We arrived in New Orleans safe and sound. I pulled a silver bullet from Métis's flank, but she didn't seem to care, and then she trotted away while chewing on one arm. Shimena told me that only true nightmares and vampires would call each other like that, and that I must be a very talented and domineering master for her to be so submissive. When I told my sister that the Métis were not submissive at all, and that the arrogant, too-grown pony had a tendency to wander, I was confronted with a complicated expression.

"Somehow, I'm not surprised," she said after a while.

Whatever that means.

We hid for a day in the place where I fought a deadly duel with Ximena. I've heard that it is an embassy, a hotel, and a government office in one, serving local vampires and their visitors. There, the knights conveyed the situation to Roland and representatives of the Elken clan, who quickly sent mercenaries to the place of battle. By the time they arrived, the White Cabal and the Order of the Phoenix were long gone. One night later, we sail with Melusin to Boston, where she will be asked about the whole disaster and her role in it.

We took another boat ride and this time again brought boredom. That's all I can see about the coast, otherwise it would be boring. I used my time to draw some of the things I saw, like Jonathan's half-smile, the old woman who sacrificed her life to save Sora, the albinism nurse herself facing me, getting a lot of snot in her nose even though she was scared, etc. Anatoly stopped harassing me, and I was able to practice guessing cards with Aisha's help, and she assured me that I was quite talented at it. Also, I occasionally talk to Melusi

e exchange a few words. That's usually how we talk.

"Oh, Ariana, I think it smells like sweat, dirt and sugar cane."

"Are you Melusin?" I thought it was some important person. ”

Wait a minute.......

I'm so bored that I don't mind pirate attacks. I would randomly shout out the words Dalton taught me and let someone else, really anyone, take the springboard. Alas, the day of the terrible pirate Ariana has not yet come. I pestered a sailor until he told me that we were sailing at seven knots, and then I pestered him again to let him know that that this was equivalent to eight miles per hour, which is obviously very good for a sailboat. After a week of traveling, at sunset, we saw Boston Harbor.

The sea is filled with boats, warships, ships, and rowboats of all sizes. The white sails and dark hull contrast with the murky green sea. Even at this late hour, this hectic activity does not stop. We passed through several islands before we reached our destination. It is a high ground covered with buildings and surrounded by waterways.

"There is water on the other side as well," said an old sailor succinctly.

Rows of warehouses and factories start from the shore and stretch out of sight. The spires of churches or the white columns of official buildings, from time to time break their uniform black roofs. Plumes of smoke rose into the night sky like countless snakes, and the air was filled with the scent of brine and burnt caramel, accompanied by the pungent stench of untreated sewage. I wrinkled my nose in disgust.

We soon anchored at a pier where several carriages pulled by Little Nightmare were waiting for us. We disembarked and climbed in without saying a word, and soon the mortals led us through the city.

As we passed, I looked out the window. I've never been to the original colony, so it's exciting! We passed endless rows of factories, herds of animals being led through the streets, and several markets that smelled of meat, rum and tobacco. Compared to New Orleans, the population here is white. The affluent inhabitants sounded strange, with an accent I had never heard before. I enjoyed the view until finally, we reached the southern part of the city and nature reappeared.

I turned my attention back to the interior of the roller coaster. Shimena, Anatoly and Melusin were in the car with me. I looked at the redhead banshee.

She smiled softly and spelled out the word "hillbilly" with her lips.

Maybe I should have looked out there more, and it wouldn't be okay to kill her while she was still useful.

As we ride south, carved stones and painted wood give way to maple and birch. After a few more minutes, we walked along the deserted path until we entered a tall pine forest. The smell of their juice and dry needles soothed my increasingly nervous mind until we left their cover.

The path we took left the forest and entered a flat area covered with vegetation. There, invisible are greenhouses and patches of greenery, as well as small houses lit with lanterns, and several large barns casting darker shadows. On both sides, the land suddenly falls into the sea, forming an intimate valley. In front of us and behind the plain, a huge steep cliff hill dominates the landscape, and the road digs out on its rocky sides. The light was shining down from the top of the hill and I could already see the edge of the slate roof. The carriage didn't stop, we slowly walked up, and after two security checks, the guard waved us forward. Soon, we reached the top of the hill and a manor house came into view.

