I kept walking despite the fact that I knew I was lost. But I thought that if I stayed on the roadside someone passing by was bound to stop and help. Or was it too much to think anyone else would be as kind as Sookie? My feet were getting tired and after two more cars passing without even a glance my way I gave up for the moment. I placed my pajamas on the ground and used it to sit on the side of the road. The rain felt like it was dying out. I curled my knees up to my chest trying to keep what was left of my body heat. I buried my face in my knees and hoped for the sun to rise soon.

Only a few minutes had passed when I heard a noise come from the woods ahead of me. It sounded like something or someone running. Then it stopped. I looked up at the road and did not see anything. I decided that the next passing car would have no choice but to stop for me. I swore to myself that I wouldn't use my ability to will onto humans but I was desperate. I had planned it all out, I would stand in the middle of the road so that they would have no other choice but to stop, then I'd make them drive me home. I stood up from where I was sitting and kept my eyes down the road waiting to see lights shine through the darkness or the sound of a car edging near. But what I saw and heard next was no car.

Down the road stood the silhouette of what I thought to be a man, standing on his two feet slightly hunched over, but it was too large and too hairy to be human. A loud snarling growl cracked through the silence and stopped my heart. I wanted to scream for help but I knew no one but this creature would be able to hear me. It stalked closer, its eyes seemed to reflect in the night. I turned to make a run for it but up the other end of the road appeared another one, but this one was moving faster towards me snarling and snapping in the air. I had no choice but to jump into the wooded area and try to run for my life hoping that I would lose them through all the trees and other plantation. I ran as fast as my legs could take me, trying my best to avoid falling. My heart was racing out of my chest and I could hear the creatures gaining speed. I weaved through the trees and further into the dark woods but they were still on my trail. Their growls almost sounded like mocking laughs.

My lungs were heaving and my legs were burning. I could feel them just behind me, being kidnapped didn't feel so bad now compared to this. Tears streamed down my face and I started to lose hope, my body was getting tired. I turned my head for a split second to see how close they were when my dress got snagged on a branch jerking my body back and sending me to the muddy ground. I scrambled up to my feet quickly to continue with my running but it was too late. The two creatures were now at a stand still in front of me. Their faces resembled that of a rabid dog's. Their mouths formed a smile as they showed off their saliva dripping fangs. They both stood on two feet, their fingers sported long sharp nails and they were covered from head to toe with wiry silver and black hair.

I could no longer hear their growls through the fast beating of my heart. I knew it was over but something in me would not give up so easily. In a blink I turned and sprinted away but I didn't get very far. I suddenly felt the sting of nails digging into my skin as I was lifted and thrown forward to the ground. My head landed hard on a rock and my vision blurred, I rolled myself onto my back. I was slipping into unconsciousness but I fought it back as hard as I could. One of the two were now dragging me by one of my legs, images of me as a late night snack filled its head. The more I tried to struggle the more its nails would dig into my flesh. I was screaming in agony as they laughed in victory of their hunting game. But then suddenly their roars went silent and I was no longer being dragged. My leg dropped to the ground but I had no more energy left in me to try to get away. There was something else out there moving fast through the woods. I heard my hunters let out a deep growl and then in a second I heard a few snarls and yelps. Then it was silent again. My mind was fading to black. I could hear faintly something walking closer towards me, but I didn't have it in me to open my eyes. I was drifting further and further away.

"I thought I told you to keep that dress safe." The voice sounded miles away but none-the-less I was grateful it was there. I was then consumed by unconsciousness.

I was gazing down at four bodies, three of which were lifeless. They were mangled and covered in blood while the other seemed to have suffered lesser injuries. It was a woman, she was laid out on her back. Her hair covered her face. I scanned her over and it looked as if only her neck was bleeding. I could hear her faint cries as her hand searched out for mine. I was at her side in a flash. I felt a pain in my chest that was filled with guilt and regret. I reached down to wipe the hair from her face when the picture faded.

My eyes slowly opened, my vision was still blurry and out of focus. I felt disoriented, I couldn't remember where I was or what had happened. I was laying on my back with my head propped up on something soft. When my sight gained focus I noticed I was in a dimly lit room and wrapped in a warm blanket. I realized that I was wearing nothing but my underwear underneath. I was on a sofa, I looked around and saw that the dim light was coming from a small lamp on top of a desk. I tried to sit up but my sides were sore along with my head. I lifted my hand up and touched my forehead which was now covered by cloth and tape. My sides were covered by the same. I suddenly remembered what had happened.

Just then the door opened and in walked Eric. He was no longer wearing the dark clothing I saw him wearing earlier. Instead he was in a red t-shirt that read Fangtasia across the front and jeans. Even in casual clothing he looked breath taking. I immediately shook the thought from my head.

"I didn't expect you to be conscious so soon." He coldly spoke as he sat himself behind the lit desk.

"You saved me..." It was more of a realization to myself than a question directed towards him, but how was he to know.

"I did."

"Why?" I watched as a crooked grin stretched across his mouth.

"Normally I would ask the same question, but keeping in mind that I have yet to solve the puzzle, which is you..... I couldn't very well have you die on me just yet, now could I? "

"But....how did you find me?" He got up from his seat and walked over towards me.

"A lucky guess..." He squatted down at my side, but yet he was still towering over me. His beautiful blond hair flowed down past his shoulders and I had to fight every urge in me that wanted to lift my hand and run my fingers through it. With thoughts on my hands I noticed that something didn't feel right. I lifted them both up from the covers and saw that the key was missing. The silver cuff bracelet was gone.

"Relax, it's safe."

"You took it?"

