In Loving Memory - 1x1

Chapter One: New Beginnings

For over a century, I have lived in secret; hiding in the shadows, alone in the world. Until now. I am a vampire. And this is my story. I shouldn't have come home. I know the risk. But I had no choice. I have to know her.

The night was foggy and difficult to see. The road was starting to become a complex maze between the moments of clearing and the moments of near blindness. Darren was trying his best to keep his eyes on the road but after the show, they had just seen he had a lot on his mind. "An hour's drive to hear that crap. You know, it wasn't even a band. A guy with a guitar. An hour each way." He shook his head as a light laugh escapes his lips. The blonde in the seat next to him scoffed.

"He wasn't that bad." She crossed her arms. Glancing between the road and his girlfriend in disbelief.

"He sounded like James Blunt." Shooting a glance back at Darren, Brooke opens her mouth.

"What's wrong with that?" Sighing and shaking his head as he stared toward the road, Darren couldn't believe he was dating this girl sometimes.

"We already have a James Blunt. One's all we need." He says sarcastically and Brooke shakes her head and glances through the passenger side window.

"So why did you come?" Maybe inviting him had been a bad idea. If he had had such an awful time then she felt bad. Realizing that he might have upset her, he glances over with a smile playing on his lips.

"Because I love you." Turning her head back to face him, she also smiles back. Rolling her eyes, she comments before turning her attention back to the road.

"Nicely done. What's with all the fog?" It was getting more difficult to see. There was a lake near there, Darren was sure of it. During stormy weather or cold nights, the roads always got foggy. Sometimes it was nearly impossible to see. Tonight was one of those nights.

"It'll clear in a second." He was confident in that. Once they got past the area near the lake it would clear up quickly. Glancing over at her, Darren tries to make out whether she's okay. Brooke's eyes are dead center on the road and as they near a figure that is standing in the road, Brooke shouts.

"Watch out!" However, they are too late. As Darren slams onto his breaks they run the figure over. It looked like a man but why was he standing in the middle of the road? Especially on such a foggy night. Finally reaching a full stop, he shoves the gearshift into parking position before they both start to exit their 2006 Saturn Vue and head over to the man. He doesn't seem to be moving. Brooke is the first to rush over and check on him.

"Are you okay?" He asks Brooke but she is clearly stressed.

"We just hit someone! Oh my god..." Leaning down toward the man, she outstretches her right hand.

"Call for help." Seeing her nearing the man, Darren steps forward. Something didn't feel right. He pulls on her left arm and toward him. The two looked at one another. Brooke nods as she turns to walk back toward the car. Removing her phone from her right pocket she dials 911.

"Come on, come on!" The phone rings repeatedly as she awaits an answer. At this time, Darren is leaning down next to the figure to check on him himself. Had he really just run someone over? How would that look on his record? So many thoughts raced through his head as he wondered if he would end up in jail.

"Please be alive! Oh, my god." Still in disbelief and lost in his own thoughts. Darren begged for the man to be okay. If he was alive he wouldn't have to worry about going to prison for the rest of his life. The man lying on the ground shoots his eyes open, they're an icy blue. In seconds, he's slamming his teeth into Darren's neck and disappears with him. Brooke stood idly as her call dropped for the fourth time. The signal was terrible. She attempted to hold her phone up higher but the bar she had was wavering.