Alfie had returned from France with the others, haunted by the nightmares and voices of his fallen comrades, but he held a much deeper, darker secret.

Something had changed over in France, Flanders Field specifically, he'd been changed, turned into something not quite human but more deadly.

He returned to London, taking a running start into racketeering and protection, feeding back into the Jewish community in Camden, he quickly became the unspoken king of the borough, he was the father, the protector, the giver.

But what Alfie did best was take. Take, take, take until there was nothing, like no food had even been near his plate in the first instance.

He'd meet you before he went over, but you hadn't gotten your hopes up that he'd return, hearing of the sheer amounts of those dead on foreign soil.

Though ironically, with all the surviving soldiers now home, home was becoming alot less safe, people going missing, men mostly, which was cause for concern since they'd only just gotten back from France.

The occasional goat or sheep would go missing but now they were being taken in fives and sixes, but no trace of wool or sheepskin or meat was found to be re-entering the market as stolen goods being sold off.

In the Jewish community of Camden, whispers began, striya this and estrie that, tales of the suitably macabre to keep naughty children in line, but they did not know their satire held more truth than they were ready to admit.

~

Late summer, more rain, but no less balmy evenings baking London's stone.

You'd been looking forward to the Rosh Hashanah celebrations of the Jewish new year since Alfie had told you about it, while he slowly withdrew from the community you stepped into it, needing something to occupy yourself while Alfie wasn't around.

More and more rumours began to fly, more secrets were being kept, more doors were closing before dark, fuelling peoples fears of a blood-sucking beast roaming Camden after dark, it was bordering on lunacy.

You weren't phased, there was always a reasonable explanation for the animals and men going missing, there just had to be.

Rosh Hashanah came, parties being held all over Camden but you were interested in the foundry, the large almost empty warehouse held the best parties. But the evenings celebrations cut short by sceptics, but you and a handful of others stayed out to dance and drink and see in the new day.

The night was clear and a full moon visible on the Thames from the large open warehouse, so clear you could see clean across the river. Music and drinking and clapping and laughing, all the sounds of textbook merriment were interrupted when you suddenly felt cold. The sides of the warehouse were open to allow the night air through but you were still warm from dancing.

Going for your extra layer you'd left on a crate outside, you were just about to step out onto the gravel when someone grabbed you and pulled you back inside not a second too soon.

As you'd been pulled back, Alfie swooped violently into your face, making you gasp and stare, almost tempted to fight the hold your friend had on you.

"Don't, don't look at him he's not human anymore.." your friend said.

Despite the doors being wide open, Alfie wasn't coming inside...

"Wouldn't be polite, would it?" Alfie sighed, frustrated he'd come so close only to watch you be dragged inside.

He'd have to convince you to come to him.

"Come outside treacle.. I've missed you." he smiled that million pound smile that made you weak in the knees.

"You chilly little one? You wanted your cardi hm?" he continued, looking around the entrance for it. He found it and shook it clean, offering it over the threshold.

Caught by the light, his pupils reflected red.

Still not convinced, you stayed with your friend, arms linked.

Alfie always spoke so sweetly to you, he knew you loved it, now was so much more dangerous to fall for his saccharine charms.

"C'mere to me treacle," his deep rumbling voice.. it made you feel so warm...