The scent of blood still lingered in the air. He could still taste the life energy, feel it flowing through his veins, adding to what he had already gathered. His body swelled and grew, fresh new skin straining to contain what it had drawn into itself.

He peered out from his earthy hideaway, watching as a woman arrived and made her way over to examine his recent work. He could smell her from where he hid, feel her heart pulsing through the earth around him. He burned to consume her as well, but his body couldn’t handle it. Not yet. He had to wait, to process what he had already drawn into himself.

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He watched her yell for help as she bent to examine the body. If only she knew how close she was to finding herself devoured. She would fear him. Fear made their hearts beat faster, made the blood flow more vigorously. The fear response added a certain flavor to the life energy that he craved.

A man ran into the clearing, responding to her shouts. This one was strong. So strong! He was as full of vitality as the one he had just consumed. The life force radiated through his skin.

But he was newborn. He needed time to assimilate what he had taken.

He watched as the man put a protective arm over the woman’s shoulders. The affectionate gesture stirred up a rage inside him.

He would return very soon and reap the life from them both.