Grace noticed how slowly Ellia was walking. She said, “Hurry, Ellia! I’m excited to go to paradise! We want to stay in favor with the Zironists, after all. We have to show our appreciation toward them for saving us from our ugly histories and giving us what few animals, greens, and water we have to survive.”

Ellia sniffled. “Right. Sorry. I’ll just… miss you. That’s all.”

Grace placed a wrinkled hand on her shoulder. “Pay me no heed, sweetie. You’ll find a replacement soon enough.”

Ellia lowered her eyes. “You know I can’t replace you…”

Grace chuckled. “You flatter me so much.”

Ellia arrived at the front door and placed her hand on the identification panel next to the door. It opened, and Grace followed Ellia out onto the desert sands. Upon seeing the Zironists, Grace fell to her knees, closing her eyes. She clasped her hands together. “I am your humble servant. Do with me what you will.”

The Zironists surrounded the woman, poking her with their claws and stroking her hair. Ellia couldn’t help the bile that rose in her throat at the sight of the Zironists pawing Grace. She watched, helpless and miserable.

One of the Zironists turned toward Ellia, its eyes gleaming with excitement. “Quite the good specimen. She will sustain us very well, and in turn, we will continue sustaining humanity. You will be the witness as usual, yes?”

Bitterly and wordlessly, Ellia nodded.

As the Zironists came closer to Grace, she disappeared behind their large bodies—enveloped by them.

The sound of slurping and crunching entered Ellia’s ears, and when the Zironists pulled away from her, there was nothing left but a splatter of blood.

Ellia looked upon the patch of blood that was once the lively and sweet Grace with an aching heart and stomach. A chilly wind turned her glassy eyes freezing cold, causing her nose to run.

The Zironists looked upon her and bowed their heads in thanks. One of them said, “Remember Ellia. We have complete faith in your ability to bring us the Last Man. We are looking forward to it.”

Ellia nodded emptily, her eyes shiny with guilt as she could not tear her eyes away from the wet patch of blood. The Zironists tapped their staffs three times, chanted a few words, and disappeared in a flash of orange light.

Ellia knelt next to the patch of blood, dipping her hands into it. For you, Grace. I promise I will ensure that our tribe has male children.

***

After the Zironists had left, Ellia told her tribeswomen that she wished to be alone, and she retreated to her room. Once there, she hugged her knees and took a moment to mourn Grace.

Why is this impacting me so much? She thought to herself. More useful, younger women have died than Grace before…

Perhaps it had been because she had known Grace for so long that it was hurting her so much—or perhaps it was because Grace had been a shoulder for Ellia to cry on because she was too afraid to show fear in front of anyone else.

What’s the point in eating such a kind woman? I know why they have to do it, but still… Ellia watched tears drop onto her sheets.

Suddenly, there was a knock on her door. Ellia immediately said, “Go away, please. If you have urgent business, address it with my right-hand woman, June.”

“It’s just me, Ellia.” Nikodemus’ voice came in muffled through the door.

Ellia was silent. She didn’t know whether she wanted to see the Last Man at the moment. On the one hand, she needed a shoulder to cry on, and being vulnerable with him was just… easier than anyone else. On the other hand, if she spent more time with him, her tribeswomen might get jealous—might come to resent her.

“Leave me. I’m tired.” Ellia said sternly.

But Nikodemus opened the door despite her protests. Her eyes narrowed in fury; she got ready to yell at him, and yet no words left her mouth. She didn’t want him to continue tempting her; she didn’t want his warmth and compassion, because she was afraid that it would only weaken her in the long run.

Instead of yelling, Ellia merely crossed her arms and looked away. Nikodemus, hands clasped behind his back, approached her bed wordlessly. When he was close enough, he hopped up on it with some difficulty—being as short as he was—and then hunched over, hands clasped in his lap. He said nothing.

Ellia knew he was waiting for her to open up.

She didn’t want to give him the satisfaction, so she just remained silent. She looked around her room at all of her trophies, proud of all of her kills. Her thoughts led her to thinking about how much she regretted killing the other tribal leaders, however.

They aren’t animals, after all… Ellia thought to herself.

“You were friends with Grace, weren’t you?” Nikodemus finally broke the silence.

Ellia replied with a growl, “She was a valued member of my tribe; we weren’t friends however. It’s best not to make friends when those friends could easily die.”

Nikodemus looked her in the eyes wordlessly. Ellia leaned away from him for a moment; she had the odd sensation that her mind was being touched, and it disturbed her. She gazed back at him, her face contorted in a worried frown. “What are you doing to me?”

Nikodemus smiled, rolling his eyes. “I’m just looking at you, geez. No need to be rude.”

Ellia’s expression did not change. Suddenly, she felt as if she were in the same room with a bizarre entity that she couldn’t comprehend, instead of a human man. Perhaps, to me, they are one in the same since I haven’t been around a man in some time. But—no—there’s something strange about him…