Alis walked away without a word and pondered. The demon boy did indeed look quite rageful, but he didn’t look evil. Alis spotted another vendor with fruit and vegetables on display, and he thought, “An apple will help him with dehydration and fill him up.”

Alis grabbed an apple and turned the other way before the vendor could say anything at all. Alis was light on his feet as he dashed into the alleyway, and he turned around to ensure that no one had seen him run in there. He didn’t dare pull the demon boy into his issues. Alis patted the demon boy’s head, and his fingers landed on his horns. He then realized why he hadn’t seen them. They matched perfectly with his hair, and with his head leaned down and his body enshrouded in shadows, it was hard to notice them.

“What do you want? I’m not chasing that cat for you.”

Alis held the apple out and said, “It’s for you.”

The boy hesitated, and Alis shoved it into his hands.

“You need it, or you’re going to die.”

The boy asked with a slight smile, “And who says I don’t want to die?”

Alis sat down next to the boy and said, “Because you’re still alive.”

The boy paused and looked down at the apple. It wasn’t fully ripe yet, as green spots were littered around on its skin. He slowly took a bite, and Alis noticed his sharp canines. The boy’s mouth was overwhelmed with saliva, and he could barely tell if he was eating anything at all. Alis watched the boy scarf down the apple, and he couldn’t help himself from smiling. The boy suddenly stopped and stared at Alis. He wiped his mouth and asked, “What the hell are you gawking at?”

Alis didn’t understand what gawking meant, but he had a clue.

“I’m just glad that you like it. I’ll have to get you more though; that won’t be enough.”

The boy glared darkly and asked, “What do you want from me? Why are you being this way?”

Alis tilted his head and asked, “Which way? I don’t want anything from you.”

The boy looked away and continued to eat the apple; only this time he ate it normally and didn’t scarf it down.

“My name is Alis.”

The boy turned to Alis and said, “I didn’t ask.”

“Haha. What’s your name?”

The boy didn’t say anything, and Alis leaned into his view.

“Do you not have a name?”

The boy looked at the wall and ignored him.

“Can I give you a name?”

The boy barked, “You’re so fucking annoying, do you know that?!”

Alis pouted. “Well, sorry. Mr. Grumpy. You should be happy I even got you any food at all.”

The boy turned to Alis and said quietly, “It’s Ei. Don’t call me that.”

“Ei?! That’s a cool name,” Alis enthused.

“Shut your face.”

“I think Mr. Grumpy fits you better though.”

Ei yelled, “No, it does not! I’m not fucking grumpy.”

Alis blinked twice and asked, “Huh?”

There was silence for a moment, and then Alis broke it by saying, “But you definitely are.”

“I am not!”

Alis smiled and said, “Believe what you want to believe then.”

Alis stood up, and Ei stared at him as he left.

“Finally had enough of me,” Ei muttered under his breath.

He touched the horns on his head and sighed. He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes and dreamed of a world that was encased in darkness. A world completely silent and in solitude. It was there that he could disappear and feel nothing at all except the soft embrace of emptiness.