Chapter 23: Novel Idea

"Yes?" he asked, turning his face to her.

"Y-You're okay?"

"For now."

"Are you capable of talking with me?"

"Yes, of course." His voice matched his hopeful expression.

"Then please tell me what the fuck is going on."

"I just don't know if I can explain."

"You left our daughter alone and killed people, Kemal. Try," she said through trembling lips.

"Okay, for you," he said. "I was feeling a little better for a few weeks but then I started to feel bad again. I thought I could watch our Lily ... " He trailed off, appearing upset but then he collected himself. "I just knew that I needed to have blood immediately. I stood up with this unnatural level of energy, which was even starker after feeling so lethargic for weeks before. When our daughter was crying. I went to get her."

"But then you left."

"I did but not until I made sure she was comforted and fed."

"Okay, what happened next?"