"What brings you here?" A hoarse voice rasped from the shadows.

I sighed, placing a cigarette between my lips. "Regret." The word slipped, as I closed my eyes.

His laugh replied, strained and gravelly, much like the sound of boots grinding on stones. It filled my ears, dragging on, cynical and relentless.

He laughed, and laughed, and laughed.

Until silence draped.

I glanced sideways.

There he was, his red, beady eyes cutting through the void, his twisted deer-like horns on full display.

In the thick stillness, our gazes held. His mouth twisted into a smile, revealing bloodstained, razor-sharp teeth.

"Need help?" he asked, waving a lighter before me.

I leaned in.

A sharp click, a brief rasp, then the soft whoosh of the flame.

Red and bright.

"Go on, smoke the pain away." He whispered.

A faint crackle, as soft as the first drops of rain on dry earth. I drew in, the warmth of the smoke filling my throat then my lungs.

"Thanks," I muttered, exhaling.

The smoke curled lazily, forming words as it drifted away.

"Mauerbauertraurigkeit."

A sad smile graced my lips as the 'word' faded away.

"Oh, is that how you feel?" he asked, sarcasm dripping from his lips.

"Fuck off." I dryly replied, taking another drag.

His cackle cut through the silence, thick with malice. He reached for my shoulder, his claws sinking deep, burrowing onto flesh, drawing blood.

My smile persisted, even though the gnawing pain took hold of my senses,

I smiled, nonetheless.

His laughter swelled, wild, and crazed. His other hand gripped my opposite shoulder, claws digging deep, the sting sharp as blood spurted.

I smiled, nonetheless.

I could feel my shoulders tearing apart, the pain gnawing into me.

But I smiled, nonetheless.

"And why would I do that?" His voice rang inside my head, much like the smoke swirling inside my lungs. "We are meant to be together, no?"

I felt a warm, wet sensation on my ear, his tongue. A tickle of discomfort crawled up my spine as he whispered, "Regrets are eternal."

In a single bite, my ear was gone. My shoulders shredded.

Yet, I paid no mind. I inhaled the bitter smoke, letting the pain curl inside me and smiled, nonetheless.