"I found the designs on it quite interesting. I've never seen anything of its kind before so I had Belinda remove it and take it to a specialist I know of to be examined. You'll get it back..besides you should rethink your metal of choice in jewelry if you plan on being around vampires." He smiled. I felt anger start to rise in me.

"Oh believe me..I don't plan on it! And you can't just go around stealing someone's jewelry just because you find it interesting!" I tried to sit up again but the sudden pain in my head kept me down. I knew the key wouldn't work without the touch of a Sirus native, so I didn't worry about that. But what worried me was what if this "specialist " could figure its origin out.

" It was not stolen, just simply borrowed for educational purposes." I closed my eyes, my head was causing me to feel dizzy. "You should try to relax. You did hit your head pretty bad." I felt his fingers lightly graze across where I was bandaged then travel to my hair. I opened my eyes and saw that his eyes have now softened and were fixed on my black hair that was now tangled around his fingers. The softness disappeared once he realized I was watching.

"What were they?"

" Weres"

"You mean as in werewolf?"

"Yes but they were not born a werewolf. They were turned and very young."

"Did you kill them?"

"I did.....does that upset you?"

"No...should it?" I was actually relieved to know that they would no longer be lurking around hunting on the innocent as game. He slightly smiled but then his face grew serious.

" Don't you know you shouldn't be out walking around when it's a full moon night? Has Sookie not warned you at all about anything?" his tone was scolding.

"She's warned me about you." the words shot out before I could stop them. I waited for him to get even more angry but instead he let out a heart felt laugh.

"Did she now..." he was amused.

"And I had no idea there was a full moon tonight, AND its not like I chose to walk on my own...I was left to walk." he was quiet. His face grew serious again and his eyes were back to their fierce selves.

"Pam." He spoke out her name as if she was already in the room. Within seconds she was walking through the door. He did not turn his focus off of me. He spoke to her in another language and although I could not understand a word of their back and forth conversation, I could tell he was furious. When he finished speaking she left quietly.

"She's very loyal but can be spiteful sometimes." he stood up from his squatting position. "We should get going, dawn is approaching and Sookie has been worried." I slowly sat up trying to ignore the pain from my head and sides. I held the blanket up to cover myself.

"What should I do about clothes?" He walked over to his desk and picked up something and tossed it at me.

"That should do." It was a black t-shirt with bright pink lettering on the front that said Fangtasia and on the back it said The Bar with a Bite. Eric turned his back to me and I quickly slipped the shirt over my head and then put my arms through the sleeves. I stood up on my feet that were extremely sore, but I bit my lip and dealt with it. The shirt was extra long on me, stopping and inch below my knees. I pulled my hair out from under the shirt and then Eric turned around looking me over.

"You should not be able to stand on those feet just yet."

"I can manage." he walked back over to me. "Sit" he demanded and I did he knelt down and lifted my leg that was wrapped up. I forced my walls up trying my best to stay out of the vampire's mind. Pam then walked in the door with car keys in her hand. Eric held up one of his hands for her to wait. He examined the bottom of my foot from my view I could still see hints of dried blood along the top. He then slowly peeled back the bandage that covered the wounds around my ankle. My stomach was turning, I had no clue how much time as passed for me to heal. I only hoped it was not enough time.

"I thought you said you weren't going to give her any blood." Pam snorted.

"And I didn't." he shot back. He set my foot back down and then looked at me with a crooked smile. He then spoke a few words to Pam in the same language he used before. I studied his expression but it did not give much away on what he was saying. He then stood up and reached for my hand. "Well Daniella, looks like you're on a fast road to recovery." He pulled me up to my feet. Pam then handed him the keys.

"Let's go." He kept my hand in his as he guided me out of the office and through a backdoor that led outside where there was a car waiting. The rain had completely stopped and all that was left of it were a few puddles scattered through out the parking lot. He opened the car door and helped me in the toasty warm car, then closed the door once my feet were out of the way.

"You sure you don't want me to take her?" I heard Pam ask as he walked over to the drivers side.

"That didn't work out very well the first time now did it?" She didn't answer. "I'll see you tomorrow night." He nodded to her and got in the car.

He was driving incredibly fast but I felt safe with him. I laid my head back on the seat and watched the scenery quickly pass by the window. He did not speak and the sound of the car's hum was putting me in a trance. I felt my eyes grow heavy, I was exhausted.

Before I knew it I was waking up to the sound of a car door shutting. I opened my eyes slowly and saw Sookie's house, the lights were all still on. She was up. Eric opened my door and then lifted me out of the car. He then carried me up the front steps. Without thought, my head rested on his shoulder. Even though I was on the verge of sleep, I kept myself awake enough to block out his mind. I heard the door open which was soon followed by Sookie's voice.

"DANIELLA! Oh thank God!"

"Eric, sounds more appropriate." he remarked. I wanted to laugh at his attempt of a joke but I was too tired to even open my eyes.

"What the hell did you do to her?" Sookie was angry.

"Bubba.." was all I could get out of my mouth. I wanted to tell her the whole story so that she didn't completely blame Eric.

"Bubba?...Bubba's here?"

"Was...." he corrected her.

"He did this?"

"Of course not, weres did...well..not full blooded ones....luckily for us she's a fast healer." I could hear the smile in his voice. Sookie didn't speak any further. "We'll talk more about this tomorrow. Dawn's almost here and I'm sure you'll get the whole story once she wakes up. For now just tell me where to set her down so I could be on my way."

I felt him place me down on the bed and then pulled the covers over my body. My walls fell and my mind relaxed as I started to drift away to sleep.

"Thank you." I spoke before I had completely fallen under.