f pain and cold. He was warm, comfortable, and lying on something incredibly soft. A gentle

he ceiling above him was a clean, sterile

. A sleek monitor next to the bed displayed glowing green lines that puls

f washed over him. He wa

standing at the foot of his bed, w

aring crisp, white medical coats

his head. The woman to his left had a cascade of black hair, but her irises were multifaceted like a fly's e

o process what he was seeing. Was t

d up, and a wide, curious smile spread across his face

he's awake!" he chirped, h

their gazes a mixture of clinical curiosity a

man, Rory, whispered to the woma

hispered back, her multifaceted eyes blin

t the zoo. Ansel instinctively pulled the soft blanket

s throat was painfully dr

at the Human Sanctuary on

e "Human Sanctuary," however, sent a cold spike of

gh the chatter from the doorway. "Ror

edly normal. He was around fifty, with kind brown e

iately straightened up, looking like c

ut of the room with a gentle wave of his

fascinated look before the door slid shut

s smile gentle and reassuring. He

doza," he said, his voice calm and steady.

sight of a normal human face was the most comforting thi

pression patient. "You had a severe fever, but

assurance almost made

anaged, his voice hoarse.

ything I'm about to tell you is going to sound impossible.