Gabriel sat uncomfortably in his hammock. It was a stormy night at sea. He, Carl and Anna had stolen a boat and were currently on their way to Transylvania.

He looked across at Carl, who was asleep in his own hammock, hidden under a thick duvet. Carl's gentle snores filled Gabriel with an inexplicable warmth. He looked over at Anna's empty hammock, and remembered that she was on deck.

Casting a final glance at Carl, Gabriel stood up and climbed upstairs to the deck. It was a bright night, with a full moon and a navy blue sky filled with silver stars. Anna was leaning against the side of the boat, staring at the wild dark waves with sad eyes. A single tear rolled down her face. Gabriel longed to wipe her tear away, wipe away all of her pain, and hold her tightly.

"I'm so sorry," he said.

She didn't turn around. "I was so glad when you burned me by the sea.... I had never seen the sea. It is beautiful."

Gabriel hurried over to her, hugged her tightly from behind. She was stiff in his arms.

"I killed you," he moaned.

She shook her head. "You set me free, Gabriel. For a brief few hours before my death, and ever since it, I have been free."

"You're alive," he whispered.

"No. No. Gabriel, I am dead. The living dead."

"Does the living dead love?" asked Gabriel softly.

"Not normally," said Anna tenderly, leaning against him.

"Anna, I've missed you."

She reached up and raked her fingers tenderly through his hair. "It's only been a month."

"A month too long," he said, lowering his mouth to her's.