chapter 2: The Long Journey Ahead

As he continued staggering out of the village he was stopped by Ai for just a moment to whisper the words I love you and promise to be safe. Sal of course just smiled and gave a warm embrace that seemed like forever, as if time itself had stopped, though it only lasted one moment. He was distressed that he couldn't give her any guarentees of his safety, but he knew deep inside that Ai couldn't expect that because even she knew what might lie ahead for him. Life as Sal knew it was going to come to an end during his journey and he never saw it coming or maybe he would have made the promise or even said something more touching, but it was mostly because of his idealism and trust in people that he didn't.

His first day and a half were really nothing except dry dusty plains that seemed to reach beyond the horizon and touch the now setting sun. It glowed a beautiful red and pink. He never noticed how beautiful the sun was until that exact moment, though he never realized how beautiful anything was until he found out he was leaving home. He came to the thought that maybe this trip wouldn't be so bad, maybe it would even be fun. Once again his optimism and idealism were consuming his common sense and logic. He never was one to think straight, so he just kept on moving, floating around in his own fantasy world where everything was innocent and beautiful in its own way.

He kept on for about two months treking through the dusty, forsaken, barren fields of dried grass and dead trees that never made through the dry season last summer. He never figured out why there were such barren feilds so close to the lush meadows of home...maybe his home was kept for magically with some kind of spell so they would have enough land to farm and live on. He soon began to realize as much as he tried, he couldn't get his home off his mind and how great it would be when he got back to it where he belonged. His fanasys took him to a place that he knew all to well. They took him to the beautiful sakura trees and the lush meadows and the little huts of his village. He longed for it so much, but if he turned back now he would be humiliated and taunted for eternity and that was all the motivation he needed to move on. He figured that it would be about two more weeks until he reached the Hei forest where the next part of his journey would begin.

However, down about half a mile was a vampiress with other more malevolent scemes. She had black eyes and short hair to match, almost pure white skin and long white fangs and a tall slender body. She could see, even from half a mile away that the young boy coming up ahead was fair game for her, maybe even to easy. She assumed it might spoil the fun of killing him on the spot and then sinfully she thought to herself and chuckled lightly

maybe I should make his suffer first...that would give me some entertainment for quite some time...hmm...on the other hand...I could use some dinner

And so the young vampiress set herself up for the fresh meat apporaching her, her motions were practiced and skilled (obviously she had done this many times before) and she did them with great ease free of guilt, but that was both a gift and a curse given to vampires as she layed herself down on the ground and dusted herself with some nearby dirt to make her seem needy...this was her trick. It was a typical evil trap and it worked all so well.before

and lets face it, the boy doesn't look to bright or strong... she thought

The cunning vampiress then put on a performance for the young demon that would have won her an oscar if she was in a movie. She summoned up her best acting skills and helplessly yelped for help. She was convincing and almost like a dance, graceful. If what she was doing wasn't so evil it might be called beautiful.Sal then arrived at the spot that the vampiress was calling his grave. She yelped and pleaded for help from the young demon. She was so brillant at what she was doing, Sal didn't even give her a hesitation, he just ran right up to look for injuries and see what he could possibly do for the poor thing that layed before him.

"thank you for helping me" she so politely said

"Its no problem! I just wish I could do more" Sal responded

"oh I'm sure you can..." as she gave a malicious grin

She knew now was the perfect time to strike, she always knew the perfect time. With one almost graceful move she bore her teeth and started to strike at his main artery in his neck. She could tell that his would be sweet blood, although not her favorite, she would deal with it as they say, beggars can't be choosers. There it was, she was so close that she could almost taste it and then...and pain...a sharp pain...she couldn't explain it...but there it was. The pain made her jolt back slightly and gaze upon the sight that she was not familar with. A stake...a stake was in her heart...She knew that it would happen one day...she always knew, but by HIM? She said but one thing to the demon before her body would turn into dust and it would all be over

"Just know this...you can kill me...but can you kill the thousands of vampires that are going to stalk you? I suggest looking after yourself and the ones you love..."

Sal knew that this was not just a threat. He learned about vampires and how good their sense of smell was...and once these guys found out his scent was all over her...it would all be over. He needed to rush back to his village quick or...who knows what could happen...not only to him...but his family as well...and what about Ai? Surely she would be in the most danger of all!