Fifth.
I decided to leave the truck where it was and to walk back into town. It was late afternoon so there weren't many people in The Grille yet. I sat down at a table near the bar and ordered a burger and a drink. I took out my e-reader tablet and tried to get lost in my book, but I kept feeling as though someone was looking at me. Every time I would raise my head to look around I saw no one. About five minutes went by, my food came but I wasn't as hungry as I thought. I nibbled on a few French fries and sipped some water as I read. I was just getting to a climax in the story when a man walked over and introduced himself. I didn't look up, instead I held up one finger to indicate that I would answer in just a moment. When I finished the paragraph I put the tablet in sleep mode and looked up, apologizing for my rudeness.
The man tried again to introduce himself but I was sure I had heard him wrong for no one that I had encountered, at least not in this century bore the name Alaric. I knew one once in a small village in Massachusetts but that was in the 1600's. He extended his hand which I shook politely and introduced myself.
"My name is Norrah, would you like to sit?" I asked and he took me up on my offer. I watched as he pushed a few stray strands of his sandy blonde hair off of his forehead. He wasn't a bad looking guy, but he was troubled, I could see it in his eyes. We talked a little about ourselves, he told me he was a teacher at the high school and I said that I was here doing some freelance photography. I had my camera with me so it wasn't completely a lie.
"I had a good friend who came through here a few years back," I told him, "She suggested that I come and take a look around, maybe I would find some inspiration."
"Have you found anything inspiring yet?" he asked me.
"Well, I came across some ruins in the woods yesterday that were very interesting." I saw recognition flash across his face. "One appeared to be the remains of an old cellar, deep stone staircase and a large wooden door. There was an old well a bit further out, and then earlier today I came across a larger cellar with a huge stone slab and what looked like a cave."
"You might want to avoid those particular ruins, the stonework is not very stable" he instructed me, "there have also been a number of wild animal attacks in and around those woods over the past few years."
I was about to argue but his phone started to ring on the table. I instinctively looked down and saw the name 'Elena' on the screen. He excused himself to take the call and then a minute later came back to the table.
"I'm sorry, but I have to go, family business."
"Well, it was very nice meeting you Alaric," I said as I stood to shake his hand, "I hope we see each other again."
"I hope so too," he said as he reached for his jacket, "and please, call me Ric." I watched him walk out of The Grille and couldn't help but wonder if that was the same Elena that I was looking for, I mean it was possible; Ric was a high school teacher after all.
I finished my fries and had the waiter wrap my burger. As I left The Grille and started walking towards the woods I again felt as though I was being watched. I quickened my pace and slipped into one of the doorways to a small shop. I waited frozen in place and fingered the ring around my neck thinking that someone would walk by but no one did. After a few minutes I stuck my head back out and saw no one on the street. I ran back towards the woods wanting to get to my truck and hide as fast as I could. I slowed my pace once I hit the tree line, I could see the outline of my SUV in the dim moonlight. I took in a deep breath and let it out.
As I reached the trunk and opened the hatch I thought I heard a rustle of leaves. I stopped moving and listened, but there was nothing; it was probably just an animal. When an owl let out a shrill hoot from the trees I jumped, hitting the top of my head on the open trunk door. I put my hand up instinctively and felt a gash and warm blood. Looking at my hand I realized I must have cut deep. Just as I was training my gaze on the stars I felt a hand over my mouth and one atop my head, I tried to twist out of the hold I was in but this person was strong and had me in an awkward position. Just as I realized what was about to happen I felt it, fangs cutting into my neck, the quick draining of blood, and the thud of my body as I went limp and slid to the ground.