Slowly, the world began to seep back into my ears. I didn’t dare open my eyes, afraid that my body would be laying at the base of St. Peters feet. In my mind, I could picture St. Peter looming over him with the light glistening off the golden poles of the gate behind him. Even in death my imagination still works, I thought.

I searched my memories finding the last picture in my mind of Viper. He stepped into the picture only three days ago. I always walk after dark when the air is cool and always against the wishes of the family. Just as I never quit taking the walks, they never stopped reminding me how dangerous it is. Although, as I thought about it now, the danger they suggested didn’t include Viper.

Stupidity never seemed to seep to far into me either. I never ventured outside the outside wall of the house. The enclosed courtyard was good enough for me to enjoy the evening air. I stopped under one of the trees to admire the light coming through the branches when Viper stepped into my view. I opened my mouth to scream, but the speed of a vampire is much quicker as his warm hand fell upon my mouth. To this moment, I can’t seem to place a name to the scent that drifted off of him, but the closest that I can come is the smell of rain. Only this contained, not just a wonder smell, but the ability to create a contact high. The fright I felt before seemed to drift away on the same breeze that carries his scent. Unlike Viper’s scent, the words which seeped from his mouth made is name perfect. Every time his lips parted, his words stung.

“Well, well, look what we have hear.” Viper said, turning me around to face him

“What do you want?”

“What do you think I want? The taste of your blood on my lips of course.”

Viper let go. I held to my first instinct and darted for the house. The thoughts of his speed completely left my mind, but in the proved to be the winner as he leaped out in front of me.

“Where do you think you are going?”

“Do you have to ask such stupid question? Where the hell do you think I am going?”

“I don’t think that you are going any where. I think you are going to stay here and be a good girl for me.”

“I’ll scream.”

“I bet I am quicker then that. How about you hold out your arm so I can have my taste.”

“Why don’t you let me go? There is plenty of sheep in the field that are much better.”

“I doubt it. Your smell drifts across these fields every night and I can’t live without it any longer.”

“Get away.” I turned hoping just to stomp off like any other pissed off girl would do, but he caught my arm again.

“You are going to give me what I want or everyone in that house is going to pay for it. Then when you stroll out here tomorrow, I’ll be waiting. Call it a payment for keeping them alive.”

I tried to pull my arm free, but it wasn’t any use. I felt like such a coward not even attempted to fight him off, but I didn’t see no other choice. He proved he is faster and stronger. I know there wasn’t any options to get away, so I did the next best thing – I held my arm out.

A faint dripping of water brought me back to where ever I was now. I still had refused to open my eyes, mostly because I no longer cared where I was or what I was doing. Don’t the dead get that kind of vacation. Yet a deep breath brought another fact into my mind, the smell of rain. My eyes flew open and I found myself looking face to face with Viper. Death seemed not to be my ticket yet.