I, Hiro Holmes, wake in cold sweat.
It was just a dream, yet I still shudder at the image of the deadly rats.
I slowly ease myself off the bed, careful not to wake the lady at my side.
For a while I just stood, looking at the her, it was around midnight, but yet, with the help of the moon, I could see the bruises on her face, and I wince slightly, feeling pity for the lady I "chose" when I was drunk.
I turned around, grabbed my shorts and headed to my veranda.
Despite the fact that it was midnight, it was bright, mostly because of the moon and stars.
The view was amazing, causing me to take a deep breath, taking in the fresh air.
When last had I had a moment like this?
The answer came before I could even ponder.
One month ago when I still had a job.
I feel useless and cheap. After losing all my friends, my girlfriend, and job, I feel like there was no point in living. My eyes are damp and I silently curse.
As if scripted, I spot a large shadow in the shape of an animal outside, it seems to notice me because it quickly hides itself.
I am not certain whether it is real or just another figment of my imagination.
Probably my imagination, I tell myself.
Shaking my head, I head back to my bed. I turn around one more time to cross-check, and see nothing.
Good, I think.
I drift back to sleep immediately as my head hits the pillow, welcoming the sweet darkness...
A low growl wakes me up, and I see a gigantic figure standing over my lady of the night. The figure's red blood-shot eyes contrasting with the darkness.
I freeze in place watching as it moves closer and closer. I hold my breath and lie like a log.
It moves closer to her before whipping it's head towards me. Immediately, in a rush of adrenaline I grab my pocket knife on my side table and stab it in the leg.
It releases a loud piercing shriek, before swiping at me with its claws. Luckily I am able to dodge and quickly yank my knife from its leg, attempting to stab its chest.
But I'm not that lucky this time, and I end up stabbing my bed. I tug it out with all the power in me and take a swipe at the creature which was about to make another pounce on me.
I am able to slice its stomach and I kick it in the ribs. It tries to attack but when I dodge, it changes it's mind, and jumps onto my side table.
For a while it stares at me, while I clutch my knife covered in black goo
In a swift movement it disappears and I frown, wrinkling my nose.
What the hell was that?!
I think.
Luckily it's not the Gerenuk, unluckily it's dangerous and worse; unidentified!
What the hell was it?!
And why me?!
All the questions swirl in my head but one question stands out.
After all the commotion, how could my lady of the night still be asleep?!
I move closer to her and shake her vigorously, before checking her pulse.
Nothing.
I place my hand over her chest.
Nothing.
I shake her again.
Nothing.
I try again and again but yet she doesn't wake up.
She was dead.