Ivan opened the door to Cassidy’s room to find Ellis sprawled on the floor and with a large stomach. She had fallen asleep, evidently from exhaustion.

Ivan smiled and laid down next to her, resting his head on her belly. He could hear it gurgling in protest, as it was forced to withold its acids at Ellis’ will.

“Ivan?” Cassidy said softly, shifting a little inside Ellis. “Are you there?”

Ivan nodded. “Da,” he responded. “What is problem?”

Cassidy looked at her knees uncomfortably. “I’m just… a bit worried,” she said, after a moment of thought. “If we’re being taught to eat things alive, are we supposed to treat humans as prey?”

Ivan shrugged. “Doubtful,” he replied. “Better to have and not need than need and nothave, my mother say.”

Cassidy smiled. “Okay,” she said. “Thanks Ivan.”

“Is no problem,” he replied.

Soon, all three were asleep, Cassidy curled up inside Ellis’ belly and Ivan using said belly as a pillow.