Aeneas knew none of this was real, but…part of him refused to leave her. What was it exactly? Why was it so much stronger than the rest of him? How was it able to make him feel so terrified?

“Yes, but—“ the alien shook his head, thoughts conflicting on so many levels that it was dizzying, “—but I can’t—I love her! I’ve already lost her once…”

She stopped thrashing, now sprawled along the ground, chest and abdomen heaving as blood continued to pool underneath her. She was absolutely terrifying and would most likely snap off Aeneas’s legs as soon as he came near, yet he still walked towards her, head and tail lowered in subservience, purring loudly to calm her (and himself).

What was that feeling again? Ah, yes, he knew it now: instinct.

”Weak, pathetic creature…”