Insanity: chapter 34: Define the Antagonist

Hello boys and ghouls! Welcome to my chamber. I know you've been dying to drop in!

Went into Crypt Creeper mode there. So how are you all? Glad you came back to read some more! I truly apologize it's taken me so long to write this chapter. It's not even that good, honestly, but it fills in the gap. Also put up w/the errors I'm too tired to keep re-reading it all. (You) need time to recoup. And so does eViL. She has been most stressed lately. My mother had to get an angiograph to check for clots in her legs. Nothing found so onto an MRI. I actually wasn't sleeping or eating before hand, because she had me worried so I ended up fainting and going into an anxiety attack while in the room w/her as we waited for them to release her. Boy, did I feel stupid sitting in the emergency room hooked up to some oxygen. Stuff is awful, but not as bad as an IV of which I absolutely refuse to let them stick me with. Needles and eViL do NOT mix. Were they wanting to send me into another attack?! If you ask me those IV machines are were originally invented as a mode of torture! There, now you all know something pussy about eViL. Try and tease me about it and I will kill your pets!

Don't forget my other art: http://akunekobobo.deviantart.com/

I will also re-post the interviews later and I will try to make them pretty, because the questions and answers are just so funny! I WUV them!

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"Here!" Jeremy tosses you a spare clip and runs at the brute his last gun in hand. The brute wastes no time hauling back his arm and swiping at Nori. Jeremy's body falls back. In midair he fires three shots that blow holes in the brute's chest. They both fall victim to gravity and dive over the side of the cliff.

"Big brother!" Nori reaches out his hand to Jeremy who holds his hand out to Nori and smiles. Their hands never grip, but their pasts finally connect and they are family once again if only for a moment.

Nori watches as they fade into the morning mist. . . ."I have to find him. I owe him so much more. Please forgive me. I'll be back by your side soon!" He looks out over the horizon. . . .

Home. You can make out a clearing where the neighborhood must be where the sun is rising. It's a sign. That's where you head. So you make your way back. Being able to see the world is smaller once again. . . .

You hold yourself a you walk inside. The flat, cool floors feel nice under your cracked and splintered feet. The dining room is still in tact and from there you can hear the television. There's someone watching TV. The sounds of typical 80's recorded laughter bring you joy as Mama calls her son an idiot. Only one person would watch that show. Jiro. You call out his name and wait for him to come to you as you slide to the floor your own legs too weak to carry you any longer.

Footsteps approach and you see black boots. Up the legs are grey jeans and his shirt is an artic blue. All very stylish. This isn't Jiro and you want to cry. You are looking up at a gorgeous blonde with teal green eyes. He leans against the wall with his shoulder, folds his arms, and smiles. You shake your head in disbelief. He nods his a bit. You jump up and try to run back out the way you came, but he snags you up and makes you face him. You shiver in his vulture like embrace. "Welcome home, bunny."

You stare into those cold teal eyes that are so similar, but so unlike Nori. You try to pull away, but he doesn't budge. You're a fish thrashing against a diamond filament fishing line. You're not breaking free and yet you cannot stop. It's so aggravating. You went through a night of hell and it all came down to this. It just can't be. All that was sacrificed and for what? You're as good as dead now. The anger builds up, but you can't scream to let it out so it pushes from your eyes in the form of fiery tears. Your ducts should be bone dry by now yet they keep drawing moisture.

Vahe tilts his head slightly. "Why are you crying right now? Are you frightened? Or is it tragedy has struck your homestead just a little too hard?" He's finding this funny. What kind of male is humored by the tears of a woman? How dare he. He has no idea or empathy for what you've been through. You glare up at him. He raises his eyebrows with that smug grin still on his face. He's so close you wouldn't be able to miss so you suck it up and spit. Smacks him right in the cheek under the eye right where you wish your hand could have landed, but a girl has to improvise and this was way more insulting.

Vahe isn't amused. His smile gone he closes his eyes, holds both your hands in one of his, and wipes it away with the back of his palm. "Alright." He states as he twists you around and hoists you up under his arm. You kick only the air as he takes you into the living room. He throws you into the couch so hard it tilts back on two feet and slams back down. He drops down next to you. You're not about ready to stay. This isn't a date. You stand and he grabs the back of your hair. "SIT." He yanks you down. It hurts. He's not being gentle on you after that spit-take. He holds your head down and makes you bend. "STAY. Stay, girl," He's talking down to you as if you're dog. "Stay. . ." He eases up. "Good girl," he pets your hair down. "Now sit back and relax for a minute. No need to kill yourself." He warns. You're surprised he didn't add in, "yet."

