It took me almost two days to reach the Virginia border. I had intended on making the trip in less than a day, driving straight through. That's why I had started that same afternoon. I figured driving or holing up I was safe either way, and that the open roads would be less prone to hiding those lovely beasties. I was right, for the most part. After all, when there's a Humvee barreling down the highway at over seventy, there's little a near-dead can do other than look and growl a few times in hungry longing. Going past several sparsely populated areas I had the pleasure of seeing a few on the road itself. That was a blessing, of sorts, as I had the extreme pleasure of adding to the count of Carolina roadkill.<br/><br/>I have to admit that was fun, albeit a little messy. The collision of flesh and bone with metal. The spray of blood and gore hitting the windshield as my wipers fought to wash away the blood. I watched in morbid fascination as bits flew past the windows. I had never shied from blood, it never sickened me like most people. That wasn't to say I was on the same level as some psychotic killer. I didn't enjoy it, per se, I was simply immune to it. But the sight did remind me of how hungry I was, and I suppose if I were capable my stomach would have growled. The near-dead were not the best snack to eat, lower than the animals I usually devoured, but they would suffice for the time being. Besides, I needed to clean up my car.<br/><br/>There was just enough of the window cleared to see where I was going, and I pulled off at a nice little stop that was probably very quaint before the virus hit. A few near-dead were starting to group in the area; I could hear more in the not so far distance. Emerging slowly from the car I took note of my surroundings. I was pleased to note that not only did they sell diesel, but there was a hand pump for water on the side of the station; I doubted there would be running water still. Looking back to the near-dead I smiled. "I'd like to thank you all for coming to this little get-together." I said to them, grinning like some over dramatic nut, "Please, be patient. The feast will begin shortly." They gave no indication of understanding my words, not that I had any misgivings about that matter. Those bodies just kept pushing forward, intent on having a late-night snack. There were about ten now, forming a semi-circle of shambling, growling death; more were on their way still. It seemed it would be a good night.<br/><br/>With a hiss of sudden rage I flung myself at them, directly at the middle of the group. I latched onto the middle figure, crashing my forehead into it's jaw and then nose. The two on my sides were trying to claw up my arms as I dropped the body, and I inverted my grip, grabbing their forearms instead. Growling as my arms surged with strength I jerked them from their feet, smashing their bodies together in front of me so that they fell into a tangled heap with my first victim. The others fell upon me. I could feel their dirty, gnarled nails ripping through my clothing and into my skin. The feeling was incredible as I let them have their way with me for the moment, teasing them before pulling from their grasp.<br/><br/>My mind imagined the virus infecting my blood, running through my veins. And then, as it sought to take control of this new host, it encountered something unexpected. Suddenly it was fearful, locked into terrible combat with something far stronger than itself. Something which had existed for hundreds upon hundreds of years.<i>This is my gift to you,</i>I thought, willing my mental voice to be heard by the fiend in my veins,<i>Fear me, for you cannot tame me!</i>I howled, eyes blazing as my body consumed the virus. And so I shrugged off the near-dead around me. Blood flew from my cuts and wounds as I struck back, sending the animated corpses reeling in every direction. The last two I left alive, breaking their limbs so that they posed no real threat. I smiled at them for a moment, looking over their mangled, snarling features. I could tell they had been very good looking in life, and it was then that I noticed the matching rings on their fingers.<br/><br/>I nodded slowly as I realized that even in this state of undeath they were together. Well, they would be together in death as well. Fitting. In an instant I crouched and sank my fangs into the girl's neck, bleeding her body. I drained him next as well, delighting in the taste of the blood flowing down my throat, unclean even as it was. Replenished of that tangy life-force my wounds began their familiar healing process. Prying myself away, I made way to the pump, filling the nearby bucket and drenching myself thrice. Once sufficiently clean I did the same for my transport.<br/><br/>I left not long after that, staying just long enough to clean up the next group. It had been weeks since I last engaged them in close combat, preferring to kill from a distance. I had no fear of death or the virus, of course, they were simply not worth my personal attention. It felt good to dispatch some of the scourge with my own hands and feet. To be like Death himself. To unleash myself fully upon them. It was almost intoxicating. I hadn't plotted my course well however. Or, perhaps, I had subconsciously done this to myself. A few hours later, I was back in Richmond.<br/><br/><br/>(I couldn't wait to post and it was getting a tad long, so there's a continuation that will follow once complete)