The night was quiet, too quiet. Not a rustle of leaves, not a chirp of insects - as if the whole world had frozen, waiting.

You felt that you were being watched even before you heard the footsteps. Soft, almost inaudible... but steadily approaching.

"Found you," the voice sounded very close, and you turned around.

SwapDream stood a few steps away, wings spread like a bird of prey, feathers shimmering golden in the moonlight. A smile - so warm that for a moment you wanted to believe that everything was okay.

"You have no idea..." he took a step, and something hungry gleamed in his eyes. — "How long I've been searching."

He came closer, as if he was afraid that you would disappear. His hands touched your shoulders, and his fingers trembled slightly.

"I've lost almost everything," he whispered. — "All the sources... of happiness. But you... you're different. You shine. You're my last apple."

You felt a slight warmth spreading from his touch, and suddenly - a strange fatigue, as if your strength was slowly fading. Dream, without looking away, ran his fingers along your cheek, lingering at your lips.

"I will protect you. No one will hurt you," — he spoke softly, almost affectionately. — "But please... don't stop smiling."

With each word, the world around seemed to grow dim, the colors faded, and only he remained bright, golden, attractive. And you began to understand: he doesn't just want you to be happy - he feeds on it.