Angelina Estragon loaded two carrots, a half head of cabbage, several okra pods, numerous green beans, a slice of eggplant, a small tomato, and some endives into her blender, placed the lid on tightly, and pressed the purée button. Once the concoction was thoroughly liquefied, she poured a sample into a glass, raised it to her lips, took a sip, and sighed ecstatically. I don't know how I'd live without my smoothies, she said to herself.
A mighty crash, accompanied by tinkling glass, interrupted her enjoyment. That came from my room! she realized, and quickly set down her drink so she could investigate.
On the floor she found all shapes and sizes of glass shards, and sprawled out among them, a very familiar, very sad-looking girl. "Lisa?" she exclaimed. "What's going on? Why the dramatic entrance?"
The visitor stood up and plucked a few shiny slivers from her skin, which healed instantaneously. "You wouldn't believe the time I had trying to find your place," she related. "This is the fourth window I've smashed through tonight."
Angelina smiled knowingly. "Your first solo flight, I take it."
Lisa, remembering her purpose, grabbed the older girl's skirt with both hands. "Vladimir!" she cried out. "Where is he? I need him!"
The red-headed vampire's face began to darken. "I…thought he was with you."
"No!" Lisa clung tighter and fought back tears. "He never showed up! And I attacked Dr. Hibbert! I attacked him and drank his blood!"
Angelina began to tremble. Lisa couldn't tell if her trembling was prompted by fear, anger, or both. She doesn't know where he is either, she thought, despair flooding her soul. She can't help me. No one can!
Apparently to replenish her strength, Angelina took up the glass of vegetable smoothie and drained it dry. She then settled into the couch, Lisa joining her. "I'm sorry," she said, her gaze distant. "I'm so sorry this had to happen to you. Vladimir…" Emotion choked her voice. "He told me he had changed. I believed him. He seemed so sincere."
I can smell the blood of every person in this building, thought Lisa. A woman two floors down from us is having her period.
"You see, Lisa," said Angelina, "not all vegetarian vampires are purists. A few like to cheat now and then. Some, like Vladimir, appease their consciences by only turning mortals who ask to be turned. They prey on the homeless, the suicidal, the mentally deficient…and occasionally, the little girl who dreams of being loved by a handsome, non-threatening vampire boy."
Her words stung Lisa like a socket wrench across the face. "No," she said softly, decisively. "Vladimir wouldn't do that to me. He loves me."
"I believed that too," said Angelina, her tone more strident. "But where is he now? Do you think he took a nap and forgot you? Vampires don't need sleep. Do you think he was arrested and hauled off to jail? Handcuffs and iron bars can't hold a vampire. Do you think he fell down a flight of stairs and broke his leg? Vampires heal instantly. Do you think a vampire hunter took him down? There are no vampire hunters."
Tears cascaded freely down Lisa's pale cheeks. "I can't believe it!" she wailed miserably. "Not Vladimir!"
"He used you, Lisa," said Angelina. "But you're not the first, and you won't be the last. I was turned more than 250 years ago, and it was more or less the same story. I never saw the guy again."
Several minutes of uncontrollable sobbing later, Lisa resolved to deal sensibly with the matter at hand. As Angelina wiped her bleary eyes with a cloth, she said, "I hope to God that Vladimir's not like you say, but that's not important now. I can feel it…the thirst…coming over me again. I guess sucking a pint or two out of Dr. Hibbert wasn't enough." She looked pleadingly at Angelina. "Can you help me?"
The older girl smiled warmly, betraying her fangs. "Eventually you'll learn to manage the thirst on your own, but that could take a number of years. Fortunately, a more immediate solution is available."
"Good," said Lisa. "Do it. Do whatever you have to. I don't know how long I can last."
"You'll have to be restrained," said Angelina, rising slowly from the couch. "You may not like it."
"I may not like slashing open the necks of people I care about," said Lisa sharply, "but that's what's in store for me. Get on with it."
Angelina let out a sigh. "All right, Lisa, here's what you do. First, go and stand in front of the kitchen counter."
The word go was enough to spur Lisa to action. She was next to the counter within seconds, eagerly awaiting more instructions.
"Now close your eyes," Angelina guided her, "stick your arms straight out with the wrists facing up, and rest them on the counter."
Lisa obeyed. "I hope you know what you're doing," she said.
"Be right back," said Angelina. "Don't move."
Don't move, Lisa thought bitterly. Easy for you to say. I hope this isn't another…omigosh, the man next door has the most fragrant blood…I can feel myself going…just like before, the wild, blood-crazed animal is taking over…
She heard a brief sound of metal against metal nearby. "What're you gonna do, handcuff me?" she asked idly. "I thought handcuffs didn't work on vampires."
"Handcuffs?" said Angelina, emerging from her room with a hammer in one hand, and a pair of thin metal spikes in the other. "Who said anything about handcuffs?"
THE END