Eliza groaned and threw the sheet from her body.  Her hair was matted with sweat and the bed clothing was soaking wet.  She pushed herself to a sitting position and tried to clear the nightmare from her mind.  The clattering in the kitchen meant that Toby was digging in the trash can, probably looking for food.  She staggered into the kitchen naked, and looked at the mess.  It was even worse than yesterday.  She wrinkled her nose and thought that it smelled almost as bad as she did.  

She struggled, opening another can of food for Toby.  She missed the bowl with the goopy mess, but Toby didn't seem to mind.  His loud purr filled the room as he ate from the floor.  Eliza staggered back to the bed room and fell into the bed.  The room seemed to be filled with a sick yellow light from the dying day.  She closed her eyes, and once again, was haunted by visions of severed body parts and the sounds of echoing screams.  She twisted in apparent agony and whimpered as she pounded on the bed.  She lay on her belly, right leg cocked with her hands beneath her head.  Her hair was matted with sweat, and even sleeping, tears streaked her cheeks.

She sat bolt upright in bed, confused and scared.  Her heart was pounding and her hands formed twisted talons.  She looked wildy to the left and right and then sighed and relaxed.  The room was  pleasantly dim and there was a gentle knocking on her door.  "Liza, are you home?  It's me.  Please open the door." 

She put her feet onto the floor and briefly cradled her head in her hands.  She straightened and shuffled to the door, and without checking the peep hole, opened the door.  Cindy stepped in and looked around with concern.  She stared at Eliza, who had an old robe pulled around her shoulders as a small deference to modesty.  The room was dark, and as Cindy instantly noticed, smelled bad.  Eliza stood before her, shoulders slumped, looking absolutely dejected.  "Damn, girl, what's wrong?  Are you sick?" Cindy asked.

"Not sick," she said quietly.  Eliza turned and walked back to the bed room.  Cindy followed, looking at the mess around her.  She had the urge to run but she knew she couldn't.  Eliza went into the bed room and flopped onto the bed  curling into a ball, her back towards Cindy.  Cindy wrinkled her nose and found the light switch, turning on the light.  The bulb was dim, but with sufficient light to allow her to see clearly.  She went over to the bed and carefully brushed it off before sitting next to the silent Eliza, who was holding the robe by clutching it at her throat.  

"Eliza," Cindy said, putting her hand on her shoulder.  "What's wrong?"  

Eliza recoiled from the touch and pulled the robe tighter to her.  

"Eliza, stop that," Cindy said in a firm voice.  "Now you are going to talk to me."  Eliza made no response.  Cindy put her hand on Eliza's shoulder and leaned forward and whispered into her ear, "You are going to talk to me.  You're going to talk to me because you care about me and I'm going to talk to you because I care about you.  You wouldn't let me hurt, now I'm not going to let you hurt.  You hear me?"  A weak nod was her response.  Cindy put her arms around Eliza and lifted her slight form and hugged her tightly.  She closed her eyes and held Eliza almost like a baby and rocked back and forth, saying nothing.  

Some time passed this way when Cindy realized that Eliza had her arms about her and was holding her tightly.  She put her hand behind Eliza's head and felt hot tears on her neck.  She hugged her and felt a wave of affection wash over her for the small sad being she held.  Eliza lifted her head from Cindy's neck.  Looking at her with a tear stained face, she reached up and stroked and Cindy's cheek.  "May I?" she asked in a small voice.

Cindy started to ask, but then she understood.  She softly kissed Eliza on the lips and gently lowered Eliza's head to her neck and closed her eyes.  She made a small sound and hugged Eliza tightly when she felt the sharp stabbing sensation in her neck.  She closed her eyes and sighed, overwhelmed by conflicting emotions.  She could feel Eliza's hand behind her head and feel her small body pressed to her.  The sensation in her neck could only be described as orgasmic and there was absolutely no pain at all.  No, there was no pain.  She felt wonderful.  She was floating on a sea of orgasm and she loved Eliza more than anything in the world.  She wanted to hug Eliza so tight that she wanted to become one with her.  She arched her back and threw her head back.  If she was going to die, what a delicious way to go she thought as darkness descended.

Cindy opened her eyes and saw a blurry face, framed in dark hair staring at her.  Eliza smiled a her and her eyes focused a little better.  "You know, when you're sleeping, you are absolutely beautiful," Eliza told her.  "But I'll bet you hear that all of the time."  

