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He was running. Sprinting through the grass, merely avoiding skidding, jumping from one place to another, turning to a different direction, just to run away by whatever this thing is.
And whatever this thing is, it's not a bear for fuck sake.
Ryan felt his legs lossing it all. He's running out of energy, by now he's so close into collapsing on whatever he can collapse on. But no, there's a literal animal chasing him, and to make matters worse?
He's got no weapon to defend himself.
Counseling kids and spending one last night in the Quarry with the other counselors was the only thing he knew he's supposed to do. Dying is not listed in his summer list of to-do's and that's. He's got a whole future ahead of him, and his sister was waiting for him. He thought, maybe Dylan was right, maybe whatever cut the phone lines back on Chris's office, cut out the lights and walked on the roof on the radio shack was not a bear. Definitely a monster, even if it was hard to believe. And it's not just any spooky bedroom monster, no.
The wolf was slowly, yet clumsily catching up. It was definitely hungry, and thirsty for blood. His legs started to sore, eyes started to form tears, as he dashed throughout the woods, in hopes to find something, or someone, that could help him. Or maybe a hut or something, a shelter, or.. Anything!
But there was nothing.
After several minutes of running, he stumbled upon a dead end.
His eyes widened, adrenaline kicking fast, and his entire system panicking, after realizing the situation he's now in. Slowly turning around, saw he a big, tall creature, covered in God knows who's blood, claws ready to kill, ears perked up, and ember eyes staring right straight into his soul. Ryan shivered as the, to what he assumed, a werewolf, slowly walked up to him. It's teeth were big and sharp, and it's face was terrifying, so much it'll surely give Ryan nightmares if he can even reach another night. Ryan couldn't think of anything to do to live. Not anymore, he thinks.
As his right foot stepped on something, his eyes darted it's gaze from the wolf to the twig. Without hesitation, he grabbed the twig and raised it, before throwing it over the wolf, barely even processing what he's about to do just to distract whatever this is. As he managed to even get his brain back to his head, he realized he just made things worser than before. He gulped, falling to his ass and covering his eyes with his arms, afraid of death yet, hoping it'll be quick.
Then he heard it ran. Wait. Backwards?
It was fast. Yet, he didn't chose to remove his arms just yet. He curled his shaky legs, while his mind was off the building, thinking of how fun the summer was, how quiet and lonely his life was, how he wished he didn't chose to go in this camp—
And it was back.
Wait. Wait, wait, wait.
He heard the wolf came back, dashing, then came to a halt in front of him. He could hear it panting, and could feel it's horrifying presence. The smell of a wet dog, blood and sweat slowly filled the air. And it was hard for Ryan to actually muster the courage to even uncover himself from his arm that acted as a defense that suddenly went stiff. As soon as he turned his arms down to peek, he could see the wolf's snout was at least a meter away from him.
It was holding a twig.
Ryan's mouth was agape. He stared at the wolf in shock, before glancing at it's features. It had fur but wet and dry due to it being drenched in blood, it had a necklace that somehow was familiar to Ryan, and it's ember eyes were, yeah. Probably the only thing pretty about it.
“..What?”
The wolf leaned in closer, wanting Ryan to take the twig. Ryan blinked fast, hesitating to grab the twig until his body went on autopilot and raised one of his arms, motioning to grab what the wolf was holding in his mouth. As he felt the difficulty of stopping himself, he turned his head away in fear of having to experience what Dylan did back in the radio hut but worse; to have his hand be bitten and have multiple bone fractures by being swayed like a dog toy. But all he received was a twig, and a lick on the hand.
Yes. The wolf licked his hand. It gave Ryan the goosebumps, this time conquering his entire body.
He turned around to see the wolf staring at him, probably waiting for him to do another throw. Although the wolf didn't looked like as hostile as it was 10 seconds ago, but now more playful, Ryan was still quite doubtful about this sudden behavior. He glanced at his hand, who's ahold of the twig, then to the wolf, who's eagerly waiting.
Well, if he was given two choices, one was to not play and die now, or to play fetch and die later, he'd rather choose the second option.
Suddenly collecting himself, he stood up and patted his back and nodded at the big one. “Alright. Let's have fun then.”
