The small village where this story unfolded was a humble and forgotten place. Here, the days passed amidst poverty and the daily struggle for survival. However, despite the difficulties, some residents managed to maintain hope and kindness in their hearts.

Such was the case of Arturo, a 5-year-old orphan boy. He lived on the outskirts and only interacted furtively with the elderly Maria, a kind-hearted woman who had taken him in.

Arturo was a cheerful and curious little boy, despite the adversities he faced. He spent much of his days helping Maria gather firewood for the kitchen, or exploring the surrounding forest with a smile on his face.

Although his life was harsh, Arturo found solace in the care and affection of the elderly woman. She was the only semblance of family he had left, and the child had become attached to her like a grandmother.

Together, Maria and Arturo struggled to survive amidst the poverty. The elderly woman earned a living by cooking for the sicarios who controlled the village, while the child, despite his young age, helped however he could.

♢♢♢♢

That night, Arturo had slipped into the kitchen to steal a piece of bread. He knew it was wrong, but hunger drove him to commit small thefts from the criminals' food.

The elderly woman, who despite her age had sharp eyesight, caught him. With a sigh, she called him.

"Arturo, what are you doing here again? You know you shouldn't take the bread without permission."

The child lowered his head, ashamed.

"I'm sorry, grandma. I was so hungry and..."

Maria approached him and hugged him tenderly.

"I know, my child. But you can't keep stealing, that's wrong. Come, let's eat something together."

Arturo looked up, his eyes shining with gratitude. Although the elderly woman sometimes scolded him, she never punished him. There was always understanding and affection in her words.

Unfortunately, one of the hired assassins discovered him that day.

"Hey, you filthy old hag, what is that stinking beggar doing here again?"

Arturo clung with his small hands to his grandmother Maria's worn apron. His large, expressive eyes looked with fear at the men around them who were shouting and pointing with those strange things that made a lot of noise.

"Grandma, I'm scared!" cried Arturo, hiding his face in the folds of the elderly woman's dress.

Maria, with her gray hair and wrinkled face, wrapped the child in a protective embrace.

"Calm down, my child. Everything will be alright," she whispered with a trembling voice, trying to convince herself of those words.

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But Arturo could feel his grandmother's body trembling. He raised his gaze, his eyes filled with tears, and saw the fear reflected on Maria's face.

"What do those bad men want to do to me, grandma?" he asked in a shaky voice.

Maria gently stroked the child's tousled hair, trying to calm him.

"I don't know, my love. But everything will be fine, okay? Stay with me."

Arturo nodded, clinging tighter to the elderly woman's apron. He could hear the men's shouts, but he couldn't understand what they were saying. They were strange words, nothing like the ones his grandmother used.

Suddenly, one of those men, a large guy with a scar on his face, roughly grabbed Arturo.

"Grandma!" the child cried, terrified, kicking and crying.

Maria tried to pull him back, but another of the men pushed her, causing her to fall to the ground. Unfortunately, the elderly woman's head hit a rock and she didn't move anymore.

"Look what you've done, you idiot! Now we're left without a cook!"

The men immediately directed their frustration at Arturo, who cried and screamed the name of the one he considered his grandmother.

The child tried to break free from the grip, but it was useless. That large, strong man held him easily. Arturo looked around, desperately searching for something or someone who could help him.

It was then that he saw a blurred figure rushing towards the man holding him. To Arturo's horror, he watched as that creature tore off the man's arms, causing him to release his grip.

Terrified, Arturo stumbled and fell to the ground. From there, he watched as that strange, blood-covered being attacked the other men with terrifying ferocity.

"Grandma!" the child sobbed, feeling completely alone and helpless.

When the last of the men fell, the creature turned towards him. Arturo shrank back, trembling, not knowing what to do now.

Slowly, the figure approached, and Arturo could see its features more clearly. It was a man, but his skin was incredibly pale and his eyes shone with a supernatural glow. And those teeth... Arturo had never seen anything like it.

Swallowing hard, the child dared to lift his gaze, meeting those eyes that seemed to pierce his soul. He wanted to run and hide, but something in the way that being looked at him kept him in place.

To his surprise, the creature extended a hand towards him, gently touching his face. Arturo flinched, expecting to be hurt, but instead he felt a careful caress.

Confused, the child blinked, not understanding why this terrifying being was treating him with such delicacy. He wanted to ask who he was and what he wanted, but the words refused to come out of his mouth.

Arturo simply looked at the strange man, his eyes filled with a mix of fear and curiosity. He had never seen anyone like this before, and he didn't know whether to fear him or trust him.

Meanwhile, Arnaud observed the small child with a sense of emotion that was foreign to him. Something about Arturo's innocence and vulnerability awakened feelings that he had thought long forgotten.

He remembered his own childhood, marked by loneliness and abandonment, and he couldn't help but feel a deep empathy for that helpless being. He wanted to protect him, to keep him away from the danger.

Slowly, Arnaud extended his hand towards Arturo, inviting him to come with him. The child looked at him with distrust, but something in the vampire's gaze told him that, despite his terrifying appearance, he could trust him.

With a lump in his throat, Arturo raised his small hand and placed it on Arnaud's. Together, the child and the ancient vampire walked away from the scene, leaving behind the bodies of the men and the memory of Grandmother Maria.

As they walked, Arnaud glanced at Arturo, wondering what the future had in store for them. He knew he couldn't abandon the child to his fate, but he also feared for his safety if he remained by his side.

However, something about Arturo's innocence and vulnerability moved him in a way he couldn't understand. Perhaps, if he could help the child, Arnaud could rediscover the humanity he thought he had lost.