::introtext::
Once a metropolis; a testament to the ingenuity of humans, the city you and your saviour walk into is destroyed, deserted. A testament to the chaos one man unleashed on the world. You find a building, derelict and burned out, but intact. This is your shelter for the night. You take a short break inside before you have to venture out.
He sits next to you, and looks down at you. Finally, he asks a single question.
“What’s your name?”
“Melanie,” You reply, and you’re telling the truth. “Melanie Thompson.”
“Ricardo Castillo.” He replies, taking off his hat and showing you, for the first time, his scarred visage. “Nice to meet you, Melanie.”
You nod, and dread the next question.
“By the by,” He says, “How old are you?”
Sixteen, you say. His eyes narrow.
“And do you have a, um… heritage, to those creatures?”
“No,” You shake your head. They’ve called you a pureblood before, but you don’t like the term. You’re just trying to survive out here. “My father was… a ‘tamer,’ though.”
“Right. So you are worried that you may share the same blood” You nod. He stands up. You do too. “Where are your parents?”
“Dead.” You shake your head. “It doesn’t matter. My dad was a sick freak and my mother was worse.”
“Hm,” He says, kneeling down and bowing his head. “In that case, Miss Melanie Thompson, I pledge to be your bodyguard, protector, and guardian until the time comes when my services are no longer needed. Until then, I am your man. You have my word.”
You nod again, and a smile forms at your lips. But for now, darkness falls soon, and you have much to do. As you collect materials for the makeshift fire, Castillo tells you tales of his own encounters with the creatures. The scars on his face were from something he calls a ‘Lambchop.’ He fought and defeated it, but he says there’s much worse out there. You believe him, of course, but the things that turned on and killed your parents are still out there and they’re still after you.
But for now, you’re safe, so as soon as night falls you let the dark embrace of sleep envelop you.
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