A faint heartbeat, growing stronger as the organ awoke from many centuries of being still. She breathed for the first time again, tasting the blood that halted her slumber. Decomposition reversed itself as her body reconstructed, coming to life. Although weak, she used what strength she had to sit upright.

The sound of a rapid pulse was all it took to send her running, for her intense hunger controlled her movements. She followed the distinct smell of blood to a wounded hiker. It appeared that he was unaware of his cut palm—and of the fair woman's new, approaching presence.

Not a noise was made as she came up behind him. With quick movements, she had ahold of him. Despite her petite frame, she was much stronger than him; it was an unfair advantage as she extracted her fangs and pierced his skin deeply. Blood was pouring from his neck.

She savored the taste, yet fed madly. Within moments, he had nothing left. Her grip seized and his body dropped with a thud. The burning in her throat had subsided, but she knew it wouldn't last, so her journey had to begin now. With one swift movement, she was gone.

Considering the mountains weren't very popular, due to the lack of athletic humans, the man's body wouldn't be found immediately—and his death would be ruled as some vicious animal attack. The wounds she left on his neck weren't two holes, they were ripped open. Any animal could've done that.

Her journey was contemplated, thought through, and carefully analyzed. Before her body had decomposed, she knew where she wanted to go when she awoke. A place she loved—where her heart longed to always be, where she hadn't been in centuries. Finally, she would now be able to go home.