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Chapter 12

"Old wounds that change us"

ACT 1

(The Storyteller's Dreams - James Horner - Apocalypto)

2249

Charlie was a nine-year-old boy among the tribe of Suturu.

Ethan and Tisha loved their son over anything in this world and raised him as best as they could to become a fine warrior. Maya personally would walk among the people from time to time, following from the side as Charlie was growing up with other kids of the tribe. It was clear that the child was special. He ended up being the bravest one out of the kids of his age. A great hunter at such an early age. Sharpest eyes to aid the hunt. Maya would spend nights telling bedtime stories and great tales to him... And let the spirits give his soul strength with the face paintings regularly.

Ethan and Tisha had both lived more than the happiest nine years of their life together, outside of the threats that the old world held. Ethan had completely forgotten already most of life and conflict of the old world... The only feeling, the need for revenge over Allen's life and to kill president Richardson, was gone. Because Maya had told in a vision that she had seen, that the man had died. Killed by an unknown hero on an oil rift far away in the sea, along with the bad, black steel suited men.

That had laid the last of hatred from Ethan into rest... And now the man he once loved could rest in peace.

The days went on as Ethan taught his son how to hunt... How to fish... And how to survive out in the wild. Charlie was a fast learner and made his father more than proud.

The days went on... Until the most terrible tragedy fell on the tribe... And Ethan proved his worth as Raturu... With a great cost.

It was just like any other beautiful day. Charlie was at the high mountain, learning how to climb rocks and trees with Ethan's guidance... And their special task of the day was to locate the great glowing Yao Guai. Ethan's task was to show his son how to take down the great beast and bring it for the tribe.

The location of this beast had been around the top of the mountain, close to the high edge and known passageway to the Texas wasteland. If you would arrive at the passageway and walk for a while, you would see some of the Texas ground itself... And with luck maybe even a few towns in the far horizon.

The pathway between the red stone mountains was narrow and was basically just one linear passage out the tropical valley.

You could see the tropical and jungle trees change into many different oaks instead the more you got out of the valley. It was not really advised for anyone from the tribe to travel this far out of the valley to hunt, but Ethan and Charlie were determined to catch the beast.

They didn't find a beast... But they found something else alright. Something they wished they would have not encountered.

Ethan felt that something was not right. He felt it in his veins like an instinct. He listened to the ground with his pressed ear... And told Charlie to hide as quickly as he could.

The confused boy had run to climb the nearby and tall tree, safe from the danger. First, he had thought that Ethan had just sensed the beast's presence and was waiting for Charlie to jump from the tree with the knife when needed... But that wasn't the case.

After a few more steps through the bushes... The rocks and grass lifted up from the ground, a group of men aiming their guns at him.

Ethan ended up being surrounded quickly by soldiers all around them. Some of the soldiers had clearly been there for a while now, having camouflaged themselves with the environment and waited for the right moment.

As the Humvees and all the guns aimed at Ethan, the dog had dropped his spear and his knives on the ground, surrendering. He had no idea what was going on or who these people were. They were so heavily armed that he had no chance with his tribal weapons... And his son's life was on the line would they find him. Young Charlie had managed to hide in the nearby tree just before the ambush on Ethan, watching scaredly from the heights as the men approached his father with their guns up.

No one fired a shot... Yet. Ethan scaredly asked what would be the meaning of such hostility and where did the people come from...

And before he got his answer, a man approached him.

The man was about ten years older than Ethan... And he was a scar-faced bunny, introducing himself as Private Reed. The bunny was missing one eye as well, having an eye patch.

Ethan looked at the bunny long enough, after intense conversation that was torning into a hostile shouting match on the bunny's part.

And soon enough, someone else arrived beside the bunny, looking at the man in front of him like it was not possible. Like staring at a god himself.

He was a black wolf, named General Hans. Formal and neat looking man.

And when the bunny gave his real name to him...

Quan.

Ethan realized who he was talking to.

And the situation had gotten a hell of a lot worse.

The general could not believe his eyes. Ethan was barely wearing any clothes, was painted with tribal signs and spoke English slightly poorly as well.

But he understood perfectly well what the general said when a hateful and disgusted tone spat out the words.

"You fucking traitor."

Right during this moment, as Quan and the soldiers started to show more than hostile behavior, Ethan started to back up slowly, the soldiers behind him blocking his path and looking all equally betrayed, clearly contemplating if they should shoot the dog down right now.

Charlie acted.

He started to whistle, copying the sound of some exotic bird. The whistle went around the valley and echoed around the mountains... And that got the soldiers alerted. They knew that the bird had not made the nose. They started to question Ethan if anyone was nearby...

And Ethan played coy by saying no. But his soul was calling the help of Maya. And he really needed the answer.

Quan asked one more time if Ethan remembered him and took his gun out in agitation, feeling insulted from not hearing it.

Until Ethan spoke.

"I do remember you... And you should have never come back here. Not after what you did."

"Didn't have any choice. Personal matter." The bunny tried to argue.

"You did the right thing but not telling anyone... By staying out. You do not fear for your soul now?" He asked like the bunny was going to damnation for betraying his tribe once again.

"... Already am. But maybe the sky spirits won't judge me if I just kill Maya myself." The bunny said like it was a possibility.

"You..."

"Maybe the sky spirits die with her. I guess we see soon enough, once we pay a visit."

This time, they had to hold Ethan by arms, as he was trying to attack the bunny for saying such a threat out loud.

And it was clear that the bunny was ashamed right away from saying the words. But seeing Ethan angry and desperate gave him satisfaction beyond words.

"And I am more than happy that I can publicy execute you for treason." The wolf general said next to the bunny, giving a tap at his shoulder.

"You kept your word. I will keep mine."

"Mhh." The bunny said back.

The dog had no idea what this was all about... But he had bigger problems than knowing such.

But the question is... What was going on right now?

That is what I am here to tell.

This was Quan's story.

.............

As Maya had ten years ago set the three brave men for the rescue mission into the great unknown, it had been quite an adventure indeed.

Quan, Tesshin and the third tribesman called Niro had arrived at Ethan's crash site week later, but things had gone terribly wrong.

The vertibird crash site was soon swarmed by more than a few factions. Raiders, the febris scouts themselves, and a curious bounty hunters. Every single one of them was there with a different goal. The raiders were just looking for someone to loot, but if they would recognize the unconscious and injured dog, they would kill him slowly. If bounty hunters would find Ethan, they would kidnap Ethan and ask for ransom from the febris army. And the febris was obviously there to rescue Ethan, would he still be alive. The only advantage these three tribesmen had, was to arrive there fastest and just half an hour after the crash, due to the prophecy of Maya predicting it.

The three found Ethan and started to drag him out of the burning area, hearing people coming from distances into the scene. And once all of the three factors arrived, a fight broke out.

A bloody one.

All of the ten raiders died rather fast due to being most unorganized but managed to kill two febris scouts with a grenade. The group of four bounty hunters fought against the remaining febris out of misunderstanding and tense situation, having no choice. The tribal men barely managed to kill anyone with their bows and arrows, and had to escape while carrying Ethan. During the escape, Niro tried to buy them time and cover Tesshins and Quan's back. The last of the febris were dead and the last remaining bounty hunter wasn't going to let these weirdly dressed warriors take away his prize, especially after all his friends had died trying. Niro fought with spear against the bounty hunter who was talented with his bowie knife, and Niro ended up losing, getting stabbed in the heart. The bounty hunter tried to follow the two remaining tribesmen through the sandstorm but failed, being still slightly injured and too hesitant to follow. So, all he could do, was to give up to the chase and run where he came from, knowing who he should bring this information to.

Meanwhile, the two tribesmen now only had one goal. To bring Ethan all the way back to the tribe and be branded as heroes. But as the water and food was running low, and dangers of the wasteland kept hitting the two, the tension was rising. Taking Ethan back home was a pain. At some point, they would have to find food and water.

At some point, they encountered a village. Tesshin was clueless about what to do, but Quan was going to risk it all to get them what they needed. He was actually one of the few people from the tribe that knew the English language. It wasn't perfect at all but it was good enough to understand. The reason partly why Maya had trusted Quan to be a valuable asset, would the need come for such talent out there. The bunny had to rob someone's clothes to cover his basically naked body and tribal paints, acting like he was just wastelander among others. While Tesshin was hiding far away from the village with Ethan, the bunny tried to talk the local store into giving him water and food... Until the store owner asked for caps in return. The bunny had no idea what the man meant and tried to give the man his bow and arrows in return, along with his tribal spear. The store owner had laughed at the man, telling him he was touched in the head. Hungry, thirsty and desperate, Quan's patience was running low. The bunny started to argue that he was just going to take what he wanted and leave. The store manager reacted, yelling for the villagers to help and alarm the febris soldiers in the area.

The bunny knew that things were about to go bad. He started whistling loudly, signaling Tesshin that the plan had failed and they needed to go.

Quan killed the store manager with a spear through the head and started to steal everything he could get his hands on. Weapons, grenades, ammo. Everything he had seen the people using against him, Niro and Tesshin at the crash site. Way more effective than their weapons, and surely handy from now on.

But before he was able to escape the store, gunfire by the febris soldiers gave him hell. He was trapped. But Tesshin was his wild card. The tribal husky man sneaked behind the soldiers one by one, managing to kill them with his knife and spear. It gave enough time for Quan to escape. But the soldiers kept arriving, and the two had to escape the village in time.

That day, luck was on their side. And they got what they needed.

But as they returned back for Ethan, answering the gunfire they got from the soldiers, the dog was trying to crawl away. He had somewhat regained his consciousness and was trying to escape desperately while crawling on the desert, having no idea where he was and who was shooting.

Quan and Tesshin could not let any of the febris see Ethan and possible escape to tell others, or the plan would be failed. They needed to kill every last one.

The guns that Quan had managed to steal from the store gave the two advantages they needed, as difficult it was to use these unknown weapons. Due to having high ground and good spots on the hill, the two managed to kill all the reinforcements of the remaining four men of the febris, just barely.

But Ethan had managed to crawl far away during the fight.

Soon enough the husky found his way under a bridge and hid there, panting and dying of thirst, fearing that he was being followed.

Within ten minutes, he was already found by Quan, Tesshin still scouting far away for the husky. The dog begged Quan to not hurt him... And the bunny kneeled down. The thing was, Quan, didn't care for prophecies or how important Ethan could be to their tribe. He was only in the task to get a reward and respect. And one of those rewards was to marry a girl that both Quan and Tesshin were in love with. Quan saw nothing special in this dog and didn't feel friendly over the fact that he had just killed men and almost died to save Ethan's life, while the dog was just trying to escape. And he felt like bringing an outsider to their tribe and live their blessed life would be disgraceful without earning it.

