They had been traveling for about five days now. At first Bella had been incessant at trying to talk Ron out of his 'crazy plan', but by the third day she had given up. Ron noticed she had begun to slump slightly over the last few hours.

"Hey…" Ron said glancing over at his prisoner.

Bella jumped slightly, her hood slipping and revealing some of her face. Ron gulped, he had no issues with half-breeds before, but this was different. What she was wasn't natural. "You okay? You're not looking so good; don't go dying on me when we still need you."

Bella pulled her hood back down over her face. "I have not fed for many days now. I will need to feed before we reach our destination."

"F…Feed?" Ron stuttered. "You mean…" Ron pulled his coat closed over his neck; his eyes flickering between the road and his unwanted passenger.

Bella chuckled, "Not from you, fool. I'd kill you. No… I need someone else." Bella whispered looking out the Ute's window. Her black tongue slid over her jagged teeth, she could almost taste the sweetness of her next meal.

"How… I mean… When?" Ron stuttered, Bella noticed his knuckles had turned white gripping the steering-wheel.

Bella watched him for a moment, they passed a sign that estimated another 8 miles to the next town. "Stop at the next village. I will feed there."

Ron shuddered. "O-Okay, but remember. If you attack me I'll use the UV light." He patted the long silver torch attached to his belt. Bella shivered the combination of pure silver and ultra-violet light was fatal to her. It was the reason she had gotten into the muggle-travel contraption in the first place.

It had taken Ron another half-hour to drive to the next town, he hesitated before pulling into a petrol station just off the highway. "Umm, how do I know you won't just, eh, run off?" He stuttered trying desperately not to make eye contact.

Bella made a chuckling hissing sound, that Ron assumed was laughter. "I promise Weasley, I will not 'run away'. You found me once? What's the point in making you chase me again?" Bella asked, not expecting an answer.

She opened the door and slipped out into the shadows thrown by the street lights. She could feel Weasley following her. Bella paused as she passed a house with a light on, she sniffed the air and waited. A moment later squeals of young girlish laughed flowed out of the partially open window. How delightful! Bella grinned and began climbing up the side of the house. A buffet!

Ron stood, frozen as he watched Bella's dark shape slip into the open window. For a moment Ron thought to burst in and stop the evil creature, but he hesitated too long. A series of screams filled the quiet street; and Ron watched in a kind of trance-like horror as he saw and heard Bellatrix feed.

It could not have taken her more than fifteen minutes before she returned to Ron's side. Her face, hands and cloak soaked in blood and gore. She grinned up at the house, her eyes never leaving the still open window. The once pink curtain was now stained red.

"After all," She whispered, "I am not the one who gives chase?"

tbc