They were surprised to find a small weathered woman in a shabby dress. She was obviously homeless, curled up by the side of a derelict building. Her short dark hair bore the wavy lines of a 'flapper' hairstyle, and she clutched, even in her unconscious state, a tattered purse tightly.
Goldie easily hoisted her atop her shoulders, and they teleported back home. They got her hooked up to the generator replacement machine and sat beside her, waiting for her to wake up.
She came to consciousness with a startle, and asked who her two attendents were. ''This doesn't look like a hospital. Where am I?'' Goldie answered her, ''You passed out, and we rescued you.''
''What's that MACHINE you got me hooked up to? I've never seen anything like THAT before.'' Sonya responded, ''Well, you wouldn't have. There are only two in the whole world.''
The tattered lady became distressed, ''Where am I? I've never passed out before. I don't eat well. Well, I don't eat, eh, nevermind. Anyway I suppose it's no surprise I passed out.''
Sonya tried to explain, ''What went wrong with you has nothing to do with how well you feed. Your generators burnt out. It happens. We've replaced them.''
The tired lady's eyes popped open, ''I know I'm a crazy lady. Everyone calls me 'Crazy Viv'. But I've not ever heard of humans having GENERATORS before. Am I imagining this? I don't know whether half the things I see are only imagined or not. I supposed it's to be expected. I'm getting on in years, could be going senile. Or crazy. Or both.''
Goldie laughed, ''No, you're not crazy. Never mind what other people have. YOU have generators. And now they are all replaced and your blood bits should be able to serve you quite well.''
Vivian was skeptical. She didn't remember what she'd been taught in school. It was something about red blood cells and white blood cells. Maybe science has since discovered they have generators. Life sure was confusing. She sure missed Edward. He had a way of making her feel everything was all right.
Suddenly, a burst of optimism infused her, ''Do you know where my Edward is? He disappeared on me one day years ago, and I haven't seen him since. He's a handsome fellow, with dark hair, a regular Rudy Valentino. It might be my bad eyesight, but he always looked just as handsome as the day we wed, on that lovely spring day in New York, when the apple blossoms were blooming. But he disappeared on me. I've asked everyone I meet and no one knows.''
Goldie stroked the tiny woman with her large pudgy hand, ''We've seen a lot of vamps since beginning our rescue mission. But none with the name of Edward who looked like Rudy Valentino. HIM, I'm sure I'd remember. Maybe we can help you. Do you recall what happened that day he disappeared?''
Vivian looked puzzled, ''I've tried to relive that day, but can recall nothing. He was there one moment and the next he wasn't. I miss him so much. It's so hard to do anything without him . . .'' A few reddish tears crept from her eyes.
She pulled out a holey hankerchief and mopped her eyes, ''I must be in bad shape. I cry blood tinged tears these days. I hate to know what kind of disease that is. But I've got to expect it, for I'm ancient by now.''
Goldie strained to remember something Michael had told her. Turning to Sonya, he begged, ''Could you get Vivian a big mug of water? I believe Michael said the bloody tears were from lack of enough water.''
Vivian smiled faintly, ''I'm not surprised. I don't eat or drink right at all. It's a wonder I'm still alive with the stuff I eat, and these days, precious little of even that. Edward, he used to do all the hunting. I'd just eat whatever he put in front of me. Oh, I'm going to start crying again if I'm not careful.''
When Sonya returned with the large mug of chilled water, Vivian drank it greedily. ''I've forgotten how good cold water tastes. Like I said, it's a wonder I'm still alive. Oh, I'm hungry.'' A troubled look came over her face. Such nice sweet faced young people would have no conception of the perfectly revolting thing she liked to drink.
''Such innocent babes. They are not like my wild friends in New York. Oh, they have no idea of the party life, all those 'goths' . . .'' Vivian began to feel dizzy.
Goldie took her hand, and announced cheerfully, ''We have just the thing, and lots of it, to make you feel better,'' as she led her to a large cow. Vivian just looked puzzled.
Goldie laughed, ''So big, you don't know where to bite? The undersides are usually less hairy.'' Vivian looked at her, wide eyed, ''Can it be? A sweet faced girl like you? I had no idea there were so many blood drinkers in the world.'' Then she addressed the cow, ''Well, bossy, you're it for me today. You're so big, you won't even notice me . . .'' And she laughed weakly before settling in for a long draw.
Go to Chapter 27, Perpetual Thiry Year Old?
Go to Chapter Outline of SECOND BOOK
Go to Chapter Outline of FIRST BOOK