Startled by the voice coming from the other side of the fire I freeze.  I curse myself for making myself known.  Do I reply, fall back, or continue on quietly.  I decide to circle around the fire, and get a better angle on the person sitting there.  Is she alone?  I take another step, and a stick cracks under foot.  For a vampire I sure am loud, I think to myself.  Blood.   One word comes to mind.  Standing tall, I try to make myself look less dead and step from the shadows.  Her face is hidden by the light from the small fire.  The small stick in her hand quivers at the sight of me.  "Are you alone?" I ask gruffly.  My voice not accustomed to speaking aloud.  I take a few steps closer, but keep the fire between us.  I pull the hood of my cloak further over my face as the fire light burns my newly strengthened eyesite.   "Do you have any animals?"  "Where is your horse?"  Feeling weaker I stand still, and stare at the teenage girl sitting on the ground across from me.  She shivers as the wind blows through the small clearing...