We first walked through the last gate and a garden that looked natural. Rows of trees block out the wind and create hidden paths where revellers can create an illusion of intimacy. Behind that, the road ends at the foot of a majestic U-shaped edifice, the main body parallel to the sea. Its walls are of pink sandstone with only slight decorations. The three wings, each over 60 yards long, shelter in their bosom a French garden centered on a fountain. A straight path leads from the entrance to a set of monumental staircases flanked by columns that separate the garden from a covered promenade. The floor-to-ceiling windows on the left give me a glimpse of a ballroom that could easily seat a hundred people, with an uninterrupted balcony decoration throughout the second floor. I could tell there was a third floor and an attic, and I guess like most vampire strongholds, important parts of the building would be buried.

However, the most striking thing is not the building, but the vampire. A dozen people walked slowly through the garden, poking their heads out of the balcony in twos and threes. They pretended to be aloof, but I could feel their concern for us. Their aura is peaceful, and I can tell that most of them are masters, with at least one lord.

Ximena went first, I followed her, and she was on my side. We walked in after Anatoly, and I thanked Sinid for his rigorous training, because without this kind of training, my aura would expose my pressure.

The entrance is not a standard hall, but a hall with a view of the sea and the mainland from the windows opposite. Tables and sofas are laid out on a thick carpet to form a harmonious seating area around a quietly burning fireplace. The light is provided by multiple candles, but it is still faint. On each table are pots filled with dried flowers and herbs, and the scent is in the air.

It's not enough to hide the coldness with which I associate vampires. There was a heavy air in the air, which was both a welcome and a warning.

One is in front of the front desk with his hands crossed on his back. He wears a delicate black suit with a bow tie, and if it weren't for the fact that the jacket is a little too long and heavy, it looks like a butler's uniform. Even though he was clearly the protagonist of the welcome party, I was scared. His aura is powerful, probably more powerful than Moore's, and it has a wildness that reminds me of a werewolf. His eyes were so dark that I couldn't tell the difference between the iris and the pupils, and he wore his long, sandy yellow hair into a tail, and a short, well-trimmed mustache of the same color. His face was rosy, as if he had been an outdoor person before. I could tell from his expression that he was not happy.

"The Speaker wants you to come to the courtroom right away," he began in a deep voice.

His tone suggests that this is not a suggestion. We turned left into a plainly decorated hallway, then right into a vestibule. There are no windows, just an empty table and a few chairs. A large gate leads farther away, with a sentry standing on each side.

Here, the cloak of civilization fades, and the iron fist under the velvet glove is revealed. There is no doubt that the couple is the king and lady of the battle. They wield Void-colored pole-like weapons and wear twin sets of magical armor made by Devregu, which will make Roth whistle with envy. I realized that in this room there was enough power to reduce the population of a small city and suppress a shudder. Being in such an enclosed space, with so much oppression, gives me a claustrophobia, which has nothing to do with the lack of an outlet. As scary as they looked, they silently opened the door and let us pass without hesitation.

Here it is.

This is where my fate will be decided. Shimena shook my hand for a moment and then let it go, for which I am grateful. I breathed a sigh of relief, the breath I had been holding in the garden. I took a moment to check my surroundings. The room is divided into two parts from the middle, with rows of seats on each side. The top rows are unadorned tables with partitions for privacy. They lead to an elevated area where there is a high table, which I remember called the bench. I could see three beautifully decorated seats on the left and a door on the right leading to an unknown place. The large windows that rise into the wall only give a view of the night sky.

The room was empty.

Our progress came to a slow halt, and I think others would be overwhelmed. I was quickly proven wrong because Jimena led me to the front left while Anatoly and his teammates sat on the right. Shimena sat proudly beside me, and I heard a click as Anatoly's jaws came together.

We only waited a minute before the door on the right slammed open and a man in a judge's robe walked in.

I don't know what I expected from Constantine, but whatever it was, I won't be disappointed. The only ancestor in North America was very tall, but also very thin. He has a hooked nose and sexy lips as well as large chestnut eyes. His hair is black and cut short. The strange features on his face may be ugly on someone else, but on him, the arrangement is striking and magnetically attractive.

His gaze immediately fell on me, and I felt a heavy burden on my shoulders, and after a moment he turned his attention to Anatoly with obvious displeasure. His voice was a soft baritone, more appropriate for a lecture hall, but now, his voice was full of sarcasm and disappointment.