Quan took his knife out and spoke to the dog that if he would ever try to escape again, he would cut his ears off. That he was nothing but a burden so far, and that he didn't even deserve to join the Suturu tribe in his eyes. Of course, Ethan had no idea what the bunny was talking about. As Tesshin was yelling the tribal language in distance, calling Quan out, the bunny saw the opportunity of a lifetime. He kept thinking, signaling with a finger over his mouth for Ethan to not say a word. The dog was even more confused.

Quan started to think that If he was the only one who survived and Tesshin would be left behind... He would get all the rewards. He knew that if it came to the girl, Tala... Tala would choose Tesshin over him when it would come to the question of who gets the woman. As well as the titles and honors would be equally shared. Tesshin was already more loved in the tribe, and Quan was known as the grumpy, greedy one. So, it was time for him to earn a more pleasant light from the tribe, instead of what he had now. The only one that could prevent that from happening, was the husky yelling his name right now nearby. And he couldn't allow that. So, he was going to take things into his own hands. The tribe's holy rules were never to kill another tribe member. But there was never a rule about abandoning one. So, he was going to wait out his chance... And do what needed to be done.

He gagged Ethan and laid him out on the rocks, hiding behind one pillar nearby.

He yelled for Tesshin to come over, and that he found Ethan. When the tribal painted husky arrived with a piston in his paw and nothing but loincloth as his protection, he saw the gagged husky on the riverside. Ethan was looking at this other husky, noticing the same tribal paints around his fur and wondering why he was barely covering himself. The bunny had at least some clothes on, but Ethan didn't know they had just been stolen to play a role. The painted husky slowly arrived towards Ethan, giving alarmed and concerned look as he tried to make sense of why he was gagged. Ethan got on his knees from the ground, his eyes widening as the bunny was sneaking behind this husky. Before Tesshin could make sense of the sight and tried to call for the bunny, the impact hit him.

The bunny knocked the husky out cold, looking down on his tribal brother. He spoke quietly.

"Sorry. Nothing personal, Tes."

After ripping off the tribal necklace that Tesshin was used to wearing as a gift from Tala, he walked over to Ethan. The bunny grabbed the dog from the ground, tying his hands behind his back. He took all the gear, loading his rifle and laying nothing but two water bottles and a tribal knife next to unconscious Tesshin, ruffling his head a bit with a somber look and whispered.

"I hope you make it out here, brother."

"Who is he?! And why did you knock him out?! What is going on here?! Answer me!" And before Ethan could manage to yell anymore, Quan knocked him out as well with a strong right hook, Ethan's vision blacking out.

And so, the journey continued with nothing but Quan and Ethan alone from thereon.

The journey was still long ahead, and Ethan didn't make it any easier for Quan. He kept telling that if he would return him alive for Febris, he would be handsomely rewarded. Quan had no interest in the offer. He told that there was a girl to be married and glory to be claimed. Ethan tried to argue against that as well, telling there were tons of beautiful ladies to choose from back home. Quan still had no interest. He kept himself focused.

He barely fed or gave water to Ethan, disliking him the more he kept talking back to him. The following days were spent hiding from the scouting febris, still in search of their husky leader. Quan ended up killing travelers coldly for his own gain and knew that leaving any witness alive, it would end up badly for him on the long run. He didn't need anyone to follow him. As many times as Ethan tried to interfere to stop Quan from killing people, the bunny had the upper hand in each turn. Quan was a better hand to hand fighter than Ethan, and the dog having his hands tied by ropes always made it impossible to really bite back.

But once Ethan began talking about who he was and what he had done... Quan listened. First, he thought that the husky was lying. There was no way that Ethan was general of some army, or commanded such a force of me and women. The dog tried to make the bunny understand that the whole future of Texas wasteland was resting on his shoulders now. Without him, febris would choose someone totally incapable in the worst case, who didn't know the land or had anyone there to help him or her out with decision making.

Ethan made it sound genuine, but Quan was still not going to change his mind. He didn't need any ties to this land. He had everything he needed back home. The only thing that Quan liked out here, was conflict. He loved fighting. There was not a lot of that back in the tribe, except when it came to hunting or sparring with fellow tribals... But here, he got to kill actual people who truly fought back. And he loved that rush it brought in him. It was the only thing he enjoyed so far, compared to terrible food, landscape, and Ethan's whining.

Until Ethan told that the man he loved, was killed in front of him because he was ready to protect the people and not give up to someone else's tyranny. Ethan told that he wanted the man responsible dead more than anything. Ethan's whole life was dedicated for revenge. Quan gave his apologizes and felt understanding and sympathy for the first time for the dog... But it didn't change Ethan's situation.

The bunny kept his course, thinking Ethan's talk about being a known man out here was just a lie, trying to play him.

On a fourth day, Quan had to pass through a local mining site where an old man was living all alone with nothing but his five-year-old daughter. Quan busted the door in and with gun in hand demanded for resting place overnight from the two under safe roof. After the scared old man accepted and begged Quan not to hurt him or his daughter, Quan laid his gun down and tied Ethan in a corner. The old man recognized Ethan soon and questioned why on earth was the hostile bunny holding a Winchester legend a captive. The bunny was confused. A legend? So, the stories Ethan had told still held value after all?

So, maybe Ethan really wasn't a liar... But the valley of Suturu was his home and he was not going to just ignore Maya's task, or chance of marrying the most beautiful woman he knew.

Right now, his problem was that the old man knew Ethan... And would possibly tell anyone about seeing him here. The old man and his daughter were liability now.

Ethan started to yell and beg for Quan to not shoot them, as the rabbit grabbed his gun and commanded them both on their knees. The old man and the daughter started crying, promising they would never dare to tell anyone. Quan didn't believe it. He knew that killing children was unethical as it could be, but he had no choice since he was this close to getting home and claiming his rewards.

Until the old man said that in return for their lives, he would give something invaluable and incredible for the bunny.

While being on gunpoint, the old man slowly walked towards the corner, removing some wooden panels from the floor. He would dig up, using a key from his pocket to open a case.

During his whole life as a miner in this abandoned mine, he had been lucky. No one believed there to be anything valuable left around the area. But the man had found some. He had found few small gemstones to give to his daughter once he would pass away, in order for the girl to start a new life with them in somewhere better and claim caps from them. The man had indeed found three gemstones. He picked out the biggest one, handing it over to the bunny with a trembling paw. A shining emerald. Easily worth more than a fortune. The rabbit was indeed mesmerized by it. It was the most beautiful object he had seen. He slowly took it in his paw. If he would give this to Tala once back at the valley... It would be a gift she would never forget. The rabbit kept his promise. He left the two alone and said that it was their lucky day. He had to respect such a gift in return for their life.

They stayed overnight... And the next day, they continued their journey.

The rabbit had stuffed the gem somewhere it couldn't be found easily. In his ear. It would make his hearing slightly worse, but other option was to shove it in his ass, and that he wasn't going to do. Ear would be better. Because in case the worst would happen and him and Ethan would be killed, at least no one would find the gem from him, since it was stuck deep in a place where no one would even think about looking.

On the evening of the fifth day, the two were located at nearby cave around a campfire.

The journey was only two days from ending, Quan knowing just by looking at the stolen map where to go. Ethan was trying to speak final sense to the bunny while at the campfire in a small cave. It was not too late to surrender and become rich. But the thing is, the bunny didn't care about riches. He had a freaking emerald in his ear. And caps held no value in where they were going. The bunny just told Ethan to shut up and accept what was happening.

The husky grew impatient, seeing the hateful and stubborn bunny not change his mind, along with refusing to answer any questions about where he was taking him or what his fate was... So, Ethan ended up with the last possible solution to see if it was the right one.

Threats.

Ethan told that if Quan would not let him go right now, and take him back home to febris... He would make sure that once he would be free and find his way back to febris, he was going to make sure that Quan and his future wife would be the first ones to die on their knees.

That caught Quan's attention fast, changing the whole energy... But not the way Ethan expected. Quan was cold and fearless... And he didn't take lightly to threats. No matter if it came from tribes chosen one or not. He started beating Ethan up against the ground, trying to make him shut up from screaming insults at him and spitting at his face. Ethan kept yelling for the bunny to cut him loose and let him fight back fairly. The bunny took the challenge to see if the dog really had any fight in him, cutting his ties. But just as the fight was about to happen, the bunny was attacked from behind, Ethan jumping to the side in scare. The fact that the gem had blocked the bunny's other ear, hearing the footsteps had been harder to detect.

The attacker was Tesshin. He had been underestimated badly by his tribal brother, and he had tracked the two down just by following the mess Quan had left behind. The two were biting eachother and fighting like savages, Ethan seeing that this was his moment to escape, this time untied and conscious.

But something stopped him. He knew he could make a run for it and never look back... But he saw quickly how the fight was about to turn out for the two. With either one dead. The high caliber revolver that Quan had on his holster was pulled out, but Tesshin managed to kick Quan's paw in time to make him miss the shot. They both started to fight for the control over the gun, Quan pressing the trigger again and firing another loud shot that echoed in the cave.

Tesshin raged Quan to let go of the gun and fight fair, but the bunny was not intending to lose the fight, knowing Tesshin might try to kill him for the betrayal.

The bunny managed to almost point the revolver at Tesshin's head, firing again and making the ears of the dog ring.

Tesshin fell on the ground due to a popped ear chamber, holding his ear and ending up staring the barrel of the gun, the bunny hesitating to fire, but slowly squeezing the trigger.

Until Ethan attacked. The dog kicked the gun from the bunny's hand, making it fly to the corner.

Right hook at Quan's muzzle made one of teeth fall off, the furious bunny starting to fight back.

The dog whose ears were ringing started to come back to his senses as he saw the two fighting eachother, starting to crawl for the revolver on the ground rapidly.

Quan quickly had managed to reach a knife from his belt and stabbed Ethan right in his stomach, Ethan screaming from pain and shoving the bunny on the ground to get distance. The dog was falling on his knees, holding the handle of the knife that was still stuck in his stomach, looking at Quan with hate and desperation in his eyes.

The bunny walked over to Ethan and hit him in the head without mercy, knocking him down.

Quan turned around, only to see that Tesshin was aiming the revolver at him.

The fight was over at that point on Quan's part, knowing that he was about to die.

But instead, Tesshin was crying and yelling at Quan. He was begging to know why the bunny he had loved like a brother, betrayed him like this. The bunny couldn't understand how at this point the dog was still not going to kill him. He had every reason to. But Tesshin was a better man and respected the rules of the tribe. Never kill another tribal.

The dog panted and told that if he would put his gun down, Quan would not try anything bad anymore. Ethan was injured and whining on the ground, and if he would not get bandages and first aid from their bag soon, this whole trip could have been for nothing.

The bunny promised that he would not try to betray Tesshin anymore... All the while holding a piece of a rock behind his back in his fist.

