Night enfolds her like a comfortable blanket.  Three stories up, on a wind swept fire escape, over a littered alley, she squats, viewing her domain.  "I may be the 'Queen of Crap' but I love it," she thinks.  Her leathers, bought at a motorcycle shop, protect her from the biting wind and stinging rain.  Turning her face into the wind, she inhales and enjoys the scent of night.  The bars have been closed for two hours and the only sound is that of a distant horn or of a hungry rat scurrying through the garbage below.  She unzips her vest and removes a small, stainless steel flask.  Her body has warmed it, and it is almost alive to the touch.  Removing the cap, she can catch the scent of warm blood.  Her fangs instantly display although there is no need for them.  She takes a sip and smiles, replacing the thin flask inside of her vest, beneath her bare breast.  She feels a small drop of blood dripping down her chin and wipes it, leaving a red smear.  She licks her finger to clean it.

A noise!  It intrudes upon her silence, but she recognizes it as the sound of high heels on concrete.  She wonders why anyone would be out on a night like this and then grins.  She's out!  Still, she wonders.  A sharp feminine sound of distress and a low masculine sound of threat, a scuffle and her alley is invaded by a large man and a woman.  The man pushes the woman into the alley and backs her beneath the fire escape by threatening her with a knife.  Eliza focuses her keen night vision and recognizes the woman as someone she has seen on the street but doesn't know.  The man, he's . . . the one that attacked Vicki and her.  She notices how the knife is in his left hand and how his right hand is warped and twisted.  A grin of satisfaction crosses her face.  The man strikes the woman with the butt of the knife and she staggers back, against a trash dumpster.  Eliza feels a wash of fury.  The bastard is hurting another woman.

She steps off of the fire escape and drops three stories to land in a crouching position.  The man spins, cursing and sees a dark form facing him.  The faint light from the street is to her back, and clad in black leather, her identity and nature is obscured.  He does not recognize her.  He lunges at her face with the knife.  This time, she executes a block, redirecting the force of the blow and the man finds himself staggering to maintain his balance.  He delivers a backhand, upwards slash but Eliza just steps back, and as he opens himself, delivers a kick to the groin that drives him backwards, clutching himself with his bad hand, but he maintains his grip on the knife.

As she has been taught, when facing a weapon, never assume your opponent is unarmed.  She has cautiously maintained her distance, wisely as it turns out because he staggers and slashes wildly with the long blade.  Eliza dances backwards and giggles.  The sound of her laughter infuriates the man and he staggers towards her, slashing wildly.  She drops to a low crouch, and supporting her weight on her hands, delivers a wicked kick to his knee cap.  Still holding the knife, he crumples, moaning.  Eliza stompes his hand, and hears bones break.  She kicks the knife from his tortured grasp, sending it flying a safe distance from her.  He attempts to struggle to his feet and receives a kick to the face that knocks him unconscious as well as cracking his jaw.  He flops to the dirty concrete like a sack of dead meat.  "Damn!" she thinks.  "And I didn't even use any vampire stuff.  This karate stuff is pretty good."

The woman who'd been assaulted slowly regained her feet.  Eliza turned and rushed to help her up.  She was already struggling to her feet but Eliza steaded her and allowed her to lean heavily on her.  She had a nasty knot on her forehead and a slight trickle of blood leaked down her cheek.  "Bastard." she muttered, spitting on the unconscious man.  Eliza focused on not letting her fangs show even though the smell of blood was strong int the air. "Oh, you're Vicki's friend aren't you?  I think I've seen you around with her.  I'm sure glad you happened along.  I think that sucker would have had me.  I'm not quite in his class," she grimaced.  She stood erect, a little wobbly, but not doing badly.

"You can stand ok?" Eliza asked.  The lady nodded and lifted both hand to show she didn't need to hold on.  Eliza showed her a grin and bent over the prone man, riffling through his pockets until she'd relived him of his wallet, another knife, and some loose money.  She held up her spoils.  "I think we deserve this, don't you?"  A shaky grin met her question, and the injured lady reached to steady herself.  Eliza flickered and was supporting her.  "We need to get you home.  Tell me where and I'll have you home in no time.  Just hold on.  This is almost over, ok?"

Eliza ran into the kitchen as the tea kettle whistled.  She poured the hot water over the tea bag and gingerly carried it into the living room for Jennie.  "Are you ok, you look a little pale.  Will you be ok?" Eliza asked her.

I'll have a headache but I'll be fine.  I'm not really hurt.  Oh, that tea taste good," she said after taking a sip.

"You're sure?" Eliza insisted.  Receiving a positive answer, she said, "Ok, let's see what we have then."  She spread the items she'd taken from him on the coffee table.  She picked up the cash, about five hundred dollars, "This is for you.  Pain and suffering you know."  She grinned.