"Anatoly, is this the crazy scoundrel you've spent so much time and energy hunting?" Is that bloodthirsty and unconscious monster you talked about?"

"My lord, please don't let yourself be—"

My eyes widened in surprise. Is it serious? That poor, ungrateful little bastard! Let's fight together!

"-She's docile, she-"

"Silence".

Constantine said a word, and his aura exploded.

Power. Restraint.

I gasped in surprise and pain, and even Shimena winced in front of the relentless display. My neck bent forward under ominous pressure, and I struggled to stay upright.

This is the power of the ancestors. Is he the youngest of them? In the eyes of the watchmen, Semiramis was right. I've never seen His Majesty take anything seriously.

"Answer my question carefully, Anatoly. Is she a scoundrel?"

The hateful bastard licked his lips nervously. How I wish I could kill him, because he ...... His audacity!

"Maybe not," he replied, "but I have proof of ......"

"This trial is to judge the rogue status of a young and isolated vampire who completely outmaneuvers you, using my carefully crafted legal loopholes to make technically correct claims. I think the verdict is clear. ”

"Yes, but..."

"But you're going to make a barrage of accusations against her, and you're wasting countless precious hours of my time, aren't you?"

"Sir, I assure you, she has signs of working for unknown forces. Those earrings, for example, can't have been made by barbarians as she said......"

I'm going to kill him. I'm going to kill him to make this slow, shameful, painful. I'm going to skin him, I'm going to...

"I've had enough of you, and I've had enough of this whole farce. Ariana in Nilari will be thoroughly interrogated to determine if she poses a threat to the agreement"

I was shocked. Don't I have a voice? Shimena mimicked my frustrated expression.

"Yes, sir." Anato's dangerous gaze replied. Oh no, please don't......

"Of course it's not you, it's Ignath. If acquitted, she will be cleared of all charges since her rebirth, and her application for the House of Representatives will proceed immediately. ”

Anatole frowned. Although he wisely decided to remain silent.

"Also, Anatoly, you will be dismissed."

The sound of needles falling on the floor could be heard from three rooms away.

"You don't have the right to remove me," he said slowly. Constantine did not lash out in anger, but raised the brow of the nobles

"Let me clarify. You will be expelled from North America, and the offender will be put to death. If that happens, the knights have no choice but to replace you, don't they?"

After he finished speaking, both Shimena and Anatoly stood up in protest, but the speaker's voice drowned them out.

"Enough! It's done. Take her away. ”

Two sentinels grabbed me by the shoulders and, ignoring my hissing, carried me away with ease. They dragged me down a few steps until the comforts of the estate were replaced by the bedrock of dark granite, and I tried my best to calm myself down.

It should be fine. I can honestly answer any of their questions, except for Sami Lamis...... In the name of the watchmen, I hope this will not work against me. This is not supposed to be. I didn't do anything to break the agreement. Yes, if anything, I've been quiet and cautious. I think the weather will be fine. I'll be fine.

The two of them opened a heavily reinforced door at the end of the hallway, and we entered a square room dug straight into the stone.

A black iron chair.

Heavy restrictions.

Pliers, pliers, bras.

As we entered, a shirtless, painfully thin man turned. His face was gloomy, and his brown eyes were lifeless.

"Good evening, I'm Ignas. Can we begin?"

No...

“…”

"Ah, the question about vows is an interesting one. It's surprising that our minds are still human, and we're not robots considering all possibilities after all, right? Sometimes, vows can contradict each other. Take, for example, a loyal knight who swore to protect the king and the country. What if he finds out that the king is crazy? Will you rise up to protect your country, regardless of destruction, or will you fight to defend the king? It's an interesting situation, isn't it? In our case, we will pay the price, but we will decide or realize which vow is the most important. As a result, some people can avoid confessing by swearing not to provide information before being questioned. That's why we should do it. In the end, I will crush you, learn all the knowledge, and then, eventually, you will be fully recovered. It is useless to beg. It's useless to bargain. It's just an obstacle to overcome, but you'll get over it. I'm good at what I do. ”

"I've operated on a couple of your siblings, you know? They always go too far and we don't learn anything worthwhile. It's been an incredible honor to work with you. ”

“…”

"Oh, but it's cooperation. I'll teach you a lot when we're on the road together. For example, you care too much about the integrity and nudity of your body. You're not mortal anymore, are you? Your body will always recover from injury. It's just a container. The loss of an arm is an obstacle, not a life sentence. Losing your eyes means you need to rely on other senses to regain your vision. Speaking of which......"