He picks up the remote and changes the channel. "Home Alone 3" is on. "The first two of these movies was funny when I was a child, but I don't understand the point of this one. If it does not star the main character of the first two how can they make another and designate it as the third? It should have a title all it's own." You're a little puzzled as to why he's talking about this, but you stay silent. He changes to another station. It's a courtroom where a man owes his two old ladies money for some beat up house. "The penal system makes very little sense. If one has to bring such injustice to court then why haven't they dealt with the one who has wronged them themselves? Then if they send a man to jail he is never rehabilitated. He is made into a hardened criminal. They should just kill him instead if institutionalizing them and wasting so much money that human government claims it does not have enough of." He changes the channel. His views are pretty straight foreword. The next channel is a talk show. Paternity tests to prove who's a slut's baby's daddy. This makes him chuckle. "Ridiculous. If he wishes not to be the father then they are better off letting him go and moving on with their lives. What good would having him around do?"

"Child support." You blurt out after a moment. He peeks over at you. "She wants him to help pay for their child."

"Greed. Is that all man's dignified society comes to?" He snorts. Sadly, you can't really argue. The world is run around the value of currency. Makes lives cheap and expandable. Those who have it don't understand the value of happiness and those who don't believe that's what they need to be happy. Money doesn't make anyone a better person, but when used to help others it can make lives easier on those who deserve more. It's a double edged sword where one side is always sharper than the other. Vahe's comment brings about an interesting thought. If his world doesn't involve money then how is he dressed so nicely and moving about so freely in mainstream society? Did they just go around stealing? Or is it they have money and he doesn't care about it? Werewolves are a strange lot.

He flips the channel. He must get bored easily. It's a Soap Opera. He laughs at their dramatized drama. "What is this? Do people really enjoy this garbage? I've never seen anyone act this way." He shakes his head. "I don't understand television. Now I see why people complain about nothing being on this. How annoying." He complains. Since this is daytime television you're stuck listening to his every rant about each show he finds. What would satisfy him?

"Change it to channel- " You give him the discovery channel. You're just in time for the special on monsters: Loch Ness, chupicabra, Jersey Devil, vampires, and werewolves. This keeps his attention for a moment. Maybe he'll blurt out some secrets and myths of his kind so you can better assess the enemy.

"Sir Vahe, we're back. We finished off the rest of those messed up dogs." The teenage werewolf and the tall one with silver hair walk to the doorway.

"Almost feel sorry for the pitiful creatures. Killing them was a true act of mercy." The silver one states as they both pause when they spot you. "Huh?"

"Hey, it's that bunny girl, you know, the one that smells yummy!" He hurries over to your side, but as he leans in to get a closer look he recoils and covers his nose with both hands. "Ugh, he reeks! I thought I was smelling a dead body lingering from outside when I walked in, but it was her!"

"Ziff, be polite." Vahe finds it funny as he mutes the TV. "It's not her fault."

"Yeah, but damn. She has the scent of blood, spit, death, wet fur, sweat, piss, and hot ass on her! What the hell did she get into?" Ziff is exaggerating. You know you're not as fresh as a daisy, but you aren't that bad or else precious Vahe wouldn't have sat you so close to him. "Can't you smell her, Eban?"

Eban just glances off to the side as he adheres to his leaders request. "The only scents about her I am concerned with are Abel's, Zareh's, and the strigoi. With all of them making contact with her skin she must have had a rough night." You squeeze yourself tightly and feel embarrassed. He obviously can make very accurate assumption from the smells saturating your body and if he can then so can Vahe and the boy. They can break apart and analyze every drop of your shame. You've never felt so dirty before in your entire life. Let alone all that you're wearing are a ripped shirt and soiled panties. How you wish they'd quit looking at you. Their eyes make you feel ill.

"You know there's a bathroom down the hall." Eban points back with his thumb.

Vahe sighs. "I know what you're getting at. I was just waiting until more of my subordinates showed up. I can't leave my post alone." They're on the same page. "Take her." He pushes you up and you almost stumble onto Ziff.

"Hey, watch it!" He's so grossed out by you he won't even touch you as he backs off.

Eban puts his hands in his pockets as you walk over to him. He has absolutely no expression. He doesn't even open his eyes to watch you pass. "Eban, your name may mean stone which suits your face well, but your heart is made of clay. What an odd soldier you are." Vahe states what seems to be an insult.

"Whatever." Eban shrugs. He acknowledges it so it must be true. That makes you feel a bit better that he's going to be watching your every move. At least he won't be making fun of you. He leans in the doorway with is profile to you. His eyes are closed as if he's asleep. You keep your back to him as you strip down and get into the shower without testing it first. It burns your skin, but it feels good. The grime slimes off your skin and leaves a dark puddle around your feet. Now that the hot water is steaming up, cleaning your sinuses, you can smell the old blood and sweat of your body come up. You were so used to it you couldn't smell it before. Leaves, twigs, plant matter, and dirt clump out of your hair and clog the drain to which you poke at with your big toe. Your ears are harder to wash, because they are so long and can trap water easily. You have to keep them pointed back as you message them.

