Oren woke at sundown, but didn't feel rested. He must have looked it, because Etsuko offered him extra blood for breakfast. He took it without comment, then mumbled an excuse about shopping and hurried out the door. He could at least buy the flowers. That much he could handle.

Except there weren't any.

He stood in front of the display case in the grocery store, gaping. All that remained were fallen petals and a few spots of water.

"Waited until the last minute?" ...