Jennie took the money slowly and carefully.  "Are sure?  That's a lot of money.  You've got bills too."

Eliza gave a wicked grin and held up his driver's license.  "We're going to meet again.  We're going to meet again real soon!  I'll get mine then."

Jennie looked at her. "Wow, I don't think I want you mad at me!  You are a for real bad ass," she said in awe.  "And you're so tiny!  You can't weight weigh a hundred pounds soaking wet."

Eliza drew herself up to her full height and stuck her chest out.  "I'll have you know I weigh one hundred and TWO pounds, soaking wet."  She sighed heavily.  "Now when I’m dry, I'm not sure."  She brightened.  "I've been told that if I eat lots of raw meat, I can gain weight."

Shaking her head, Jennie replied, "Well, you should be fattening up nicely.  You sure had that dude for lunch."

They both giggled.  "I notice that it's getting close to my bed time, Jennie.  I'm going to fade into the night, here.  You take care of yourself now and I'll see you around, ok?"

Snuggling to Toby's soft fur, the last thing Eliza thought of, before she went to sleep, was the address.  She knew were he lived!  Now for some fun.  Then sleep enveloped her.

As the dark descended and the day waned, her eyes snapped open.  She was wide awake, thinking the last thoughts of when she slept.  She knew where he lived and it was time for some fun. “ Now do I invite Vicki to this fun or do I enjoy it myself?” she thought with a laugh.  “Enjoy it I will, whether alone or with Vicki.”

Toby knew she was awake and slid his soft little face up her arm.  Purring loudly, he nuzzled her.  Yes, yes sweety, I know its time for food.  Arising, she went into the kitchen and placed his food in his dish, freshened up his water and with a pat left him to it.  Chuckling, she said, “little carnivore,” because of the way he tucked into his food.

Looking at the clock, she realized she had 2 hours before she could call Craig again.  They were hoping to set up a date for tomorrow night.  Hopefully, his schedule would permit their getting together.  “Oh yes, she thought, I sure hope we can get together.  He looks to be a tasty morsel.”
Laughing at the thought, she did the things that needed to be done before she called Craig and set out to meet Vicki at the Bristo.

Since John had told her she was fired, she hadn’t been to work.  There had only been two days left, so let Kathy fill the gap.  She knew he had kept his word about the bonus, it was already in her bank account.  “I wonder how he’s getting on with everything.  How did he explain the bite marks.  Is he still wondering what happened or does he even care.”  Laughing out loud, she hoped he was still trying to figure out what had happened.  Maybe she’d pay him a little visit at some later date.  That might be fun too.  “Maybe I should have left him with a little memory of what happened,” she thought.  “That little taste, sure whet my appetite.”

“Appetite, hmmm, that brings me back to the sob that’s hounding us.  He doesn’t whet my vampiric appetite, but he sure whets my violent one.”  “What shall we do with, to him. Well I’ll talk to Vicki and see if she wants her revenge also,” she said to herself.

She hadn’t talked to Vicki since John had fired her.  This may be the time to broach the subject, again, of joining her.  But do I really want to do that, she thought.  Its not like I really need the money, although, it does look better if I have a visible income.  Maybe that’s too visible, she laughed.

Looking again at the clock, there was still a half hour left before her call to Craig.  Looking forward to it now, made the time pass so slowly.

At last it was time, and she picked up the phone and dialed, without the nervous feeling this time.  She knew Craig was just as anxious to get together as she was.  Not for the same reasons though. One ring, two rings, then the answering machine picked up.  Giving the usual message, he wasn’t home after all.  Leaving her name and number, Eliza told him to call her when he got in if it was before midnight.  Since she had to meet Vicki at 12:30, she wanted to give him time to call.

Turning away from the phone, she couldn’t believe how disappointed she was.  Hopefully he’d call before she left.  Just in case though, she made sure her answering machine was set up and ready to go.

Ten after twelve.  “Well I guess he’s tied up, maybe on a call.  At least if he does call, the machine will answer,” she thought.

Grabbing her light cape, she locked her door and left.  Looking around, she saw there was no one around and moving very quickly, started walking toward the side of town where the Bristo was located.  She knew she was taking chances, wanting to have the thug come after her again.  She knew though, he’d have to recuperate after this second trouncing she’d given him.  Broke his hand, his good hand, she’d bet.  Sounded like bones breaking when she stomped it.  Taking his license out of her purse, she looked at it again.  “Thomas Burke, 145 Sheffield Place, oh yes, we will meet again, sucker, and you won’t know what hit you this time,” she growled.  “You’ve hurt me and my friends more that once, you’ve got payback coming.”  With or without Vicki, payback was a bitch.

