Coping Mechanism

Routines. Precision. Focus. An obsessive attention to detail. A tightrope balancing act of care and dedication. These were the things that kept Hal clean, that held his bloodlust in check, that kept him from being a danger to every living thing around him, including himself. The days were long gone when he could live his life with any sort of freedom, when he could relax into his days and laugh with a friend... when he could lower his guard and let someone else take the reins from him for a time. There had been Leo and Pearl, once... but they were gone, now. Now, it was only Hal.