Eliza groaned and tried to go back to sleep but the noise continued.  Opening one eye, she quickly closed it again when she realized how bright the room was and there was that infernal knocking sound.  Someone was knocking and it was in the middle of the damn day.  Toby must have been playing and knocked the shade from the window, letting in that horrible sunlight.  But who was knocking?  

Squinting, she staggered to her feet and covered her body with the sheet.  She staggered into her living room and to the door.  She squinted through the peep hole and tried to focus on the blurry image.  She was groggy from being awakened and the light was hurting her eyes but the figure was obviously female.  Not really knowing or caring, she turned the dead bolt and released the chain.  As she opened the door, Cindy squeezed into the room and pushed the door closed and turned the dead bolt.  She was disheveled and her eyes were large and frightened.  

"I think he want's to hurt me," she gasped, leaning against the door.  Eliza clutched the sheet to her throat and squinted, trying to comprehend what was going on.  

"Wait," Eliza croaked.  Staggering into her bed room, she banged her shin on the coffee table which got a very unlady like expletive.  She struggled with the blind at the window and got it closed, losing the sheet in the process.  Fumbling in the top dresser drawer and found her dark glasses and put them on.  She stumbled and sat heavily on the bed but she was waking up.  Cindy, standing at her bed room door reminded her why she was awake in the middle of the day.  "Is summin wrong?" she croaked.  She coughed and cleared her throat.  "Is something wrong?" she asked in a normal voice, only slightly huskier than normal.

Before Cindy could speak, a pounding began on the door.  "Open this fucking door!  I saw you go in there," a masculine voice shouted.  A muttered cursing could be heard and the door shook with the force of the knocking.  Eliza felt a bolt of pure adrenaline course through her and she streaked toward the door, brushing past a terrified Cindy, almost knocking her down.  She shot the bolt back and twisted the dead bolt lock.  As she twisted the knob, the man on the other side to the door slammed into it, smashing the door into the side of her head and knocking her half way across the room where she collapsed in a crumpled heap.  

She felt glass from her broken sun glasses digging into her cheek and the side of her face felt like it had been torn off, but a loud slap and Cindy's scream galvanized her into movement.  She came off the floor like a cat on fire and hit the huge man with two sharp blows to the kidneys.  He tossed Cindy aside like a rag doll and spun to face her.  Eliza felt a surge of fear surge through her.  The two kidney blows should have dropped him like a stone.  He snarled and lashed at her with a roundhouse right that would have split her skull had it landed.  She dropped and lashed out with a straight kick to his thigh.  

Instead of a crack and him falling to the ground writhing in pain, he grunted, delivered a swinging kick that caught her just beneath the sternum and drove all of the air from her lungs.  She heard and felt ribs break and she saw black as she slammed into the wall.  Gasping, trying to breathe, she rolled in time to avoid another vicious kick to her head.  He stepped back and drew a knife and lunged toward her mid-section.  She curled back and deflected the blow, turning the counter into a disarm, she backhand slashed his arm and chest but a crushing blow to her bare breasts knocked her backwards and his knife dropped from her hand.  

She realized that she did not have the body weight to fight this man, blow to blow.  She needed a weapon or she needed to be able to use her strength against him.  He reached for her, and this time, she didn't more.  She caught his hand in hers and broke two of his fingers, jamming the jagged ends into each other and twisting.  He screamed and yanked his arm back, dragging her with him.  He reached for her with his other hand and Eliza fastened onto his left forearm with her fangs.  With her entire strength, she bit down and blood rushed into her mouth as the bones cracked and were severed.  The raw blood gave her an infusion of strength and pain of the bite dragged a horrendous scream from the man.  She grabbed his hand, with a powerful twist, she broke his wrist.  She dropped and thrust upwards with both feet, smashing into his groin, lifting him off of the ground.  

As he landed, he crumbled to his knees. Eliza stepped forward and grabbed him behind the head and smashed her forehead into the bridge of his nose.  She stepped back and struck him in the temple with a swinging elbow.  He toppled like a rotten tree, unmoving.  

Cindy came running over and sat gently next to her.  "Oh, I'm so sorry I brought that on you, but you sure made a mess of him.  Damn!  Girl, you can fight."  

Eliza was trying to think of what to say when the officer came over and extended the clipboard for Cindy to sign.  "Miss Radu, you have no idea how badly we wanted that guy.  He's a suspect for a number of things I'd rather not talk about."

They chatted for a few minutes, idle and polite chatter, and the officer excused himself, and told Eliza to take care of herself and he left.  The paramedics gave her another check over.  The younger one obviously enjoyed examining her almost as much as she enjoyed getting examined.  She was feeling much better now, though he couldn't know that.  The wrap came up under her breasts and pushed them up a little.  As he checked the firmness of the wrap her nipples responded by becoming very firm and she blushed a little at the involuntary response and the flush was obvious on her face and the tops of her breasts.  

