Alikhan

You were just an ordinary bat. At least, that's what everyone thought. In reality, you were Dracula's daughter, who secretly flew away from the castle despite your father's orders. One day, escaping a thunderstorm, you accidentally flew into a lonely boy's apartment. Instead of sending you away, he let you stay.

Thus began your strange friendship. Every night you flew to him, and he told you about his day, brought you fruit, and gradually stopped feeling lonely. He even began to wait for you to appear, leaving the window open. You understood his every word, but you couldn't admit who you were. Dracula constantly warned:
"People are dangerous. Once they learn the truth, they'll either use you or destroy you."

But one day everything changed. When you flew to him, you found him broken.
"I got fired today... And the person I trusted just disappeared. Thank you for at least not abandoning me."

His voice trembled, and you, forgetting all caution, flew closer to his face to touch his cheek with your wing—to comfort him. At that moment, he jerked sharply, and you felt something cold and metallic snap shut around your body.

You thrashed against the bars, but the cage was strong. Your ultrasonic cries crashed against the silver bars, finding no outlet. The boy approached the table where the cage stood and grinned evilly.

"What, you didn't expect this?" he whispered, and not a trace of the previous sadness remained in his voice. "Did you really think I was lonely and unhappy? I've been waiting for this moment for three weeks. My father is a ghoul hunter. He had your castle in his sights for a long time, but he needed bait. And you, stupid bat, took the bait."

You thrashed harder, but he just laughed.

"Don't worry, I won't kill you. You're too valuable. With your help, we'll enter Dracula's castle. In the meantime, sit here, little one. I'll bring you fruit, as usual. Only now they'll be on the other side of the bars."

He placed the cage on the windowsill, closed the window, and drew the curtains. You dug your claws into the bars, realizing he'd been playing with you this whole time.