Even after there's not a spec of dirt left you don't want to get out. But you don't want one of them to have to yank you out by your hair. Boy, does that smart. You turn off the shower and peek out. Eban is holding out a towel to you from the doorway. He didn't have one before. You can't quite reach with the curtain still around you so you dare to step out and snatch it from him. He's not looking at you. It actually looks as if he hasn't moved a muscle since you got in. "Thank you." You push out. You then spot your clothes are gone.

"Master Vahe told me to throw them out. You have clean clothes in your room, he said. Come on." You follow him back out into the living room where Ziff and Vahe are watching another special this time on ghosts. Ziff in his gothic-emo kid wear looks enamored by it all. He doesn't even notice as you walk by naked except for a towel unlike Vahe who gives you a little grin. He must get off on control. Even the wolves under him address him by a proper title.

Eban does the same as before. Leaves the door open a crack, closes his eyes, and leans against the doorway as you get dressed. You throw on a comfy pair of sweats and walk out. Vahe immediately shakes his head. "No, that's not flattering on a woman. Wear something more proper. You have guests over after all." He commands. Ziff sniffles a laugh by snorting it out. You would never change to fit anyone else's tastes, but if you don't he may end up making someone else do it for you. Wolves are not tender creatures. You don't need anymore bruises. So you put on jeans and a nice T-shirt. Vahe shrugs, but is still not satisfied. "Better, but not quite. Does Eban need to pick something out for you?" You storm back in your room and grab a sun dress that comes down to your knees, but still looks sexy. When you step out this time both of them applaud. Eban just scratches his head. "That's much more appealing. Now you look like a lady. Sit." He taps his hand on the couch. If only you could plant one between his cocky legs. That would be sweet.

Vahe gets up after only a moment. Eban is seated on the chair and Ziff is on the floor. "Ziff stay close to her. She'll be escorted by one of you no matter where she goes in this house." He orders.

They nod and Ziff hops up on the couch next to you and sits upright like a dog with his hands between his crouched up legs. "Hey," He gets your attention, "do you have a tail?" He squints behinds you. You put your hands back there just to check. "You have ears so you should have a tail, right?" There is something fluffy back there right above your crack that you hadn't noticed before. It always felt like something was there, but you chocked it up to a bump from your pants rubbing against the base of your spine. "I want to touch it." Ziff gets too close.

"NO." You flat out tell him as you lean back.

"Let me touch your tail. I bet it's soft like cotton!" He reaches for you. You try to get away, but as you turn he pulls you back by your stomach just like Abel had and has you bent up on the couch as if ready to receive. Your face is burning and the bruises there throbbing. Why did all these wolves want to sexually torture you so badly? Aren't there any females left for them to lay? Ziff lifts his hand and pokes your tail. "I knew it! She has a tail!" He pinches it. "It's tiny, but it's so soft! I wish my tail was this cute!" He's having a ball, but doesn't touch you anywhere else. How old is this kid? He hovers over your hind end and pokes it between both index fingers.

"Ziff, cut it out." Eban stands up and grabs his arms from over his shoulders and pins them back. He lifts Ziff with ease. "Master Vahe said to watch her not touch her." He drops him in the chair then takes his spot on the couch. Eban puts his feet up. "He gets hyper at times. Once he's focused on something he can't pay attention to anything else."

You sit up and glance over at Eban. He sounds nice despite how monotone he is. He may just be doing what he's been told, but he doesn't hesitate to do something that benefits you. There is confidence that if were ordered to kill you he may hesitate, but that dead expression can't reassure you of anything.

The ghost stories on the TV are nothing compared to the real life horrors you've had to face over the last few weeks. People dying, being shot, monsters transforming, hidden strangers, near death experiences, rape, having to kill, and the fear of what's happened to your friends. If they made your life into a movie it would be a box house busting hit of fantasy and fiction. When Vahe returns he sits close to you since you're sitting far from Eban. He doesn't seem to pay any respect to your personal space, because this end of the couch he considers to be his. You can only sit back and watch as the screen becomes fuzzy and you close your eyes just to rest them for a second.

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"Humans are always so arrogant about nothing." The man sounds annoyed. "If I were you I wouldn't be worrying about me I'd be worrying about those old people you have hidden in that hotel." Akio's eyes widen and blood pressure rises. How could he know? "Abel is an expert at vengeance. He wants you all to go down and he'll go to any lengths to do it." . . . . . .

"You want me to stop him to save you all the hassle of covering up a scandal or you just don't want to fight a member of your own clan." Akio sees through him. It's infuriating to play someone else's game, but either way he has to be sure or else his grandfather is done for. He's not the navy seal he was thirty years ago. He'd probably welcome the wolf in with open arms and offer it bacon with his bare hands. This makes Akio anxious. "Let me make a call first."

