Lots of rotten chestnuts these days.

The Vampyrrhic Boy fights a grin and approaches. He looks up at her with big brown eyes that seem to soak in all the world and reflect back exactly what she wishes to see.

White Fox ruffles his hair.

He steps closer and wipes the slick of blood beside her mouth. He licks his finger and laughs.

White Fox stares at him.

When he sits on her lap, she does nothing. When he licks at her face, she does nothing.

WHITE FOX (V.O.)

I felt a warmth fill the spots he touched: a healing warmth. I knew this was wrong. But he was a great comfort.

INT. LARGE TREE TRUNK IN PARK

White Fox and the Vampyrrhic Boy camp together inside a large, cavernous tree where the Vampyrrhic Boy seems to be living.

He has carved little animals into the wooden trunk as childish decoration—maybe as protection.

She runs her hand over them, admiring.

Then, she sleeps comfortably beside him, as if he is her child.

EXT. ABANDONED PARK IN THE LIMATRA SUBURBS — MORNING

In the morning, she wakes and finds the Vampyrrhic Boy staring at her coldly from a far corner of the park.

His eyes have sunk into his face—he looks entirely ordinary. Nothing like the special and angelic child of the evening prior.

VAMPYRRHIC BOY

Who are you? Why are you here?

White Fox gapes at him, confused.

WHITE FOX

You invited me here last night.

WHITE FOX (V.O.)

I cannot tell you how strange it was to say such a thing to a boy.

VAMPYRRHIC BOY

(scoffing)

You are a stranger—an old woman with white hair! Why would I invite you inside my tree? It is for little boys only.

WHITE FOX

I don’t believe you, you know.

VAMPYRRHIC BOY

(eyes narrowing)

Believe what?

WHITE FOX

You remember who I am! You licked at my blood.

VAMPYRRHIC BOY

Lying witch.

Vampyrrhic Boy storms away. White Fox eventually wanders out to find new lodging, food, anything.

WHITE FOX (V.O.)

I was too afraid to venture into Limatra and be faced with that great amount of change.

KIND WOMAN at a store gives her day-old stale pastries, and she finds herself back in the park that evening.

EXT. ABANDONED PARK IN THE LIMATRA SUBURBS — EVENING

White Fox sees the Vampyrrhic Boy again, swinging on the swings alone.

She avoids him, but he waves at her.

Sure enough, after a bit, he approaches her.

VAMPYRRHIC BOY

Yoo-hoo!

WHITE FOX

I thought you didn’t remember me.

VAMPYRRHIC BOY