"Alright I'm ready...for you...now".

I nearly gulped as i said this.

"You know you don't have to do this.

Nobody is forcing you, I'm not forcing you, you can choose to refuse, it's not a big deal if you do, I'll understand."

He tried weakly to dissuade me but i knew he was just being considerate of me and my feelings

"No, it's the least I can do.

You've done so much for me and it's about time I did something for you.

I've not been very grateful to you lately, so I want to show my appreciation to you somehow.

I want to do this, honestly I do, so drink up or whatever you do."

He paused for a moment but I almost lept back when I saw his already prominent fangs shoot out slowly like two retractable knives, he tilted my head to expose my neck and then his mouth took a dive towards my carotid artery.

I felt a vicious squeeze which took me by surprise at First, this time my skin felt like it was bathed in warm gold, the heat was rising, the gold was getting steadily hotter yet then there was a rush of ice that was released into my bloodstream, to relieve my high temperature.

I felt my soul drown in that peace yet again.

I didn't waste a single moment, so I decided to thank him by getting giving him a firm kiss which startled him quite a bit.

I could taste the blood that was still on his lips.

"You surprise me.

You're so very assertive and confident, I like that.

Your lips are like fire, I like that as well".

Dwindle had a ardent flame in his eyes, it was amorous and hungry but I could tell he was pleased with me so I savored the moment and soaked up his playful passion.

I tried to smile but my throat began to burn like the burn of bile but instead a copious spurt of blood gushed out of my mouth.

I was so embarrassed.

"I'm sorry. It's the effects of the curse, I guess it hasn't worn off yet".

He dabbed my mouth and chin with his handkerchief.

"I forgot to mention that it may take awhile for these wounds to heal. They will come and go but eventually they will disappear and you will fully recover from that particular assault.

It will be no more than a nuisance, worst case scenario if anyone sees anything you can feign some weird disease like Tuberculosis.

Nobody is going to suspect that there is shadow or a curse that's involved

Hopefully no one will suspect assault either".

"Why? I thought we still wanted to expose him in every way possible".

"No silly girl, I meant we could expose him in every way possible, that doesn't mean we have to.

Let's not rush into anything, instead let's take this all in stride, one step at a time, you know."

He wore a wistful expression.

"What's wrong? Does something trouble you?"

"It's just... I'm afraid if you testify now, you'll have to leave this place.

It's not even a fear even, its a certainty and I am certain you will leave, you'll leave me and most likely for that Mansfield fellow no doubt.

Don't you see? You'll have no choice after you testify, you'll have to hide from Wastrum and you'll go running to Mansfield, he'll protect you, he'll shield you, he'll give you shelter, heck he'll most likely enjoy your company so much he'll even ask to marry you.

I can see it now, he'll steal your heart."

"No Dwindle, If I leave this place you'll come with me and if you don't want to I can always come back.

I made you a promise that I will always return back to you and when you call me I will come to you and I will follow you wherever you lead.

I meant it Dwindle, you must believe me."

"Yes of course I believe you, let's just say I'm not looking forward to seeing you leave.

I don't mind if you share a bed with him but you must promise your heart will always belong to me."

"I don't have any choice, I'm bound to you remember.rDd

So I'll always find you and you'll always find me.

We'll never be apart for very long, I promise.

You know I wouldn't love him like I love you."

"Very good.

I am happy yet again... I Think."

Dwindle didn't look very certain nor did he look very happy.

"I feel a little tingle, like something bad is about to happen".

A stream of new blood erupted from my lips.

I was blinded by the purest of lights.

It was the visions again, they were coming, I couldn't avoid them, there was no escape and the best thing to do was just let them happen naturally since fighting them was usually a painful experience.

Unfortunately the visions came on to fast for me even to catch my breath to explain to Dwindle what was happening.

I saw a warped image of Sidney appear within the light that was overtaking my mind.

"This is dangerous I'm telling you Manny.

Haven't I given you enough?

I've saved your ass so many times it's not even funny.

Countless times I've been there to rescue you yet this takes the cake, if you continue to join with that thing, you will be on your own."

