Susie Burdick

As the lifeless body slumped to the dirt in the trash-strewn alley, Ruthie made her way through it to look down at the corpse, “Good Lord,” she shook her head in sympathy, “there’s no animal wild enough around here that can do that much damage.”

“We’ll have to dump him off the end of a pier,” Amy said.

“But look at his neck,” Ruthie said, “it’s torn apart. When his body washes up to shore, people will see his neck and know he didn’t drown.”

“All right then,” Susie said, “we’ll just have to cut his head off so no one will see his neck. We’ll tear the damaged skin off completely.”

“What!” Ruthie and Amy both looked at Susie in shock and disgust.

“Cut his head off?” Amy asked, “the idea is repulsive, Susie. What would we use for a tool if we did?”

“Amy!” Ruthie exclaimed, “Would you even consider doing such a horrible thing?”

“How do you suggest we dispose of the body without casting suspicion, Ruthie?” Amy asked.

“The train will arrive soon,” Ruthie suggested, “let’s lay him in its path.”

“Fine,” Amy agreed, ‘but not here. We’ll carry him down river where there is less chance of witnesses. We will have to wait and watch to be sure the train comes and does its job.”

“Don’t I get to give an opinion on this subject?” Susie asked, “Maybe we have the strength to tear off his head with our own hands. Or perhaps simply tear the skin away from his neck.”

Amy caught her breath in surprise and disbelief while Ruthie trembled in fear and revulsion. They both stared wide-eyed at their new companion until Amy regained the ability to speak, “What will the townspeople think when they discover his mutilated body? How could you even entertain such a gruesome thought? When you kissed your babies farewell did all the human feeling leave you entirely?”

This is an excerpt from Chapter 24 of Whaling City Vampires: Love Beyond Death that shows the contrast between Susie and her sires. Susie didn't know vampires existed until she became one herself, but she adapted quickly and wanted to learn about all of her vampire traits and use them to her advantage while Amy's priority was to simply keep herself alive until her lover Robert's return. Ruthie, although grateful for Amy's friendship, was a devout Christian and saw herself as the most evil of sinners. Allowing herself to take advantage or enjoy any of her vampire traits for her own personal gain would only make her hate herself more and drive her even further from God.