Matt didn't know he farthest he'd ever drive in his 26 mortal years, but this would definitely surpass it. He'd told everyone he was going home to North Carolina, but the truth was he didn't really have a home anymore. Not like it mattered a great deal. He could settle down unnoticed almost anywhere. But he was content for the moment to just drive and he had been driving for the last two days straight, without stopping. Which meant that he needed to feed. Luckily, there were truck stops lining the highway he drove across. He chose the most frequented one, so he wouldn’t stand out in the minds of anyone inside when one of their patrons was reported missing over the course of the next few days. He walked into the place and found it was full of families with whining children, who had been on the road for as many days as himself. He would never break up a family, and he dreaded feeding on one of the waitresses, but it seemed his only option. Seating himself at the far corner of the counter, he found his target. A seemingly bored red-headed waitress, sitting down eyeing him up. When he raised his eyebrows at her, she came over, a bitter smirk on her face.

"And what do you want? So help me god, if you say me, I'll stab you with this pen." She said, holding the pen up and then grabbing her paper. Matt smiled warmly at her. It was going to be easy to take this bitter one away.

"No, not yet at least."

"Hurry up. I have throngs of little kids wanting their ice cream who'll be more than willing to scream in the ears of anyone who decides to stop me."

"Get me…well, what's good here?"

"There's a menu to tell you that. You gonna order or not?"

"Yea, I think I'll be having a hamburger. Rare." He accentuated the last words to gauge her reaction. She smirked again.

"You'll get it however the cook decides to make it. We aren't much for customization here." She waved towards the three other waitresses, all dressed alike, and pointed at the 'No Substitutions' sign that hung over the door. Matt laughed softly as she turned away. Maybe it would be a little harder than he expected, but she was well worth the challenge. Fifteen minutes later, she set the burger down in front of him.

"They did it rare. I pulled some strings." He grinned up at her.

"Well, thanks." She still loomed over him, before he decided to ask. "When do you get off? I mean, if you feel like joining me, that is." She rolled her eyes, and then pulled up a stool.

"I'm off right now. You were the last annoying person I had to serve." She stuck out her hand. "I'm Melissa."

"And I'm…" he paused for a moment, wondering if he should use a fake name or not. "I'm Matt." There was no point in using an alias. He didn't plan to keep her breathing for much longer. They shook, and it seemed a little too mature for them both, as she started to laugh.

"That was entirely too formal." She said, as he started to eat. "So when you decide to come up for air, wanna tell me where you're going?"

"Oh." He said, setting the half eaten food down. "I haven't eaten for a while…" Matt quickly wiped his mouth and noticed that the small restaurant had become less crowded.

"It always slows down when MY shift is over." Melissa said, resting her chin on her hand. "Where you headed off to?"

"Home."

"Which is?"

"I'm not sure. It doesn’t matter though. Used to be North Carolina, but I'm not going back." Melissa gazed down at the counter.

"Why? Or should I not be asking?" she said softly, still looking down.

"No, its….well, its most definitely complicated and kind of hard to explain to a mor- well, to someone who doesn't know me." She nodded and looked up.

"I understand. You're not eating anymore?"

"No, I've had enough of that." He rose, and she stared up at him. "This was nice..but…"

"Yea, I can stand a ride home." She said, half smiling.

"Geez, how did…never mind. How far away are you?" Matt asked as she rose. He grabbed his jacket and slung it over his arm.

"About half an hour." Good, he thought. Plenty of room for her to disappear. They went to his car, and made idle chatter on the way to her house, as Melissa shouted out directions as needed, and Matt followed them. It was an apartment building on a side road, with no lights of any kind around. It was almost too easy, Matt thought as he parked the car and got out, intending to take her at the door.

"You live alone?" He asked, standing against the wall.

"Yea, not counting the other people that live in the apartment building, but most of them are teenagers who do nothing but rave at night and sleep all day. A vampiric existence, almost." She laughed lightly, and he felt his laughter catch in his throat at the vampire comment. If she only knew.

"I know this wasn't a date or anything, but it was nice. And I'm probably never going to see you again." Matt smiled down at her.

"You're right. But it was nice." He leaned down, making her think he was going for a kiss, and she tilted her head aside, giving him perfect access to her neck. He hesitated for a brief moment, breathing heavily over her neck, and then he descended. Melissa jumped as she felt a sharp prick and then a sensation similar to suction. In desperation, she clawed at his back and neck, trying to wretch herself free. Somehow, she succeeded. Matt drew back, face flushed, and looked at her, sadly before running into the car and driving away. Melissa just stood, feeling somewhat weak from the blood-loss, but held in thrall by this man, who had meant to kill her.