"The most sensitive parts of the human body are the hands, the face, and to some extent the genitals. Vampires are particularly sensitive to the loss of fangs. Even if you're missing some, you can still eat normally. Remember, they'll grow back. Now, drink. ”

"In order to grow a specific area faster, you need to focus the essence on the wound. When a severed limb turns to ashes, you know it works. Try again. Hurry up this time. ”

"Tell me about your experience so far. You're the lord of the city, right? What a clever little liar you are. It's a pleasure to watch you grow up. ”

The Master knew she could see the future.

"A prophet?" You don't possess the contemplative personality to make the most of it, but I'm sure the intuition generated by this practice will be useful for a warrior like you. ”

The courtiers drank the blood of the royal family and became masters. She kills the enforcers of the enemy clan.

"You think of xenomorphs as a faction?" Oh, it's so precious. You're an interesting person, Ariana Nelari. I haven't been so pleasantly surprised in a long time. Rest assured, this story is safe with me. The sun is going to get cold before I tell this secret, after all, this is my most precious vow. ”

The courtiers followed the lighthouse.

"I don't want to hear this story. I know who you're talking about, and I don't want to get her attention. ”

Courtiers ruled Marquet.

"An interesting combination of the mask and the Eru doctrine. When you visit our birthplace, you will undoubtedly fit well with both groups. ”

The courtier traces the key, facing the Herald.

"Gorgeous. Lose such a good vassal and continue to live. You're such a miracle. The alliances you have made will be good for you. Few of us have the favor of House Rosenthal, let alone a major dwarven clan. ”

The courtiers lived and fought together with Roth, and for a while, so did the human Bingle.

"There is a force at work that is not on a different level than ours. It is unusual for any of them to be so harsh. I wish I could see it for myself. ”

The fledgling bird ran through the wilderness.

"You did a very good job. Most of the fledgling chicks only need to follow the traces of the corpse to be caught quickly. Survival on the run requires cunning and caution. ”

This fledgling child was both the guardian and their slave of the Lancasters.

"It's not uncommon for witches to pick astray fledglings and courtiers from other clans. However, the way you are treated is perverse. Only the arrogant and stupid sharpen the blade and use it against themselves. ”

The fledgling chick wakes up struggling to stay awake.

"This is the most difficult situation. I know that most masters will carefully select and nurture those who they will produce over a long period of time. This has been the case for the past 5,000 years. ”

The girl ......

"Go on."

She......

"I've said it, I'm going to keep talking."

The third night.

The aïve girl gulped the air with two chapped lips. Her body was just a large sore covered in a crust, from which blood slowly seeped out. Fractures, organ failure. She knew she was dying. She wanted to embrace death and make everything stop. It won't come. Something dark devoured her from within, stopping the Grim Reaper. It shouldn't be like this. Her fanatical mind was confused. The demon crawled out of the wall, crawled out from under her abandoned cot, grabbed at her broken flesh, gnawed at her broken fingers. Please, let this be over. Please.

Heavy footsteps. The monster is coming back. She tried to scream. Only a broken rattle flowed out of her aching throat. He bit her again. He forced her to drink something black. It tastes better than yesterday, and the pain of drinking it, the feeling of being violated, is even more so. Her heart stopped beating. Her lungs failed. Her last visions were of the amused monster and the filthy corner of the ceiling.

"Go on."

The second night.

The aïve girl woke up suddenly. She fell asleep in a hospital bed. It wasn't a hospital bed, and he took her back. She panicked. Then, she calmed down a bit and regained control of the situation. She was injured. Soiled. It's not broken. Not yet. She sat up slowly. The claw marks on her stomach made her go, but she endured. She forced herself to fall out of bed, panting in pain. It took her a minute to stop shaking. One of her arms was broken. The one on the left. The pain between her legs was excruciating. She's in a cellar somewhere. The door was open. She saw it by the light of the lantern. It's still daytime. She didn't know how she knew that. She knew she had to escape. She crawled forward. Drag yourself with one hand. With each movement, the wounds around her and inside reopened. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she held back. Little by little, she continued. She walked through the doorway.

