The Recruiters by Dara Nelson Page B

on the bed, leaning against the headboard and Matt began inserting a needle into her neck and one in her arm. I began comprehending how fast he was going to have to go.
    “ Honey?” I said.
    “ Mmmm?” he replied with a piece of tape in his mouth.
    “ We really need one more set of hands,” I said as I pointed to the two large syringes on the bed. “One needs to be in my tube, sucking out the blood while the other is injecting the blood into Bahiti’s tube.” He stared at me for a second and then nodded his head. “I’ll get him,” I said and I closed my eyes and reached out to Carlos, who was still on the beach.
    ‘ I told you I can’t do it,’ he thought the moment he felt me.
    ‘ I know Carlos, I’m not asking that, but I need your help, please,’ I thought.
    ‘ I’m on my way,’ he thought then I heard his footsteps on the stairs. I opened my eyes and let go as he walked in the door. “Well, this looks like fun,” he smiled. I smiled as I grabbed twenty pints from the fridge, the equivalent of two people. I put ten in the microwave and pressed the buttons. When it dinged, I pulled them out, put them on the table next to the microwave, put the other ten in and started it. While it was heating them, I drained the first ten. It dinged and I pulled them out, draining each one fully.
    Then I turned. “Okay,” I said, “Let’s do this.” I climbed on the bed next to Bahiti. Matt quickly came around to my side and inserted the needle into my arm, below my heart where it would drain faster. Then he put one in my neck too. Carlos took his place on the bed next to Bahiti, to insert the blood into the tube in her neck, where it would reach her heart faster. I had a hard time concentrating with Matt so close. I could smell him and with all this blood in me, I suddenly craved him badly. I reached up with my other hand and ran my fingers through his hair. He looked up at me, confusion, then comprehension filling his eyes.
    “ Ummm, Bahiti, perhaps you could hold Sarah’s other hand?” he said. I nodded my head, knowing that he was right but still wanting to tackle him right now. Carlos chuckled. Bahiti grabbed my hand and laced her fingers through mine, then winced when I squeezed tight and closed my eyes.
    “ Sorry,” I mumbled through gritted teeth.
    “ It’s okay,” she said. I groaned as I felt the first syringe being drained from me. Matt’s hand flew as he handed the full syringe to Carlos and inserted the empty and drained again. He handed the full one to Carlos, who handed the empty back to Matt. None of this could have been seen with human eyes, but mine picked up every detail when I looked and it was agonizing. I wanted it in me, or to be sharing it with Matt. I dropped my head when I felt the last of it go.
    “ Empty,” I mumbled and they quickly switched locations. Carlos began draining from Bahiti’s arm and Matt was pumping it into my neck. I started to feel alive again as it filled me. My breathing got steadier. My heart beat stronger. And the desire for Matt came back, with a vengeance. I tried to let go of Bahiti’s hand but she held tight. I stopped struggling when I heard her mumble, “Empty,” because I knew he would start draining me again.
    Several times, back and forth we went, until Matthew whispered, “Bahiti? Think about fighting them. Any pain?”
    I peaked at her and saw her close her eyes, then open them in surprise. “No pain at all Matthew,” she said.
    “ Okay, then,” Matt said as he continued, “tell me when it’s about halfway, okay?”
    “ Okay,” she said as he drained her for the final time and filled me. I felt my strength returning once more as the blood began to fill me.
    She and I both said, “Stop,” at the same time. She looked at me, smiled and leaned over and kissed my cheek.
    “ Thank you,” she purred.
    “ You’re welcome,” I said as she let go of my hand, which automatically went to Matthew’s hair as he was leaning over me and