The two continued laughing as their horses slowly made their way along the open road.
It took several moments before the laughter finally died down.
Leonid inhaled quietly.
"The truth…"
He looked toward the endless horizon.
"…is that I never adapted."
That answer immediately erased Liam's smile.
He turned fully toward Leonid now, giving him his complete attention.
"What do you mean?"
Leonid chuckled softly.
"Everyone keeps asking how I adapted to becoming a vampire."
"They think I accepted it."
"They think I embraced it."
He slowly shook his head.
"I never did."
"I never stopped being human."
"Not even for a day."
Liam listened without interrupting.
"I still sleep."
Leonid smiled to himself.
"I don't actually need sleep anymore."
"My body functions perfectly without it."
"But every night…"
"I still lie down."
"I still close my eyes."
"I still wake up in the morning."
"Just because it feels…"
"…normal."
He continued.
"I still watch television."
