If you have been following my recently-completed story "Try To Be Brave", you've probably heard about this story. Or, maybe you just opened this chapter because the summary sounds interesting. Either way, welcome! I'm glad that you have chosen to take the time to check this story out and read. Hope you enjoy!

This story will feature something that I don't usually do. An extended prologue. Nightwalker is told in 3-4 arcs and the prologue in itself is one arc…but don't get me wrong. It's more than just backstory. It is absolutely essential to the story and Nightwalker would be lost without it.

If you are new to me and my stories, I just want to say that I have a Twitter where you can keep up to date with what's happening in regards to updates and other fanfiction matters. Info is on my fanfiction profile if you'd like to check it out and/or follow.

That said, here is the first chapter of Nightwalker!

Prologue
Chapter 1: It'll Be Fun
Setting: A settlement in what would later be known as Pennsylvania, 1700

Growing up, I'm sure that you heard about the scary creatures that only come out after dark. Maybe your parents, in their efforts to make sure you returned home before the sun went down, made up stories of blood-sucking human-like creatures or humans that become more wolf-like on nights where the moon was full. I can't say that I know for certain about the wolf-like men, but I do know about the blood-sucking ones. Some in modern times call them vampires. Some in older times called them night's children. Regardless of what they're called, I can affirm that they exist. How do I know that? Well, that's my story, so I might as well tell it. Oh, and one last thing…they're called Nightwalkers.

Astrid Hofferson sat by the lake in the woods near her town. She hated living here. It was always so boring. Not to mention that she hated wearing dresses. The long dresses and aprons worn by the girls and women of the town really hindered her movements. Astrid wanted to climb trees and wrestle in the dirt like the boys of the settlement, but she already knew what her parents, especially her mother, would think if she let her tomboy nature show even just a little. Young girls were expected, from an early age, to learn how to be good homemakers and mothers. Astrid did not want to follow tradition, but what other choice did she have?

Sitting by the lake, Astrid picked up a flat stone and skipped it across the water. She was going to hear it later tonight for sitting in the dirt, but right now she just didn't care. Right now, it was just nice to be alone, by herself with just the chirping birds to keep her company. It was peaceful.

"Aren't you a little far from home? Should a girl be out here all by herself?"

Astrid jumped and looked back to see who had joined her. She recognized him instantly, but she did not immediately remember his name. He was brunette, a little tall for his age…and two years younger than her. Who does he think he is? Younger than me and he thinks I'm incompetent. He'll pay for that! "So? I can take care of myself! I'm not some weak little girl!"

The boy approached. "I never said that," he amended, taking a seat beside Astrid, "but I guess that's how it probably sounded. I'm sorry."

"It's fine," Astrid spoke quickly. She wished the boy would just leave and stop intruding on her peaceful solitude. When he started to attempt to strike up a conversation, though, Astrid knew instantly that he did not plan on leaving anytime soon.

Because the boy was obviously planning to stay for a while, Astrid decided to listen and contribute to the conversation. As they talked, Astrid learned more about him. Like Astrid, he valued the lake as a sacred place where he could just go to collect his thoughts. He had come today because he could not get any peace at home. His mother had just brought a baby girl into the world and, according to the boy, the baby cried at all hours of the day or night. Hearing this, Astrid felt slightly jealous. She would always be an only child; the settlement's healer had informed Mrs. Hofferson that she would never have another child. "Maybe when your sister is a little older, I could meet her?" Astrid asked, starting to warm up to this boy.

The boy smiled. "I'm sure Emma would like that…because I'm guessing she's going to be a social butterfly. Just like me."

"You? A butterfly?" Astrid laughed. "I think you're more like a stink bug. All boys are stink bugs."

The boy laughed right along with Astrid and, by the time they walked back into the settlement together, they had become fast friends.

Years passed, but their friendship remained intact, growing stronger by the day. Much to the dismay of her parents, Astrid spent her days with Jay (that was not his real name, but all good friends must have nicknames for each other, right? Besides, it wasn't much of a nickname; it was just the letter at the start of his real name) and his little sister Emma who, as her brother had predicted, grew to be outgoing and curious.

When Astrid was fifteen and Jay was thirteen, something changed. Astrid had always liked Jay as a friend. He was creative and always managed to find something fun to do in their boring little settlement. However, Astrid, though the years, found that she liked Jay less as a friend and started to see him more as a potential boyfriend. Back when she had first met the scrawny little eight-year-old Jay, ten-year-old Astrid could never have imagined feeling this way about his boy. Yet, those feelings had developed. It would be another two years before Jay admitted that he felt the same way about Astrid. Mr. and Mrs. Hofferson were not pleased with Astrid's romantic choices. Sticking to tradition, the Hofferson parents believed that their daughter should've been married by now, but Astrid would hear none of it. Astrid had her mind set and nothing would change it.

Three years later, on one particular night, Astrid was woken to a soft tapping on the glass of her bedroom window. Quietly, so as not to wake her protective parents, Astrid walked over to her window and opened it as noiselessly as she could. Her boyfriend stood on the other side. His brown hair shone almost white in the bright glow of the full moon. "Jay? What are you doing here? Did Emma wake you up again?"

"No," he answered. "Emma's still asleep. I couldn't sleep, though, so I thought I would take a walk in the woods. Want to come?"

"Walking in the woods after dark? Isn't that a bit dangerous? There are wolves and bears…and other creatures too." Astrid may have been twenty, but that didn't mean she was needlessly reckless.

"Well, yeah, those animals live in the woods, Astrid," he answered. "But I don't plan to venture that far away from the village. Just a quick walk and then it's back to bed. Come on. It'll be fun."

Astrid was torn. She wanted to follow her boyfriend, but she was still nervous. "Okay, but let's say there is something out there, do you have something to defend yourself with?"

Her boyfriend held up a thick stick, curved slightly at the top. "I know it doesn't look like much, but it's pretty strong. I beat it against a few trees on my way here," he answered with a smile.

Astrid knew that she should resist, object to this crazy plan and return to bed. However, looking deep into Jay's brown eyes, she could see the mischievous twinkle. In that instant, she could see the reason that she'd fallen for him, both as a friend and as something more. He brought fun to her otherwise-boring life and this idea was no exception. Besides, she couldn't let him go through with this alone. "Okay, I'll come."

She did not bother to change out of her nightdress. The typical dress that she was forced to wear would just get in the way. Besides, she and Jay had been together for three years now. There was no need for her to look perfect; Astrid already knew that Jay liked her no matter how she looked. Quickly, with expert skill, she braided her hair and tied it back. It was a bit messy, but, other than Jay, who would see it? It doesn't have to be perfect. Besides, Jay said we'll only be gone for a short time.

Though she had never snuck out of her house late at night before, Astrid found it quite easy to slip out her open window. When her feet touched the soft grass outside her window, Astrid felt a rush of adrenaline. I can't believe I'm actually doing this! "Lead the way," she told Jay, letting him know that she was ready to go.

Astrid stole one last glance back at her house and her open bedroom window. She didn't want to forget any little detail of this night. What she did not realize was just how unforgettable this night would actually be.

Well, what do you think? I'm actually pretty excited about this story. Lots of interesting things to come…and I only have about 75% of it planned at this moment, I think. I didn't write the plans down.

Now you see why I said that the Prologue would be arc in and of itself. Lots of info here, but this is the only backstory-extensive chapter. Prologue Arc continues (with more action) next chapter!

Thank you all for reading and supporting Nightwalker!

Posted: August 11, 2015