To her left, a man with dark curly hair and a muscular back sits at a table. She froze. He turned around with a smile on his face when he finished writing. He said something in a language she didn't understand. She screams when he picks her up, when he breaks the fingers of her right hand. He bit her neck. He forced her to drink something. It's intoxicating and the most exquisite thing in the world, but it burns everything in the process of burning. The pain and aggression are indescribable, but she can't stop. The pain left her unconscious.

"Go on."

The first night.

The Aïve girl and her friend Constanza fly from group to group at the famous New Orleans venue. The reception room itself was bigger than anywhere they had been, including the church. Stylishly dressed waiters surround the flamboyantly dressed revelers and serve champagne and appetizers. The two friends had a great time. They were new arrivals, and the novelty of their appearance and their pleasant appearance made them the center of attention of young male gentlemen. They were immersed in the light of people's attention and completely enjoyed their first outing in the big city.

Aïve girls are not interested in men of the same age. They talk about parties and big things, they talk about childish things. She wants someone to talk about economics and politics, to understand market trends, and not just to treat her as something pretty. This one

Aïve girls have a lot of projects. She also drank two glasses of champagne. There was one man who attracted her the most. He's a little older, but not much different. He was silent most of the time, as if bored, but his eyes wandered around the room, looking at everything and nothing. She was intrigued. She should have asked someone to introduce her to her, which was appropriate, but she was drunk. Her face was flushed and her heart was full of courage, so she would show a little courage.

At first, the man seemed cold, but after she had been talking for a minute or so, he asked some questions. She told him everything. She talked about the production of rum and the infrastructure and funding required. She talked about investment and distribution networks. She talked about what kind of home she wanted and even what kind of husband she wanted. She kept talking. He's a good listener. He knows when to turn her on and when to keep her focused. She felt as if she had known him for a long time. She felt that he was her true destiny. She asked his name and asked if they would ever see each other again. She wanted to lick her lips and touch his broad chest with her hand and feel it with her own.

Konstanza came and ordered them to leave, because it was already late. She agreed. She wanted to see the man again later. Two friends left.

The aïve girl giggled as she spoke of him. Constanza teasing

Aïve girl. They went to the hotel where they were staying and left their drunken companions. When this happens, they pass by a side alley. A monster caught

Aïve girl. Her friends screamed and threatened her. The monster laughed. It grabbed Constanza's face. The girl fell with her head in her hands. Red blood dripped from it in gout. They screamed. The monster took away

Aïve girl. He jumped from one roof to another. He landed near an abandoned lumber mill. She tried to escape. He broke her left leg. She fell, sobbing. She's still fighting.

"I don't need this arm anymore."

Smack.

The aïve girl howled. The monster tore her clothes apart.

Aïve girls are more resistant to pain than men.

The aïve girl couldn't believe it was happening.

The aïve girl thinks of herself as if she is outside her body. The monster moved between her legs. The monster defiled her. The monster bit her neck. The monster raised its arm. It stopped moving. The monster scratched its own wrist. It forced blood to flow between her lips as black as a winter night. Naïve girls drink. This blood tastes sacred. It ravaged her heart. It was an indescribable experience. Monster put

aïve girl in her arms...

At this moment, a door slammed open. A human girl rushed in. She is a servant with a hawkish nose and sexy lips.

"Ignath, you idiot!"

“Melito

。 You can't come in, I have your master's permission. ”

"him, yours too. Do you think I'm stupid? You've known if she's a threat or not, it's been three days! The servant spoke fluently in Akkadian. Behind her, a vampire stares with short brunette and a face more handsome than pretty

Aïve girl guilty.

"Milda, Ariana......" the vampire whispered.

"I still have a lot of questions to ask."

"Nonsense. She's telling you about the changes she's made at the hands of that old brute. It's easy to tell if she's done anything to break the agreement. Is she?"

“…”

"She? If you don't answer me right away, I'll Inias......"

“No.”

"That's what you have to know, you pervert. Let her go, or it will be my life's goal to let you meet the new day. ”

“…… Good, I think I know enough. ”

"Hurry up."

The handcuffs were untied, and the naïve girl regrew her third and seventh fingers. She grabbed her fingers and pulled them one by one. In any case, they are no longer blurred and no longer at a disadvantage, but it feels good to do so. Vampires and servants help

The aïve girl removes the silver spike from her body.

