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“Shoot down the alien ships. Those big ones.”

“But this is wanton violence. I thought you were against this.”

“It’s just a game. Not real. Like the movies and the show you were watching. It’s entertainment. Want to try?” I hesitate when he holds the device out, his face earnest and soft. Is he toying with me? Trying to get me to lower my guard? One good turn deserves another, I suppose. Perhaps he is more devious than I took him for, but two can play this game. I give him the sweetest smile I can muster and push the device away.

“I shall observe you a while longer, so I might learn the strategy.” I pick up another container of food and lean back on the couch. He eyes me warily, but continues playing while I allow myself to enjoy the heat of the food as it hits my tongue.

Video games. Spicy noodles. Television. Hospitality. I was not informed of these things. At the moment, however, I am somewhat glad that my training was incomplete, because I dare say I am enjoying myself.

9

Theo

Holy fuck, what timeis it?

I look down at my phone. More texts from Molly, more DMs from my friends, and more missed calls from Mom. It’s 2am. I look back at Annoth, expecting to see her asleep, but she’s wide awake, covered in a blanket. Ros always fell asleep reading on the couch next to me while I played video games. It was some of my favorite time, doing our own separate things, but still together. She usually had one or both cats curled up in her lap though, and I realize that I haven’t even seen Dante and Virgil all day. I think they’re probably afraid of Annoth, who tears her eyes away from the TV screen and looks at me.

“Why have you stopped playing?”

“Do you…do you not need to sleep either?” I ask.

“No.”

“Oh, ok, that’s…weird. Well, I do need to sleep and I’d rather not sleep in the bed.

“Why not?”

“I just don’t want to. I haven’t since Ros left.”

“Ros was your lover?”

“My…girlfriend, yeah.”

“The one you lost.”

“I didn’t lose her. We just…broke up.”

“Is that why your living space is in such a state?”

“Part of the reason, yes.”

“What are the other parts?”

I toss my controller down and stand up. “Look, I’m not talking about this with you. You’re not my therapist, and I know what you’re trying to do. I’d rather sleep on the couch than the bed, so can you…find somewhere else to lurk?”

She frowns at me, then picks up the video game controller. “I would like to commit mass murder on the alien invaders. You may begin sleeping in your bedroom again. I shan’t trouble you.”

“I don’t know if I believe that,” I tell her, crossing my arms. “How do I know you won’t hurt the cats, or go roaming around the building tearing out people’s throats and drinking their blood?”

“I cannot leave your general vicinity,” she says, then grins up at me, flashing her fangs, “and besides, I prefer livers or spines, not throats. The sensation is much more…satisfying.”

Nausea shoots through my body, but I shake it away. “So you can’t leave the apartment on your own?”

“That is correct.” She starts playing the game, and I’m distracted for a moment watching how good she is already.

“How do I know you aren’t lying?”

She doesn’t even look up. “Go, leave your apartment and you will find out.” I glance at the door, then grab my keys just in case she tries to lock it behind me for some reason.