—————————
It took them an hour before the wolf felt exhausted from running back in forth, like a lightning from a storm. But the tiredness of the wolf was barely obvious, Ryan's wasn't. He stopped throwing the stick after minute by minute throws, his arms grew tired and he knew he had to let it rest for a while, and while he thought of doing so, he subconsciously dropped the stick. Ryan savoured his moments of actually being alive and barely well, playing fetch with the wolf. Even if he thought he could have escaped it minutes ago, neither he did a move and continued the play nor even thought about it until now. It was fun to see the wolf disappear through the dark and get back to him after a glimpse every minute.
The wolf was sharp and agile, and it probably memorized his scent— which meant this big guy could literally track him down like he's his GPS or something. Although Ryan would admit he felt like he had formed a bond with the wolf, the thought of being a snack saved for later was still in the center of his brain.
The wolf slowly approached Ryan, closer then close enough, which made Ryan want to jump out of his body and then live as a wandering spirit. It sniffed his neck, which gave Ryan the chills, making the human froze stiff, as the wolf sniffed at him, probably memorizing his scent. After a minute or two of just sniffing, it licked his face in assurance that it's being friendly to him and does not sees him any less of a friend, wiping his blood and sweat off his cheek along the way. Ryan, although still hesitant, patted and caressed the face of the wolf, appreciating the fact that he actually didn't bit him while he was sniffing. But even a lick can't get rid of the thought of actually being mauled alive.
He noticed the wolf turned it's snout to his hand, seemingly in search of something. Ryan still couldn't get ahold of the thought of accidentally taming the wolf, but that's like, now on the edge of his scalp. The wolf bowed beside him and took the stick, before looking at Ryan with two dilated ember eyes, with curiousity and love that seemed nothing but pure hunger to the man. Ryan gulped as his arms moved fairly fast enough, before he can even step back away.
“YAK— H-HEY WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?”
Panicking, Ryan yell-whispered, trying to avoid screaming at the wolf, afraid that he might anger the wolf even more. The wolf cradled Ryan in its arms, holding him close to it's chest that's fur covered in blood and crusts yet slowly getting it's softness as to the blood crusts fell off, rubbing warmth on Ryan's body, cradled as if Ryan was something so precious to it, like a sweet mother and her newborn child. Even if some of the fur was getting on his nose, he refused to even dare move nor protest to the wolf, praying to all Gods and deities he wouldn't be carried to a pack of other wolves and die a horrible death.
Ryan could feel it's feet charging, sprinting on hot wheels. Ryan— who's still startled, nuzzled his face in it's chest in fear. He wasn't able to see which direction and where they are headed, but even if Ryan didn't shove his face on the now soft fur of the wolf, he wouldn't be able to tell where and which due to how fast it was running. He even felt like riding a rollercoaster that kept jumping through the air from all those sudden leaps it made whilst on the run. Ryan felt his heart flutter away from his chest from all this fuzzy things he's feeling. Ryan was like that one frozen meat, hugged by a four-wheeled, big fridge. He was still and stiff— his legs sore yet managed to act like a mannequin's leg.
It was yet another minute long run. Just like them playing fetch except that, the twig and Ryan was with it. He could hear howls from the other distant wolves, which brought him to think.
Is everyone still alive?
Yeah, no, shit. Very funny question to say after losing Dylan after running from the hunters hours ago. He didn't had the time to even react as they parted ways in that place, as he was too panicked to even look back and grab his wrist then run away with him, no. But instead, he left and ran away. The rest were fuzzy as hell but, the only thing he could remember is running away from the one who's carrying him now.
They all had parted ways, and that was probably the shittiest decision they had made. The last time they saw the rest other than Dylan was at the cabins— neither he saw Emma and Jacob at the time Dylan got bit. The rest were seperated after a pack of wolves ambushed them. He even gave them his shot gun after seeing how Nick's condition got worse before the ambush happened. Kaitlyn was the one who got the gun, the rest were unarmed.
The others surely can manage their selves, they're pretty much strong and agile too. They pretty sure can make out. Not to bad-mouth of Abi but he thinks she's too weak and panicky when it came to situations like this, so she might need a strong company. She will probably need a kind psychiatrist after this— no, everyone will need that. If everyone can make it in the dawn alive. This wouldn't happen if it didn't all started from a silly little party plan. Yeah, everyone agreed and went along with it, and he even reluctantly agreed, so he can't blame him. He can't blame a social butterfly to invite all of his work friends to have one last night with no kids, no tasks, just them, under the full moon and a calmly lit bonfire. It would've been the greatest idea if it weren't for this.
