Chapter Text
It's bad enough that he was separated by his team during this damned mission, but being backed into a corner by some rabid animal wasn't his plan. Soap backed up, lifting his gun as the beast stalked closer, foamy slobber dropping onto the floor, mixing with blood- the damn thing was bleeding! Its ragged fur was on end, and it looked like it was about to lunge. He backed up, his back hitting the thick tree trunk behind him, the bark stabbing into his vest. The beast snarled, a horrible, strange mix, that made his skin crawl. What the hell even is this thing? It looked like a wolf, but it was very wrong. He fired a warning shot, causing the beast to let out a horrible screech that made him gasp and practically jump.
It was loud, a very loud bastard, its mouth wide open as it screamed, sharp teeth stained with blood and slobber. He tried to step back again. Bad idea. The thing seemed to coil up, its glazed eyes locking onto Soap like a predator spotting prey. Soap felt a feeling well up in him, and that would be fear. Something felt so wrong, not just the appearance of whatever the fuck this thing was. He didn't get the chance to reach when the creature launched itself at him. He tried to jerk back, but its jaws closed on his wrist, causing him to yell in pain.
Blood immediately welled up in his arm, streaming down his skin and dripping onto the dirt, mixing with the creature’s own blood, foam, and dirt. And that damned thing bites hard, its jagged teeth digging into his muscle painfully. He tried to jerk his arm back, but it just made the beast bury them deeper, earning a grunt in pain.
In a last ditch effort, he pulled out his tactical knife, stabbing at the creature’s neck. As the knife sunk into flesh, it let out a guttural scream, jolting back and freeing his arm. It writhed and thrashed, claws raking at its bleeding neck. Soap couldn't help but step back in disgust, watching as it clawed and squirmed desperately. Blood continued to stain the dirt, now making this disgusting red-brown mud that would become slightly sticky. The creature gave a final desperate screech, before going limp, its breaths ragged and choked.
Soap lowered his knife, just slightly, just enough. He examined his wound, finding that the blood had already clotted, but the throbbing feeling remained. His arm looked like a bloodbath, covering a good amount of it. The edges of his glove was now stained dark, and the ends of the bloodstreams were already crusting over. Soap cringed, knowing damn well he should probably get a rabies shot just in case.
His comms crackled, before Price’s voice spoke up, stern, and hiding the hint of concern in his voice.
“Soap, what the hell just happened?”
Soap caught his breath, speaking up, trying to bury down the slight tremor in his voice, clearly affected by whatever the fuck just happened to him.
“Somethin’ bit me, sir.” He looked at the dying creature in front of him, watching its chest rise and fall.
“Bit you?”
“Aye sir. Not sure what.” He explained, stepping away from the thing.
“Sending a medic to your location now.” Soap nodded at Price’s words, keeping his distance from the beast, but staying in place so the medic could at least find him. He didn't have to wait too long, because soon he heard footsteps. He looked in their direction, seeing a figure carefully walking through the shrubbery. By the red cross on their helmet and arm, it was obvious this was the medic that Price had sent.
“Sergeant, there you are!” The medic spoke up, and ran over, seeing the blood on Soap’s arm. “What the hell…” They squinted as they examined the bite mark, pulling on some rubber gloves. “What did this?”
“A dinnae ken…” He closed his eyes, letting the medic examine the injury. “Some animal. It’s right over…” But when he looked over, it was gone, just a trail of blood and disturbed dirt. Shit, now he really will never know… Sure, he could chase after it, but not with the medic, not with his injury, and not with the mission.
“Ah…” The medic frowned, starting to wrap the injury in a temporary bandage. “An animal. That’s not good. Come on, we need to get you better medical help.” They insisted, to which Soap nodded.
He stumbled behind the medic, finding his movements just a bit more sluggish, but he didn't understand why. Must be the blood loss. Yes, just the blood loss. He was seated on a cot as another medic removed his bandages, cleaning the wound with a wet towel and soap. As the blood washed and chipped away, the bite mark was once again revealed. Deep, sharp holes in his arm. It would definitely scar, judging by how deep the wound was.
He was given a shot too. He honestly expected that, especially since he was bitten by what he assumed was a rabid animal- judging by the foaming and aggression, at least. He watched as the nurse injected the vaccine into his bloodstream. He was too confused by whatever bit him to focus on the fact that he was being injected.
The nurses had him rest his arm for a day, and told him to consistently wash it. Price or Gaz would occasionally check up on him, to try and see how he’s doing. He explained what he could remember to Price, who stroked his beard in contemplation. He pressed for details, which Soap gave, though some part he just couldn't remember. The biggest thing he could remember was the grotesque appearance and sounds the damned thing had. Even now, it made him internally cringe, wishing he could unhear that horrific scream that the creature had let out.
The next morning, he woke up groggily. He grabbed his phone to check the time, flashbanging himself in the process. He blinked slightly, and squinted at his screen. 0400. He groaned. He had an hour until he had to start the day, and even still, his arm was sore, nearly every movement making it feel stiff.
He sat up, running his good hand through his mohawk. He sat on the bed for a good moment, before finally standing. He groggily went to the bathroom, exhausted. He unwrapped his arm to wash it, as the nurses had instructed. But he frowned, noticing that the hair on his arms seemed a bit thicker than yesterday. He wouldn't normally be complaining, but he’s also 90% sure that's not how hair works.