Charlotte meets Penny in New York City in 1994 and, despite her resolve to avoid attachments, is drawn to Penny’s warmth, intellect, and steadiness. Penny works nights at a bodega, hoards secondhand books, and quickly becomes a consistent presence who neither fades nor vanishes. After four months, Penny asks Charlotte to move in and gives her a key with a blood-drop pendant, a playful token that amuses and reassures Charlotte.

One night, Charlotte returns to find Penny propped in bed with rust-colored stains on her shirt. Dread surges until Penny stirs; relief turns to horror when Charlotte notices Penny’s lit-from-within eyes and pointed teeth. Penny reassures Charlotte that Sabine explained everything and turned her because Charlotte was afraid to do it herself, insisting it was a gift so Charlotte would not be lonely.

Hearing Sabine’s name, Charlotte realizes Sabine targeted her deepest fear: becoming for others what Sabine was to her. Charlotte masks her panic as Penny chatters about celebrating and hunger. When Penny begins to dress, Charlotte says she will teach her how to feed, quietly taking up a silver long-handled brush from the dresser.

As Penny lifts a sequined sweater, Charlotte drives the silver handle through Penny’s back and heart. Penny dies instantly, collapsing into Charlotte’s arms. Kneeling on the floor, Charlotte strokes Penny’s hair, consumed by guilt and wondering if something in her has withered for allowing this to happen.

Rage takes hold. Charlotte grabs the blood-drop keychain and climbs to the roof. Alone under the Queens night sky, she screams that it is enough, calling out to Sabine at increasing volume until a neighbor tells her to stop. Her final scream echoes and fades, and no one comes.