He felt the wolf stop on it's tracks after he noticed it began audibly sniffing the air. Gently putting and letting go of the human, Ryan sat on the dirt and examined the location they're in.
They're now in front of the storm shelter.
Ryan sighed, drawing the attention of the wolf, who began sniffing on him, again. Ryan gently pushed his snout away, making the wolf purr in dismay. It surely did admired his scent, even if he smelled like balls right now. Ryan took this opportunity to approach the underground's entrance, examining it before opening it. He could hear a muffled conversation in it, but it seemed far, yet loud. But the wolf sensed something else Ryan didn't know. It stood in a defensive stance, growling at the door like it's the threat they're facing. Ryan pushed the thought away and opened the door towards to what Dylan had called— “The Sex Dungeon”. It revealed a staircase going down the dark abyss, and silence. Ryan walked down the stairs carefully and cautiously, while the wolf followed his tracks.
The deeper he went, the brighter it got. The shelter was like a storage room, and it smelt weird. He took his last step before scanning around for anything to find. The wolf behind him still had it's stance, growl growing quieter and quieter. After a few minutes of standing up, the wolf stayed quiet and the basement was filled with nothing but a string of deafening silence and he and it's uneven breaths. He took a step closer before calling out the air.
“Hello?..”
Ryan could've been so sure he heard a loud chattering from here. Or, maybe that was his brain messing with him. That was until he heard a familiar voice on the corner of the big room.
“Ryan..?”
Abi whispered behind one of the shelves, making Emma shot a glare at her. She whispered in her shoulder. “Abi?! What if that isn't Ryan?”
She looked at Emma, who's face look so reluctant of the idea of showing up. She could hear her worry in her voice. “I don't think wolves can imitate people's voice?”
Emma looked away, realizing that it could've been Ryan. “Fair point.”
As Ryan slowly walked to the direction of the voice, the wolf on the other hand, followed him quietly. No growls, just pants. Abi took a big peek then saw Ryan, who just got out from the aisle. Abi pulled Emma and waved at him, feeling thankful that he's alive too as well.
“RYAN! Yo—You're alive! How's it— AAAAH!?!!”
Before Abi and Emma can even go near him, the wolf behind Ryan took him and hugged him, before growling at the two girls, showing it's terrifying teeth. Abi screamed before Emma, making the shorter gal immediately back up and go behind Emma, who's holding a tazer at the wolf, scared and shocked. She didn't expect to see another wolf right behind him. Emma could barely process what's happening— Ryan? Being hugged by the wolf? No it couldn't be, it's going to hurt him for sure. It took a few seconds before Ryan came back to earth, realizing that the wolf was being protective of him, and also realized that it might want to hurt Abi and Emma.
“HEY! You— No! Stop— Stop! They're friendly! They're not gonna hurt us!”
Ryan hollered, quite an ear piercing one to the wolf yet already enough to draw it's attention. Although the wolf didn't understand him, it quite get the idea of Ryan trying to tell it that the two other humans in front of it were friendly. Ryan gazed at the wolf's face, who's now suddenly calm yet traces of uncertainty were visible to Ryan. The two girls stared at Ryan as the wolf let go of him after he patted the guy in assurance that he'll be okay. The wolf trusted Ryan but it felt distrust from the other two. Emma still held out the tazer, while Abi peeked over Emma's shoulder, probably frightened and confused.
Did the wolf just calmed down after what he said?
Emma was just as confused as Abi now. “Ryan, what is that?”
Ryan looked at the wolf, then to Emma after it pulled it's long arms and claws close to it's chest, while glaring at the two.
“I—I don't know man it just— I don't know! He's my friend now?”
The man himself could feel uncertainty in his voice. He just couldn't say to them that he tamed it, 100%, although risky as hell and was just a lucky escape from the chains of death, he's still not sure even if the wolf literally growled at the two women in front of them because it thought it was threatening Ryan. The way he said it was more of a question and full of doubt.