The husky shed a tear and trusted the bunny, dropping the gun on the ground and trying to walk past the bunny to attend helping Ethan.

The moment he was next to the bunny, Ethan saw the rock with his blurry vision and yelled Tesshin to watch out. It was too late. The bunny smacked the husky right in his face with a rock and made him fall down, starting to smash his head over and over. Tesshin yelled in terror, begging for Quan to stop or he would die. All the while Quan yelled that he was going to marry the woman she loved and this had to be done, and he would hate himself for the rest of his life for doing this. But in his mind, it was the only way. The husky kept taking the rock in his face over and over until Ethan yelled.

"QUAN!"

And the brief moment that bunny turned to look at Ethan's way, ended up costing him.

All the while Quan had focused on Tesshin, Ethan had pulled out the knife from his stomach, holding it in his hand. He threw the knife with focused aim right in Quan's left eye, piercing it and making the bunny fall down from top of Tesshin.

The bunny started screaming and holding his face, rolling on the floor in total outrage mixed with instant fear, having lost half his vision.

Ethan was falling down and seeing everything as blurry again, slowly turning into darkness. He passed out.

Tesshin had crawled up from the ground, looking as Quan was still rolling around and cursing like a man who lost his mind. He had realized soon what had happened. Ethan had saved his life.

The bunny had tried to gather himself to grab the revolver from the ground, intending to shoot both. But Tesshin had reached the gun first very easily during the bunny's struggle crawling, slowly taking it from the ground.

Quan raged at Tesshin that the dog would never have it in him to kill his tribal brother, no matter what. There was no threat in Tesshin holding the gun because he would not stain his tribal "honor" and rules of Maya.

The dog shed a tear and knew that it was true.

He wasn't going to kill Quan, even after betraying him twice over his greed... But he was going to make sure that the bunny would never return to his rightful home.

The dog said that the bunny would be banished and that Maya would have him killed if he would try to come back, after telling everyone what the bunny had tried to do. Or worse, curse his soul with the evil sky spirits. The dark ones. Quan knew in his rage and pain while holding his mangled eye socket, that the tribe would believe Tesshin and Ethan over him...

He had lost everything.

The bunny's first arrogant and hateful attitude was now turning into sorrow and regret. He was begging the dog to kill him out of mercy, now instead giving Tesshin his blessing to break the rule. He had one eye, no home, and he was in a stranger's land, being most likely chased due to his crimes on the road. It would be a matter of hours before someone would find him here, and they both knew it. There was too much heat on Quan's tail. Tesshin wanted to forgive... But couldn't. Last of the sympathy he had for the bunny was gone.

Instead of ending Quan's misery... The hate out of being betrayed was still burning inside him, despite the empathy for this pathetic and greedy soul in front of him... He aimed the revolver down and shot Quan right in his foot as answer, just to make sure that he wouldn't be able to try to follow and kill them.

The bunny was now screaming even harder, bleeding all over and yelling and cursing them both to the deepest damnation.

The dog shed the last tear and told him that there was a way out for the bunny since Tesshin would never kill another tribal member, just like Quan had said.

He counted the bullets in the revolver, having only one left. He tossed the gun in the corner and told Quan that if he wanted to die... He could use the last bullet to take his own life.

The husky walked away from the bleeding and screaming bunny, taking all the bags of gear and supplies, along with carrying Ethan now on his shoulders.

The bunny cried, screamed and insulted the husky, turning into a dying lunatic in the cave, as Tesshin walked out with Ethan, not even bothering to look behind him anymore... And soon enough not able to hear his tribal brother yell in the cave anymore. It was safe to assume that he was going in shock from the blood loss now. But they had done it to save their own lives from the dangerous and greedy soul. They didn't hear the revolver go off... But in the end, the dog didn't even want to.

Tesshin had one last journey in front of him... And he was going to make sure Ethan made it to his new home alive.

---

(Johnny Cash- God's Gonna Cut You Down)

Quan found himself asking in the darkness if he was dead, and was he about to join the sky spirits after all? Or to be cursed in a pit of mist for the rest of his life as a wandering soul due to his horrible choices?

He had no answer to either... But he got something else.

"He is awake."

A voice echoed, bright lights blinding his remaining eye.

He ended up staring at a running ceiling fan, spreading gust of small wind around the warm environment.

As he slowly turned with a weak movement to look next to him, he saw a figure.

A grey-furred ram of twenty-five, dressed in neat and pure white suit. He had a tie, a golden cane, and a golden watch. The appearance spoked wealth. It was a weird costume for the bunny to observe, as he had never witnessed anything like it. Shiny and attention-grabbing all over. The ram had somewhat a wicked grin on himself, more than excited that the bunny had woken up. Quan slowly started to sit up on the couch. The ram just observed him in peace. The bunny slowly felt with his paw as half his face was wrapped in linen, his injury somewhat attended to. So was his foot. The bullet had clearly been removed, and his whole foot was healed. He had no idea how. It felt like it never had been shot in the first place.

Quan observed around himself. The place was rather big. There were people in line of sight, walking around the place and having dressed rather... Intimate. It definitely caught the eye. Not that it shocked him since he was practically used to living naked his whole life. But this was something else.

Around the ram, there was two men. Two otters to be precise. They were armed with assault rifles, observing the bunny with a rather threatening gaze.

The ram cleared his throat and caught the bunny's attention.

"Do you know English?"

"..." The bunny was just staring at him.

"... I asked you a quest-" The ram repeated with eyeroll.

"I speak some of it." The bunny answered.

The visible relief on the ram's face was present now. That answer had saved him a lot of time. It was safe to assume that Quan wasn't from these lands, since he had some weird tribal tattoos around him.

The ram's next words were rather more distinctive.

"Good... Now, this next question is very... Very important.... Where is Ethan Winchester?"

The rabbit's remaining eye widened and it only told the ram that bunny knew exactly who he was talking about, smiling widely now.

The ram introduced himself as Baron George. The owner of the establishment among others. He told that the rabbit was now in the heart of a Baxton city. The baron explained that he had many professions. A most known pimp in the whole city, chem trafficker, and also an owner of the bounty hunting company "The collectors."

None of these names, professions and titles made any sense to Quan. He was confused as one could be.

The ram asked for a cigar from one of his men. He lighted it up and took few huffs as he leaned back against the opposite couch of Quan's, talking again.

He explained that one of his bounty hunters had arrived to a crash site of a verdibird a week ago, and had seen Ethan Winchester himself. He had told about a scuffle and killing one of the inappropriately dressed and oddly painted warriors, seeing two of the remaining and alive ones carry unconscious Winchester away to the sandstorms.

This bounty hunter had been part of Baron George's company, and had brought this viable information to the Baron himself.

So, the Baron had of course sent more men on a hunt for this legendary name, and apparently Quan had killed few of those hunters. But by the time they had lost Winchester's trail, they had found the bunny instead, passed out and bleeding badly in a cave with one eye. They had used a stimpak to save his foot, but not able to save his eye. But it was clear that Quan was one of the two men who had been carrying Winchester, so he must have had the answer to question where Ethan was being taken.

"Makes sense, doesn't it?" The ram asked with proud smile theatrically with his arms spread, continuing on smoking his cigar.

The bunny took his time to process and think.

Why wouldn't he tell these men? The thing was, he wanted revenge. But if he would tell where Ethan was, the secret location of the tribe would be found as well. And there were two very bad outcomes from that situation. One, the men and women were talented fighters in the tribe. They would kill any mercenary company taking even a step near the red rocks that led to the valley. Which would mean that sooner or later, more soldiers would be sent, and it would begin a war. The winner would be the question. It would be a mess. And second. Maya would know who to blame for the betrayal. And she would most likely set some holy curse on him for the rest of his life.

No. He had done enough fuck ups for one life. He had already lost his home and his friends. He didn't need to lose the last remaining piece of his soul as well. For what it was worth... He wanted to try dedicating the rest of his life to fixing his mistakes, trying to find last redemption as a chance to be accepted by the holy sky spirits once he would die. It would be the worst lie to deny knowing anything about Ethan or his whereabouts... So, Quan just gave a strict answer.

"... No."

"...Noooo as iiiin, you are trying to shove shit to my face and tell me you have no absolute idea why or where you were carrying him ooorr-"

"I do know where he is... I just won't tell you anything."

That answer was not expected by the ram by a mile. Even the guards chuckled a bit in amusement over the worst possible answer to give. The ram took a whiff of his cigar and leaned in.

"What is your name?"

"... Quan."

"Quan... Alright. I'll tell you what, Quan. Nobody. I mean, NOBODY. Tells me no. Here is what happens. I will give you another try. Second and last as a goodwill. Tell me where Winchester is, or I will order my men to cut your fingers and toes off with pliers, stuff salt in your wounds and cut off your balls. Now. Having a different attitude, Quan?"

The bunny was clearly shocked by the answer but was not backing down from his decision.

"Why do you want him?" The bunny asked.

It was not the answer the ram wanted but the leaned back in frustration against his couch as he smoked his cigar some more.

"The febris is offering ten thousand caps for his safe return, and I intend to find him and claim all that before someone else finds him. Simple as that."

"If... If I give you something worth more than caps... Will you forget him?"

Now the ram was rather mindfucked.

He started to laugh for the first time in a long time, the guards trying to hold a straight face without success as well. The ram coughed on his cigar for a while and spoke.

"Quan, I need you to quit playing games and tell me where Winchester is or I will have your back whipped till there is no fur left. I am all for jokes but not in this situat-"

"So, you are saying no to my offer? You don't want riches?" The bunny asked in confusion.

The ram was slowly losing his smile and huffing his cigar in annoyance as he was getting restless.

"Listen to me, you slow-minded piece of shit, where the fucking hell are you going to pull me ten k of caps? Out of your ass?" The ram asked like the rabbit was wasting his time and patience.

"I... I got something that is worth more." The rabbit claimed with a genuine tone. The ram ignored it with a sigh and spoke with a tired tone.

"... Tell me where Winchester is. Now."

"You tell me you want riches... But you refuse to take any? You outlanders confuse me. Me trying to be a friend. We... We get a deal? That should be the word?" The bunny spoke, trying to make the best out of this situation. He really was not going to lead a war against his tribe to shame last of himself.

The ram could despite his annoyance find some sort of interest in the behavior and the way this rabbit was approaching a very threatening situation. He didn't seem concerned over getting tortured at all. There was just something odd about him... And it interested the ram. The baron took another huff of a cigar and cleared his throat.

"So, you are truly claiming that you can get me something more valuable than the reward I would claim from finding the Winchester?"

"... Yes. Me promise." The bunny said quietly.

"It is I promise. Jesus Christ, you really a tribal or some shit. How do people like you even survive? With sticks and rocks? You guys fuck in the mud and eat toads?" The baron laughed, his guards mocking the bunny as well.

"Spears. Not sticks."

