Dan sighed, wondering why his guests always were so suspicious at first. He wasn't some serial killer or torturer. It was unfortunate that some of his patients never made it, and that most suffered immense pain. He did everything in his power to prevent this, he didn't like watching people suffer. Just like his pet... It made him sad when he remembered the screams and the tears of horror as its body shifted. But he had asked if it was alright. He was sure his pet knew what was going to happen to it. He covered his face, becoming lost in thought.

-

It was cold outside. Too cold. Why had he been locked out? It was unlike Dan to put him outside in the winter, where the frost on the ground bit at his skin. Even his large rock wasn't warm enough to give him any comfort. He wailed slightly at the door, hoping Dan would let him back inside. Hadn't the man said something about a guest? He flickered his long forked tongue and could taste something faint in the air around the house. Yes, a stranger.

He crawled up the side of the house and peered through the only window that he could reach. It was near the living area, where Dan would lit the fire that he loved to bathe next to. An orange shape moved about, and it wasn't quite like the shape of Dan. It seemed hot, as hot as the fire that usually burned where it was sitting. He hissed and left the window, slithering through the bushes and towards the door again. He wanted to be let inside so he could see this stranger, and taste him.