Emma slowly stepped in closer, pulling a hand out behind her, telling Abi to stay where she stood as she simply stared at her go, then coming to a halt when the wolf started growling at her again. Ryan pulled a hand out and gestured no, stop. The wolf did eventually, yet still keeping it's stance, staring at Emma whilst eyeing Abi at the same time. Emma slowly stepped forward and soon was a few meters away from them, giving Emma an opportunity to look at the wolf, from head to toe. She saw the same thing Ryan did, fur, blood, almost dark maroon skin from all the blood it had, pretty ember eyes, big claws, sharp teeth and a scary appearance.. It was a little slender yet tall, and surely anyone who hadn't seen him will surely scream at the top of their lungs at how terrifying it actually looked like. Upon glancing at each of it's features, he noticed the necklace around it's neck. The wolf just stared at her, while Ryan started gently rubbing the wolf's arm, in assurance that her intentions are pure and harmless. Emma's eye widened when she realized who this could possibly be as she remembered the necklace and him.
“Wait a minute— Oh. My. God. Is that you Dylan?!”
They all could feel wolf's ears move, as well as drawing the attention of the wolf, from Ryan to Emma. As if it wasn't the voice that attracted it, but the name being called. Even if the wolf itself could barely recognize the voice, nor the scent, nor their language, it immediately knew whoever it thought was a literal threat, was just another friend of him. Just by recognizing who it really was before it became the mess he now is.
Ryan couldn't believe what he just saw when the wolf slowly walked up to her like she had a surprise snack for it. Seemingly hesitant yet chose to shove it off the roof of her head, she raised one of her free hands, attempting to pat the wolf as it slowly lowered it's head to her (free) hand's level. Yet she didn't managed to pat it.
Because it started licking her hand like it's an ice cream.
The two, Abi and Ryan, was dumbfounded about what they just saw. Ryan, after he processed the thought of Dylan being the one who's been with him the entire time, and not someone else, chuckled at the wolf's behavior. Emma on the other hand, started giggling as Abi shyly took steps forward, before stopping behind Emma. The wolf didn't mind about it, as it began sniffing Emma's arm to her neck as if it's trying to memorize her scent— making Abi back away a little, scared to intervene.
Emma turned to Abi as her other hand slipped the tazer back to her pocket, before finding it's way to the wolf's face. The wolf avoided her now free hand at first after thinking she still had the tazer, but soon leaned on it when it saw and found nothing. She cupped it then started rubbing it's cheeks using her thumbs. Emma barely realized how terrifying it looks like closer than farther, after her thoughts were just clouded with how cute it behaves and to the matter of fact that it's Dylan that had turned— yet managed to not lash out at them like they normally would. “Abi come! Look how cute our furry work friend is! He's so soft too~”
Abi was still reluctant of the idea of going near her but since Emma took her risks, she thought to do the same too, yet still thinking that the wolf might be luring them into this deep trap of it. She gulped at the appearance of the Dylan they had now. She glanced at Ryan, who's now wearing a small smile she could barely notice, while his hands on his hips, gazing at the trio. “W-What..? I don't think that's a good idea..”
“Come on give it a shot! If it didn't kill me, it shouldn't do you as well.” Emma said, in a convincing voice, assuring that it won't hurt her. It somehow got Abi to nod and agree, as she took a step further and now is near it. Emma backed a step away but not further away from Abi, just in case things take a turn.
“Dylan.. You're not gonna hurt me too right.?” She whispered very sweetly, even if her tone was coated with doubt and fear. The wolf can hear it, it can smell her fear from there. Still very hesitant and scared to do this, it took her a minutes to muster the courage to raise her hand, until Emma cheered her up, probably getting impatient. Ryan on the other hand, simply waited for her, even if he was a little irritated by Abi's fright— yet he couldn't blame her either. She's too soft to be in situations like this so, he understood why she'd doubt until now. She's anxious about it. Everyone did at first glance.
Her hands touched the cheeks of the wolf, making it flinch a little, then moved it's snout to her wrist, licking then sniffing at her. It was then the wolf proceeded to sniff her neck like what it did to the other two, making her giggle as well, while she kept her shivering hands busy; rubbing the back of it, admiring how soft the fur it became— despite feeling some crusts to what she assumed was dry blood.
