Once Upon An Extinction

The human looked to be a young woman. The condition of her hair matched her uncovered body; dirty and neglected. Her skin was unevenly tanned and full of scr.a.p.es and bruises. Blood couldn't get a complete look at her with the blanket still in the way, but she didn't want to wake her prem.a.t.u.r.ely.

Blood checked the photos to make sure that the slumbering human wasn't in them, but she didn't even seem related. It was obvious that she was only using the apartment for shelter, but Blood wondered why. While not entirely vacant, the city was not a bustling metropolis of activity. The human could probably have enjoyed a secret existence if she was careful. And if she was surviving by herself for the last decade, surely she had somewhere to call home and didn't need to break into a random building.

When Blood returned to look at the human again, the little monster carefully moved the discarded items on the floor, lest she stumble again. She got to her knees and rested her head and arms on the bed, looking at the human. Feeling the need to name her, Blood let her mind wander for something nice. She thought that the human may be able to tell her a name when she woke up, but a loss of speech from being alone may have happened.

With the vigilance of a stone guard, Blood watched over the human throughout the night. Although the darkness left nothing for Blood to view, she sat on the living room couch and listened for anything that might try and enter. There was no clear sky and bright moon to lend the little monster a hand.

With the rising of the sun and the clouds gone, Blood looked out the large windows at the colorful sky. It was going to be a pleasant day. She stood and stretched her little body before slowly entering the room where the human had slept.

The little ghoul poked her head in first. The human had changed position in sleep and was along the length of the bed. Her feet rested atop the frame as she was older than the age meant for it. Blood wondered what it must feel like to sleep. She didn't like the idea of being forced into crippling fatigue, but the thought of a greater rest was pleasant.

The human turned in her sleep until she was facing Blood. Her face was sad and moist. She had been crying in slumber or was already awake and unwilling to face the day. Remembering back to her observations of parents, Blood quietly stood by the bed and gently rubbed the human's head. She made sure not to press too firmly, but enough so that the human knew she was there.

Blood noticed that her hair wasn't as dirty as she had thought initially. The human must have only been without a cleaning for a few days. While Blood finger-combed the long hair, the human gravitated towards the comforting touch and it was then that Blood noticed something peculiar. Around the neck of the young woman was a leather collar with the word "Maev" sewn in gold thread. Her name, Blood guessed.