"Sp-The man said spears-" Ram began, laughing even more with his guards, not denying that the bunny was as funny as he was frustrating.

"Do we have the deal?" The bunny asked carefully as the three had calmed down.

"... Alright then, my oddly talking slow buddy. How much time do you need? I don't intend to give you more than twenty-four hours. And remember... IF this is some fucking joke out of you... You will have me making your death painful as one can be... Do you understand that?" The ram asked and blew a cloud of smoke at the rabbits face calmly, making him look at the smoke with interest like a child.

"... Yes. Quan understands. Me... I-I mean, I... I already suffered a lot... I ready to suffer anything you do... Because I have deserved it. I will not give Winchester... But I will give you something more than caps... Better. No trick." The bunny said calmly.

"... So, you really don't care if you fuck up and that I cut your limbs apart for wasting my time?" The ram asked once again, just to see the bunny was confident enough to push himself this far.

"... That does sound... Bad. But I have done bad things... And... Sky spirit will maybe see that pain as the debt to be paid." The bunny said with a sorrowful tone.

"... What the fuck does that even mean?" The ram asked with an amused smile, his guards chuckling as well and whispering to each other.

"We have a deal or no?" The bunny finally asked, now sounding annoyed himself.

That took the smile from the ram right away, him snapping his fingers loudly.

"MEELLLYYY! Come over here my dear, will you?"

The bunny slowly followed as he saw someone approach from behind the counter of the bar. He had not seen this person before.

She was an amazingly beautiful looking white-furred deer girl. The rabbit was almost mesmerized as the girl walked slowly behind the couch, leaning her hands on the edges and speaking with a soft voice.

"Yes, daddy?"

"This slow brained friend of mine here wants to cut a deal with me. Since the two guards behind me can work as a witness in this unusual situation, I'd like you to fetch me a quill and paper. Quan here wants to sign an official deal with me, and I have to make the most formal approach un such an... Exciting promise. Be a lovely gal and bring me a glass of scotch while you at it?"

"... Will do. Ice with it?" She asked with a bored tone, not even bothering to act like she cared.

"No thanks, sugar. I'm cold enough." The ram chuckled warmly and used the opportunity to slap the deer's ass roughly as she was turning away from him. She barely had a reaction.

"... Quan, she pleases your eye?"

"... Huh?"

"Melly? She please your one remaining eye, eh? I see you looking at my merchandise. Her name is Melly Reed. She is my property. Cute gal. I killed her parents over a drug debt. Took her in after. I'll tell you what? You make this deal happen, I let you sleep with her. She good. Gives amazing suck down there. Consider it a bonus?" The ram asked with an amused tone, both his guards laughing now a bit at the craziness of this all. The rabbit was annoyed slightly by being made fun of like this, but the baron commanded with hand suggestive for both to stop. He wanted to clearly see out of interest what the bunny had to say.

"... I'll... No. She is a very beautiful woman though. Never seen anyone like her. I hope she happy?" Quan asked with slight concern, still looking after the deer. He could see her watching right back at him with few tired looks as she was going through some things behind the counter.

"Happy? Oh, we have a romantic one in our hands. I'll let you marry the bitch while you at it, eh? Consider it a bonus. Or anyone else you like from this bordel for that matter. You like boys or gals? Which one you have taste for, Quan?"

"... Girls, sir."

"Aaaah... Now you are already addressing as you should. Sir is a good start. Baron would be more fitting. We will get there. Assuming you survive till the next day. Alright. Woman it is. Melllyy!!!! What is taking so long with your fine ass?"

"On my way, daddy." The girl sighed, coming over with tired steps and carrying everything requested.

"Beautiful. Quan here is going to get me over ten thousand caps today. I told him that he gets to marry you if he succeeds. -"

"I- I never talked about agreeing to-" The rabbit began with apologizing tone towards the deer.

"What?" The deer asked, finally waking up to the conversation like she had been asleep the whole time.

"You heard me, bitch. This one-eyed bunny here is gonna get you as his own if he does what needs to be done."

"I want something else too." The bunny suddenly said.

"OOOoohhoooh... See... If you really are not about to waste my time here, Quan... You impress me. You are really hanging your balls on the table right here. Max over here behind me will hit you with his gun and break your nose if you keep talking big." The ram chuckled, huffing his cigar again. Slowly, he took the quill in hand and started to write his name on the document. He laid the document on the table after signing his name down fancily and spoke.

"Now you." He sighed.

"... I... What do I write? How?" The bunny asked awkwardly.

"... What the fuck you mean? You write your name." The ram smiled.

"I don't know how to write... Only read... And quite... Bad." The bunny muttered with an apologizing tone.

"... You really not from Texas are ya?"

"... No."

"... Well just scribble something on it, imbecile." The ram chuckled interestedly to see how it would go. This bunny truly was a tribal from somewhere far.

The bunny took his time to awkwardly mess up the paper and try to copy wah the ram had done, poorly. The paper ended up having just some sloppy and muddy text that spelled out "Que".

"That'll do. Melly?" The ram asked with a charming smile as he handed the paper over to the deer girl who was still looking at the bunny like he had lost his mind making a deal like this with this ram.

"O-oh, yes. Sorry." She stuttered, taking the paper in hand.

"That is fine, dear." The ram chuckled.

"I want a job... Can you... Get me a job too? Something to do?" The bunny asked innocently.

"... Man... Cut the bullshit act right now and tell me how many hours you need? Twenty-four hours is the limit. Where do you plan on going to the city where you have never been? You try to go and rob our saloons, gun stores, general stores? You can try, there you would find more caps than I need, easily... But you would be killed at the first door before you can do anything but maybe kill one person. I can provide you with a handgun and one clip to go with it, just to make things interesting-" The ram began explaining theatrically, the guards chuckling once again like this was going to be entertaining to witness, but hey were cut off bluntly.

"I need ten seconds." The rabbit said.

"... Pardon?" The baron asked and sipped his drink. The deer girl was still standing there, observing the situation and the confident bunny.

"Ten. Seconds. Maybe twenty. I'll try fast."

"... You are absolutely fucking insane, you know that? Quan, I can't decide if I like you or hate you, but I am going to have Max here- EY! Maxy boy... Hit this bunny in his head with your pistol to cut some sense into him, will ya?"

"Will do boss-"

"No! Wait. No hitting." The bunny ordered, raising to stand up. The ram nervously shifted a bit, his hand traveling quickly behind his back to reach the handle of his golden engraved snub barrel Taurus, and his both guards aimed their assault rifles at the bunny over such quick movement.

The bunny didn't care. He started hitting himself on his other ear, bending his neck a bit to the side.

".... Quan, what the fuck are you doing?" The baron asked annoyedly.

"... Boss, you were right all along, he is retarded." The guards said.

"Yeah, let us just take him to the torture chamber already-" The other guard began.

Thump!

Something fell on the floor from the rabbit's ear, making all of them flinch and almost accidentally fire.

The rabbit slowly tapped his ear a bit, feeling it hurt slightly. But he could hear better now. He crawled slightly on the floor, taking something in his paws that had dropped.

All of the eyes followed as the bunny slowly opened his palm, carefully handing over the object to the ram that was slowly taking his hand off the handle of his revolver.

"Is... Is that?..." The ram quietly spoke like it made no sense.

"... Boss... Did he just slam a gem out of his head?" The guard asked, lowering his gun.

"He fucking did." The other guard spoke.

"... That... That should be what you need. I complete deal, yes?" Quan asked with a hopeful tone.

The ram slowly took the ear waxed gem in his hand, looking at it against the sunlight that glimmered through the window.

"This... This is emerald... Size of a fucking half an apple... This shit... Quan... How on EARTH did you get your hands on this thing?" The ram asked, feeling like he was staring something made in heaven.

"... I robbed someone." Quan said with a somewhat self-hating tone.

There was no answer from the ram.

Only four people gazing at the stone like it was from some urban legend.

"... It good?" The rabbit asked slightly nervously as the ram had waved his two trusted bodyguards and even the girl over to look at the size of the unique, beautiful gem, sparkling in the light.

"... Quan... You have completed your deal." The ram said with a thankful tone.

"So... No Winchester, yes?" The rabbit asked with relief.

"... No Winchester. Unless you want to still tell." The ram muttered, not able to take his eyes off the stone.

"... No." The rabbit said with a blunt tone.

"Thought so. But It won't matter anymore. I won't hurt you. In a fact... I owe you an apology... And I have never apologized to anyone but my mother and father for existing. So, you are special man, Quan. I keep my part of the deal. You have just made me richer in a day that I would have been in a year with my bordels." He said with a genuine tone.

"... Y... Your welcome, I guess?" The bunny said.

"It's so... Amazing..." The girl whispered.

"It really is... I'm going to need to hire more guards. When people find out I have this... They are going to come for this." The ram said like it was clear as rain.

"... S-so... How do we go... Do? We friends now, no? Baron?"

The ram slowly turned his gaze from the stone to look at the bunny with rather interested and surprised tone, realizing how crazy the situation was. If the bunny would have told where Winchester was, he would have shot him anyway. But now... The bunny had done such a favor to him that even the ram himself as toxic soul knew it would be wrong to fuck the bunny over after such a gift. The ram gave an unsure nod and spoke.

"... Not that I have many actual friends... But sure, I guess. Friends it is." The ram chuckled.

"... S-so can you give me a job? Or... Show me how to be around here?" The rabbit asked with an awkward smile.

The ram actually gave a genuine smile now, somehow realizing that maybe he would grow to like this weird bunny after all if he gave it a chance. He at least wasn't boring.

"... Melly... How about you get this odd but resourceful bunny here a glass of whiskey as well. Bring a cigar while you at it and some salted peanuts."

"R-right away, baron." The deer said, finally cutting her eyes off the gem and starting to leave the room.

"... A job, eh. We got plenty here. Some more pleasant than others. I can get you started on living here, it's only fair. Hell, I'll get you a small house from the slum as compensation." The ram said with a huff of cigar.

"Like... like this?" The bunny asked innocently while looking around.

"... No, not like this. But a place to sleep, sure." The ram chuckled.

"... Sounds good... So... I..."

"What are you good at? I can get you a job here in many places. What skills do you have? What do you figure out you have talent in? Fixing things? Selling things? Healing people? Cleaning places? Escort people? Work as security somewhere? Serve drinks? Or do you want to work in a bordel and suck cocks? Would be weird since you said you like girls but mans gotta do what mans gotta do for his caps I guess." The ram asked with a somewhat nasty laugh, waving off to the bunny after seeing him rather confused.

"Just kidding... Unless you into that, look... Just spit out what you think you can do out here."

"... I think I'm... No, I know that I'm good at one thing."

"... Take your time... I got nowhere to go, Quan my odd friend."

"... I am good at killing people."