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Akio lurks around the corner checking for any signs of movement. It's a nice hotel, but no security cameras other than the ones in the lobby and exits. He checks his watch. It's getting late into the morning, but he sun has not yet risen. Sanguine had shacked up his grandfather at a place far outside of town. If anything is going down he's not going to be able to rush in to your rescue. It wasn't s decision he's happy about, but you have all the other guys there including Jeremy so that could be enough.

He squints his eyes. He can't think about you anymore. He has to be sure his grandfather and Sarah are safe. They're helpless and feeble. He moves down the hall like a black op. and stops at the next corner. He looks left then right. Both are dead ends, but 1 has a stairwell. He goes right. He bursts through the door first checking down then up. Nothing. He rushes up the stairs and peeks through the little window. Moving from hallway to hallway he clears the second floor same as the first. At this point his suspicions of being tricked are gnawing at him like a rabid raccoon on the back of his neck. Every minute he lets slip by may be the very minute you are in danger, that you are being pursued, that you are being eaten. He grits his teeth. How could he of been so stupid? It was such an obvious trap and what better way to lure him there but with reason?

Agitated he doesn't even lift his gun as he enters the last stairwell and heads to the third floor. He knows exactly what he's going to find. Nothing. There's no use in him becoming Don Quixote to battle invisible werewolves that no one else can see. He walks down one hall, turns the corner and hears a screech. At first he walks, but then picks up his face when a cry for help calls out. There at a dead end is a woman, a Latino maid, cornered and making the sign of the cross as three large dogs drool over her. Akio rushes up and slides on the smooth carpet as he takes aim. He fires. The bullet blows out the dogs eyes right through the forhead. The woman faints straight away as blood spatters her face.

The dogs turn and spot Akio who moves away, but only fast enough to draw them away. They take the bait. They're on him faster than hillbillies to a possum roast. Akio finds himself dipping and dodging as wind from their claws can be felt grazing his pale skin. He sees a door open. What an inopportune time for the guests inside, but he may be able to duck in and with a narrow path he can pluck them off one by one. He slides to a halt in front of the door and sees none other than Sarah with Ozzy doing nude stretches behind her.

"Why, hello there, Akio! What are you- " He doesn't give her time to finish as he shoves her back and slams the door shut. The wolf's claws split the hair on his head as he hit’s the ground and they are impaled into the door. That was so close Akio knows he almost wet himself. Yet, no time for thought just action. He lifts up the gun and fires. The bullet runs through the bottom of the jaw and splits open the top of the skull like a fleshy hell flower and makes a hole in the ceiling. It collapses to it's knees and onto Akio. He grunts as he kicks it away.

The door opens and Sarah has her arms folded. "Young man, that was most uncalled for! I never in my life would have thought that you. . . Excuse me." She unfolds her arms and reveals .38 handgun. She holds it up with both hands and makes a canoe out of the last wolf's head. Akio had forgotten about that one. "That you, Liever's own grandson, could be so disrespectful!" She continues scolding him as if she hadn't just shot a werewolf. Akio is a bit confused. No one ever called his grandfather by his first name or scolded him and actually made him feel bad.

"Ooo, you're in trouble." Ozzy laughs from over Sarah's shoulder at him.

"I need some air." Akio sighs.

"You can use the balcony as I get your clothes cleaned. Lord knows you can't go running around looking like that." Sarah points and Akio sees he's covered in blood. "They'll think you killed somebody." Akio looks back over at the bodies of the werewolves and sees they're not longer huge, but the sizes and breeds of normal household pets. Non of this was making any sense. Especially the fact that Sarah and Ozzy weren't feeble or needed any help at all. This miscalculation he knows is going to cost him.

"Oh, my!" Sarah exclaims as Akio explains the situation. "What on Earth are you going to do?" She inquires.

"I'm not sure. I messed up by coming all the way out here when I should have been trying to find (You). I just hope my call goes through. It's the only thing I could think of." He swishes the coffee in his mug in a circle. He needs it badly. He hasn't slept in almost 2 days.

"Just you have faith, Akio. (You) is one strong and intelligent girl. She can take care of herself with or without you boys there to hold her hand. You've all done enough. You've given her the strength and heart to deal with just about anything." Sarah sounds so sure.

"Faith is something I was never given, but I'll hope." Akio watches as the sun rises.

"That is a shame, Akio, but in your heart I know it's there or else why would you have come here instead of finding the girl you're in love with?" Sarah smiles.

Akio flashes her an angry and confused glimmer from the corner of his eye. That little statement has his heart racing. How dare she say such a thing that wasn't true. Or was it? Akio sets down the coffee and grabs up some of Ozzy's clothes.

"Akio, what are you doing? You're clothes won't be dry for another half hour."

"No time for that. They're just clothes. I'll make due." He slides his arms into the leather jacket. "Grandpa, I hope you don't mind."

