Max couldn’t believe it. After so many days trapped in the wilderness, scared and alone, he’d finally found civilization. A tiny village on the outskirts of the forest. He yelped weakly at the festering wound on his gut as so many hands carried him into a building.

“You poor poor thing,” they muttered. “You must have been so scared and lost. There’s no need to fear anymore.” The crowd drew back. The doctor approached him, eyeing the painful wound.

“I can’t believe you survived this long,” the doctor admitted, picking up a syringe from the tray beside him. “It’s okay. Everything’s going to be okay now.”

Max could feel someone slowly petting his head and mumbling comforting words as the doctor injected him. Suddenly, he screamed in agony as his veins began to sear like fire.

“Poor poor thing. It’ll all be over soon.”