Drink More Coconut Water: Fresh Coconut Water Can Substitute for Blood Plasma in Emergencies

"Tap, tap, tap."

Urgent footsteps sounded. Before long, the front door opened, revealing a middle-aged woman in her forties.

Judging by her skin, she usually took good care of herself. But now, her eyes were swollen and red, and her face was haggard, as though she had not slept all night.

When Mrs. Smith saw Gwen, she became unusually agitated and hurriedly invited her inside.

"Eileen came home last night and locked herself in her room. No matter how I called her, she wouldn't come out. It's been more than ten hours now. She hasn't eaten or drunk anything."

As she spoke, Mrs. Smith began to sob softly.

"Ghost-Spider, can you help Eileen? Please."

Gwen looked at Russell, and Mrs. Smith turned to him as well, looking at him expectantly.

Russell: "..."

Didn't I say I had no idea what to do? Why are you looking at me?

"There's a way, ma'am," Russell said with certainty.

"May I see Miss Smith?" Russell's gentle voice came from beneath the bizarre mask.

"Of course. Follow me." Mrs. Smith walked to her daughter's bedroom and knocked on the door. "Eileen, Eileen, the doctor is here. Open the door."

A pained, suppressed roar came from inside the room.

"Don't come in."

"Eileen..." Hearing her daughter's response, Mrs. Smith's already swollen eyes overflowed with tears.

"Mrs. Smith, don't worry. We'll find a way."

Russell comforted Mrs. Smith first, then instructed Gwen.

"Go to the trunk and bring over the coconuts I just bought."

Coconut water contained large amounts of potassium and microscopic particles, with a composition similar to blood plasma.

In certain emergencies, it could substitute for blood plasma.

Russell pointed at Eileen's bedroom door. "Mrs. Smith, you don't mind if I break this door, do you?"

"Mm."

Russell switched off all the lights inside, then observed the direction of the sunlight to make sure that no sunlight would enter once Eileen's door was opened.

He changed into a cartoon mask.

Misjudged that. A V for Vendetta Mask would scare children too easily.

"Miss Smith, I'm coming in." He exerted force through his arm.

Bang.

His fist punched through the wooden door and unlocked the door from the inside.

"Don't come closer, don't come closer..."

A girl of fifteen or sixteen was curled up in the corner of the room, hugging her knees.

Her face was pale, her lips dry, and her clothes disheveled.

Faint scratch marks could be seen on her exposed arms.

Seeing this, Mrs. Smith staggered forward and embraced her daughter.

She sobbed as she comforted her.

"It's all right now, Eileen. It's all right now."

Standing behind them, Russell saw everything clearly.

Several times, Eileen opened her mouth and exposed her fangs, only to force herself to endure it.

Her body merely trembled more violently.

"Have a glass of coconut water. You'll feel better."

Squatting in front of Eileen, Russell handed her a full glass of coconut water.

The girl froze when she saw Russell, then obediently accepted the glass.

Soon, she drained it. Russell handed her another glass.

Then another.

Color returned to Eileen's face at a visible pace, and the scratch marks on her arms rapidly faded.

Her instinctive thirst for blood weakened, and her body stopped trembling constantly.

Exhaustion washed over her, and Eileen gradually fell asleep in Mrs. Smith's arms.

Only then did Russell have time to examine the room. It was a complete mess.

The once-cute dolls had been torn apart, the beautiful clothes ripped to shreds, and the exquisite notebooks shredded.

Just like the girl's life.

One page from a notebook had happened to fall at Russell's feet.

It was densely covered with words like "hold on," "Eileen," and "don't give up."

Russell could almost see Eileen alone last night, desperately fighting against her thirst for blood.

What a strong little girl.

"Mrs. Smith," Russell called softly before adding, "when Eileen wakes up, have her drink more coconut water. It will help ease her symptoms."

"Remember, it has to be natural."

"We'll leave first and ask a friend about a permanent cure."

"All right. Thank you, thank you so much."

Mrs. Smith thanked them repeatedly, then asked worriedly:

"But if something unusual happens, how can I contact you?"

Russell gave her a number and had Mrs. Smith write it down.

The two left Mrs. Smith's home and returned to the car.

Gwen, who had remained silent the whole time, said self-reproachfully:

"When I brought her home last night, she was only a little nervous. I never thought..."

"This isn't your fault, Gwen."

Russell interrupted her.

"You already did very well. No one wanted this to happen."

Except that Vampire who was already thoroughly dead.

"Mm."

Gwen answered in a subdued tone, then fell silent again.

Clearly, she was still blaming herself.

Russell patted Gwen's arm in reassurance and focused on driving.

After a while, Gwen came back to herself and noticed that they were not heading toward the bookstore. She asked curiously:

"Russell, are you going to see your friend now?"

"Yes."

"Aren't you going to call first and confirm where your friend is? What if you drive all the way there and she isn't around?"

"No need." Russell put on a mysterious air. "If she wants to see us, she'll naturally be there."

As he spoke, he took out his phone, preparing to send a message and ask.

"Focus on driving." Gwen snatched the phone away. "Who are you calling? I'll do it for you."

"Psychologist Yao. Send her a text asking whether she's in the counseling room."

Gwen shot Russell a surprised glance, as if to say, You need to see a psychologist too?

Though they had known each other only briefly, Gwen trusted her judgment.

Russell was someone who lived for fun. His mental health was perfectly fine.

Unable to free his hands, Russell could only roll his eyes.

"A lot of people have psychological issues, more or less.

"Gwen, I suggest you get some Psychological Counseling when you have time."

"Heh." Gwen smiled but did not respond.

Did Gwen have psychological problems?

Yes!

Ever since her friend Peter had taken her as his inspiration and developed Lizard Serum, only to lose control because of its side effects and ultimately die by accident in her arms...

Gwen had fallen into deep guilt and sorrow.

And what happened to Eileen had once again stirred up her self-blame.

Soon, The Ancient One replied: "Come over now."

Yao's Place

Knock, knock.

"Come in."

He pushed open the door and entered.

The lighting inside was soft and dim. An action movie, "Constantine," played on the television, while several bags of snacks and iced drinks sat on the table.

"Sit wherever you like. Help yourselves to anything you want."

A lazy voice came from a figure sunk deep into the sofa.

Russell sat down on another sofa and fell silent.

I never expected Master Ancient One to be like this.

But...

It was three o'clock. Tea came first.

Russell did not stand on ceremony. He poured drinks for himself and Gwen, opened a bag of snacks, and shared them between the two of them.

Then he leaned deep into the sofa and watched the movie alongside The Ancient One.

Gwen did not understand, but she followed Russell's example and watched the movie as well.

For a time, all three remained silent.

Only the movie's light and shadows, sounds and colors remained.

The atmosphere in the room became warm and peaceful.

Until the movie ended.

"I already know what happened."

"I can do it, but I have one condition."