"Go on ahead, Billy, I've got a beaver costume to wear today. After all it is Groundhog day." Ozzy waves as he watches a Bill Maury movie. Akio doesn't let the Ozzy's messed up conception of time faze him.

"We'll see if your faith is real or not." Is all he says as he walks out the door.

"That lit a fire under him, didn't it?" Sarah giggles.

"You are a clever little minx," Ozzy rubs her shoulders and kisses her cheek.

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There is something tickling and teasing your nostrils. It's so mouthwateringly good that it bitch slaps your senses and makes your stomach twist. Your eyes open to the smell of hot food resonating from the kitchen. Mrs. Medicci must be cooking and all of that night must have been a dream! What a relief. . .

"Have pleasant dreams?" A handsome voice asks. Your head darts up from the stiff pillow that is Vahe's leg to see him grinning down upon you. "You've been sleeping very soundly for almost two hours now. My lap must be very comfy for you. It's flattering to know it's a place you like to be." He's making fun of you, the bastard. "You're cute when you blush." You jump up and fold your arms. He probably put you there. He's so manipulative. He stretches out a bit. "Least now I can finally move." He says as if you were burdening him. Why didn't he just move you back if he didn't enjoy you snuggled up on him? "Are you grumpy when you wake or is it an all day attitude for you?"

What a jerk! And you tell him so as you ask why he didn't just move you if he put you there. Vahe plays it cool. "I'm not one to wake someone when they are slumbering. It's rude. Having a little courtesy is what separates us from real animals." He stands up to arch his back. His posture is perfect. His body is shapely just like Nori. If it wasn't for the hair and bad attitude they'd be mistaken for twins. Maybe that's why you slept so soundly on his lap? He probably bares the same scent as Nori as well. Nori normally smells like cut grass and a fresh night's air along with whatever deodorant he's adorning. Vahe wears a light cologne that sticks to his clothes, but his skin is of the night and earth, too. It almost makes you sad to have to wake up to reality.

"No, wee-boy, you must come from under the pits and lock hands behind the head." That heavy German-like accent gives you a chill. There on the floor is the crazed Sagive with Ziff in a sleeper hold. "Now, see how firm I hold you, eh? Wiggle all you want. Try. You will not escape!" He laughs like a big bully.

Ziff's feet slide against the floor as he tries to push up out of his grasp, but his grunts are in vein. "Damn, I can't break free."

"I tell you!" He should have said "told" but he must not have perfect English. He releases him.

"Can I try it on you?" Ziff pulls on his shirt as he's started to sweat.

Sagive chuckles heavily. "If you think you can. These arms are like tree trunks. They will not bend." Ziff isn't convinced and gives it a try. The boy's arms are tender twigs compared to Sagive's massive bulk. He manages to stretch his arms far enough to lock his hands. "Got it!" Ziff smiles.

"Do not be so confident." Sagive pulls Ziff to the floor with one hard flex down. Ziff sits up on the floor like a dog and wrinkles his nose. "You will get better. I will make sure of this, wee-boy. Then someday I can't call you wee-boy, huh? Our pack will make soldier out of you." Sagive reassures him. It's tender in a psychotic boot camp kind of way. "Hey-hey, the bunny-girl is wake! She is done giving our general head, eh-eh?" He sputters.

Ziff glares. "She was sleeping. That's all."

"Sagive, you're on patrol next." Vahe retorts as he walks out of the room.

Ziff and Sagive become dead quiet as they stare at the door. Then comes a knock. They heard the unwelcome guest before they made themselves known. They really are no different from dogs. You stand, but then spot Vahe walking casually towards the door. He signals for you to sit back down before he opens the door. "Can I help you?" He asks sweetly.

The detective in his long black coat is surprised to see the friendly blonde stranger, but doesn't show it. "My name is Detective Vincent Donovan and I need to speak with a girl named (You). I believe she lives at this residence." You never thought you'd be relieved that it is yet scared for that perverted detective. "Who might you be?"

"Since you introduced yourself first my name is Vahe Luna. It's nice to meet you, Detective." Vahe extends his hand and though Vincent is hesitant he takes it. He's never been greeted so kindly before. Vincent is put off by Vahe. "(You) is right in here. We were just watching some television." Vahe lets Vincent walk in before him and lingers behind him like an ominous shadow.

You sit up straight and try to be careful about where your eyes are wondering. If you let on that something is wrong Vahe's going to rip his head off and then you'll have a dead cop on top of this war and it'll cause countless casualties. So you cover it all up with a simple smile and hello.

Detective Donovan raises an eyebrow. "What happened to your face?" You're caught by surprise. You'd forgotten about the welt under your eye and random scrapes all over your skin. By now all the bruising must have surfaced. You've got to look like hell.

"You should have been there!" Ziff hops up from the floor. You all look over and see he's alone in the middle of the floor. You survey the room, but can't see where Sagive has hidden himself so quickly. "There was this bitch at the party last night-"

"The party?" Vincent repeats.