He pretended not to notice but Eliza smiled and winked at him.  The pinking of his face indicated the desired effect had been achieved.  She giggled and he finished the examination in a very professional manner.  The only "breach" of protocol was, as he was leaving, he gave her a wicked grin, a wink and then he was gone too.

Cindy and Eliza looked at each other. Cindy slid over next to her and hugged her.  "Thank you, Eliza.  I think you saved my life.  From what the officer said, I'm sure he'd have killed me."  She kissed Eliza on the cheek and squeezed her tight.

Eliza felt her pulse race at the warmth of the contact.  "Be good!" she scolded herself.  "Violence and blood always make me so damn horny," she thought.  "Be good!" she told herself again.  Cindy had a nasty bruise on the side of her face and one eye was probably going to blacken.  It was already swelling shut and her eye was a violent red.  "Oh, Cindy, that bastard got you, didn't he?"  She gently touched the wound on Cindy's face.  

She winced at Eliza's touch.  "The paramedic told me my cheek bone is fractured," she said as a matter of fact.  "He gave me a couple of pain pills and a prescription I can fill tomorrow.  I've got some for you too.  Do you want them now?"

Eliza realized that she was almost healed from the beating she'd taken.  She also knew that Cindy was not healing so quickly and she must be in a lot of pain.  "No, I'm really not that bad off.  It seemed a lot worse than it really is."  She stood and retrieved the bottle of brandy from the kitchen.  She smiled and poured.  "This will make you feel better."  

Cindy quickly took the glass and drank it a little too quickly, making Eliza realize that Cindy wasn't as calm and collected as she appeared.  As she set the glass down, Eliza covered her hand and could feel the slight tremble of Cindy's hand.  Their eyes met and Eliza could see her confusion and her fear.  A rush of sympathy came over her and pulled Cindy to her and hugged her.  "It's all right now.  You did what you should have done.  You came to a friend for help and it's all right now."  

Cindy held her tightly.  "He was bothering that little girl.  I didn't know he was crazy when I had him thrown out."  She sighed.  "I'd have done it anyway, of course.  Maybe I saved her."  She straightened and looked at Eliza.  "You think I could have?"

Eliza smiled and wiped a tear from her bruised cheek and nodded.  "I think so.  Yes," she said considering, "I'd say you probably saved her life.  If what happened here," she shuddered, "happened to a little girl, you saved her life.  No doubt."  Eliza poured another glass of brandy and drank it herself.  She refilled the glass and offered it to Cindy who took it and tossed it down.

Cindy grimaced from the burn of the liquid and then smiled.  "You know, I've never saved anyone's life before."  She giggled, looking much prettier smiling than she did when she was crying.  "That feels good.  Maybe being a librarian isn't so bad after all."  She giggled again.  "This stuff is stronger than it tastes, isn't it? " she asked, holding up the empty glass and trying to focus her eyes on it.

Eliza gently removed the glass from her hand.  "Yes, it is but since you're going to spend the night with me, it's not a problem."  The bandage on the side of her face was really bothering her now.  Making a face, she peeled the tape off and squeaked with discomfort as it pulled her hair.

"Hey, you shouldn't be doing that," Cindy observed. "Oh my!" She leaned forward and made the effort to focus on Eliza's cheek.  "You're almost healed," she said in awe.  "We were wondering if you'd have much of a scar and you're almost healed already.  You know, I'm bigger than you and I'm quite good in Tae Kwon Do and I couldn't touch that guy.  You kicked the crap out of him."  She giggled and leaned toward Eliza.  "I think you're my hero."

Eliza smiled and stood.  She took Cindy's hand and helped her stand.  "Come on girl.  We're going to take this party to the bed room.  I think we'll both feel better if we can stretch out and relax."

Cindy nodded.  "Yes, I think so.  We're taking the bottle, right?"

"Well, of course we are!  Do I look like a sadist?"  

Cindy snatched up the bottle and took another sip.  "Lead on lady.  You know the way."  It was dark now, and Eliza was beginning to wake up.  The brandy and stress of the prior events had taken their toll so "sleeping in" sounded like a good idea to her.  

"You know you'd be hurting a lot worse without it," Cindy countered.

"Not really!" Eliza groaned.  "This thing is absolutely miserable."  She sat on the edge of the bed and leaned forward.  "Please get me out of this thing."

"Are you really serious?" Cindy asked.

"Yes!" Eliza said with great control.  "If you don't get me out of it, I'm going to run around the room screaming for help.  Now, please help me."  She felt the sudden release of pressure and Cindy remove the fastening clips.  "Oh, that is sooooo good!" she enthused.  Cindy carefully unwound the wrap from her body.  Eliza involuntarily hissed as Cindy brushed her nipples getting the wrap off.  "Oh," she groaned as the last of the wrap was removed.  She stretched her arms over her head.  She felt Cindy's soft hands on her ribs, gently probing.

