He had to feed, he knew this, but his energy was low. It would soon be getting dark – time to hunt and find something which could satisfy his hunger.

Moving seemed unnatural, almost alien but something (or someone) was willing him on; telling him to seek out human life.

He raised his head and stared ahead, trying to concentrate on a sound coming from the other side. He wasn’t sure if it was coming from outside or if the fog in his brain was playing tricks. Is this how he would feel from now on? Armageddon was only hours in the past and he didn’t expect the changes to take effect so quickly.

The pain in his ears was unbearable; he thought his head would explode with the pain. Wait a minute, was that really YMCA he could hear? Sniffing the air, he turned his head towards the sound, but he was disoriented. Where was it coming from? It took all the strength he had to rise and walk towards the window. Moving his ear closer to the curtain, the sound gradually got quieter. He raised both arms slowly and reached towards the torn curtain which separated him from daylight. Life. After yesterday, he realised there was no going back.

Something stopped him pulling at the curtain. He sniffed again, never had his senses been so acute. What was happening to his body? His mind? For a moment he wondered if it was smoke he could smell, but then he remembered. On entering the building (he couldn’t remember when) there had been a cloud rising from the chimney next door.

Is this how it would be from this moment on; only coming to life at night? Walking towards the table, he stumbled and fell against the sharp corner’s edge, but he didn’t flinch. On the table, an ice cream tub filled with mouldy blackberries crawled with flies. In his present state of mind, things which he would have noticed before, now ceased to exist.

Of course there would be changes, but his body wasn’t prepared for what was happening at this present time. His old life was quickly becoming a thing of the past and he would have to embrace everything opening up, not only to him but everyone around him. Adjustments were needed.

Did others feel the same way? Did they accept the changes without question? Perhaps the transformation would be different for him. Maybe he wouldn’t be able to accept this new life and all that came with it?

The music stopped suddenly and the bedroom door abruptly flung open, knocking over the empty cans stacked in a pyramid on the floor.

“Right, my little sunshine. Your mum’s here!”

The curtains were pulled away far too quickly and what little light there was, stung his eyes. Closing them he clutched at this head.

“Mum, what the hell are you doing here?”

“I know what you students are like. You’ve only been away a few days and look at the state of you!”