“IS HE awake?”

'No. I'm not.' The blinding light coming from a flashlight made him hiss through gritted teeth. He can't remember the last time that he had fed. Because he's quite ancient, he can go on without feeding for months or even a year. Although the resulting changes in him is hard to suppress.

His face was gaunt and extremely pale. He can guess without actually seeing that his skin is now morbid blue. It was years since he had last gone out and communicate with humans.

It was like those days were just a fraction of his dream. A scenario his mind had created to keep the little...