Never trust a red eyed bat they say, for your idiocy will make you pay. They will swoop like the night, to take a nice bite of the victim, they all say. I of course, am not superstitious, I look for proof and not golden fishes. So at night I stray away, the silver moon almost as bright as day.

It was on this night, I was surprised that a magical thing came before my eyes. A bat the size of a man came down, tumbling uncontrollably to the ground. It got up with a struggle, red eyes glowing through dust and rubble. And to my shock it had a voice, as posh and soothing as it’s poise.

“Hello young human” it bowed. “I seem to be lost in this odd world right now… will you help me get home?”

I stood stunned, I couldn’t have known, not what to say. Never trust a red eyed bat… but nay… it’s saucer sized eyes were scared and sad, not ever in the least bit mad. It’s right wing was hurt, and I am not one to be curt.

“I’ll do my best,” I said, every cell of my body screaming in my head.

I lead the bat to my humble abode, letting it lean on my shoulder for its head felt like it flowed. With a hiss and a flash, the bat became man. Red eyes glowing, with snow white thin hands.

I laid out the poor soul my bed, and began pacing and shaking, my heart filled with dread.

“What is he?” I wondered, “and where does he come from? What kind of home could let him be asunder?”

I waited till nightfall, during the day he stayed in the dark. I decided to walk with him to Bearskin park. His arm was in shambles, and the poor man was parched, but he said water was no good a start. He wouldn’t tell me the creature he was, perhaps he was insecure… or just didn’t bother because… he was lonely, lonely and scared, away from home that was who knows where?

“There’s a boat leaving tonight,” I said with a start, “it’s only a little ways away from this park.”

The mans red eyes brightened with joy I can’t describe.

“His smile is quite handsome,” thought I.

We both boarded the ship that smelled of old fish, and sailed four days and four nights. Then I found he’s difficult plight. Blood was the only food he could eat, without it, he was growing deathly weak.

“Why can’t you sneak a few nips? I asked him concerned.

“Unfortunately I have learned..” he began, “my conditioning can spread through bites… I couldn’t put someone else through this life…”

“Drink from me then,” I said, taking his hand. “I have nothing else in this land.”

He looked at me, worry in his eyes.

“Are you sure?” He asked softly, in mild surprise.

“Yes.” I smiled.

And I allowed him to feed.

Ever since then, it’s been him and me.