"Yeah, at her college in this frat house. Can I finish?" Ziff gives him attitude right back. "So there we were when this chick walks up and bumps into (You)'s drink. She freaking freaks the hell out. She starts calling (You) all kinds of nasty names. Of course since (You) is a girl she comes up with this awesome burn and the bitch takes a swing. She caught her right in the cheek with her ring! Then they start wrestling around on the floor pulling hair and scratching like deranged cats." Ziff is making expressions of an out of control catfight. It's pretty funny. "Now if you think she looks bad you've got to see the girl who picked the fight. (You) messed that bitch up!"

Vincent is quiet for a moment. "Did she now?" He looks back at you. You shrug and smile to show you agree. "For some reason I didn't picture you as the drunken college nitwit who gets in fights over spilled beer." He sounds disappointed, but it's annoying.

Vahe rolls his left shoulder and that's when you notice his left hand is partially transformed. There are short hair lining the back of his hand like a glove as his joints are boney and nails thickened out to sharp points. With a hand like that he could stab right into Detective Vincent's chest and rip his heart out or more likely come up from behind and snap his neck like a twig before he even has a chance to scream. You can tell he wants him out of here soon. "Didn't you want to speak with her, Detective?"

He barely checks behind him at Vahe like he should. "Yes," Vincent remembers now. "Where you here at all last night?"

"I was at that party." You answer quickly.

"When did you return home?" He keeps it up.

"I don't know." You try to sound convincing. "It was sometime in the morning."

"Anyone who can verify that?" He's being pretty routine.

"We can." Vahe reminds him. "We were with her the whole night."

"Who all is "we" and what is your relation to (You)?" He asks without turning around. It's kind of rude.

"'We" is me and my younger cousin, Ziff, over there." Vahe is very calm. "I am a friend of (You)'s from her hold school before she moved here to go to college. We came up to visit. We used to live only a few houses apart." It's a good cover, because Vincent shouldn't know anything personal about you before you moved here. Yet it gives you a chill because how did Vahe know you haven't lived here your whole life?

"And what about the guys I normally see you with? Aren't any of them around or did this guy scare them away?" Vincent nods his head back at Vahe.

"Jiro and Akio are at school. Sanguine is at home." You plainly tell him. Where else would they be at this time of day?

"What about the other one? The one with the black hair that looks a lot like this guy?" Vincent takes a peek back to get a better look. Vahe has the bad hand behind his back. "You two related?"

"As if! Vahe is nothing like Zareh!"

"We're cousins, actually." Vahe corrects Ziff.

"I thought his name was Nori?" Vincent has done his homework.

"It is. I think Ziff has Nori confused with someone else. A lot of us look alike." Vahe jokes.

Vincent appears to be thinking. "Okay, that's all I needed to know." He turns to the door. "Thank you for your time and cooperation!" He opens the door. Thank god, he's leaving. Any more assumptions and Vahe was going to wring Vincent's neck. "Just one more thing." He pauses and everyone is at a stand still. You want to scream at him to just go, run away as fast as he can and get backup right now! Why was he pushing this? "Where is Sarah? She isn't answering her phone."

You let your lungs exhale. "She's taking a romantic getaway with her boyfriend." You smile for real this time.

Vincent snickers, but then laughs out loud. You don't know what he finds so funny. "Good for her. . .Wow, I hope all that friction doesn't start a fire." He makes a wry joke at their expense. Just because they're old doesn't mean they're dried up mummies incapable of having passionate love making. Indeed it's not a pretty picture, but how awful of him to turn Sarah's personal business into a perverted joke. If you yelled right now you were being held against your will Vahe will pop his head off like a dandelion and that's exactly what you'd love to see happen to him right now. "Don't get into anymore catfights now unless it's in a pool of jello." That's just what Vincent would enjoy seeing. "Have a good afternoon, folks." He finally leaves and you couldn't be happier. You'll risk being amongst man-eating werewolves over having to spend anymore time talking to that asshole.

Vincent gets into the passenger seat of the squad car and pulls a cigarette from the back with his teeth. "Back to the station, sir?" The rookie driver asks.

"Yeah, but we're going to keep an eye on this place. Something's not right. This whole neighborhood stinks of fish and I know that girl is in some kind of trouble. I'm going to find out what before it's too late." He lights his cancer stick and gazes at the house through the haze of smoke.

Vahe peeks out the blinds of the window as the cops leave. He makes a little thoughtful hum. "That cop thought he knew everything, but now his gears are turning." He's talking to himself.

"What do you mean, Vahe? We pulled it off without a hitch." Ziff wonders.

"He didn't take a single note down for any vague question he asked." Vahe folds his arms. "That detective is a real pest." He tells him. You couldn't agree more.

