“So…” Penelope says as she sits on the sofa, waiting for Leo.

Leo lets out a sigh and walks over to the sofa before deciding to lay down, placing his head onto Penelope's lap. “Lets, ugh… just not talk for a moment…” He says, hoping to get out of having to explain himself.

Penelope looks down at Leo and places a hand on his forehead. “Well… I think you're going to have to say something… I heard something about drug smuggling, the Black Star corporation, and I think you said work points?” She says with a raised eyebrow.

“Ughh…” Leo groans. “What can I say… I’m kind of like… part of a club… or that’s the best way I can explain it. This club… They like to play games. They like to intrude into people’s lives and ask questions. They ask questions and they offer choices… they offer different ways forward… Personally, I think most of it is unnecessary. Why can’t just people live normal lives? Why can’t they live, love, then die like normal people? I don't know. Maybe I’m just being a bitch. But yeah, this whole thing is incentivized for us. We’re rewarded for messing with people. And yeah, it’s kind of like we’re vampires. Feeding on the innocent like monsters… Fuck, I’m such a bastard…” Leo says, letting himself unload his burdens. He felt like a child complaining to his mother. But damn, he would be lying if he said that laying there, feeling Penelope’s presence, and releasing his pent up emotions didn’t feel good. And I’m a bastard for that too… He thinks with a sigh.

Penelope gazes forward blankly, processing what Leo just said. “Damn…” She says slowly. “Vampires are kind of horrible, huh?” She says, feeling sort of repulsed by the idea now.

“Yeah…” Leo says as he closes his eyes. “Vampires are kind of disgusting…” He says.

Penelope looks to Leo seriously. “So… Can you stop?” She asks with some hesitation. She suddenly felt very worried about what Leo’s answer would be. She wasn't exactly sure whaf Leo was involved with, but she could tell that it wasn't something good; it wasn't anything a decent person should be doing.

Leo opens his eyes, and looks up at Penelope. He lets out a sigh. “I can’t stop, Penelope. I’ve already crossed the line. I can’t go back.” He says. Leo suddenly had the urge to cry, but with all his strength, he forced it down.

Penelope immediately looks away. “Get off. I have to get some air.” She says before moving away and standing up. She quickly grabs her jacket and walks to door before pausing. “While I’m gone, think of a reason for me to stay…” She says before opening the door and exiting.

Leo continues to watch the door from the couch. Realizing she was gone, Leo’s body became limp and he collapses onto the couch. “Fuck.” He says as he grabs his head.

…

…

Leo leans against the wall as he stands outside the ambassador’s office.

Sal frowns. “Hey man, can’t you at least look professional?” He says, a little displeased.

“What the fuck does it matter? We’re not real bodyguards. We’re only here for babysitting duty!” Leo says with a raised voice. He was like a child throwing a tantrum.

Sal’s eyes widen. “Fuck man! Can you keep your voice down? Fuck! Alright, tell me. What’s your fucking problem? Do you need more milk for your bottle?” He says with a hint of anxiety.

Leo lets out a sigh. “It’s my girl… I basically told her about the undead thing... I didn’t use the words, but yeah… She wasn’t happy…” He says with his head down.

Sal’s eyes widen once again. “Fuck! Dude! Why would you do that? I mean, there’s probably like, rules against it or something. Did you get any demerit points?” Sal asks, bewildered and curious.

“No, nothing like that. Maybe I was vague enough? I don’t really know, and I don’t really care either…” Leo says, continuing to be depressed.

“Fuck man.” Sal says, unsure what to say about this situation. “This chick’s really got you by the balls, huh?” He says, saying the first thing that came to mind.

Leo lets out a sigh. “They’re in a vice grip, Sal. My balls are aching. You know she was my first after becoming undead? And for like weeks beforehand, I basically starved myself. No cigarettes, no coffee, basically no life. I had to save up enough points for, you know…” He says, going into story mode, his eyes lost in memories.

“Holy shit, man. What the fuck was that like? It’s like you imprinted onto her or something? Like a baby chick seeing its mother for the first time. Man, now my balls are starting to ache.” Sal says, beginning to feel a little uncomfortable just by association.

“Yeah… I kind of need a way to make her stay. I mean, this is coming from a place of desperation, but I really don’t want to let go.” Leo says, feeling some unhealthy emotions.

Sal gives Leo a sideways glance. “You could bribe her?” He says, not really trying to be helpful. If he could distract Leo for a while, he’d be satisfied.

Leo raises an eyebrow. “Do you think that will work?” He thinks, considering the matter.

Sal lets out a chuckle. “I mean, probably not. You’re basically asking her to stay with a monster, so it’s going to be a hard sell no matter what. But there are a decent amount of things in the reward store that could interest her. And if you doing have enough points, you could get it on credit.” He says, throwing out the idea.

Leo rubs his chin with his hand. “I mean, yeah. I should probably be going with a more emotionally sensitive approach, but to be honest, I don’t really have anything else to offer. A bribe is something, I guess?” He says, not sure what else to put on the table.

Sal lets out a smirk. “Atta-boy. Now put your game face on; we’re still working.” He says dismissively.

“Yeah, whatever.” Leo says as he takes out his phone. He had to find a good bribe.