Author's Note: I know it's a huge fandom and you all have tons of Twilight fics to read, but I definitely would be thankful if you left a short review if you do read. I'm having fun with this story, but a little encouragement never hurts.

Chapter Seven

Andrew was still slightly indecisive as to his intentions as he lead her deeper into the foggy forest. He knew deep down that Anne wouldn't survive this encounter, but the thought was negative, for some reason. He didn't know it, but his thinking was like that of an addict – craving the drug and dreading the consequences of using it.

"Andrew? Where are we going?" Anne asked curiously from behind him, and he turned. The move must have been a little too fast to pass as human, because her eyes slightly widened and she instinctively took a step away from him.

He didn't answer right away. He was fighting the urge to pounce, trying to force himself to stand upright and appear calm. He was mindful of his expression, not wanting to scare her, but the spell Andrew had cast over her was fading and a healthy dose of fear flooded through her. She seemed to realize that she didn't know this handsome stranger at all, and she'd followed him into the forest willingly. She shivered slightly as she realized that no one knew where she was and that she wouldn't be missed for several hours, at least.

They were roughly ten paces apart, and even though he was the cause of her sudden discomfort, she took a hesitant step toward him. "Andrew? You're starting to worry me," she said, trying to remain calm. "Please tell me why we're here."

He inhaled so he would be able to answer her, and he was almost taken under by her scent. He wasn't able to resist – he began pacing, his eyes never leaving hers. He didn't draw closer to her, but he was well within striking distance anyway. His pacing pushed her nervousness over the edge into slight panic. She looked down at the dirt, and when she met his gaze again, her eyes blazed defiantly. "Are you going to rape me?" she asked bluntly.

Andrew could not help but to feel startled, and he barked out a pleasant laugh. "Rape? No, that's the furthest thing from my mind," he assured her.

She seemed to sense the truth in his words, and her posture relaxed slightly. "Why are we here?" she asked again.

"I won't lie to you," he promised. "You're simply…irresistible, Anne. I'm not like you. I wish I could say I mean you no harm, but that would be lying. I promise to try to make it painless, though."

He marveled at the way she flexed at his words – instead of frightening her, they seemed to strengthen her. "I wish you wouldn't hurt me, but I already knew you were different," she said matter-of-factly. "The eyes…" she trailed off. "I guess I knew that there was a chance you might hurt me," she admitted.

Andrew was focused on his prey, but surprise registered when she said that. He couldn't stop a question of his own. "Why did you come with me if you knew I was dangerous?"

She replied instantly. "I guess…I just hoped. I hoped that you wouldn't hurt me, that maybe you would give into your more gentle nature."

Andrew's surprise deepened. "My more gentle nature?" he repeated.

She actually smiled. "Yes. It's obvious you're conflicted. That you're something dangerous…but that you don't want to be. I hoped you'd give in to the part that doesn't want to hurt me. Because there is a part of you that likes me and means me no harm. Isn't there?"

Andrew resumed his pacing, but nodded. "There is. Unfortunately, I don't think it's strong enough."

She nodded back, as if she'd more or less expected this. "Are you going to kill me?" she asked bravely.

"Yes," Andrew said, still unable to lie to the beautiful, bold girl in front of him.

"Can you tell me what you are first? If you plan to kill me anyway?"

"A monster," he replied instantly, torn between being impressed and wanting to end the conversation. Violently. "You'd call me a vampire."

She nodded again, and closed her eyes. "Can you make it quick?" she breathed, letting the fear tint her voice just a bit.

Andrew was literally physically restraining himself, now. The kill was imminent, and both of them could feel it. He felt like he owed this girl something in return for her life, though. "You won't feel a thing," he promised. He toiled over what he wanted to say next, and gave in. "I wish I didn't have to, Anne. I don't want to kill you," he said sadly, and once again, his tone denied disbelief. "I can't help what I am, though. If you could feel what I feel…if you could understand…"

She opened her eyes and surprised him again. She walked boldly toward him, and even though he was in pure predatory mode, he still took a step back. She didn't miss a beat as she stopped a foot away and reached out to touch his face. He watched her own face marvel at the feel of his skin, and could literally taste the vibration of her radial pulse, inches from his mouth. He grabbed her hand gently and tilted his mouth toward her wrist.

Anne closed her eyes and gasped as his lips brushed the inside of her wrist. He unconsciously parted them and gently sunk his teeth into her skin. The veins and arteries severed easily and poured her blood into his mouth. Conscious thought left him as he started vigorously drinking of her blood until she groaned, this time in pain. He remembered his promise to her through the haze of desire, and shifted his teeth from her wrist to the side of her neck. The blood flowed even faster, and he felt her fading as he greedily fed.

Before he knew it, she was gone. He knelt, holding her drained and lifeless body to his chest. He took his mouth away from her neck, and looked at her pretty face one more time. Her eyes were closed, and she looked like she could be peacefully sleeping if not for the ragged patches of skin on her throat and wrist. Fed and physically satisfied, he felt first a pang of regret, then a flood of remorse. How could anyone stand getting this close to something he intended on killing? What was the point? He set her down gently on the bracken of the forest floor, feeling a weight settling onto his chest.

He ran. He ran away from something for the first time in his memory. He had no idea why, but the dead girl in the clearing scared him. She scared him deeply and shook him to his core, so he ran away.