Aswang - the shape-shifting, vampiric entity known in the Philippines - devour human energy, killing newborns in their sleep.

Our Aswang assumes any shape, from a coke bottle to a durian to the mailman. In this, he follows tradition.

He won't, however, consume human energy. An immortal vegetarian of sorts.

All energy is, after all, stardust and he finds his fuel in modest ways.
Bets are off when our ethical and kind monster falls asleep and gets loaded onto a container ship.

Can he befriend humans? How about their dog? His new and fascinating world offers new sources of sustenance. But taking from any source of energy, he soon learns, carries a price of its own.

This stand-alone novella by Olivette Devaux was recognized with a Honorable Mention by the Writers of the Future Contest. Find more speculative fiction stories at www.mugenpress.com.