The sun had already set. A cold breeze passed through the trees as Elena stood in the middle of a small clearing, breathing calmly.
> "Tonight, we push further," Raphael said from within her mind.
"Your instincts are growing. It's time to test your control around living blood."
Elena's body tensed.
> "Living blood? You mean… a person?"
> "No. Not yet. We start with animals. There's a deer nearby. It's calm, slow. You'll approach, but you won't feed."
> "Why? If I'm not going to drink—"
> "Because you need to stand near it without losing control. You can't live in the world if you attack everything that bleeds."
Elena hesitated but followed her senses. Her mind stretched outward like earlier in training. The feeling returned — a warm pressure in her chest pulling her in a direction.
She followed it carefully.
And then, just a few meters ahead, she saw it.
A deer, grazing near a bush. Its body moved gently, unaware of her presence.
Her throat felt dry. Her fangs ached.
But she didn't move.
She just watched.
> "Stay calm," Raphael said. "It's not food. Not unless you let your mind slip."
Elena gripped her hand tightly.
A small voice inside begged her to run forward. Bite. Drink.
But she didn't.
A minute passed.
Then another.
The deer raised its head and looked in her direction… then slowly walked away into the woods.
She let out a shaky breath.
> "I did it," she said quietly.
> "You passed the first test."
---
Elsewhere – Southern France
A dark alley in a small town.
A man walked aimlessly, his eyes foggy, mouth open slightly. His skin was gray. Teeth chipped.
He had been infected two days ago.
Nobody helped him. Nobody dared.
Suddenly, he turned toward a passing couple.
He lunged.
They screamed.
---
Back in Germany
Elena returned to her shelter under the tree. Her body was tired. Her hunger stayed quiet.
> "If I can control it once… maybe I can do it again."
> "You will," Raphael said. "But never forget — this is only the beginning. The hunger will return stronger. And the world around you is changing faster than you realize."
Elena lay down, staring up at the stars.
For now… she was still herself.
But for how long?
---