Once Upon An Extinction

It was after they paid their respects that Maev remembered how filthy she had become. Her dress was dirty from tumbling on the ground and dried blood stained her.

Once Cookie was buried, Blood led them to the river that cut the city in half. When the area was prosperous and alive, the river would not have been a pleasant place to bathe, but it had become clean and clear in the absence of humans. The banks were green and overgrown with plant life, but a walking path formed by Blood's use let them down to a tiny, sandy beach. The water was slow moving and calm. A very relaxing place.

Fiend sat down in the sand and watched as Blood and Maev quickly jumped into the shallows with their clothes on. The little ghoul swam well and was able to keep herself above the surface easily. Maev was tall enough to stand and smiled big as the cool water refreshed her body.

The human gestured for Fiend to join them, but he shook his head in decline. Great weight would keep Fiend under the water and a damaged body would allow water to flood mechanisms. Maev was disappointed but accepted his decision simply.

Time passed by quicker than usual. Despite Cookie's sacrifice, Blood couldn't remember having such a nice day. She thought it may have been due to having company, rather than wandering alone. Seeing Maev's smiling face gave the little monster comfort. Complex emotions were uncommon in monsters. Blood believed she was lucky that she possessed the feelings she did.

Twilight was upon them without them realizing it. All three knew the danger that was coming and the swimmers quickly exited the water. Blood gestured for Fiend and Maev to follow her and before the dusk was complete, they were inside the lobby of her building. After securing the front doors with her key, Blood picked up a tall candle and lit the wick.

With the help of the little flame, she led them to the stairs and up to her home. The climb up twenty stories in addition to the swimming left Maev exhausted. Blood presented the human with the master bedroom and Maev immediately threw herself upon the low bed. The little monster worried that the human may be uncomfortable in wet clothing, but her own dress had dried almost completely on the walk there.

Blood stood next to the bed and watched Maev. The young lady seemed to have fallen into sleep within seconds. A smile grew on the little monster's face as she watched her slumber. Holding the candle well away, Blood leaned in and gently kissed the forehead of the slumbering human.