“Simone! What the hell…?” I gasped, shocked that she was even here.

“I’m all right.” she replied. “Most of this blood isn’t mine.”

She took my hand and slowly got to her feet. She was a mess. What was left of her slinky red dress was tattered and spattered with dirt and blood. I could see bruises forming on her upper arms where she’d been grabbed and her usually immaculate and elaborate hairdo was loose and wild with bits of leaves and gravel tangled throughout.

“Thought I was a goner, didn’t you Cherry?” She smiled at me and rubbed a sore spot on her head. “You can’t keep a good vamp down girl. You know that.”

I grinned at her and hugged her close. “I’m so glad you’re all right. But what are you doing here?” My voice shook. “If I’d known you were here, I would never have left you behind.” I whispered. Tears fell. Damn things.

She tolerated my mushiness just this once before she gently pushed me back. “I came to warn you CherryPop.” She looked sadly at the bodies on the ground. “But I was too late.”