Cindy felt the urge to giggle.  "Don't be silly.  I've never heard that before."  She smiled.  "But you can say it again!"

"You know, when you're sleeping, you are absolutely beautiful," Eliza repeated.  

"Oh, stop it.  Now you're being silly!"  She carefully examined her friend's face and saw tension, but the agony was gone.  Eliza was, once again, in control of herself and her emotions.  "You going to tell me about it?" she asked.

A wistful smile briefly lit her face.  "I'm not sure."  She shook her head.  "It's my demon but you've given me the strength I needed."  There are things you do and after you've done them, you realize that it was wrong, wrong, wrong."  Eliza sighed.  "And then you have to live with it."

"Do you know the moon phase?" Cindy asked, totally changing the subject.  

"Um," Eliza thought for a moment.  "No, not really.  Why do you ask?" she asked, puzzled.  

"Well I know and that's why I was worried about you.  I've noticed that you are a very moody person."  She smiled to take any sting out of the words.  "I've also noticed that at the full moon, you are totally manic and at the new moon, you are depressingly depressive."  Smiling, she continued.  "Of course, I understand now, but I've noticed this for some time.  You've been acting weird lately and when you vanished for the past few days, I got worried.  Tonight, I just couldn't stand it anymore.  You won't answer your damn phone, so I did what I had to do."  Cindy paused.  "Can I say something very personal?"

"Of course you can, love! Of course you can.  Say anything you want."

Cindy giggled nervously.  "Eliza, you smell bad!"  She started to say more, but Eliza turned bright red and she ran to the bathroom.  Cindy heard the shower running and had to laugh.

The cool water did make her feel better.  She could only marvel at Cindy's concern and her wonderful caring for her.  She was right.  She did get down at the new moon and with all the stuff she'd been through, she'd just lost her ability to cope.  "Thank Odin for friends like Cindy," she thought.  "What would I do without her?"

Stepping out of the shower, she dried off and made her way back to the bedroom in nothing more than a towel.  Cindy was still sitting where she’d left her, when she ran to the bathroom.  She dropped the towel with an unselfconscious look at Cindy and grabbed the nearest pieces of clean clothing around, midi shirt and cutoffs.  They were sort of on the raggedy side, but they were clean.  

"Now Eliza, let’s get this place cleaned up.  It smells almost as bad as you did," Cindy commented.  "You can talk as we clean or not, whichever you want," Cindy said.  "You know I’ll listen."

Looking uncomfortable, Eliza said "it’s like I said before, Cindy, sometimes we do things that we know afterwards we shouldn’t have done.  I did one of those things and now I have to live with it.  It’s hard to do, I know sometimes I kill to feed but they deserve what they get.  I’ve never killed an innocent.  She grabbed Cindy’s hand and with an almost tortured look said, I swear I’ve never killed an innocent.  They have always, always attacked me first and I defended myself."  Turning paler, if that was possible, Eliza almost muttered, "except this time."

Looking up, Eliza caught Cindy’s eyes and looking deep into them, told her, "this time was different.  It was revenge pure and simple. I hate to admit it but it felt good at the time.  I got a thrill from it."

Breaking off what she’d been about to say, Eliza continued to look at Cindy.  She was trying to judge Cindy’s reaction to what she had just told her.  Cindy looked at her with a slightly questioning look, as if waiting for her to go on.  Shaking her head slightly, Eliza let Cindy know she wasn’t going to go into any more details. 

"It’s better if you don’t know, Cindy. You can’t tell what you don’t know and you won’t be in any trouble either.  If the truth be known, I am ashamed of what I did."  Looking full at Cindy, Eliza said, "It’s selfish I know, but I don’t want to lose your friendship, either."

They talked long into the night, until Cindy said she really had to go.  She had to open the library tomorrow, if she woke up in time that was.  Cindy gathered her things together and made her way to the door.  "It’s ok Eliza, I have my car and I can get home fine.  I’ll call you when I’m home. 

Sneaking a peek at the clock, Eliza saw it was close to 3 in the morning.  A great time for her but not so great for Cindy.  "Alright, Cindy, I’ll wait to hear from you.  There are still weirdos walking around out there and I do worry about you," Eliza said.

"That’s a hoot, Eliza.  You look like you are the one that needs protecting, not me.  I know differently though, don’t I, Eliza. My hero."  Cindy sent a wicked grin at Eliza and walked out the door.

