A Place to Stay

He needed a place to stay. It was getting dark. And it was raining. Hard. Unfortunately he could find no shelter in caves near by because where he was walking was flatland. He also knew better then to ask in a village or city. Not only would they turn him away but they may also hunt him because of what he was…what he did.

He saw a mansion ahead of him…in the middle of nowhere. He couldn’t help but wonder at that. He knocked on the door. After several minutes said door opened. A woman was standing in the hall. She was very pretty with waist-lengh red hair and emerald green eyes. Her skin was a tanned color, not real dark, but not light either, somewhere inbetween. She was also human. He was in trouble.

She looked at him with a smile, making way so he can enter. “So, are you coming in or staying out in the rain?” She asked with an accent he’d never heard before.

“I’m a demon..” Leech said shyly.

“No, really? I never would have guessed.” The woman said with a smile. “If you want to stay in the rain, that’s fine by me. You can also come in so you don’t get sick.”

Leech hesitantly entered the mansion. It was huge. “Are you sure…I can stay here? I don’t want to…be a bother.”

The woman continued to smile. “Don’t worry about it. I live here all alone and I get lonely sometimes. Besides, you aren’t the only demon who’s come here. Xylia and Xyea come here quite often to rest. Not sure you’d like them though. Their nice enough once you get to know them but…Xylia is not a very social person, even for a demon. Mostly she likes to be left alone. Xyea, on the other hand likes to kill people. She’s actually really nice though if you don’t meet her on the battlefield.” The woman said softly. “By the way, my name is Rayne. What’s yours?”

“L-Leech. Pleased to meet you Rayne.” Leech smiled shyly. Rayne was being so nice. Wither or not it was fake he didn’t care right now.

“Hmmm, would that name have something to do with you being a demon?” Rayne asked. “I can’t imagine you having it for any other reason.”

“I…leech life away. I drain away their life-force so I can live. I do feel everything and gain every memory that person or creature had had though so feeding is very painful.” Leech replied softly. “So I feed off babies mostly. More life-force and less memories and emotions.” He expected her to be angry.

“Hm. I see. Do you like to do it?” Rayne asked. He shook his head. “Then I don’t see what the problem is. Just like wolf have to eat meat, you are also forced to eat that way. You didn’t ask for that to be the case, it just is.”

They walked into a room that was full of books. He had just been following her, so didn’t actually know where they were. It was obviously a library. “I know it’s here somewhere.” Rayne muttered. She walked away and looked on top of bookshelves quite a bit taller then she was. Then again, she came to about his chin. She jumped trying to reach something.

After several tries she finally muttered in frustration. “Can someone please hand me my pencil?” He walked over and took hold of in with his tail, holding it gently enough that it wouldn’t break, but firmly enough he wouldn’t drop it. He dropped it into her hand.

Rayne smiled. “Thank you very much, Leech.”

“You're welcome.” Leech couldn’t help but smile shyly again.

“Well, the beds are up here.” She said leading the way holding her pencil. “Go ahead and go to sleep or wander around if you like. I’ll be in the library if you need me.”

”Thank you!” He called to her as she left. Rayne merely laughed. The room she had lead him to was very beautiful, just like the rest of the house. He laid down on a bed and went straight to sleep.

In the morning he wandered around looking for Rayne. He found her asleep in the library. He put a hand on her shoulder.

“Rayne. Wake up.”

She looked at him sleepily. “Hmmm? What time is it?” She asked softly.

“The sun is up. The rain has stopped. I have…to go.” Leech said shyly again. Rayne smiled.

“You’ll come back, right? You’re welcome anytime.”

“I…thank you.” Leech said. “Thank you…very much.”

Again Rayne laughed. “Stop thanking me, silly and go if you’re planning to go. I’ll see you later.” Leech nodded as Rayne showed him the way out. He couldn’t help but smile. He was really happy. Maybe…just maybe…his wish was granted.