The people at the hospital had tried to take away his ring, when he'd first gotten there. He'd fought them, harder than he thought he should be able to, and eventually they gave up. His ring is the only part of him that feels familiar.

So maybe it's safe to show Nancy. She wants to help him, right?

Shakily, he reaches under his shirt (well, Nancy's shirt) and brings up the ring. It's very old and very battered, but it's set with an unmistakable red stone, the kind worn by all high-ranking vampires who want to go out into daylight without burning up.

The boy doesn't know that, though. He just knows that he feels safe with it around his neck.

"This."