"... Really? You?" The ram asked with eyebrows raise in interest.

"... Yes." He said confidently.

"... And how many people have you killed to have such confidence in yourself? Granted, I don't know anything about you, or the land you come from. So basically, you can just make stuff up-"

"When your men were tracking me and my friend down... You went by a small... T-town, no?"

The ram leaned back and both of the guards now looked at the bunny with whole different gazes now.

One of the guards spoke.

"... You mean Pasingro town? The one about two days away from the crash site our brother was? When I and my men went there, we saw a lot of febris men carrying bodies around there. Someone had killed everyone in that town, but not women and children. There were about twelve people dead, the store owner and a lot of febris soldiers. Looked like a damn warzone."

"Yes... I killed them all." Quan lied but sounded more than convincing to them. Tesshin had killed easily the other half.

"... You shitting me?" The other guard asked.

"No... I kill all. With a bow and arrow. My hands. My knife. And... Some guns that I stole from there."

"... You killed twelve men with only those as your help?" The baron asked with real interest now, leaning in on the table.

"... Yes." Quan nodded.

The ram gave a surprised chuckle, leaning back against the couch and taking long huff from his cigar as he observed the bunny with a wicked smile. He then spoke.

"... Quan... I'm not getting you a job from someone... Because you are looking at your future employer right now."

"W-what does employer mean?"

"A boss."

"... You... Hire me?" The bunny asked carefully.

"... I need people who can get their hands dirty and kill for me. I am tired of being just a pimp and owner of lazy bounty hunter company... I want more. I always wanted more. With this stone, you have given me... I get resources you couldn't imagine... And if you are good as you claim you are... I need someone like you by my side... because my next step is going to be big. This stone you gave changes everything... And so, might you too. What do you say, Quan?"

The bunny thought for a while and then spoke with a serious tone.

"... I'll kill for you. But one condition."

"... And what is that?" The ram asked with interest.

"Bad people only. No... No good people." The bunny said, clearly no intending to redo his mistakes anymore. He wanted to try to do at least something good. Killing bad people would be a start.

"... There are no good people in this world we live in, Quan. You should know that by now. We are all fucked up one way or another." The ram said like it was a fact no one could deny. But Quan knew it wasn't true. Ethan had been a good person. The man and his daughter he stole money from, were good. Most people in his own tribe were good. He himself always knew deep down that he had some darkness in him. Excitement for killing.

"... No children." He said strictly.

"... That is fair. No children it is. That is my principle as well." The ram said with a nod.

"... And the girl... I... I can still... Have her?" The bunny suddenly asked.

The ram took a while until he realized what Quan meant. He meant Melly.

"... Well, look at you, Quan. Taking and claiming. Well, shit. Why the fuck not? I promised that, didn't I? Melly will be happy, surely. She always hated selling her pussy around here anyway. Was only a matter of time before she would start to shoot heroin, like her dead folks over depression, if you don't mind me guessing. MELLYYY!" The ram yelled over his shoulder.

"... C-coming!" The deer yelled back in apology, having brought everything that was asked once again, spilling a bit of rum on the floor accidentally.

"Thank you, darling. That is the last task you do for me." The ram said bluntly.

"... P-Papi? W-What did I do wrong!? Don't make me give my weeks earnings back to you again, I need to feed my sister, you know she is ill! I beg you!-" The girl began in panic.

"TUTuttuutt. Simmer down, gal. You are a free woman now. You are not a whore no longer." He said casually.

"... W-what? Y-you are firing me? I have nowhere else to go! I don't know how to do anything else!" She yelled in an annoyance.

"Well, first time for everything... Because you are going to start playing the house soon. I kind of see it as relief. You never were really into serving me as much as most gals here. And I know it's because I killed your mommy and daddy. But fucking raider fiends had it coming-"

The deer gave a hateful eye at the ram, the ram giving fakely apologizing smile and continuing smoothly. "THIS... Bunny. He is your future husband right here." The ram smiled, pointing his smoking cigar at the bunny.

"... W-what do you mean, Papi?" The deer asked in confusion.

"I told you already, didn't I? You are a free woman now. The only last thing you do for me is to marry Quan, as my token of respect for him. He works for me now. And he is my friend. He also gets you. That was the deal." The ram said.

"... Him? I'm... You want me to marry him?" She asked, not believing her ears.

"He wants to marry you. Ain't that some romance huh? From a whore to a house lady in a day."

"... You got to be kidding. I don't even know how to cook a meal!" The deer argued like this was too much to handle.

"Well, that is your problem, Melly. Better get to it." the ram chuckled.

"He... HE HAS ONE EYE! How is he going to take care of me if he only has half his vision?" She yelled like it was even scary to look at since there was no eyepatch covering the gruesome sight.

"He doesn't need two eyes to aim his dick where it belongs... Besides. One eye, better aim." The ram said with a self-satisfied tone.

"... You are a fucking asshole, you know that George?" the deer asked in a sassy tone.

"... That is just me, baby. To what you are told. the only reason I won't slap you anymore for disrespecting me is because that would insult your new husband right here. Who I now consider a friend."

"... I-I'll treat you good. Promise." The bunny said with a genuine tone as he looked at the female deer, who only looked back at him like this was not happening.

"... See? He gentleman as well. A bit weird and slow in the head but still uniquely headstrong, charming and resourceful. He talked himself to a marriage and a job on top from torture and death within twenty minutes. That is quite some talent." The ram chuckled, the guards behind him agreeing with grunts. It wasn't every day that this kind of thing happened. Not at all.

"... Fine. At least give me some caps for this bullshit! I can't start a household without caps!" The girl demanded.

"Fine, fine. You get five hundred caps as a resign agreement." The ram muttered.

"Six hundred." She said strictly.

"Whatever. Six hundred. But you will still suck my dick before this day is over. Now get the fuck out of here and let me and Quan talk. Go change back to some other clothes, and leave that sexy shit on the table for my new whores to wear. Your ass was always too fat anyway to fit in those lingerie's."

"Fuck off." The girl said quickly as she started to jog her way to the backroom.

"I'm going to miss her. Eh. But I'll guess I'll buy that exotic Persian dalmatian boy here who was looking for work two weeks ago. Cute as a button. Only twenty years old, just like I like em. Tight ass to shake. Will ruin that thing before giving it for everyone else." The ram chuckled, handing over the whiskey for the bunny.

"... Baron-" The bunny began with a glass in hand.

"George to my friends, slow bunny. No titles. Just names." The ram said with a wink.

"... George... What did you mean by the big next step you said?" The bunny asked in confusion.

"... Something I've wanted ever since I was born in this cursed city." The ram said like it should be obvious.

"... A-and what is that?" The bunny asked.

"... To have it."

"... Have it?"

"To own it."

"... Own it?"

"Quan, my man... This is The Baxton city... The heart of Texas and only place in the wasteland where you are allowed to come in no matter who you are or what you have done. Two thousand people in the middle of old Houston ruins, and the beacon of freedom for the wasteland. A true wild west... And the largest city known to mankind we have left."

"... T-two thousand? I never heard this number... Is... Is it more than a hundred?"

The ram nodded at that and shrugged his shoulders, leaning on his golden cane as he sat up slowly and threw his cigar on the floor, stomping it.

He then spoke with a wicked smile, ready to clearly blow Quan's mind.

"... Quan... Let me walk out and see for yourself. A proper welcome... For a proper man like yourself. Max, Savon... Follow me... And give me a fucking drumroll on the back, will ya?"

TO BE CONTINUED

ACT 2

(Bobby Caldwell - What You Won't Do for Love)

"Dion... Thank you for the best date I've ever had. Well... I mean it was my first date ever, but... You know." Jill said with a joyful smile to the brown-furred husky in front of her door.

Dion just smiled back dreamily and wagged his tail as he spoke back.

"Yeah... I... I guess it went well on my part then?" He asked innocently.

"... Better than good. I've never asked any boy for a sleepover with me." Jill said, her tail dancing close to Dion's leg, the dog tensing up and speaking back with awkward chuckle as he rubbed his neck.

"... I'm still surprised by how your mom and dad agreed to it."

"I can be very persuasive. Besides, my dad likes your dad a ton. He knew you would behave." Jill said like it was an easy request.

"... I hope Ryan had time to tell dad that I was here... So, he hasn't been wondering where I was the whole night." Dion muttered.

"I'm sure he told. Charlie would have been looking for you and found you already if he didn't receive the message." Jill assured Dion, knowing it was true.

"... So... Ummm... C-can I be honest with you, Jill?" Dion asked carefully.

"Of course," Jill said with interest.

"... Before we even met on that hallway in front of that abandoned café... I didn't expect that... We would have managed to... You know..."

"Yeah... Make it work this easily?" Jill asked knowingly with a smile.

"... Easily wouldn't maybe be the word I would use? I was stressed the whole time. Well, most of the time." Dion admitted.

"And you think I wasn't, handsome? I just didn't want you to be bored with me at any point." Jill winked.

"I... Was fearing I would be the one that wouldn't keep you entertained." Dion chuckled.

"Well, you failed to be boring. You had a dance with me, you made me do like the coolest thing ever... I would really like to come and shoot..." The catgirl looked around herself playfully and whispered to make sure no one else heard their secret.

"Shoot the guns with you. You are an awesome teacher."

"... Yeah... I... Maybe I should just ask my dad about that. I'm sure he would be okay with it." Dion noted, wondering if Charlie would be fine with another student. He most likely would be annoyed that he had brought Jill to shoot anyway. It wasn't like him at all. But he just wanted to impress Jill, and it had worked more than in his favor.

"Yeah. I hope that too. And you know... After shooting, spending a night in my room and listening to music and talking was... Relaxing to say at least. You know so much about the music that I could listen to you talk about the artists all night." Jill admitted excitedly.

"... T-thanks. I guess I just really like music... And we listened to it so far into the night as well." Dion said with a warm smile.

"Yeah, I was so confused when I saw that the clock was already three in the morning," Jill added.

"You remember that odd sound that we heard in the middle of the night?" Dion reminded.

"Yeah... It sounded like someone was crying or something... It sounded so real. But I guess it was just the imagination or just some aftereffect on listening so many songs in a row." Jill explained as a possibility.

They had both indeed heard odd and distant voices from the hallway last night around a very late time. Dion had gone to check out carefully nearby for the sound but it had not been heard again by either. So, they had returned back to sleep.

"Maybe... Well, didn't see anyone in the hallway after peeping there so..." Dion said quietly, shrugging his shoulders.

"... Not that I would like strolling around dark hallways anyway. I was feeling safe with you in my room anyway. From ghosts that wander the hallways at night." Jill teased.

"Safe? It's not like I'm very... Brave." Dion admitted with an awkward smile.

"... Dion... You punched Farin because she called me a bitch." Jill reminded like Dion had to be kidding.