The aïve girl was taken out of her nose, then from her face, and then from the rest of her body.

The aïve girl is out of spikes. Female vampires smell good, like family.

"Alright, let me dress you. Slowly. ”

Female vampires help

The aïve girl wore a large tunic with a robe that hung down to her knees. This fabric is soft. It feels good. Like pulling the silver nails out of her teeth.

Two with them

aïve girl and guide her. They touched her, but it didn't matter. The vampire is my sister. Humans are servants. Up, up, up, up. They meet a lord in a black suit. His hair is sand-colored and he has a beard.

"I see you've found your solution, Himina," said God.

"Get out of here," said the servant.

She was angry.

They climb more stairs. Up, up, up, up. They came to two gates, flanked by a Battle Lord and a Battle Lady. The servant walked in without hindrance.

The aïve girl was also dragged in. Their office is beautiful. There are a lot of books and precious things. Behind a large table. He was more powerful than the lord. He also has a hawkish nose and big lips. The servant screamed at him in a strange language she had never heard before. She was angry. She was angry for a long time. The man tried to interrupt her, but she kept screaming. The man stood up and approached them.

"Listen, Mel, I have to make sure ......"

The girl screamed again.

"She'll be fine!" She is a master and they always recover. Lo and behold, she's ......"

The man slammed into the table and fell to the ground, black blood dripping from his flat nose.

The aïve girl looked at her fist, still in the air.

No one moved, they just stared in surprise.

"Bastard."

"Bastard," she repeated.

"Bastard, asshole, asshole, asshole, asshole," I said. I jumped on him. I hit him more.

"Bastard bastard bastard!"

"Calm down, God forbid, you don't either." The man protested as he tried to keep me out. I ran fast, but I still hit him in the kidney.

"Strength! That's enough. Prometheus," said Constantine.

His aura shone brightly, and heavy chains reached out of his hands, grabbing me with blinding speed. I called for the power of the pioneers, but I was weak, it was sluggish, and it couldn't crack even a single link. I rebelled against bondage, but to no avail.

"You two, aren't you my bodyguards?" The Speaker asked.

We are not to argue with our servants. You made it very clear. The male judge replied coldly. In the words of the vampires, this is a harsh accusation,

There was silence in the room, except for me. I'm still struggling with binding.

"I think I was too hasty."

"It's not the first fucking time. I told you, brother, if you don't even bother to govern the country yourself, then give up the throne to those who care about you. ”

"I'm not going to entrust this responsibility to anyone."

"Then grit your teeth and do your job, since you've already committed?" Well? The servant retorted unhappily.

The ancestor gritted his teeth and did not answer.

"Good. As Ignas has not found any evidence at this time, I declare that your crimes have been clarified, including your recent physical assault on me. Don't do it again. Appearances must be maintained, otherwise I will be forced to take drastic measures. ”

"Bastard!"

"I've heard you say it ten times, Ariana Nelari. Mel, find her a room on the left and a little further away from the right. The Lancaster delegation was there. Hearings begin tomorrow. Now, let's go. ”

Others took me somewhere, and I pulled my finger desperately, but no matter how many times I did it, the phantom pain persisted. Come on, my cold heart. Do what you have to do. Push memories into the background and make them lose color and intensity. Let me forget.

Please.

"There," Ximena whispered, "lie on the bed, Ariana. It's over now. I'm with you. Mel, I'll call Ancha, can you get William to send something? Jasmine will help. ”

"I'll leave now."

Shimena stroked my head, and I stroked my fingers, one after the other. They were all there. They are good. It's all there. All straight. Very good. It's good, it's good. Yes. Very good. It's all there.

The door opened again, and Ancha walked in. She looked a little older now, older than Jimena anyway, but not surprisingly old either. She lay next to me, so I was between them. These quilts are very comfortable. Ai

Tza is also hot, so it feels strange and comfortable for her warm body next to me. A few minutes later, Melito

Came back, lit a few candles, and made a fire in the fireplace. The room was filled with the scent of jasmine. It's good. Shimena smells good, so now the room is also fragrant. and safety. I slowed down the speed at which I touched my fingers, but I didn't stop. I also move my toes. Sometimes I move my arms because I can. The shape of the fire is fascinating. The fire dances and rolls incessantly, never repeating. I watched. At some point, the room became darker as they closed the blinds.

Dawn has come.