Pearl's head is throbbing, pulsing, pounding so hard that she can barely hear the words. And between her heaves and sobs, it's a long moment before she's able to form a response. She has to make her believe her? How would she? What point is there even to trying? Pearl doesn't deserve forgiveness. She was going to kill this woman, she was going to feed on her blood, and Pearl could choke on her tears and her apologies and it won't change a thing. It won't change what she's done, it won't change what she is.

"I'm a, a vampire."

The word twists on her tongue with the rotting burn of acid, dropping like like a leaded coin from her lips onto the floor. It's the first time she's had to say the word aloud, and her sobs grow all the deeper once it's left her, seeming more violent than her wiry frame should be able to take.