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It was dark, damp and cold. There was silence all around, so maybe it was night? Not that it meant anything anymore, not down there, not in the cellar.
But it was colder, way colder, and he didn't get any food today, or water. Maybe after the silence? Maybe... He was so tired, he didn't want to go on, but something kept him alive.
Pa said it was the devil in him, the same one who put fangs in his mouth and claws on his fingers. The same ones he removed yesterday. Their presence was unnatural and made him a monster, made him kill the doctor. The devil should be banished with the pliers and whip. Withholding food and water and warmth. Screaming about how much a disappointment in the eyes of God he was. But Victor didn't know about the devil or God, he didn't want to hurt the doctor, but the claws and the fangs… and he was feeling ill and scared, and it happened! He was shaking, he was so tired… he wanted everything to stop. Just stop.
His body had other intentions. There was a small sound, so small that normal people could hear it. Victor's ears twitched. It was nearing. The nose twitched too, interested. Eyes still closed, he didn't move. The sound approached, and then something bite his hand, and then he was eating the rats. Food. Not much but food. And water. It was difficult to kill without the fangs, but he did it. There was a bit of warmth in him now, very small. The devil would keep him going again, even if he didn't want to.
A small cough escaped him. He tried to cover himself better with the old blanket. He covered his feet in it, all huddled trying to keep the warmth in. He was feeling so tired and weak. Everything hurt. An unknown instinct made him do something to make him feel slightly better. With a coughing start, a small, self soothing purr started in him.
If he was treated like an animal, he could be animal. The uneatable parts of the rats away from him, the small patches of bloody fur by his body, keeping him less cold, his own soft purr making him feel less scared.
In the dark, cold cellar, golden eyes closed again. He didn't die yet. Unfortunately. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe after the silence.