Pina Coladas/and getting caught in the rain

If you're not into yoga/if you have half a brain

If you like making love at midnight/in the dunes of the cape

Then I'm the love that you've looked for/write to me and escape

Jason must be beside himself right now. I know Gran probably isn't sleeping and is worrying herself sick over me. I wish there was some way I could contact them. I laugh as I think about putting a message in a bottle and setting it adrift in the sea. If only I had a bottle or a piece of paper, pen. Heck, I'd settle for a pencil. I sigh thinking about my dire circumstances.

My stomach erupts in a fit of hunger pangs and I head back to the shelter to retrieve the other bananas Eric brought back for me. Just being in there without him increases the intensity of my loneliness. Although I know I shouldn't, I crave his presence. I can't imagine how he could stand to be here alone for so long. I would have gone out of my mind.

I pick up the bunch of bananas and begin to peel one. Shoving the white flesh in my mouth, I think about how hungry Eric must be. I know it isn't my responsibility to feed him but I couldn't bear to know he was starving when there was something I could do about it. Sometimes I think too much about other people and not enough about myself. I guess I have Gran to blame for that. She's the one who raised me. I laugh just thinking about her reaction to the situation. Even as screwed up as this is, she'd want me to be hospitable. I'm sure she'd tell me the least I could do is make sure he doesn't go hungry. He did the same for me. Although, he could have been trying to butter me up for my blood. I shouldn't think that way but I know nothing about him. He's not very forthcoming and my lack of abilities doesn't afford me much insight. If I could read his mind, I would know whether I could trust him, whether I should be afraid of him, how he feels about me.

I finish off two bananas and go out in search of a tree or bush. I'm thankful that I have some form of privacy here. I head back out to the beach for a little sunbathing. May as well take advantage of my circumstances. It would be nice to have a good book though.

I must have fallen asleep as the next thing I know, the sun's going down. I shake the sand from my hair and decide I need a bath. Off to the pond I go. I hope I can remember where it is. When I hear the crash of the waterfall, I know I've found it. I do a happy dance then quickly strip down and plunge into the cool, refreshing water. I pull my shirt and shorts in with me to give them as best a washing as I can. I put them on a rock lying near the edge of the pond and grab my panties and bra to wash next.

I do a few laps and make my way over the waterfall to rinse my hair. What I wouldn't give for a bottle of shampoo! You don't realize the things you'd miss until you don't have them. Once my fingers and toes are nice and wrinkly, I swim back over to the edge of the pond to retrieve my clothes. As I break the surface of the water I get that strange feeling that something's near. I wonder briefly if it's Eric but shake my head at the notion.

The buzzing is still there as get out of the water and pick up my still damp shirt.

"Sookie."

I scream, clutching the shirt to my chest. When I realize it's Eric, I relax a little but contemplate the situation. I'm completely naked with a wet shirt between me and a hungry vampire standing a few feet away from me. I bend down to grab my shorts when I lose my balance. Funny, when I don't hear the loud splash of me flopping into the pond. I am expecting to be up to my neck in cold water yet I'm being held firmly, but gently in Eric's arms. For a moment I forget my current state of undress and can't help but stare. His fangs are extended and I have an overwhelming urge to touch them. So I do. He watches as I stretch my hand forward and extend a finger to his mouth. I touch one of his long fangs, drawing my finger down it from the gum line to its pointy tip.

"Ouch!" I yelp. It's much sharper than I imagined.

Eric closes his eyes during my exploration and leaves his mouth open enough for me to finger the other fang. Once I've withdrawn my finger, he opens his eyes slowly and runs his tongue along both fangs before closing his mouth. He stands up pulling me closer to him. My eyes haven't left his.

"I'm sorry. I should have asked before I did that. I couldn't help myself. I'm naked." Rambling, now I'm rambling.

He cocks an eyebrow and that smirk I've come to know graces his beautiful face. It's then that I notice his appearance. The dark circles that were under his eyes are almost faded. He's not as pasty as he was yesterday but I'm not sure if that's an improvement or not. He looks down and pulls my injured finger to his mouth. I hadn't noticed the blood that beaded on my fingertip and he runs his tongue over it, lazily cleaning off the droplet. His tongue recedes into his mouth and he closes his eyes again with a purr. When he opens them again, they appear hooded and darkened to an extreme degree. I feel a stirring in my nether regions and remember that I'm not wearing any clothes.

My blush further heats my suddenly warm face, and I feel self-conscious. Eric blinks then lets me go. He turns away from me, walking to the nearest tree and leaning against the long, lean trunk.

"You should get dressed now," he calls over his shoulder.

His voice sounds deeper, huskier. My body reacts to the sound in ways that I hadn't anticipated. Warmth spreads through my abdomen and a clenching between my thighs makes my knees buckle. I hurriedly pull on my clothes. My panties and bra are still wet from washing so I leave them off to dry. A breeze comes across the pond and a chill runs down my spine. The dampness of my shirt combined with the cool air against my back causes my nipples to harden. The friction of my shirt against my now taught peaks elicits another clenching down below and I have to sit.

Eric turns to face me and a low hiss escapes his lips. I forgot that he can tell when I'm aroused. Although I'm not afraid, I am worried that I can't tell what he's thinking. And that he's hungry.