The husky looked sad and regretting right away, shaking his head a bit.

"... I didn't... mean to do that-"

The Siamese catgirl just came a bit closer and slowly took the husky by his paw carefully, Dion looking up and feeling the smile coming to him by the sudden touch.

"I know, Dion... I know. He was just an ass. And I didn't ask you to defend me, but you did it anyway. I'm just saying that it meant a lot to me. Besides, you took me to shoot with guns in a restricted area to show me a good time... That was pretty brave, whatever you admit or not... My parents would have been so angry if they found out." The cat reminded, really meaning the last part.

"... Y-yeah. Don't tell them, please." Dion asked jokingly.

"What do you think I am, crazy?" Jill asked, playing serious.

"N-nonono!, I wasn't impl-" Dion began in apology.

"Oh my god, Dion... It was a joke. Ain't I meant to be the adorable one?" The cat giggled, Dion's apologizing expression turning into a small smile.

"Haaahaha... I... I just... I don't ever want to offend you."

"You are working too hard to think that something would offend me," Jill admitted.

"... I guess overthinking is just my thing." Dion said with honesty.

The cat rubbed Dion's paw a bit, making his fur bristle after the look the cat was giving him now.

"... And so is the gentleman like manners. Maybe a bit too much even. It is okay to be bold and... You know, selfish time to time." She said softly.

"... H-how is that?" Dion asked with a goofy smile, feeling his heart rate picking up again.

"... Because you didn't... Actually... You know. Try anything. Last night. Even after what I did to tease you. You didn't try to overdo it... Most boys would have." Jill explained with an alluring tone.

"..." Dion couldn't even answer, just giving a somewhat awkward chuckle.

"... I'm glad I did it though... I... I've never..."

She then blushed slightly, continuing a bit more quietly.

"Shown myself naked to anyone before... But I wanted you to see me like that. It was my choice. A-and... I'm... I'm glad that you... You did the same. E-even if I... P-pressured you to. there is nothing wrong looking. And it was... I mean, you made me comfortable in a weird way." She said with an honest tone, rubbing her arm and looking away from Dion shyly.

"... Y-yeah... I... I-I mean it was just... Us, so... I was... I mean, it was really embarrassing but... You were pretty good at talking me into the whole thing." The husky admitted with an equally quiet tone, feeling more than flustered himself.

Towards the late night, the two had listened to a ton of music from Dion's pip boy. The more the music had gone on, the closer the girl had gotten to the husky, sitting next to him and leaning on him. It had been clear for the husky that the cat was wishing for some affection, trying to make a move, since Dion was not getting the hint easily. He had slowly given in despite feeling like he was about just embarrass himself. And it had ended up with the two kissing on the floor mattress quite many times. Until it had become somewhat overbearing for both, causing somewhat natural youthful arousal. Dion had clearly been embarrassed by getting a quick and natural hard on, being thankful that he was wearing boxers still. Until Jill had managed after a long and steamy conversation to persuade Dion to take them off in front of her. There had been no touching. Just exciting, thrilling looking. Of course, Jill had to show him equal appreciation... And had completely exposed herself bare in front of the husky. Letting him soak in the sight so much that it had surely pressed into Dion's memory, from head to toe. Once again... Without touching. It was the respectful decision Dion had made. And followed by few kisses after while bare, they both got their clothes back on and went to sleep.

"S-so it wasn't too inappropriate?" She asked shyly, breaking Dion from the pleasant daydream of last night's memory.

"... N-no. It was... You were really... Really beautiful like that." Dion admitted, trying to repress his hormones after still remembering the sight very clearly. It was so different to talk to someone after knowing how they looked under their clothes.

"... Thank you." She whispered, looking at Dion with the alluring gaze still.

"... Y-you are welcome." Dion answered back with a shaky voice.

"... Besides... As much as I admired you sleeping on the mattress after all that... I... I wouldn't have... I don't really know if... If I would have... Minded if... You... Tried..." She drifted away, not able to look at Dion after saying that. But it was clear she wasn't lying. She had more than hots for Dion.

"... I just don't want to rush things and make you think like I'm just trying to..." Dion started, not really knowing how to say out the obvious.

"... I know you are not thinking about me just like that... That is why I'm so happy. And that is why I was... had the courage to show myself like that to you. Because I trust you." Jill said with an admiring tone, still rubbing Dion's paw affectionately.

"..." They both just ended up looking at each other a while in the hallway... Both not saying a word.

"... Dion... May I ask you something, handsome boy?" Jill asked, breaking the silence.

"... Yes." Dion answered.

"... D-do you want to be my boyfriend now?" She asked shyly, but already clearly knowing the answer. But she just wanted to hear it out loud.

Dion felt his tail sway around rapidly again as he calmed down his breathing and nodded with an awkward smile, far from self-confident.

"... I-if you want to be my... Girlfriend." Dion answered quietly.

"... I'd love that." She answered back with nothing but happiness.

"Jill... C-can I kiss you again?"

"... Please do."

There was no hesitation between them as they both leaned in, closing their eyes and starting to kiss. It went on for a quite a while, Jill boldly guiding Dion's arms on her hips this time.

As the kiss was getting a bit steamier and more carried away, something happened.

"WOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAA! WHAT ARE MY EYES SEEING HERE?!"

They both cut off their kiss out of small jump scare, looking right at the person who had been sneakily approached the two from behind the corner.

The smug grin was heavy on the German shepherd's face, the dog having his arms behind his back as he wiggled his eyebrows.

"Sucking faces on the hallways is against the rules, husker."

Both relaxed down, taking distance right away awkwardly from each other as the catgirl started to speak.

"Jacob, you scared the shit out of us both." She said with a bit frustrated tone.

"That was the plan. It worked well, didn't it?" Jacob asked slyly without remorse.

"How did you know to find us here?" Dion asked with a somewhat relieved smile because one more moment in that heated kiss would have made his body react in a really awkward way.

"Ryan and Sam told me. I went to spend a night with em both at Sam's since you were not around." The dog explained.

Before either could say anything at all, Jacob cut them off.

"Oh, there they are coming anyway. I took a bit of a head start."

Dion and Jill turned to look at the hallway where Jacob had arrived from, seeing the fox and the hyena walking towards them with casual smiles.

"Ryan, I caught these two kissing here like it was their last day on earth," Jacob said when both had arrived close enough.

"Really now?" Ryan asked slyly, looking at his brother with a surprised look.

"And let me guess, you jump scared them right away?" Sam asked knowingly.

"Hell yeah, no opportunity missed," Jacob said with a grin.

Dion felt as Ryan came over, laying his paw around his shoulder and speaking.

"Sooo, how did it go?" Ryan asked, but aiming the question at Jill.

The cat just smiled dreamily and answered.

"Well, if Jacob caught us over here kissing, that must already speak for itself?"

"... Damn. I didn't know that you had it all in you. Good for you, brother." Ryan said ruffling Dion up a bit."

"Yeahyeah, I guess..." Dion muttered with a somewhat proud smile, shooing Ryan away after getting playful punch in the arm right after.

"So, you two a thing now?" Sam asked randomly.

"..." Neither of them answered but both smiled after giving a quick look at each other and nodding together.

"Damn... It was about a time Husker had a girlfriend." Jacob said with a grin.

"So, this means that now you are going to be officially part of the posse?" Ryan asked with an interested smile.

"... I... I don't know about that. I doubt my girls would be happy if I just switched into another group." Jill giggled, shaking her head like it was unlikely.

"Meh. It would have been kinda cool to have a girl around." Sam said with a shrug.

Jacob saw his chance and elbow jabbed the hyena as he spoke.

"So that she could tell all the secrets about possible girls that have a thing for big boys who most likely eat pussy as talented as they eat all the food?"

As everyone's eyes opened a bit too much from that, Ryan just broke down.

"Brooo..." Ryan said, not able to hold his hysterical laugh and attacking to give a few quick jabs at the German shepherd.

"What?!" Jacob asked loudly from everyone and tried to play the jab game right back at the fox, losing terribly and Ryan not able to stop laughing.

Jill was just rolling her eyes and shook her head, Sam muttering in an annoyance.

"That is not what I mean. Idiot."

"Jacob, that was not appropriate," Dion noted with awkward tone in between as the dog and the fox kept laughing.

Ryan just gave a final jab at the dog's rib and chuckled.

"This is why Jacob rocks. He has no filter and I love it. Dude said... Oh my god, dude said that eat pussy like food-"

"We heard what he said, Ryan... Man, it wasn't that funny." Sam said with a genuinely annoyed tone.

"No, it was pretty fucking funny. Come on now. Good one, J." Ryan said, giving a tap at the dog's shoulder and wiping his laughter tears.

"I'm so gonna stay with my girl group," Jill said with frustrated tone and hands crossed, Dion just giving an ashamed look at both.

After the whole mood had settled down, Jill suddenly changed the subject.

"Where is Tio? I see that he is missing."

"He was there at breakfast. His whole training with Calvin is starting soon, so I assume that he is there, being tortured by Calvin as we speak." Sam stated.

Suddenly Jacob looked somewhat uncomfortable, trying to act like nothing was going on.

"Yeah, he was. More quiet than usual. He barely spoke a damn word. I guess that the whole session with Calvin had been somewhat hard on him. Like... Usually, he was grumpy and all that. But this time he was just... I dunno, he just looked depressed." Sam said, clearly feeling bad for his friend.

"... You know what was even more weird? Jacob didn't bully him the whole morning. I was waiting for the banter whole time but Jacob let me down. He was just as quiet as the wolf was. What was up with that?" Ryan asked, the whole breakfast clearly having confused him.

"Yeah, you were all quiet, and now you are just acting like you always are," Sam said with a doubting tone.

"I... I just didn't really feel like it. That's all. Don't want to drive our nerd into more submission, since he already looked a bit... You know, not really all there."

"... I guess that was for the better." Sam noted, the explanation making sense.

"W-why is Tio depressed?" Dion asked suddenly in worry.

"... Dion, it's no wonder you don't know what is going on these days anymore. You are just doing your own thing. But it's not a bad thing. Let's just say that everyone lately has been acting all weird." Sam admitted. Ryan nodded boredly on top as Dion was looking at him in question.

"... Weird? What have I missed?" Dion asked right away in concern.

"Well, Tio... Niles... And Jacob here." Ryan said right away like he was somewhat tired of the subject.

"What? How have I been weird?" Jacob asked right away.

"Dude you were yelling at Tio in the table just a few days ago. That was really fucking odd." Sam pointed out.

"Man... I was just flipping and just a bit off that morning. It's no big deal."

"You were yelling to Tio? Why?" Dion asked right away.

Jill was trying to stay out of the conversation and Dion noted it. He had heard this already from the cat, but bringing it now to the table was something he wanted to be part of.

Sam answered before Jacob even could.

