She never called.Over the years I had more successes than failures. The education fund still had plenty of money and I hadn't even made a dent in my p...rsonal funds. Shortly after my latest success, I received a call from Bill. It seemed that he had a girl in mind for the program, but was a little reluctant to bring her in."She's not your typical young runaway, he said, I'm not sure you can handle her." Just bring her over and let me make that determination."The next morning the door bell rang.. ....................................Two things happened while I was still settling into school. First thingwas my period, which I found pretty horrible. Firstly it was a messybusiness, I knew that in theory but the reality wan't fun. Whimperingthrough cramps clutching a heating-pad had me feeling pretty wussy too.Worse though was snapping at Dawn when she was only being what I usuallyfound adorable.She was really sweet about it and somewhat blamed herself. Apparently Iused to warn her when I. "He forced her nearer. His eyes burned holes in her face. "How much, little one?" Five talents Sire. Up in front."He released her and grabbed the spoon. "After I dine, you'll come with me. If you're any good you'll get half a talent. If you're very good, you'll get one talent. If you're a lousy lie, I'll wallop your backside until you think it fell from your skinny body for being pretentious and pricing yourself as a princess. Nay, I wouldn't pay a princess five talents. And consider yourself. He was full of himself. Having washed out of the U.S. Marines as a Lance Corporal, he was proud to be taking over a team of hardened mercs.His first mistake was to call a meeting."All right, men," he said. He ignored Aiko's hostile stare. "Our mission is to cover the Tijuana/San Diego area to the Arizona border area. We are looking for a Latino in his mid-thirties, a former Navy NCO, about 6'2". We are to apprehend and not injure the man. He may be traveling with a woman, somewhat shorter..