Sookie

It was late and terribly dark. Overcast had hidden the moon and stars well. The woods on either side of the road were filled with darkness. The only source of light came from the headlights of her car as she speedily drove down the highway. Sookie could tell that Quinn could barely keep his eyes open. It was easy to fall into the hypnosis of the passing trees, but Sookie's mind was too occupied with important matters for sleep to taunt her.

Eric missing? It just didn't add up to Sookie. Why would he leave without saying anything to anyone? He had duties as sheriff, did he not? She couldn't accept the possibility that he could have been taken, that he could be held hostage. Who was powerful enough to make Eric do anything against his will? And where was Pam? Surely she would know where he is, being his child and all. What if she was taken as well? Sookie shook her head. It just didn't make sense.

"SOOKIE. WATCH OUT!" Quinn shouted and she slammed on the breaks without hesitation. Before she had time to snap at him for yelling at her while she was driving, she saw it.

There was a person emerging from the woods. She didn't spare a thought on it. Sookie was out of the car in an instant and ready to help whomever it was who was clearly lost in the middle of the woods.

"Excuse me. Are you lost?" Sookie said softly as she made her way around the front of the car.

There was something odd about the way he or she was walking. As if they were injured.

"Oh my. Are you hurt? Do you need help?" Sookie could hear Quinn shouting at her to get back into the car. She dismissed it. This person clearly needed help of some kind.

Suddenly, Sookie halted. She squinted to get a better look. It was difficult to see considering how dark it was.

She had never seen anybody move so slowly. Each step seemed to take an extreme amount of effort.

It was the headlights of her car that revealed the lost person for what it really was. It was the headlights that revealed the oddly colored skin, the stiffness of the movement, the lifelessness of the eyes.

Sookie didn't remember how she got back into her car, but it only took her what seemed like an instant to press her foot as hard as she could to the gas pedal.

"What the Hell was that?" Sookie asked breathlessly.

"I think you know," was all Quinn said.