"... Something along the lines of Tio not being our true friend and being happy that he is getting rid of us-"

"WHAT? Jacob, why would you say that to him-!" Dion began with a totally frustrated and confused tone. Jacob cut everyone off from hassling him and waved his paws in surrender.

"OH, COME ON! I... Look, it's whatever. I settled that thing with Tio already!" The dog claimed.

"... You guys talked about it?" Ryan asked in a surprise.

"Yeah. As a matter of fact, we did. Yesterday morning. I apologized for him." Jacob confirmed.

".... You apologized to him." Ryan repeated like he didn't believe that.

Jacob rolled his eyes and muttered back after deep inhale.

"Why is everyone seeing me as some sort of an asshole? Yes, I apologized that weirdo nerd wolf. And he was like... He accepted the apology. That's it." Jacob said. But for some reason, he seemed rather odd with the last choice of words and looked away from everyone as he scratched behind his ear awkwardly.

"... Calling him by the term of weirdo nerd is rather asshole trait, Jacob." Jill pointed out, Dion agreeing at that with a judging look.

"That is because it's what he is."

"Well, he isn't really lying about that," Ryan noted with a shrug.

"RYAN!" Dion sapped right away.

"Just saying, it ain't too far off."

"Says the guy who's ranking on the Awesome tales-" Sam began with a sudden smile.

"AIAIAIIA!- Don't fucking try me!-" Ryan began with a playful smile, showing a middle finger at the hyena right away, the hyena showing one right back.

"Is it always like this in your group?" Jill asked innocently with a rather amused smile as she looked at Dion.

"Yes," Dion noted without hesitation.

"Aaaaawwww..." Jacob said right away teasingly.

"So, if Tio is at Calvin's office... Where is Niles? And how has he been acting weird?" Dion suddenly asked like it was right on his mind next. It was clear that Tio was just having depression due to his new job but Niles was always with Ryan. Why was he not here?

Now suddenly Ryan looked a bit serious and clearly, everyone looked at him, knowing that he most likely had the answers.

"... He came yesterday yelling about headache when me and Sam were waiting for him at the maintenance deck... He was almost crying. And it was obvious that something bad was going on, so I tried to comfort him about it. He was really angry and didn't want me to come close. He then left quickly. I tried later to talk with him but he didn't let me in his room. I told my dad that maybe he could speak to him today. Niles didn't show up for lunch so I guess he is still in his room. Dad is most likely talking with him as we speak... As annoyed as I am about the fact that he didn't talk to me himself."

"Well, maybe it was just something embarrassing and personal." Dion pointed out quietly.

"... I'm his best friend, he should give me enough trust to tell whatever is going on with him." Ryan said with a serious tone, clearly just annoyed about the whole situation.

"... It's hard to imagine Niles as angry about anything. Most time's I've seen him, he seemed pretty happy." Jill said quietly.

"So... How about we talk about something cheering for a while?" Jacob suddenly suggested with a loud clap, breaking the somber mood.

"Yeah." Sam agreed.

"So, Jill... How did the date overall go? What did you two do?" Jacob asked with interest right away.

"This oughta be good," Ryan said with a smirk.

"... We just... Did stuff." Jill said with a shrug, feeling a bit bothered now.

"... Yeah. Cool things." Dion added with an awkward smile.

"... Cool things. Tell us all about these cool things." Jacob said with a sly smile.

"... Why are you so interested in what we did, J?" Jill asked with a challenging smile.

"Because it sounds juicy. And husker is my best friend." Jacob added.

"I think Jacob is just threatened and thinks his friend is being stolen," Sam added with a smile.

"Eeeeey, good one, Sam. I sense the energy as well." Ryan added with a grin.

"Naaaah, you two overdoing it. I'm just here for the spicy details." Jacob admitted, trying to act innocently.

The catgirl then smiled and suddenly spoke.

"By the way, Jacob... Talking about spice details. Sally has been talking a bit about you. Might as well say it since you here now." Jill said with a sly smile.

"Oooooooh...." Sam and Ryan both cheered excitedly, Dion shaking his head with a smile as the cat was turning things around before Jacob would ask something perverse about them.

"Huh? Sally? What does she want?" Jacob asked with a confused smile.

"To give you another chance after the break up you two had. She has been talking about you quite a lot of time to time." Jill said innocently.

"Yooo, I don't want to deal with her right now. She was so annoying." Jacob said with eyeroll.

"Playing it cool, there we go," Ryan added with a smile.

"You could at least give her chance, that's a rather rude thing to say," Jill said with an annoyance.

Dion was just quiet and was not about to join the conversation, just looking at Jill dreamily as she was getting on her somewhat sassy stance while talking to Jacob.

"Hola a todos."

Everyone turned to look at the newcomer who had spoken with a rather blunt and tired tone.

Tio was walking with his paws in his pocket towards the group, everyone looking a bit confused about seeing him.

Especially Jacob.

"Tio! Good morning!" Dion said cheerily right away. The wolf just gave a faint and tired smile quickly and nodded at his way.

"Tio, what are you doing here? Ain't you supposed to be with Calvin?" Sam asked right away in confusion.

"Yeah, man. Whatchu doing here?" Ryan asked after.

"... I went to his office. He was not present at the scene. He had left a note on the door for me. It said that the daily lesson is temporarily canceled. I have a day off."

"... Wait, what? You only trained one day with him? And now he is giving a day off?" Sam asked like it made no sense.

Jacob didn't even say anything. He was just looking away from Tio awkwardly, not wanting to meet eyes with him. But the wolf was surely looking at him from time to time.

"It seems to be so," Tio added quietly, not knowing what to really think about it.

"Daaamn... Now he ain't even wanting to see you?" Ryan asked like it just sounded overall rude.

"... I doubt that it was what he meant. He is a busy man. He is having a chess tournament with Randal in the senior hall. My dad is there as well, watching. I guess they have quite the audience." Tio said quietly.

"... He skipped the lesson with you to play chess?" Jacob suddenly asked in sympathy, but he wasn't able to look at the wolf even after blurting out his question.

"... Correct." Tio said back, feeling awkward as well as sad that Jacob wasn't looking at him.

"That is really unprofessional. Why would he be so selfish?" Dion asked.

"Because that is what overseers always have been," Ryan said like it was known.

"... Well... Enough of all that. Calvin is an asshole. Now... I want to hear the rest of this rumor thingy. Too much negative energy for one morning again." Sam said, laying his paw on Jacob's shoulder.

"Yeah, Sam's got the right idea. What else have the girls been talking about Jacob here?" Ryan asked with a grin from the cat girl.

Suddenly, Jacob didn't look so comfortable talking about any of this anymore. He could feel Tio wake up into the conversation as well while staying quiet as usual.

"Naaaah, that thing is passed-" Jacob began.

"No, it is not. Come on Jill. Spill the tea for us, girl." Ryan hyped; the girl not able to hold her smile as she began talking.

"Well, besides Sally wanting to be Jacob's girlfriend again,-" Jill began, everyone tuning in and Jacob staying uncomfortable all over.

The wolf felt his already sad mood turn into emotional annoyance after hearing that.

"Cecilia was actually telling about how her experiences with Jacob have been so far. We had a bottle spinning game this one night-"

"AAaaaaa, guys let's just talk about something else!" Jacob said a bit more quickly than meant, feeling himself almost going pale.

The wolf was not trying to react, just listening quietly on the side as everyone else was listening excitedly and ignoring Jacob.

"Cecilia told us that after dating Jacob for the first two months, he was pressuring her for sex. But for a first request... It was something a bit more intimate and out of the ordinary that she would have wanted-"

"JAAAaaaacob, you naaasty boy! What could this be?" Ryan began with a smirk, Sam laughing and Dion just smiling awkwardly, not really knowing how to feel about any of this. But he was surely listening.

"AAaand, did she go for it?" Sam asked right away.

"He brags about all that stuff most of the time, so I guess it's the moment of truth here," Ryan said, rubbing his paws together.

"Come on, you guys... This ain't cool." The dog chuckled awkwardly.

"But you were so into the whole thing all smoothly just second ago," Jill said, clearly confused that the dog was acting so weird now. The sheppy was just looking at Tio's way with quick gazes, nervous as one could be.

"It's... like, it's just not that interesting. I have been with other girls before Cecilia anyway, it was just... A guy sometimes wants something different, so what? -"

"Oh, I think it was rather interesting. So did all the girls." Jill promised with a sneaky smile.

Ryan and Sam now looked even more hyped into the conversation. Tio was just looking overall more and more grumpy for some reason.

"Okay, lay it out for us, sister. We listening." Ryan encouraged.

"... Well, Cecilia was ready to hear Jacob's request. Since Jacob is a good-looking guy despite-"

"Being ADHD as hell, yeah, keep it going." Sam hyped, the dog next to them wanting to sink underground.

Dion was looking at Jacob in question with a puzzled smile, feeling that normally Jacob would just be okay with this, already roasting everyone right back. But it wasn't clearly happening for some reason.

Jill then continued.

"So, she is getting naked and said that Jacob was doing the same.-"

Tio was looking down at the ground, feeling like he didn't want to listen anymore.

"But she then told that Jacob had some trouble getting it up-"

"It was the stress. Even alphas have pressure on them. Give me a break, god damn..." Jacob muttered in defense, Ryan and Sam snickering and nodding Jill to continue.

"Aaand Jacob had been asking something a bit out of the ordinary. He wasn't asking for the actual... Well, you guys know. What every girl usually expects. Jacob had asked a whole lot of stuff... Cecilia did listen to the request alright-"

"Ooooookhay, I told her not to ever speak about it to anyone. What a fucking promise that was. This is why you can't trust girls." Jacob said, feeling betrayed as one could.

"This is just getting better and better, I need to hear this shit, Jill you doing great." Ryan encouraged.

"... I don't know, maybe I shouldn't. I don't want to be too mean, and if he isn't okay with-" Jill began, somewhat noticing that the dog was clearly not okay with this. Dion was nodding in agreement, talking.

"Yeah... Jacob clearly is uncomfortable about all this. Let's just drop it." Dion agreed.

"Aaaw, hell to the fucking naw. This was getting good!" Ryan began, genuinely annoyed.

"Such a buzzkill, come on, J! Just let her tell, we never get to tease you about anything. Ain't fair!" Sam began.

"... I'd like to hear it."

Everyone suddenly turned to look at Tio.

The wolf was there, looking rather serious and cleared his throat.

"I was just... Agreeing with Ryan and Sam, nothing else. It's rare to have anything to tease Jacob about... It would be only fair to know something like that." The wolf explained, playing it off like it was more of an owned favor for Ryan and Sam only.

Ryan's face lit up as he pointed at the wolf.

"Hear that? Those are the facts! Even Tio wants to know about this shit! It's just too built up a story to be broken down, come on, Jill."

"... I... "Jill began with an awkward smile.

