"My horns are growing nicely, though my head feels a bit swollen. It doesn't hurt much, but I suppose that's expected when you're sprouting horns. They're about a hand's length now—maybe the width of a fist? Hard to say when all I've got is a river reflection."
He paused, slowly standing and stretching his back. A deep breath escaped him.
"I can see rooftops… Finally, I've been walking all this time. Aside from a few odd creatures, nothing really dangerous. I saw a rabbit with a single horn and a six-legged horse. Strange world. I didn't bother chasing the horse—those extra legs on the front probably make it faster anyway."
Forty minutes passed before he reached the river near the small dock—the place where he first encountered humans in this village. He peered out from behind a tree, scanning the area. Once he was sure it was clear, Sirus crept across the field toward the same house where he'd once been captured.
He pressed his long, pointed ear against the door, eyes closed, listening. No sound. Slowly, he opened it.
"Seems no one's home… or they're asleep. Hard to tell the time. It's dark out—but I see just fine in darkness. I need to practice distinguishing day from night."
Inside, he reached the dining area and sniffed the air.
"They had stew last night. Obvious from the scent... and those dirty wooden plates. I'll wait here until someone wakes up. If they find me suddenly, they'll scream—and then the entire village will show up. Better to stay hidden."
He moved a chair beside the staircase and sat low, concealed from sight. If anyone came down, he'd cover their mouth before they could shout.
"Actually… I should train my hearing more. I can pick up faint breathing now. Could come in handy for assassinations," Sirus muttered with a cold smile.
An hour passed. Then—
'Sleepyheads finally woke up.'
Sirus tensed as he leaned back against the wall. He listened. Coughs. An elderly woman appeared at the stair's landing, eyes finding him instantly.
She was startled at first—but then smiled. Nodded, even.
'H-how did she know I was here? There's no way she saw me! Just like when I used to sneak home late… and Mother always knew. How do mothers do that? Scary.'
Sirus offered a slow, awkward wave. The woman—Emma—gulped at the sight of his sharp fangs, but shook her head and smiled faintly. She gathered dishes, grabbed a tin bucket, and exited quietly.
"S-should I follow her? This family's weird. Still can't figure out how she knew I was here..." he mumbled, massaging his temples as overthinking sparked a headache.
Then came warmth in his stomach. He looked down.
A monster!—No. Just Bella, Emma and Jacob's daughter.
"WHERE THE FUCK DID SHE COME FROM? HEHAHA!" he yelled, startled and panicked.
Heart racing, Sirus tried to push her away, but the girl clung tightly. He couldn't move—his back hit the wall.
"Mother! Father! The demon is back!" she shouted, bouncing with joy.
"What is wrong with this child?! I've never felt so tempted to punch a kid in my life!"
"Bella! What's with the racket first thing in the morning?" yawned Jacob as he descended the stairs. He rubbed his eyes—and froze.
There she was, clinging to the demon that left four months ago.
Sirus pointed at Jacob, then at Bella, pleading for help.
Jacob's eyes widened in disbelief. He blinked hard. Still real.
"Bella! Come here this instant! I'm warning you!"
She hesitated, looked back at Sirus once more, then slowly obeyed.
Jacob pulled her behind him and locked eyes with the creature.
'Why is he back? What does he want? Revenge?' a storm of thoughts clouded Jacob's mind.
Sirus shivered, brushing off the girl's lingering warmth. He slid down the wall and sat on the cold floor.
"I need to calm down. She's just a kid. Probably can't tell the difference between a human and a demon."
He glanced at Jacob, then at the table where he'd left his dagger.
"Right. My dagger and hide are still here. I'll just grab my things and leave."
He stood and approached the table. Jacob stepped back, watching.
Sirus picked up the hide and dagger. Jacob reached for the blade but pulled back when the demon seized it swiftly.
"On second thought… best I keep this with me while I search the house."
The door creaked open. Emma returned, tin bucket sloshing with water.
"Oh, Jacob. You're awake," she said calmly, placing the bucket on the counter.
"What do you mean 'awake'? Don't you see the demon is back?!"
"I saw. Maybe he doesn't have a family. So he came back here," she said, glancing at Sirus.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Just let him be."
"Don't you see the dagger in his hand?!"
"The world's dangerous," she replied, dipping a rag into the water and quietly washing dishes.
Sirus watched them for a moment, then walked past Jacob and headed upstairs.
"Where's he going now?!"
"Oh shut it, you—whining like an old man."
…
Sirus entered Bella's room, placing the dagger on her bed. He rummaged through her chest and wardrobe.
A grin crept across his face.
"I've been looking for you. My precious."
He moved on to the couple's bedroom. Two chests flanked the bed.
"Left must be hers. Right's his. So this is where they keep their clothes."
He dug into the right chest, pulling out a black trench coat and grey pants.
"Shirtless it is. The coat will do. Wish the pants were black, but whatever."
He changed. The coat and pants hung slightly loose on him.
As he finished, he stumbled, nearly tripping. He caught himself on the bed.
"Figures. Should've adjusted them."
He used his claw to cut the pants above the knees and stuffed the scraps under the bed.
"Now I'm in business."