Looking at her watch, she realized she was going to be late.  Too much thinking she decided.  She looked around, seeing no one, she blinked herself to the front door of the Bristo.  Entering the dimly lit bar, she glanced around to see if Vicki was there first.  Not seeing her, she sighed in relief that she wasn’t late.

Hearing her name called, she looked up to see Jennie approaching.  “Hi Jen,” she called. “How you doing tonight?”

“I just wanted to thank you again for what you did last night, Eliza, also to tell you that Vicki called, she’ll be a little late and she’s bringing someone with her,” Jennie told her.

“You are more than welcome, I’m glad I was there.  I wonder who Vicki is bringing,” she said.

Just then, she heard her name called again, looking up she saw Vicki walk in with Jimmy in tow.  Giggling, Vicki said that Jimmy wouldn’t let her come by herself.  “I need a bodyguard, he says.”  Laughing, the four of them sat down.

Looking at Jimmy, Eliza asked what he wanted to drink.  “I know what we girls want, you are the lone difference.”

He asked what the girls were having and was told Plum Brandy.  “I’ll try that too,” he said.  “I know that you all seem to enjoy it but I’ve never tried it,” he said

Eliza caught the bartenders eye and signaled for four Plum Brandies.  Nodding, he motioned her to come get them.  Laughing, she went to the bar.  “That was quick. Mike,” she said to him.

“I had two ready and just needed to pour the other two, when you signaled,” he replied.  “I already know that you and Vicki drink it exclusively, Eliza.  Now that you’re getting everyone turned on to it, I’ll have to get a better quality,” he complained.

Making a face at him, Eliza said, “Mike, I told you when I first came in here and started drinking it, you needed to get a good Romanian Plum Brandy.  Do you remember what you said in return?”

Shaking his head, Mike the bartender walked away.  If she had looked closely, she would have seen a grin on his face.  He remembered that conversation exactly.  He really would have to find a good one.

Walking back to the table with the tray of drinks, Eliza made eye contact with Vicki.  With a nod of her head she said she’d meet her in the lady’s room.

Excusing herself from the others, Eliza made her way to the Lady’s room, with Vicki entering shortly behind her.

“Hey, what’s up Lizzy?” Vicki asked.

“Look Vick, I came into the name and address of our attacker,” Eliza stated.  “I need to know if you would like to have a little fun with him.  Are you up to it?  Would you prefer to have me do it?”
It’s up to you.

Paling, Vicki first thought she didn’t want to have anymore contact with that monster.  He’d hurt her enough.  Then she thought, why not get something back.  She unknowingly echoed Eliza’s thoughts, “PAYBACK IS A BITCH”.  Oh yes, she’d like some payback.  Looking at Eliza, a grin started across her face.  It wasn’t a nice grin, more a grimace.  “Yes, Lizzy, I’d like that fine.”
“Just tell me where and when,” she exclaimed.

“That’s to be decided, Vicki,” Eliza declared.  “I know I hurt the bastard.  He attacked Jen last night and I just happened to be there.”

“Damn, Lizzy, you are going to become known as ‘The Champion of the Working Girl’, you seem to be around when we need you,” Vicki sighed.

“I want to give him time to rest and recuperate, since I know I probably broke his poor widdle hand last night.  I’d like to break his head,” Liza said.  She’d just managed to change what she’d been about to say.  “I’d like to drain him dry.”

Chuckling to herself, she thought maybe she would do that anyway.  She’d have to find a way to do it without Vicki getting suspicious.

That was getting harder and harder, she realized.  “I think Vicki is subconsciously sure of what I am, but doesn’t want to know.”  To Vicki, she said, “I know he’ll turn up again and when he does, is he in for a surprise.  We’ll be ready and then the revenge will begin.”

“But I’m not bloodthirsty,” Eliza said to Vicki, tongue-in-cheek.

“I think we’ve spent enough time in the bathroom, let’s go back to the table, Lizzy,” Vicki said as she walked toward the door.  Following close behind, they both made their way back to the table to find Jimmy and Jennie deep in conversation.

Looking up, Jimmy commented that Eliza must be the working girls “Guardian Angel”.  “I’ve heard the story of last night,” he said quietly.

Looking at Jennie, Eliza caught the wink Jennie sent her and realized that Jimmy hadn’t gotten the whole story.  Just what Jennie and Eliza deemed was good for public consumption.

Blushing a deep rosy red, Eliza said she was just in the right place and the right time.  Nothing strange about that.

Sending a wink back to Jennie and Vicki, she adroitly changed the subject.  Thinking at the same time, it looked like Jimmy was out of bounds to her.  Seems as if Vicki had an interest in her neighbor and if so Eliza wouldn’t touch.

That brought her thoughts back to Craig again.  “I wonder if he’s called?” she thought.