I kept staring at the veil Infanta wore as she danced on the table.

While watching her, I stroked my dog’s head.

The gas lights were eventually extinguished, and the people could no longer moan.

The floor was cold, but my sleep was deep.

Syphyllis’s body was warm, and for the first time in days, both his stomach and mine were full.

The next day, my dog licked my eyelids open.

I laughed, standing up as I rubbed his belly. He whined happily.

“You’re my puppy,” I said, hugging him close to my chest as he licked my chin.

I stood and dusted off my clothes, almost walking toward the refilling station when I passed Infanta’s room. She saw me and smiled.

A chill climbed up my spine as I hid my dog behind me.

“I have food,” she said, smiling as if we had not eaten plenty the night before.

“Really?” I asked. “You have time to taunt me when you were dancing like a junkie.”

I smiled back, emphasizing the word.

“Brother, what are you talking about?” she asked, her smile fading.

Smiling wider and giggling for the first time, I replied,

“You were doing drugs while people released.”

She stared at me as if I were insane.

“What stupidity. That didn’t happen,” she said, furrowing her brows.

I did not reply.

She crossed her arms and turned away.

I continued toward the water station, tapping my head, but Syphyllis refused to move and kept growling.

“Hey,” I shouted at him.

My mind stayed on what Infanta had said.

Lost in thought, I suddenly collided with something hard.

“Ow,” I muttered, clutching my nose.

Syphyllis ran in front of me and began to growl.

I opened my eyes and looked up.

Three men stood before me, towering like giants.

They were dressed in black, two of their arms covered in metal, each taller than six foot eight.

My body shook.

I grabbed my dog and ran in the opposite direction.

I screamed as I fled.

“Run. Run. The Ganhys are here.”