"Hey," Eban is in the doorway with a BBQ apron on. "Food is done. Ziff come set the table." He turns back to the kitchen.

Ziff gripes as he gets up. "Why don't you make the human do it? She should be serving us, after all."

Sagive chuckles as he walks down the steps. "That is what women are for, but with your constant wining, wee-boy, I'd say you were a wee-girl."

"Sagive, you get to help him. Now." Vahe isn't in the mood for any petty arguing since a comment like that was going to make Ziff have a childish fit. At that age boys are particularly sensitive about their masculinity and being respected by older males. Sagive hit him in both balls with a tiny comment like that.

They proceed to set the table as Vahe watches. You sit unsure if you're able to move. The moment Eban enters the dining room with the large bowls full of food your stomach yowls. The smell is so enticing it makes you shake with desire. You'd do anything to have a single bite. With your body so weak you'd dive into a bowl face first like a sloppy hog. The guys start taking their seats. Vahe is at the head where Ozzy traditionally sits, Eban across from him where Medicci roosts, Sagive on one side and Ziff on the other. There are two empty chairs and two empty spots. Your heart sinks. You're not one of them so you must wait for any share like the stray dog to a closely nit pack so before any of the others can lift a finger Vahe gets to load up his platter first. Yet, he doesn't.

"What you waiting for, leader? It is torture to wait so long." Sagive is used to being well fed. He hates to wait.

"You'll just have to be patient while Ziff finishes setting the table." Vahe answers unfolding his napkin.

"What do you mean? We're all here. I can set a place for Timur, but since he's decided to be late I figured let him do it himself." Ziff replies.

"No, that's not what I meant." Vahe glances over at you.

"Are you kidding me? She should wait until we're all done!" Ziff overreacts. Does he hate you or like you? Damn kids are so emo these days it's hard to gauge. Vahe looks lazily upon Ziff and so do the others who cannot eat until Ziff obeys. Sagive tightens his fist. Eban rests his head in his hand. Ziff looks around and finds he's alone in his objections. "Fine. . .!" He gets up and sets a place for you, but before he can take his seat next to Vahe he motions for Ziff to sit between Eban and Sagive. Ziff plunges into his assigned seat and pouts. Now you're sure he hates you.

"Are you going to join us or are you just going to sit there and drool?" Vahe calls to you as he folds his hands. You are drooling, but you refuse. Maybe if you protest you can get away while they're distracted. "Suit yourself." Vahe shrugs and begins making himself his plate. He takes his time. There is so much to chose from. You watch and want to cry. It looks so delicious it's the most fantastic meal you've ever seen. It has to be a trick. You'll get over their and they'll holds you down and take turns nibbling on your innards between side dishes. Ziff gets to be next because he is the baby of the pack. Then Sagive and Eban move at the same time though Eban moves slower than Sagive in a submissive fashion so not to get in his way.

The pain in unbearable. It strikes from the pit of your stomach through your chest and sides like spiked vines tearing through. You can't take it anymore! You get up and wonder over to the table, carefully sitting down. Ziff glares at you. Eban and Sagive don't even seem to notice. "No need to starve yourself. You're not going anywhere." Vahe reassures you of your containment. You are a prisoner. You scoop a little of everything on your plate. Not a single thing doesn't have some kind of meat in it. It's not surprising. You take a bite trying not to watch as Sagive scarves down his edible mountain. Vahe stands to grab the red wine chilling in ice. He pours himself a glass, then you, and Eban holds out his glass for him to pour.

Ziff's head pops up. "I want some wine."

"No." Eban flat out tells him and takes a sip. "You're too young yet."

"Stop treating me like a pup! I'm a part of this hunting party, too!" He informs him.

"Then go outside and catch us a deer. This meal is pitiful! There's barely any meat for us to feast upon." Sagive burps. The glutton.

"We work with what they have. Besides all the deer would be scared off by now." Eban sighs. "Enjoy what we have."

"The girl smells delicious. Always in the mood for bunny rabbit." He snickers.

"She is not yours to have, Sagive." Vahe sets down his glass.

Sagive wrinkles up his nose as he gives him a little sneer. "Sorry, leader, did not know you had claimed her." He's aiming to embarrass him, but Vahe doesn't even blink with care.

"Eban, thank you finishing making lunch for me. It's delicious." He moves on.

"My pleasure, sir." Eban grins. Vahe must have initially started this meal, but when you fell asleep against him Eban completed it. But why didn't Vahe just move you out of the way? He just let you sleep on him as if he were your living pillow. Also why did he care if you're clean, dressed nice, or well fed? Was it for his own benefit or was he just screwing with you? It's all so confusing. These "bad guys" don't act like bad guys. They act like werewolves should, but they're still essentially human. It really is as if they don't want to harm you at all. You glance around the table. Where you all really so different deep down?

"How did a human develop rabbit ears and a tail?" Eban suddenly asks you.

