Into the Fold-Prologue

Tony DiNozzo ran like a raging inferno was at his back.

He could not wrap his head around what he had just witnessed.

His internal "Fight or Flight" meter had just engaged and the arrow pointed way past flight.

His car was just ahead.

He pulled open the door, tossed his digital binoculars over onto the passenger seat, and threw himself behind the wheel. He fought to keep his cool when panic wanted nothing more than to overtake him.

He locked the doors and fumbling with the keys, tried to fit the right one in the ignition. He couldn't find the right key and in his frustration, they fell from his hand to the floor.

"FUCK!" He yelled looking around desperately making sure he was still alone.

He reached down to the floor and frantically ran his hand around until he felt the metal ring.

Correct key inserted in the ignition, he prayed silently until the engine roared to life.

"YES!" he screamed

He dropped the clutch and stomped on the gas. It was only a brief moment that the Mustang's wheels spun in place, creating small dust clouds, but to Tony it felt like an eternity.

He had to get the hell out of there…NOW!

The Mustang finally shot forward barreling down the dirt road.

When he reached the main highway, he turned left and peeled out as the traction changed from dirt to asphalt. He didn't care the posted speed limit was 65; he sped down the road back to Washington D.C. at 120 miles an hour.

As the road narrowed and as he was faced with traffic he slowed down. He still maintained the fastest speed that was safe. At least he had the presence of mind to think about both the public's and his own safety.

He shook his head in disbelief. He questioned what he saw. How could it be real? If he had been drinking or had taken any pain medication he could believe he was loco.

But he was not crazy. He knew what he saw. It was a nightmare come to life. He KNEW it was real.

His boss, his mentor, his friend…the man he respected and trusted more than any other, was a fucking vampire!