Tyler

(This is a slightly longer version of an exercise I did for a Writing Practice Workshop here on Stories.com)
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Tyler carefully moved through the dark forest. He wouldn't want to be discovered too soon. Too many years of his life had been invested in this quest to have a broken branch destroy it now.

When he stopped for a moment, he could hear the tiny creatures of the night that moved around him. These creatures took no notice of him, however, his passing made no impact on their lives. He searched the darkness with his eyes, his ears and his mind, but the Night kept her secrets well hidden. There was nothing that told him he was near his destination and his quiet sigh hinted at despair, but he continued.

With each step he knew he moved further away from the life he had grown tired of living. At first, he had been merely intrigued by the folk lore and legends, but as he dug through library after library he found a thread of truth. His search took him across continents, drained his bank account and pushed him away from family and friends. Sorting through dusty, hand-written volumes, he had found the reality hidden in the diaries filled with nightmares and mad ravings.

Finally, something flickered in the distance like the dancing of a flame. He began to move faster, excitement and anticipation replacing caution. Soon, he could hear the sound of voices. His heart was beating faster now with each step. He knew they would hear it but he no longer cared.

He stepped into the small clearing triumphantly. He was right! They were there. Ten figures dressed in dark clothing, hardly visible against the darkness. The steady thump of Tyler’s heart seemed to echo in the clearing and his shoulders moved with each labored breath. In unison, their heads slowly turned to see the intruder. Their dark eyes stared at him. After a moment, one of them seemed to take a step towards him.

"Hello, Tyler," the deep voice said quietly.

Tyler was about to speak, about to proclaim his desire to join them when a hand clamped down on his shoulder and he was pulled off balance. He turned his head and looked into the face that began to move towards his.

He gasped when he felt the teeth break the skin of his neck. His eyes slowly closed and he could feel his life leaving his body as his heart beat began to fade. He quietly drew one last breath. His body fell to the ground almost without sound when the vampire finished.

"Donegan!" The vampire looked away from the lifeless body at his feet and over at the vampire who had greeted Tyler.

"What?" Donegan asked as he looked around at the slightly accusing stares. "He wasn't the entrée?"