Several hours later they sat in the kitchen, Aidan stirring another can of stew on the stove, while David leaned tiredly against the wall. They'd done what they could to salvage the front room, but the broken windows, stained floor, and totally destroyed bookshelf were beyond all help.

David sighed, slouching against the wall. An endless train of thought was running through his head. I couldn't do anything. Nobody human could have. But I wanted to do something. I don't want to be helpless. Nobody can do anything, the vampires are winning. He shook himself and sat up.

"Penny for your thoughts?"

"Huh?" He looked up at Aidan, confused.

Aidan chuckled. "Sorry. An old saying, I guess it's finally gone out of fashion. I was just curious what you were thinking."

David sighed again. "I don't know. Just... just hating feeling helpless. I mean... Before, in the city, I never really thought about the future. The city would always be there, I'd always be there, and things would just go on. But now... I guess I could go find another city, somewhere else. But it wouldn't be like that anymore. You said there's a war. You said we're losing it. And tonight... I couldn't do anything! Nobody human could have. You're right. And what happens if they ever find a way into the cities? Everybody back home was in such a panic about you being able to come over the barrier, but nobody had any ideas of what to do about it, other than exile me. There's nothing they could do, really. Light the whole city, I guess. But there are always shadows, and we don't have that much energy. We ought to go out and fight them! But nobody wants to. The cities are safe, only they're not, really. And what can I do about any of it? I get to just stay here with you, until... I don't know. Until a vampire gets us both, I guess. I don't want to do that, but I don't know what else I can do!"

"I don't know what to tell you." Aidan shook his head. "If you want to go to another city, I'll help you get there."

"I don't know..."

"Well, decisions later, lunch now!" said Aidan, and pulled the pot off the stove.