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A soft breeze blew Kyle´s hair as he walked through the snowy paths of Downwood Pines, the home he shared with his sister Serena and their parents. Or at least he used to share. That wasn't his home anymore, only a mere illusion created by the mist he and the other survivors were trapped in. He didn't believe it was real, *and the others must feel the same too” he thought. The sounds of the breeze passing through the trees was all the trapper could hear.
He was alone, for now, but the cold was something he had grown accustomed to, not just because of the mist, but also because Downwood Pines has always been a very cold place. The knowledge he had about the house and everything proved to be very useful for the other survivors, and Kyle had already placed some traps around the place.
As he walked through the forest with most stealth, he knew he wasn't alone, hearing a loud and low howl in the distance “That motherfucker…” he thought to himself as he knew who that sound belonged to. It belonged to the person that had taken his father away from him and his sister, the werewolf, Cole Volkov. Kyle wanted to kill him so badly and make justice for his family. He felt a burning hate towards the beast man, but he had to be conscious, because he knew the wolf man wouldn't be easy on him if provoked, but Kyle knew he had to do something.
As he crawled through the bushes, he saw a hand, and a low and labored breathing accompanied by it. A body was hiding in the bushes, weak, and losing a lot of blood. The trapper scrambled to move the leaves and branches away to reveal a tired and dying Eiji on the ground, almost choking on his own blood. A huge wound ran across his neck. Claw marks all around his body, mostly his back and his chest. The photographer couldn't move much, having used most of his strength already.
Kyle wasn't that much surprised by this outcome, but he was still shocked by what he was seeing, however, he was able to look past that and help the other male out, wasting no time to use what he had to tend to the other´s wounds. Those heavy breaths, each one of them, made him spiral mentally. They only reminded him of the past, and filled him with guilt. As he tended to the wounds, he couldn't help but think about his dad. “I could've done something to save my father” and “Why was I so useless?” were some of the thoughts running through his mind. He didn't do enough, he wasn't fast enough, and now he was gone because of him.
Kyle could still remember the screams of the man as Cole stuck his claws into his chest. The screams hadn't stopped, and Kyle knew that that beast was taking pleasure in it, feeling the man´s skin, ripping it apart and swallowing every last bit of Kyle´s father. Those sounds were painful to remember, and the worst was that that monster didn't even stop to catch his breath, as if his father was nothing but food for that freak. Kyle´s hands were trembling now, and his thoughts only stopped when Eiji waved his hands in front of the trapper´s eyes - Are you ok? - the photographer asked, looking a bit worried as Kyle caught himself, waking up to reality.
You know what he did, don't you? - Kyle couldn't help but ask in a serious tone. He just had to know, because he knew Eiji and Cole used to be, or were in a relationship.
That question was a hard one for the other man. He didn't really know how to respond. Cole had told him everything, but in a way, the photographer knew that Kyle wouldn't like the answer he had to give him. He looked down for some seconds before speaking - I-I do…But… - his words got stuck in his throat for a bit, which sent Kyle´s head on fire.
How?! How could he love someone like that?! How could he stay with someone that did something so horrible as killing someone?! Killing a father?! Kyle wasn't expecting that answer at all. He had thought that the photographer had grown past that, but hearing those words felt weird to him, it just was impossible for him to accept that. Looking into Eiji´s eyes, he could see that the boy really meant what he said, but he could also see some sadness and hesitation in his demeanor - How? - he just asked, keeping his tone of voice neutral, but still stern.
It's hard to explain… - Eiji started, but in reality, he didn't feel like the trapper would understand his point of view. He knew what Cole did was wrong, but he also knew who Cole truly was - He…he wasn't himself…. - Eiji was already struggling to defend his lover, because he knew how messed up this situation was and that he couldn't speak for the werewolf. He gave some steps away, not feeling like talking more about this.
He killed my father! - Kyle cut him off in protest, feeling the need to say this - And now he killed your brother too! Think about that! - Eiji was right. Kyle didn't see his point of view, but the trapper had his reasons, he didn't see Cole as Eiji saw.
I know… - Eiji said, finding it even harder to defend himself and his point. Kyle was right too - But…it's not like I'm back with him… - he said a bit timidly - But… - a lump formed in his throat again, and he held his camera tighter.
Kyle stopped for a bit, sighing and calming himself down for a bit - I don't forgive him for what he did. - Kyle cut Eiji off - And I think you shouldn't too.
I…didn't… - Eiji struggled to say before his eyes widened seeing the figure that quickly jumped out of the bushes.
Everything seemed to move in slow motion as Kyle tried to react. He could see the werewolf´s claws almost reaching for his arms, and his mouth wide open and ready to bite, it was like the wolf man had lost sight of what really was going on in front of him, not seeing things properly and not able to control his feral instincts. Kyle saw a beast, but Eiji, as he moved his camera to flash Cole's eyes, he could see something more. Cole was way worse then he was the last time Eiji remembered to see him, apparently the mist had punished him way harsher in recent days, and what he could see in the wolf´s eyes, was the desperation of someone who had been purposefully starved to death.
Kyle didn't hesitate to throw a trap at the killer, causing him to protect his face, but not give up on his chase. The trap closed right on his hands, sticking on Cole´s wrists and causing a howl of pain that could be heard a long distance. Eiji was trembling. He had never seen Cole starve in a critical state like this, but he had to do something, so he quickly ran towards him, moving his camera to flash right in the wolf´s eyes before he could do anything else and finally run away from the ordeal. Kyle would do the same, but he stayed, despite the little time he had to escape this round. He stayed just some more seconds to give a better look at the suffering man in front of him.
Cole was trying to take the trap off of his wrists, growling as his instincts took over, but deep down, Kyle wanted this match to last a little longer, just so he could watch the man who took his family away suffer a bit more.