Chapter Two: Sun Child:

Linda and Eric’s latest project took work and planning.  His wife took the lead. She took notes of everything they would need on paper. Eric read over the formula on the paper. He set it down on the kitchen island and took out a red pencil.

“Maybe this should go here,” he said. Eric drew a line from one element to another. Linda took a look.

“What for?” she asked.

“To make it more stable,” he said.

“Ah,” Linda said. “Good thinking.” The planning took about three weeks before they nailed down the formula. The couple looked at their book of notes. Linda turned to her husband, smiling. Still, Eric had his questions.

“How are we going to pull this off?” he asked.

“We’ll work it out,” Linda said.

“How?”

“We’ve come this far.”

“Yeah, but…” Eric rubbed the back of his head. “We don’t have most these ingredients. Are some of these even in the country? And where will we get a willing vampire?” He froze when he saw the gleam in her eye.

“Honey?” he asked. Linda chuckled.

“Don’t worry, dear,” she said. “I’ve got it all figured out.”

“How?” Eric asked. He tried to keep brave face the whole time. The scientist forced himself to grin. His wife eyed him like a sweet little angel.

“Whatever you say, dear,” he said.

“I love you, honey!” Linda said. Eric sighed and patted her on the head.

“I love you too,” he said.

--------

Work began in the summer. They used their lab from inside of their home. Linda got the ingredients needed while Eric mixed everything up. At first, everything started out simple. Green tea, tomatoes, kale, milk, coffee, grounded up chocolate, avocado, sweet potatoes, bottled water, garlic, and pumpkin seeds. Eric looked at all of the grocery bags on the island in the kitchen.

“Are we making a formula or dinner?” he asked.

“This is for the formula,” Linda said.

“But do we really need all of this?” Eric asked.

“Yes! We need to match up the elements down to a tee. And each one has a little piece inside.” She sounded so sure of herself. Eric didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. This is so wrong, he thought. Linda clapped her hands.

“We’re got work to do,” she said. “Let’s get on it!” Eric sighed and put up his hands.

“Okay, okay,” he said. “Calm down, sheesh!”

“I can’t help it, babe,” Linda said. “I’m that fired up!”

“Yes, I am,” Eric said.

As the weeks followed, the couple got down the base of the formula. Linda still wanted to tie it all together. One weekend, Eric woke up alone in his bed. He spotted the note on the pillow next to him.

“Dear Babe,” he read. “I had to more shopping to get the final pieces of the formula. Be back soon. Love, Linda.” Eric fell back onto his pillow and groaned.

“Damn it, woman!” he said. “You’re starting to go too far with this!” He knew that it was too late. Eric might as try and stop his wife from going over the edge. Yeah, fat chance.

Eric counted down the days of how long his wife had been gone. One day. Two days. By three days, Linda came home with her arms filled with full bags. Her husband gave her a strange look.

“How much more do we need for this formula?” he asked. “And what is all of this?” Linda broke into a huge grin.

“We’re almost done,” she said. “These are the finishing touches.” The bottom of one of the bags began to glow. Eric didn’t like where this was heading.

“Linda…” he said. Her laughter sounded like an insane donkey.

--------

In one year’s time, the drug was ready. Linda held up the syringe like she was holding up a newborn baby.

“Behold!” she said. “The fruits of our labor have produced something so beautiful.” Eric smiled and clapped slowly.

“I’m so happy for you,” he said.

“I call it, Sun Child!” Linda said.

“Great,” Eric said. “Now where are we going to get a vampire?” His wife turned to him with a smirk on her face.

“Leave it to me,” she said. “I already worked out the details on my little shopping trip.” Linda turned and put the filled needle in the box.

“Come with me,” she said. Eric stood up and tilted his head.

“Honey, where are we going?” he asked. His wife put his hand to the door before she turned around.

“Where else?” she asked. “We’re going to steal us a vampire.”

-------

Sun Child Experiment #1

Subject was brought to the lab and injected with the Sun Child drug. L. Humphrey and E. Humphrey locked her in the green house overnight. Cameras are set up to film what happens next. Everything is going well so far.

Night #1

The subject was collected last night from off the street and overpowered. She was injected at night and chained up in the greenhouse.

Observation begins.

Day #1

Subject has disappeared. Chains were broken and there was no sign of the doors being opened. Subject is presumed dead.

Experiment is abandoned.

However, the situation changed three days later when the Humphreys turned on the news.

“A string of vampire attacks has occurred in broad daylight,” the news anchor lady announced. “Police are baffled by this spree and are seeking the public’s help. If you have any information, please contact your local police station.” Linda and Eric turned to each other with big eyes and jaws dropped. Like they were one person in the two separate bodies, the couple got up, got dressed, and raced out the door.

“We have work to do!” Linda shouted.

“I’m right behind you!” Eric said back. He shut the door behind them.