Chapter 2:

I walked closer and closer to my possible end. I walked closer and closer to the possibility of vampirism. The shadowy figure never moved. It stood still. Watching me move. My fear hidden behind a mask of bravery. I stopped. An unusual looking figure. Not a vampaneze. Possibly a vampire. Green hair? That's what I first noticed. Dark blue eyes. Animal hides for clothes. Not sewn very well either. Medium height. Definitely male. And a stench that would cringe the nose of the flies that hover around cow manure. He stood. Silently staring at me. He looked somewhat fearsome, until he took in that I was human. Then his features softened slightly. Enough for me to know he wasn't going to harm me. Then he smiled at me. I don't know why. He had reddish skin. But he was no vampaneze. It looked more like a sunburn. Taking a quick glance at his fingers to search for the mark of the vampires, I found a small scar on each finger tip. He sat down and smiled up at me.

"Sit," he said in a gruff voice. I sat. "I've been following you for sometime now. A little over a week I think."

"Why?"

"Well, I stumbled upon you by chance really. You were sleeping at the time."

"You're the one who snapped the twig."

"Yes. I did it on purpose too. I wanted to see how keen your senses were. Pretty good for a human I have to say. Not many would here a twig snap while they're fast asleep. I found you interesting for some reason. I'm not sure why. There's just something about you. You're different." He said. He stopped talking and started biting his toenails, observing me silently. So I spoke.

"To you I'm different because I'm human. You're a vampire so you're different from me."

He stopped chewing his nails. "So you know about us?"

"Yes."

"How much do you know?"

"Not as much as I'd like to."

"I want to know; What the hell is a young human such as yourself doing wandering around in the wilderness?" I looked at him, not sure how to answer. "Are you a vampire hunter?" I shook my head. He thought for a moment, "You wish to become one of us?" I stared at him, then nodded slowly. "Why? Do you want to drink peoples blood and kill them needlessly? Live forever? Or do you just want to be powerful?"

"Neither of those. If I wanted to kill needlessly I'd be a vampaneze. If I wanted to live forever I'd search in vain. If I wanted power I'd become the Queen of England." He seemed to find this funny for he laughed.

"Then why do you want to be one of us? It's not an easy life."

"I don't imagine. But I'm used to hardships. I ran away from home. I went out looking for a vampire to blood me. I feel I'd be of more use that way. I'd be happier than I was."

"Why weren't you happy?"

"You're kinda nosey." He laughed again. "My mother died when I was young. She was killed by a vampaneze," I went on to tell him my story of how I thought it was vampires, the vampaneze I met, what I saw, my dad, and my friends. He paid extremely close attention. When I was finished I sat silent, waiting for what he had to say.

"How old are you?"

"Fifteen. Why?"

"We don't normally blood children."

"I think you'll find I'm more mature and more useful than a child." I smiled at him. He seemed to get that I wasn't going to let my age hold me back.

"I'm on my way to Vampire Mountain to relieve one of the princes. I'm not yet sure I should blood you, though I wouldn't mind having an assistant. Travel with me to the mountain. From what I've seen of you, I think you could handle it. If the other princes don't object to me blooding you, then I'll gladly take you on as my assistant, but if they don't approve, you'll have to go back home. Agreed?" He raised his eyebrow at me when I didn't say anything. I cast my eyes down.

"I can't go home. I won't go back there."

"With luck, you won't have to. But if you want to become a vampire, you'll have to do it this way. You'll even have time to reconsider if you feel you're making a mistake. Are we going to try or are you gonna give up now."

I sighed. "I'll try." I would have to do everything to my fullest potential. I have to prove that I can handle the vampiric life. He nodded, then stood up.

"Well let's get going then. I don't need anyone chewing my ass out for being late." I smiled and followed. "My name's Vancha March," he held out his hand.

"Terri Curtis," I replied and shook his dirty, grimy hand. The journey is far from over, but at least now I have a destination.

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When Vancha and I stopped for sleep, I often built a fire for warmth. He's told me a lot about himself. He's a prince-though you wouldn't know by looking. He's the most traditional of vampires. He eats nothing cooked and only natural foods. He drinks only water, milk and blood. And he only bathes when it rains. I found that to be really gross but didn't say anything. I must of made a face because he burst out laughing and didn't stop until I hit him with a stick. He doesn't fight with weapons, aside from the throwing stars he has strapped around his torso. He has a very fowl mouth and he likes to think of himself as a ladies man. I liked the days when we'd sit by the fire and he'd pick his nose and tell me stories. His stories were always full of adventure. Some he made up and some were true. And if he told a story twice, it was always different. I also found that he's particularly interested dreams. He often asks me about my dreams. I try to tell him as much as I can. If I can't remember much, then he passes the time telling me about his. He believes that we can control our destinies if we can learn to control our dreams. I remember one dream he started telling me about. It got a little to sexual for my comfort. He laughed harder than ever when I begged him to stop.

We began to grow really close. There was a strong bond between us that I'd never experienced before in my life. I trusted him more than I've ever trusted anyone, and I got the same in return. We developed some interesting names for each other, including smelly pervert and tiny brat. Sometimes when the trek got rough, he'd carry me on his back. He tried not to help me too much. He wanted me to get used to it. He kept telling me it would help prepare me, and it increased my strength. So we continue on our way, hoping to find that the princes approve of Vancha blooding me. We continue on our way, to introduce me to a new life.

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