Eliza was still blushing, as much as she could, a few minutes later.  Laughing to herself, she had to admit she felt better after Cindy’s visit.

Fifteen minutes later the phone rang, once, twice, "alright Eliza, I’m home and heading to bed," Cindy said laughingly, as Eliza said hello.  After a few minutes of small talk, they hung up and Eliza headed out the door herself.

Heading for her favorite place to be when troubled, Eliza walked quickly until she entered the park. She knew she wouldn’t have much time here, since it was now about 4 in the morning.  Dawn would be breaking soon and before that she wanted to be back in her place.

Walking and thinking had always helped her and it did this time too. That and Cindy’s visit.  She felt almost at peace.  Although she still had that sensation of being watched whenever she walked here.  Just beyond her sight, she knew someone or something was there watching.  No menace or danger, just watching as if waiting for something.  As long as it, she, him, didn’t bother her, she’d leave it alone.

Feeling much better, she turned back the way she’d come and headed home just as the sky was beginning to lighten in that first soft light of dawn.  Entering her apartment, she glanced at the usually dark computer.  The "you’ve got mail" icon was flashing.

Jesse moved away from his desk with a satisfied look on his face.  Now that he was finally settled he had e-mailed Eliza as he’d promised. The computer was definitely a good way to keep in touch.  He could bring her up to date on what he was doing without actually telling her or anyone else exactly where he was.  He missed Eliza, although he knew it was better this way.  Since moving here, he’d gotten another gig in a club.  A more upscale club this time.  He had started his own group and they played most every night.  He couldn’t seem to get away from the music he thought with a smile.  Although, just maybe, it was because it suited the necessity of his night life.  No one asked a club musician why he was strolling the streets at 3 or 4 a.m.  He really did want to know how Eliza was faring.  The move had been such a quick and crazy one.  No time to really plan.  

This city was somewhat larger than the one they’d left and it made it a little easier to remain away from her.  He knew where Eliza lived.  He’d made sure of that.  For now though it was better if there was no contact other than the computer.  He didn’t think Eliza would have much trouble fitting in.  She seemed to make friends wherever she went.  He chuckled as he thought, "a vampire with a heart of gold."  She just couldn’t stand to see someone in trouble.  She had to jump in at all kinds of risk to herself.  With Codrin gone, if he truly was, Jesse had put himself into the role of protector of Eliza.  He knew she was still learning things about herself and wanted to be there if she needed him.  That’s why he had to be in the same city she was or so he told himself.

Jesse knew of Eliza’s love of parks and long tiring walks.  They’d been on many when they were together.  He knew of the park across from her building.  He’d seen her on one of her nightly walks through the park, although he’d stayed in the shadows.  He knew, she knew she was being watched.  He’d seen how her head lifted and she looked around, sensing someone there but not seeing him.  He had also sensed someone else watching.  Also, a being not dangerous to her but just watching.  He wasn’t sure who it was, all he knew is that for some reason, Eliza had gathered protectors without knowing it.

One of the reasons Jesse had gotten in touch with Eliza, was that from a source still in the city they’d left, he’d been told that Vicki and Jimmy were still trying to find her.  They had not been told where Eliza had gone, only that she had to leave.  They knew why.  The hunters wanted Eliza more than any of the others.  She had really stepped on their toes with what she’d done to some of their group.  With an evil smile, Jesse silently applauded Eliza. The more hunters gone, the better, although another joined the ranks as soon as one was gotten rid of.  Jesse knew Eliza still missed Jimmy and Vicki.  They had been friends for a long time, although Eliza and Jesse, himself, didn’t trust them as much anymore.

Jesse knew that even if Eliza came looking for him, she wouldn’t recognize him as Jesse.  He’d changed his appearance.  She would know him as another vampire, but not as himself.  He was fitting into the life around him and didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize that at this time.  Jesse knew that eventually he’d have to move on, as they always did.  He hoped by that time that Eliza had learned enough for him to leave her on her own, although he doubted he would truly want to do that.  She played on his senses and his mind.  She always seemed in need of protection and just looking at her bore that out.  Anyone not knowing her would think her a fragile, flower.  Jesse laughed aloud.  Once getting to know her, they realized how far from the truth that was. 

With another chuckle, Jesse turned back and logged off the computer and turned it off.  He made his way to his bed and settled down for sleep.  His dreams were of Eliza.