Several nights later...

[Author's note: I'd recommend reading all chapters following this chapter before proceeding.]

Julia drinks from Francesca's thigh thirstily, slurping down the blood. Francesca's blood pressure is weakening. Julia has a momentary urge to drain her sister, and is horrified. Francesca begins to tap Julia: "Julia... It's too much.... Please... I can't" Francesca says weakly. Julia withdraws her fangs and licks Francesca's thigh, still so hungry it hurts.

Julia has been with her mother and Francesca for about five days. She has relocated to the windowless basement. Over that time she has subsisted on feeding here and there from Francesca and nightly "nursing" from Maria. It isn't enough. Julia has weakened considerably, and appears gaunt. Her eyes look sunken, framed with dark shadows. Her hair has thinned, and she has trouble sleeping during the day. I need more blood, soon she thinks.

Since that second night with Francesca, the sisters have shown no signs of intimacy beyond Julia's feedings. Neither sister has acknowledged the kiss, but Julia is infatuated with Francesca. If she weren't so exhausted, she'd make a move. Francesca is so beautiful, so full of life. Julia feels like **** all the time.

While Francesca knows the "truth" (to a point), Julia's mother remains enthralled. Julia is conflicted about whether to tell her the truth.

Francesca closes her robe and leaves the basement silently. Julia cries. I can't go on like this.

"Julia, you don't look any better despite nursing" Maria says worriedly, as she puts her shirt back on. Another night had passed. "We should go to the hospital."

"No. No hospitals. I just need more rest Mom" Julia says sternly but weakly.

"Alright dear...more rest. But you look like a ghost" Maria says.

"Just let me rest" Julia insists. Maria gets up, and starts to climb the basement steps.

"I love you, Julia" Maria says.

"I love you too, Mom" Julia croaks. "Can you ask Francesa to come down?"

"Julia... I'm sorry...I can't give you any more blood tonight" Francesca says from the stairs wearily, avoiding eye contact with her sister.

"No...I know... But I need fresh blood from somewhere. My whole body hurts." Julia says, on the verge of tears. "You have to help me" Julia pleads frantically, shivering. Every muscle feels beaten, her bones ache.

"I can't bring you a person." Francesca blurts out.

"I know. I don't know what to do" Julia sobs. Francesca descends the stairs and embraces her sister.

"Julia ... You're ice-cold!" Francesca says in shock. She holds Julia tighter, rubbing her hands rapidly over Julia's back.

She smells so good Julia thinks, nuzzling her sister's neck, I just want to drink every drop of her. Julia pushes Francesca away abruptly, afraid of what she might do. "Get away from me!" Julia yells hoarsely. Francesca runs up the stairs, tears in her eyes. She thinks I'm a monster Julia thinks bitterly. I am a monster.

"Francesca...wait... please... I need help" Julia says weakly.

"I'll be back soon" Francesca says, and then is gone.

Julia is awoken from her half sleep by footsteps on the stairs. She had been somewhere between wakefulness and sleep. She looks up to see her sister, Francesca, on the steps, a cat mewling in her arms. Francesca descends the stairs and holds out the cat to Julia. "I got you...this" Francesca says, disgusted. Julia dies a little realizing her sister's disdain.

Julia hobbles off the bed and takes the cat from her sister. She bites into its neck. It tastes awful but she forces herself to drink. The cat hisses are scratches at her, twisting in her arms. She drains the cat, her thirst Skeeter slaked for the moment.

"Thank you Fra...." Julia begins, before doubling over. Her stomach cramps like never before. Her stomach feels like it is turning over inside of her. Julia falls to her hands and knees and begins retching, her body obviously rejecting the non-human blood.

After a few moments, her stomach settles, purged of the cat blood. She feels weaker and hungrier than ever.

"Francesca... I'm sorry... I need human blood" Julia sobs.