"Yeah, sure," I said, huffing a laugh. I was surprised, a little, when he sat down. More surprised to get a look at his hands, which were normal, save for the bizarre fingernails, which were thick and pointed, like claws. His hand was smooth, smoother than you would've expected from someone his age, and slightly cool to the touch. Strange. Unsettling, maybe, but it only made me more curious.

"Neil," I said, feeling the sharp edge of one of those nails as I let my hand slip from his. "McCormick."