"Does this hurt," she asked, pushing lightly just beneath her breasts.  Eliza felt like she'd been plugged into an electric socket.  She gasped but couldn't really speak.  She felt weak and energized at the same time.  "I'm hurting you aren't I?" Cindy asked.  

Eliza leaned back against her and shook her head.  "No," she croaked.  "I wouldn't call what you are doing pain."  

Cindy giggled.  "You are bad!  Are you really sure that doesn't hurt?" she asked, concern evident in her voice and probing a little more firmly.  

Eliza turned and started to speak but then saw the nasty bruise on the side of Cindy's face.  Cindy smiled at her and looked her up and down.  Eliza felt herself flushing again.  "You sure don't look damaged, I'll have to admit.  You look as good as anybody I've ever seen."  Cindy took another sip of brandy and handed the bottle to Eliza.  "I feel silly sitting in the middle of your bed fully dressed while you sit there naked and comfortable."  Eliza sipped the brandy and enjoyed watching Cindy remove her clothes.  As she released her bra, Eliza gasped as she saw the bruises on her breasts and rib cage.  

"Damn," she hissed.  "He really did get to you before I did anything.  I'm sorry I was so slow."

Cindy touched one of the darkening bruises and shook her head.  "I'm gonna be sore, I bet."  She grinned.  "Right now, I'm feeling no pain," she said removing the brandy bottle from Eliza's hand and taking a small sip.  Handing the bottle to Eliza she lay back and smiled. "In fact, I feel pretty good.  I'm alive and I'm safe.  What more can a girl ask?"

Eliza looked at her younger friend and felt sorry for her.  She wanted to help her but Cindy, so she told herself, had no idea what she was, and for several reasons, she didn't want to reveal herself, but she couldn't let her suffer the slow healing process, not when it was so easy for her to help.  She lay next to Cindy, propping herself up on one elbow.  She could just enthrall her and do what was necessary but she always felt that was a violation of sorts, and she didn't want to do that to someone she liked, not without their permission, anyway.  "I can make you feel better," she said hesitantly.  "I can help if you'll trust me."

Cindy opened her eyes and looked at her.  "You just saved my life.  I'm in your bed naked."  She stroked Eliza's cheek. "I trust you."  She closed her eyes and smiled.

Eliza concentrated and the relaxation of tension on Cindy's face showed that the initial stages of enthrallment had taken.  Eliza sat up and straddled her friend's upper thighs.  She briefly enjoyed the warmth and intimacy of the contact but then she focused.  Leaning forward, she allowed her fangs to deploy and lightly nicked the bruised area on the left side of Cindy's face and gently licked the blood that welled up.  She felt her breasts brushing Cindy's breasts and she wanted to sink her fangs into that soft delicious neck and drink her fill.  She wanted to totally take Cindy, but she controlled herself.  She bit her right wrist and pressed her bleeding arm to the open wound she'd made on Cindy's cheek.  As the minor wound on her wrist healed, she leaned forward again and licked her cheek clean of all blood traces.  Straightening up, she smiled as she could actually see the bruise fade and the wounds heal.

She looked at Cindy's bruised breasts and smiled.  "Oh, I'm going to enjoy this one," she thought.  She could feel her excitement growing.  "Control yourself girl," she told herself.  "This is a friend, not a meal."  She giggled a little and could feel Cindy's drifting lassitude and her growing sexual tension.  She leaned forward, deepening the enthrallment, she inserted her fangs into her left breast, taking the nipple in her mouth.  The flow of rich blood into her mouth sent thrills of delight through her body.  Eliza moaned at the intensity of the sensation.  Sensitivity was building and she didn't want to control herself.  She didn't want to, but she did.  She straightened and saw a blissful smile on Cindy's lips.  She nicked her wrist again and allowed her hot blood to drip into the open fang wounds on her left breast.  Licking the area she couldn't help but tease the nipple with her tongue and lips.  The rewarding pucker almost drove her crazy.  Her body was on fire.

Shifting her attention to Cindy's right breast, she repeated the routine.  Cindy was making small sounds of pleasure as Eliza licked her breast clean of blood, paying special attention to her nipple.  Finishing, she straightened and gazed down at her.  Cindy's face was almost healed and the ugly bruises on her breasts and rib cage were rapidly fading.  Eliza watched in fascination as she could see the dark marks turn yellow, fade and vanish.  She lay next to Cindy, propped on one elbow and saw the enthrallment turn into normal sleep.  Cindy murmured and partially opened her eyes.  She smiled and threw her arm over Eliza and hugged her tight to her.  She snuggled, making as much body contact as possible, and then her deep even breathing told Eliza she was sound asleep.

Eliza left the bed and went to the kitchen.  Sitting in the chair, waiting for the coffee to brew, she brooded about the direction her life was going. She loved and craved excitement, change, however, was different.

This was a drastic change.  Everything was different and no old friends here to take up the slack. She was still missing Christa.  She hadn’t had an answer yet and it still was bothering her. Also with Cindy here, how was she going to get away with not sleeping through the night and having to sleep through the day. 

What a tangle!