—————————
It didn't took them a long time before they all got comfortable around the wolf they assumed was Dylan. Emma even joked about how strong his wristwatch was, that's barely keeping itself together yet still holding on to his veiny wrist for dear life. They all sat down in the center of the big room, gathering around for warmth as soon as the room grew cold and eerie around them. Nobody could tell what and how they managed to befriend a wolf, but neither anyone brought that up either. They all ended up sitting with the wolf around them, who lays down, rolls, or snuggles in closer with one of them the time they went along with their conversation. It seemed a little bored yet one of them watched over it and pats it when the wolf felt restless of some sort. They just have to keep an eye of it in case it suddenly eats one of them whole.
Emma turned her head to Dylan who's laying down, back first, that's now looking at her with a tongue out. Cute. “So, how'd you meet this guy?”
Ryan scratched his head. “Well, he chased me. Then the next thing I knew is that we were playing fetch.”
She snorted, while Abi kept a laugh behind her lips, showing a smile. “Wow, that must've been scary.”
“Yours was scarier.” Ryan chuckled, as if he was trying to address it in a jokingly manner. Although what he said was true— having to see a werewolf in that tree house must've been a real nightmare. They were proud of how Emma managed to escape it— as well as use the zipline without safety equipment. Kudos to the bag she saw earlier.
Abi, who's in the middle of the two who're also sitting, glanced at the wolf, giving it a small smile. She thought that it got bored of rolling and walking to and fro again and again the whole time they talked about what had just happened back before they got seperated around the cabins. The wolf didn't even mind about how bored it was, because each one of them gave it the pats it loved every now and then. Abi thought it'll be a good idea to give it a belly rub.
She turned her head around and looked at the wolf, while she placed her hand on its stomach, before starting to rub it in circles. Unsurprisingly, the wolf stayed still and enjoyed the touch. Emma and Ryan watched her do so.
“I really do wonder what Dylan will say about this.” Emma said as her eyes wondered around the wolf's body. It was quite dry now, gray then maroon fur showing up. The ripped clothes that it wore that's barely intact in him were bloody red, the only thing that's not dry yet. Ryan smirked, surprising Emma for a bit, due to how rare he'd smirk, nor smile. She smirked as well, before a chuckle left her lips.
“This is going to be a fun story to tell the kids..” Ryan whispered.
Emma looked at him, now grinning. “You mean, your kids? Y'know what I'm saying?” She chuckled, as she pictured Dylan and Ryan having an adopted kid together. Of course she already knew Ryan had the feelings for Dylan, because why would she include him in her dare if Ryan didn't? And then he did chose him eventually. She was sure Ryan was still a sober that time. Abi and her giggled when Ryan flushed dark red as he looked away, immediately getting the idea.
Ryan scoffed. “You're crazy, Em.”
“And you're crazy in love with him.” She smugly said.
Ryan sighed, agreeing yet feeling annoyed at Emma's tease. Despite Ryan's annoyance, they all still ended up laughing out loud when the wolf purred at his response, like whatever Em said, was agreeable.
“See? Even Dylan agrees with it!”
“S-Shut up..” Ryan stuttered, as his face was darker than before, due to being flustered. Emma snickered while Abi giggled, hand still rubbing Dylan.
The trio felt secured with the wolf with them, while the wolf felt loved and companied with the trio with it. As tired as they felt, they laid down around the wolf, disregarding how cold the floor was yet it's all they have for now. A dim lit room, with shelves around them, and warmth from the three, then Dylan himself.
They could use a little rest for now. Not until they could hear the ladder clang.
They heard the steps on the iron ladder not far away from them, as if someone was going down. Before anyone could turn their heads to the direction to where Mr. H's office was, there stood a shocked and dumbfounded Kaitlyn who's not even daring to point the gun at them, knowing it'll risk the trio.
“Kaitlyn!!! You're here!” Abi cheerily greeted, while keeping the wolf busy. It loved the attention it was getting so much it didn't mind that there was a newfound friend, as Abi continued to do what she did and while whispering things like “Look Dylan it's Kaitlyn your best friend~” or “Dylan look you've got a new friend~”. Ryan stood up from his comfort spot, approaching Kaitlyn, who immediately shot him a glare.
“Ryan, what the fuck is that?”
“Our new furry friend.”