“Very well then, let’s prioritize Danny. Leaving aside the problem of more monsters arriving soon, assuming I deduced that correctly, I have to focus on the most relevant information right now: ‘What’ and ‘When’?”

Firstly, regarding ‘what’, Danny did not know exactly what would happen. He assumed by Tutu’s reactions that there were definitely more demons on the way to Earth. But how would they appear? Would a rift open on the ground spewing countless monsters? Would judgement day arrive as prophesized by the bible? Or maybe nothing would happen as imagined by humankind since all myths are tell tales as the demon said.

Danny’s preventive measures would only be efficient if he knew what kind of disaster he was going to face. Preparations for earthquakes and tsunamis were completely different from one another for example. In order to know how to proceed, Danny needed to know what he was facing against.

Secondly, as to ‘when’, the amount of time Danny had until calamity struck would determine how much he could prepare and what kind of measures he could take. Some things naturally took more time to get ready than others, and depending on how much time he got available he might not be able to do everything he wants, maybe he wouldn’t be able to do anything but the very minimum even.

The ‘why’ was not as relevant right now. This trouble was bound to show itself no matter the cause. Even if Danny knew why such a calamity was coming, Danny doubted he could do anything to stop it. Danny also had to consider that he probably wouldn’t be able to ask everything he wanted, since Tutu attributed a very dubious ‘value’ to both his answers and Danny’s blood, in a way that Danny had to focus on the most critical aspects of the situation.

Besides, Danny was sure he could learn more about the reasons behind the incident at a later date. It would also probably be easier to ask Tutu after the demon stopped answering in such an indirect way. Hopefully Danny would get a clearer picture of what was going on by then.

“Okay. I got to find out about those two points. The problem now is how to go about questioning the demon. He won’t give me an answer if I straight up ask him, but guessing is also unreliable. True, I managed to find a bit of information, but if by chance I leave an important key detail pass me by, I might not even have a chance to regret it later…”

Danny kept going back and forth, discarding one idea after the other, until finally trying again.

“If you were me Tutu, how would you spend the next days?”. Danny decided to ask the demon about the issue in a roundabout way, asking directly for his opinion. Danny thought that, since there was a loophole that allowed the demon to indicate that something was coming, and even hint Danny about the accuracy of his guesses, then he could probably address the situation so long he didn’t directly mention it.

Danny also figured that it would be best to steer the question towards those next few days. He thought that trouble was most likely to show up during this period of time, since the way Tutu spoke about the deal, the first time they talked, implied that there was some urgency to the situation.

However, even if he was mistaken, Danny thought it would not be such a big deal, because at the very least he would get another opportunity to question the demon two weeks from now.

“That’s a good question!”. The newly transformed chihuahua exclaimed. “If I were a doomed delicious delicacy, I would spend some time making sure I have every essential thingy stocked up and ready on hand, who knows what you might be short off when the need arises”.

“You never know, sometimes you take something for granted and only realize its importance when you lose it. It’s always better to be safe than sorry don’t you think?”. The demon dog smiled and paused, as if to add dramatic effect before resuming.

“Humans are such fragile creatures, aren’t they? So dependent on their so-called modern lifestyle, so used to their luxuries that they don’t realize the decadence in it. I wonder if they would even survive without such indulgences…”. The dog licked is lips in a very disturbing way.

“Then I would definitely take some time off for myself next Thursday night. Probably go to a place not too crowded and close to the important things in life”. The chihuahua lowered its head to the chalice on the floor and licked the last remaining blood off the bottom of the cup.

Danny stared at the creature with furrowed brows, slowly digesting what it had said. It appeared he made the right choice and the demon could indeed talk about the upcoming danger, so long as it was not directly mentioned.

Danny felt it odd that such a massive loophole existed in the first place. Such an arrangement didn’t seem very useful in terms of keeping information from leaking. It seemed that whomever or whatever made this deal with Tutu didn’t put much effort in it. Danny mentally shrugged and shelved those doubts for questioning later. It might be important to know why it was such a loose agreement, but it could wait. He had too much to worry about already.

“Hmm… the way Tutu spoke… it’s almost like civilization itself is about to collapse. Like a truly apocalyptic event will wipe out modern society. Secure supplies, get what I can while I can and then go to a secluded location…”. Danny could not help but doubt it a little bit. Was human civilization so fragile like that? Danny hoped that wasn’t the case, but his thoughts kept going back to the disparity he felt not long ago between himself and Tutu. What did that vastness of being imply? What could Tutu do? How powerful was he really? And even more importantly, how strong he was compared to the new creatures about to arrive? Danny shook his head to get rid of those depressing and distracting thoughts, focusing back on the matter at hand.

“Thursday night. That’s probably ‘when’ then. That’s not too much time I’m afraid. It’s six days from now, less than a week considering it is already Friday night. Tutu also wasn’t very specific on what, and how I should prepare. I still don’t have a clue as to what will really happen as well, only that the consequences will be disastrous and affect pretty much everyone, not just me. He said ‘humans’ so I guess it is safe to assume that whatever happens is going to implicate humankind as a whole”. For the first time in his life, it appeared that he would have an advantage over the people around him because of his haunt. Danny smiled bitterly at the irony.

“I don’t get the last part though, go somewhere with not too much people and close to the things important in life… Is he telling me to keep whatever I manage to prepare close at hand? Is he telling me to go some specific place? Or is it something else entirely?”

“Tutu, if you were me what would you consider ‘important in life’? And what things would you consider essential?”. Danny tried to probe the demon for more specific information in order to get a clearer picture on what to expect a week from now, and also to clarify what the demon meant in his last hint.

“Hehehe, I am sorry Danny-boy, but I am afraid you already used up all your credit. So, unless you want to pay up again, I suppose that’s all for the night”. The chihuahua mercilessly informed Danny and slid the chalice toward the bedside, while Danny watched while inwardly filled with frustration and unwillingness.

“Should I give him more blood?”. Danny weighed his options before discarding this course of action with a sigh.

There were simply too many uncertainties. For once, he didn’t even know if he would get the answer he hoped for even if he complied and provided more blood.

Also, Danny wasn’t sure if losing any more blood right now was a good idea. Shit was about to go down eight days from now, and there was a very real possibility he might get injured in the process of surviving the calamity.

Danny also had to consider that from now on he had to provide blood every fortnight, which meant that about one week after the event, he would have to bleed himself again or his life would be forfeit.

Blood loss would now start to be a constant concern and, if he was not careful, Danny would have to deal with anemia and body weakness together with everything else that was about to be thrown at him. At least Danny kept himself healthy and fit all those years, so he knew he was in as good of a position as he possibly could regarding that.

Those were the facts and there was nothing he could do about it. He would have to do the best he could with the information he now had, incomplete and unreliable as it may be.

Danny shook his head to signal that he had no intention to provide any more blood.

“Very well, I shall watch your performance closely. Don’t disappoint me kid. I’ll see you soon…”. The demon backed away into the darkness of the room while speaking. At the end, only his voice remained slowly fading in the background as the misty darkness receded out of the basement and into the night.