"She has a tail, too?" Vahe is intrigued.

"Yes, Ziff found it. She seemed surprised by it as well." Eban nods.

"It's totally stupid." Ziff grumbles. Funny, earlier he enjoyed it like a retarded toddler with a shiny object.

"That would be interesting to see." Vahe snickers a bit.

"When she has stripped naked." Sagive makes eyes at you. Even dog-men still have the ability undress women with their eyes.

"Stop being perverted, Sagive. You're making her uncomfortable. She's going to assume we're going to rape her. That kind of behavior is deplorable." Eban scolds him.

"Yeah, it's totally gross. She's a freak of nature anyways. She could turn us all into weak, dumb bunny things." Ziff adds in.

"Would something like that be contracted like AIDS?" Vahe chews out Ziffs irrational thinking.

"I don't know." Ziff slouches.

"He is just scared of the vagina, because he is a gay. Gays are always scared of vaginas." Sagive is getting a hearty laugh out of this. You're really starting to feel uncomfortable so you drink back some wine. "That is why you follow on Vahe's and Eban's balls with your tail between your legs. You want to wrestle again? I better make sure you do not pin Sagive or he may find a small dog on his back!"

"I am not scared of vaginas! I'm not gay! I love vagina!" He yells out without thinking. You and Vahe exchanges little glances. "Tell them!" Ziff turns to Eban who is shaking his head as if trying not to laugh.

"Ziff is not gay. He is bisexual. There's a difference." Eban can't help himself.

Ziff's face is lit up bright red. "NO! I am NOT!"

"Ziff, I was teasing you. Sit down." Eban puts a hand on his hand and lowers him back into his seat. "How you emulate elder wolves doesn't make you gay. Sagive is just using your admiration to make you paranoid that you may be homosexual. If you're not you have nothing to worry about. Even if you were you're still part of our hunting party. Sexual preference doesn't change that."

"Pretty words coming from the nanny." Sagive scoffs. Eban glares at Sagive with those onyx black eyes and there's a tension in the air.

Ziff settles down, but looks as if he's about to cry. It can't be easy being the youngest where you're looked upon as almost useless so being able to prove yourself becomes your goal which is hard when you are still treated like a child.

Vahe pours you another glass of wine which you hadn't realized was gone already. "Promise you'll let me see that tail of yours. I'm really quite fascinated by the whole subject." He wasn't making it sexual, but that is how it sounded. Your hand goes for the filled glass. Where are your saviors when you need them?

~ ~ ~ ~

Jiro walks past a large boulder and marks it. He'd caught on to an old trick to tell which direction one has already traveled if they find themselves heading in circles. He then spots a rock he marked previously. "Shit! Where the hell am I?!" He yells as he shakes his fists to the sky in exaggerated lamentation. He drops his hands and his fist as his stomach also groans. "I'm so hungry. . ." He sobs. "FOOOOOOOD!" He repeats his previous call to the sky as if he did food would rain down from the clouds. He then spots something moving. He stops cold.

It's only a squirrel. He lets out a sigh. "It's only a squirrel." He smiles. "I'm saved!" He dives after it. The squirrel jumps and in midair lands in the mouth of a giant dog. Jiro watches in vein as it shakes it's head wildly. He points at it angrily. "That's my squirrel! Give it back, douche bag!"

The dog pauses and growls at Jiro. It's sights are now set on bigger prey. "I need to learn to shut my rebellious mouth." He learns a valuable lesson twenty seconds too late. The dog charges after him. Jiro turns tail and runs for his life. He isn't fast enough anymore. He's exhausted. The dog dips around him and springs against his chest; knocking him to the ground. He holds it by it's neck only inches from his face. Foamy drool is spit all over his face. It smells like shit. He has to think quickly. He knew something about dogs he was told he could do if he was ever pinned by one. As gruesome as it is he has to try. He grabs hold of the dog's legs by the knees and jerks them in opposite directions like a wishbone. The dog's chest cavity snaps and breaks open. The dog lets out an ear piercing yelp as it's bones break through the skin and guts fall out all over Jiro.

He throws it off to the side and stands up, letting the warm, gooey entrails fall from him. "I'm never doing that again." He's truly disgusted. "Eeuuww. . ." He wines. "SHOWER!" He yells to the sky.

Preview Chapter 35: Left amongst the wolves I don't know what to do. I sleep and wake to find a friend. I'm so happy I could cry. Wait, I am crying! The most twisted thing is I find I'm enjoying myself around the werewolves. Are they really bad? Abel is without a doubt, but now I'm not so sure. If only this misunderstanding could be worked out? If only men didn't resort to violence for everything. Please, stop fighting! Nightfall and there's a chill in the air. The scent of blood spreads throughout the city. An unnatural force has risen and a new enemy is born. To bring them down or become another victim is my choice. This whole thing is my responsibility. I created a monster. . .