"Sidney, I'm surprised at you.

You're not much different than than he is.

Do you have any idea how much I owe him?

Do you even know how much I've done for you?

You break my heart Sid.

I took you off the streets, you were waiting for death, you had given up and you were waiting TO DIE!

You were behind a freaking dumpster when I found you, you kept muttering about how you were cursed and you i didn't care, I just trusted you, I confided in you, I even hired you to work for me and i allow you to live in secrecy when it's needed and I allow you to live here completely RENT FREE, SIDNEY! So yes you will accept him, you will not end our friendship because of your pigheaded pride."

I'd never heard Mansfield so angry before.

I'd never heard him angry before, period.

"Pride? The problem isn't my pride, it's your stupidity and that relentless optimism that always has to see the best everyone.

I swear you'd hire a murderer just as long as they weren't set in their ways.

You bring them in here, offer them tea and coffee, give them a full tour of the studio while they're sitting wondering if your blood would clash with the wall paper and carpets back at their home.

You never see the danger, you know when I was young we had a word for you, It's called the Village Idiot!"

"Oh I'm the idiot, you think I'm such a happy go lucky fellow.

Look at this Sidney, does this look like it belongs to a happy man?!"

He nearly tore his sleeve off just to expose his arm and low and behold, there were short meticulous scars on his arm, all neatly in a row, the scars I knew only could be made by the blade of a knife.

"Heavens. You're a cutter. What drove you to that? Was it him?

Did he drive you to this?"

"NO, Sidney, it happened while you were away, while you were busy, preoccupied and distracted.

I hide a lot behind this idiotic smile of mine.

If you bothered to check in with me every once and awhile you'd have known I nearly had myself admitted to Morningside.

Oh I suppose you didn't know that I've been there before.

I was there many times and it was way before I met you and way before I met him.

This is me speaking not anyone else, so nobody drove me to do this, this is something I've struggled with nearly my whole life yet the sad thing is you've never noticed. I'm not saying any of this is your fault, I just think you should know. I have to go, Splendor is coming tomorrow with the crew. I better get ready.

We'll be picking a location, you can come if you'd like".

Mansfield strode away rather angrily.

"No, wait, Manny.

Look I'm sorry.

I was insensitive, I should have done more for you".

Yet Mansfield was already out the door and he had no intention of turning back around just to speak with him.

I swiftly came back to reality, I gasped and then realized I was on my knees with Dwindle, caressing my hand and touching my shoulder with extreme concern written all over his face.

"Sorry it was a vision.

They tend to hit me pretty hard when they come, it's just easier to let the vision take it's course,

Go with the flow if you know what I mean.

Normally they don't make any sense until later.

Don't worry they don't damage me in anyway, it's just not very pretty to watch.

I used to have visions all the time, so he'd book all these appointments with Dr. Chesso.

He had a special department for the Gifted and Disturbed.

I was often thrown into that observation room, so he and the rest of those crazy Doctors could study me.

He made me feel special for a time but then things got weird, there was these noxious experiments, wonky drugs that were still in the experimental stages and then there these twisted passive aggressive methods he'd use just for the fun of seeing me react in a certain way.

He claimed it was just a test, just another experiment he'd say to me but when those experiment started to become painful, I couldn't help but question if he was enjoying seeing me suffer.

So I faught them, I struggled, I kicked, I punched , I even drew blood and broke a few bones.

Somehow I overpowered all of them, I was never tired, I never slept no matter what they gave me and after while I developed a tolerance to all the drugs they were giving me.

I suppose I just wanted to survive and your will is a very difficult thing to kill."

"Tell me is this Doctor Chesso a friend of Dirk's?"

"I believe so, I remember Dirk mentioning something about them being old college buddies but that's all I know."

"Excellent news, I may have to pay him a little visit sometime just so that we're acquainted. I wouldn't want him to get the wrong idea about me or you for the matter.

Anyhow what was the dream about?"

"Oh the vision, it was just about Mansfield and Sidney, apparently they just had some sort of fight and I don't think it's going to be easily resolved.

Maybe I can help."