“When we speak of creatures like the vampire,” Isaac continued, “we speak of metaphors. We give them little Achilles’ heels so we can feel better, but tell me: What vulnerabilities does grief have? How would a hero defeat that monster? He can’t, can he?” His welling eyes latched on Charlie again. “I could’ve saved my boy, you know. A simple vaccination might have done it. Or maybe not. Maybe it’s just our lot to suffer. That’s what our people are ‘chosen’ to do. Our birthright. Our curse.”
