Free The Empty by Thom Reese Page B

jiggled his keys. He paced left then right. Several times it seemed he was about to speak, but then remained silent. Eventually he paused before the cage. “You will surely die without my essence?”
    “Yours or another’s.”
    Oskar nodded and jiggled his keys.
    “Free me,” offered Dolnaraq. “I will seek the essence of another. You will remain unharmed.”
    “And that other, will he remain unharmed?”
    Dolnaraq answered with a blank stare.
    A turn to the left, three steps in that direction. A pivot, three steps back. Jiggle, jiggle. “All right,” said Oskar. “This we will do, but please…” He trailed off, seemingly unable to complete the thought.
    “I will take care,” offered Dolnaraq.
    Oskar nodded, hesitated, and then stepped to within Dolnaraq’s reach.
    “Relax.” Dolnaraq reached out wrapping his right palm around the back of Oskar’s neck. “I will draw it out slowly, and attempt to take only what I require.” With that, Dolnaraq inserted the tiny hollow spines into the back of Oskar’s neck. There was an almost indiscernible pop and then Oskar’s eyes widened, meeting Dolnaraq’s gaze, locking there for several seconds before closing. Dolnaraq withdrew his hand and crawled off into his corner without another word.
    In this way, Oskar became Dolnaraq’s giver. With time, Dolnaraq grew more adept at withdrawing essence in moderation and Oskar became more or less accustomed to the process, though invariably it left him drained and useless for the following day. These constant infusions from the same source did bring about changes in Dolnaraq. The obvious effect was that with each passing week, the young reyaqc more and more closely resembled his giver. As well, Dolnaraq had not had access to a fox in many months and his animal-like appearance diminished almost entirely.
    This infuriated Wilhelm, who stormed about the carnival cursing and stomping, blaming Oskar for the situation. Oskar, for his part, never revealed the nature of his relationship with “the wolf boy.” Truly, there was very little to tell. Dolnaraq had revealed to Oskar only what must be revealed. Never did he mention the word reyaqc. Never did he explain his origin, or the true nature of his species. Never did he even utter his true name. That was a name for the reyaqc. No human should be entrusted with too much. To Oskar, he would remain Otto the wolf boy.
    One day, Dolnaraq and Oskar sat poring over a scholarly article about the current politics of Europe. Oskar contended that a rise in nationalism between many European states combined with an ever more complex series of alliances and treaties would inevitably lead to war—possibly a war such as the world had never known. He urged Dolnaraq that if ever he should be free, that he should flee to America, a growing nation across the great Atlantic. Powerful, but not yet fully aware of its potential greatness. “There is much opportunity there. With luck, they will remain detached from the problems of Germany and our neighbors. I fear our dear land, Otto, will be at the heart of the coming conflict.”
    Dolnaraq protested that he was not human, and thus not concerned with the battles of men. But Oskar countered, saying, “You live in a world dominated by humans. It will only become more so. You are bright, bright as anyone I have ever known. I have given you my face, the face of a man. You no longer resemble an animal. Adapt, learn, grow. Be who you are and what you are, but understand the world in which you live.”
    It was then that Wilhelm appeared as if from nowhere, a bundle of furs beneath his arm. These, he tossed harshly at Oskar. “Glue these to his face and arms,” shouted the lout. “The crowds no longer believe in the beast.”
    “I am not a beast!” shouted Dolnaraq from his cage.
    Wilhelm marched forward, but took care to remain beyond Dolnaraq’s reach. “You are an animal. I hunted you, I captured you, I own you. No matter what this little man