Innocent Child

     Dave drove slowly down the winding country road.  He was traveling the back way from Bangor to Augusta and was in unfamiliar territory.  Bck roads in Maine tend to have the worst twists and turns of any he'd ever seen.  The speed limit sign he'd just passed proclaimed it safe to drive fifty-five, but he remained steady at ten below that.  He was in no hurry besides there were no other cars in sight.
     "Now entering Waldo County," Dave read aloud as he passed by another sign.  He examined the trees and houses that lined the road.  "Nice place."
     Dave had moved to Maine from Boston hoping to establish a law office in Bangor.  He was looking for a change in scenery, the buildings and bustle of the Massachusetts metropolis no longer held interest for him.
     As he rounded a curve he crossed a small bridge spanning a clear stream.  As he crossed he thought he'd spotted a small child playing in the waters.  Disturbed by the sight of a young girl out by the road alone he pulled over immediately after crossing the bridge.  The gravel shoulder crunched beneath the car's tires as the vehicle slowed.  He leaped from his car and ran down the steep embankment, nearly stumbling twice,but managing to keep his feet beneath him.
     "Hello.  Are you okay?" he asked the girl as he approached.  He noticed that she was shivering and pale.  "Are you lost?"
     He raised his hands as he advanced in an effort to indicate that he meant her no harm.  She didn't respond to his questions, instead turning away and continuing to splash her feet in the cold water of the stream.  Dave moved closer, examining her for any apparent injuries.  He saw none.  So pale, he thought to himself and reached out a hand to grab hold of her arm.  He drew it back after contact as if he'd been stung.  Her arm, he thought, it's like ice.
     "Are you alright/' he asked again.
     Still no response.
     Without any further thought Dave scooped the little girl into his arms and held her close to his body.  It was a warm spring day, but he held her tightly in hopes that he could ease some warmth back into her flesh.  She mumbled something into his ear that he couldn't quite hear.
     "What did you say?" he asked as he began the steep ascent to his car.
     "Thank you," she whispered into his ear again and then sunk her teeth into his neck.
     She continued to drink his warm blood even after he'd slowly crumpled to the ground.

Author's Note: Just to clear up any confusion this was written while I was still in college which would have been sometime between 1994 and 1998 so it draws no inspiration from the Twilight novels or movies in anyway.  If there were anything that inspired this short story it would have been Interview With AVampire when Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt find a young Kirsten Dunst.  Having grown up in Maine and reading a lot of Stephen King I know how freaky that small town Maine can be made to become.  I travelled this particular stretch of road on occasion and there is no telling what surprises it may hold.  I kept this in its original form and look forward to any thoughts.