February 8

3001

He’s still there when I wake up. Darkness has swallowed the world, it’s probably about 2 in the morning. I can just see the silhouette of Soren’s face, the dim night light just catching in his blue eye. He is watching me intently, a look of concern on his face.

“Soren, why aren’t you sleeping?” I ask. He must have been sitting awake for several hours.

“I don’t have to sleep. I have to watch you.” He says quietly, not meeting my eyes.

“Why?”

“...I want to make sure you’re okay.” He mumbles softly.

“Soren I’m fine. You should sleep.” I make room for him in the bed.

“No no, you have the bed.” Insists Soren, shaking his head .

“Well,” I say slyly, “If you really want to watch me the whole night, you’ll have to sleep here.” I smirk. Soren thinks for a minute and finally nods in agreement.

“Okay,” he sighs, “I guess you're right.” He carefully lies down on the bed, keeping as much space between us as possible. I watch him, expecting him to sleep, but he doesn’t. He’s biting his nails.

“Hey Soren?” I ask gently, “Is something wrong?” He startles and looks up at me guiltily.

“No...why?” He asks, squirming nervously.

“You seem...agitated.” I say, sitting up in bed.

Soren closes his eyes and opens them again. He scrunches his nose and fusses with his hair.

“Come on buddy, spit it out.” I say patting his shoulder.

“Petra I...I really worry about you. You are the only person to me. Other people make me shake and hide. I want you to like. I also ....am not feeling good tonight.”

That’s the most words I’ve ever heard from him in a while. Wow. I don’t know where to start.

“You said your not feeling good? Are you ok?” I ask worriedly.

“Yes, but....not really. I have spent to long as human. I need to change DNA soon or I start blacking out and my blood pressure drops. Scientists said I could die if I spend to long in one form.”

“If you need to change between both forms why haven’t you done so?” I ask, immediately worried for him. Soren bows his head sadly.

“I didn’t want to scare you and make you not like me anymore.” He says in a small voice. I put my arm around his shoulder.

“Soren. You should have told me sooner. I don’t care what you look like, I’m not scared of you and I will always like you.” I tell him firmly. “Now go change into that thing before you die or something!” I say.

“I can’t change in here.” He says. He looks pale. He doesn’t look well.

“Okay then. You, come with me.” I grab him by the arm and march him out the door. We stand in the dim ghostly choked moon light, the air is balmy and and there’s a slight breeze.