The dog was looking at her, nodding his head from side to side and begging for her not to blurt it out.

"Dion... Come on, agree with the majority for once. You always hold Jacob's side. Be the rad bro once and agree. Jacob ain't got no say, this been a long time coming." Ryan challenged.

Dion looked a bit cornered, Jill giving the questioning look at his way. He just shrugged his shoulders and just felt the pressure of everyone looking at him, especially Tio for some reason.

The husky gave apologizing smile at his best friend, the sheppy covering another side of his face in an annoyance with his paw. He was doomed.

Jill then just sighed and laid it out with an apologizing tone, talking quickly as she could to be able to finish without laughing about it.

"Jacob had sat down on a chair, asking to be blindfolded so he couldn't see. And then asked for his... You know what, to be sucked while taking a finger of hers into his own you know where." She finished, feeling herself bury her face with her paws for even saying it aloud.

The jaws slowly started to hang lower as no one said a word.

Tio was looking at Jacob with the widest and most confused look he had ever had when looking at the dog, Jacob making sure not to look at anyone's reaction as he was just showing middle finger in the air for the whole bunch.

Dion was red as one could from his face, Ryan slowly turning around and having the evilest smile on his face as he spoke.

"Jacob... I'm going to have to process that one for a while... Wait.... Yo, J..."

"Bruh..." Sam began, holding his laugh.

"Fuck off, both of you. Fuck you all, man. Not cool at all." Jacob stated while looking away from them and still holding the finger up.

"I'm so sorry, Jacob," Jill said with a genuine tone, feeling actually bad right now for making the dog publicly embarrassed.

"... I-I guess to each their own... I-I'm not judging." Dion muttered awkwardly while looking flustered and confused, rubbing the back of his head with an awkward smile.

"Yeah brother, because you are his best friend. You cut him too much slack. Come on, roast a bit."

"... Ryan, why would I do that?" Dion asked, clearly too kind to have fun about Jacob when it came to something this personal.

"Jill, you are literally boyfriending a pussy," Ryan smirked.

"HEY!" Dion said in an annoyance.

"I doubt it," Jill said right back confidently, giving a squeeze at Dion's paw.

"That was so wholesome that I think I'm going to puke, excuse me," Ryan muttered, shaking his head.

Tio kept looking at Jacob with the unspoken confusion on his face. And it made Jacob feel even more uncomfortable than this already was. If Tio had not been present, he might have laughed this one off with others. But somehow, seeing Tio react to it and hear this was something he hated.

"That... I knew that Jacob was wild, but that was the next level-" Ryan began excitedly.

"How do you even have guts to ask for a girl to do all th-" Sam began with laugh, not able to hold all the questions he had coming.

"Because Jacob is the nastiest alpha in the whole vault, that is why-" Ryan added with a wicked smile.

"Wait, are you telling me that she actually did it?!" Sam asked from Jill right away like it was a viable information.

"There is no fucking way she did it. Jill, if you tell me Cecilia went with it, I will consider that a win on Jacob's part." Ryan began, looking at Jill.

Jill shook her head and spoke.

"No... She ended up saying that there is no way she would do it, despite Jacob begging for it practically. She had kept her mind. Jacob had not brought it up after that, allegedly. They had just done it the usual way together after that in the future, at least that is what she said. But still, it was pretty funny to hear, I have to admit. I've never heard a boy ask that with a girl."

"Can you guys cut it out already? Like hello?" Jacob asked in frustration.

"Jacob, do you usually stuff your finger back there since you ask for a girl to do it-" Sam began with grin.

"HELL NAW, maaan... This is ganging up on me. Not cool bros." Jacob muttered in a legit annoyance.

Tio's face was somewhat flustered for even listening to this, having somewhat conflicted expression, feeling like he wanted to say something but didn't even really know what.

"Aaand how long were they together again? Remind me?" Sam asked right away.

"Three and... Half months?" Jill memorized.

"... Jacob... I must admit, I would have never expected that from you-" Ryan began with a grin.

"Whatever dude. You all had your fun. At least I got laid many times. Meanwhile, you are all just too scared to even talk with a girl. You all just hypocrites." Jacob said, finally not covering his face and taking the defensive road.

"Ooooh... Hostile approach from Jacob, that is new." Ryan answered slyly.

"... I am not scared to talk to a girl... They just... Don't really like talking to me that much." Sam admitted with a sad expression.

"I'm sure you find someone at some point, Sam," Jill said with an encouraging smile.

"Yeah. There is nothing wrong with you, Sam." Dion agreed.

"Gee, inspirational words. Girls just don't like guys my size, simple." Sam chuckled, waving it off.

"Well stop being so fucking fat." Jacob snickered, happy that the target was now changed.

"EY! Not cool, J." Sam said in an annoyance.

"Jacob, why do you always bully Sam about his weight?" Dion asked like it was getting really tiring already.

"Besides, Sam isn't even that fat," Jill added with sympathy for the hyena.

"Pfff, yall was attacking me just now. It's my turn, boys." Jacob snickered.

"... What? Your turn to take fingers back there?" Ryan asked with a smirk.

"Oh, wow." Jill snorted out, starting to giggle and Dion shaking his head at the whole situation.

"OOOO, GOT EM! I'm dead!" Sam howled right away and started laughing hysterically.

The confidence fell from Jacob's face right away.

"Yoooo, Tio admit that was funny as hell!" Sam howled, grabbing Tio's hand so he wouldn't fall on the ground to laugh.

Now for the first actual time, Jacobs's gaze met with Tio's. The wolf had woken up from his thoughts into the situation, shooing the laughing hyena away from his arm and just clearly struggling to have his take on any of this.

"Yeah, Tio. Come, on! What is your take on this whole Jacob's kinky land request?" Ryan asked with a chuckle.

The dog was just staring back at the wolf, the wolf staring right back and just not really knowing what to say.

He slowly just spoke ominously, almost like representing a question.

"I guess it was... S-surprising? Quiero decir, no quiero juzgar ... yo ... puede que haya probado mi dedo allí ... una vez. Dos veces. Raramente..." Tio drifted away and looking away from the group whole looking awkward.

"You mind translating all that? Not really fair for you to roast me in different languages." Jacob said judgingly for the wolf, who just turned to quickly look at the dog with oddly apologizing expression and feeling uncomfortable.

"I... I didn't say anything mean-" Tio began quietly.

"Yeah right. When you speak Spanish, we always know you say something insulting. Don't play it off, Tio. You have earned to have your share of bullying at Jacob after all these years." Ryan chuckled, tapping Tio's shoulder and making him flinch a bit, looking awkward again.

"I... Guess." Tio muttered.

"See?!" Ryan asked with a pleased tone.

Jacob just gave an annoyed look at Tio right away despite the odd attitude, speaking with a confident tone.

"Okay, yall know what? Jill. Tell Sally that I'll get back together with her again."

"Wait, really? Well, I'll surely tell her. She will be more than happy." Jill said in a sudden surprise, smiling at that.

"Yeah. I'll be her boyfriend again. I'll give her another chance." Jacob said. And during the whole time, he didn't take his eyes off Tio. And the wolf tried not to react into sudden news... But it was all over him. He was clearly feeling some way after hearing Tio say that.

"You going to ask that same question from Sally as well? Trying your luck with another one?" Ryan asked with the widest grin possible.

"NOOOOOOO!" Sam cheered from the background, banging the wall and starting to laugh again.

"You guys are something else..." Jill muttered looking at Dion in question.

"Yeah... Sorry about all this."

"No need, handsome. At least your friends are not boring." Jill giggled.

The more Ryan grinned in challenge, Jill giggled next to Dion who was shaking his head, and Sam was laughing against the wall... The more Jacob felt like taking out the heavy weapons and giving it right back.

And before thinking his words through carefully... His need to jab back at Ryan was winning.

"There is only one gay person on this hallway," Jacob said, looking at Tio.

People around him were still chuckling, Jacob practically steaming up.

Within seconds, the wolf was about shit himself. He stopped leaning against the wall, looking at Jacob with a warning look, mixed with panic. His expression was screaming for Jacob not to say anything reckless.

Slowly, Jacob's gaze turned from the wolf and ending up staring the grinning fox in front of him.

"I guess that would be more of your request, Ryan... Since you are Niles are a couple of fucking fags together."

The hallway went quiet in a matter of two seconds, Sam's laughter dying.

"Oh shit... Jacob, we were just playing. That was a bit overboard." Sam suddenly said with an alarmed tone.

"Jacob... You didn't need to say that word." Dion said quietly with worry.

Ryan's shit-eating grin had been wiped off rather fast... And Tio, as well as Dion, looked shocked.

Jill just clearly looked like she had not heard right. Jacob had genuinely taken enough fun making on one sitting.

"Yeah... That's right. I know you two are gay together. I don't even know how you can keep a straight face about accusing me of this stuff if you have sex with another guy." Jacob said bluntly.

Tio was giving the questioning and scared look at the dog, silently asking if the dog had lost his mind.

Ryan took a few seconds to process that Jacob was not joking anymore, clearly in his feelings. He then spoke back.

"... Jacob... We were just playing around. What the fuck is up with you, saying something like that? You going to act like Farin and Maurice over a few jokes? Get a grip man." Ryan said in total annoyance.

"... So, you are denying it?" Jacob asked hesitantly.

"Of course, I am. Niles is just my best friend. What the fuck is your problem, Jacob? Are you looking to get your ass kicked or something? We were just having fun, you know that. You always joke around like this about everyone, but now that it's your turn, you just going to take it somewhere it doesn't need to be?" Ryan asked with a disappointed tone.

"Ryan- I-I'm sure that Jacob didn't mean what he said. Jacob, apologize to Ryan. Please." Dion said in total scare, everyone tensing up as the energy had shifted in the group upside down.

"I'm just stating the facts. Because I've been told about this thing by someone who was more than convincing about it. So, I know this was true. This person wouldn't lie.-" Jacob spoke confidently, Ryan shaking his head and looking at Jacob with a serious and threatening gaze.

"Wait what? Who? Who is telling stuff like that to you?"

"Someone who really knew what he was talking about," Jacob assured.

Before Jacob could talk anymore, Ryan quickly looked at Dion in panic, his brother giving shocked expression right back and giving denying nod from side to side. It was the clear signal that it wasn't him. The doubt was there but Ryan didn't want to believe that Dion would have broken such an important promise.

The fox turned to look at Jacob... And this time, he sounded like he was about to get violent.

"And who the fuck exactly would say that kind of shit about me? You hanging around with Farin these days or something? Because if someone spreads lies about me or Niles like that, I want to know the name. Now."

"Ryan-" Dion began worriedly. Jill was too scared to talk.

"Shut up, Dion. I'm not going to let Jacob call me a fag all serious and think I'm not gonna have a reaction. Are you going to talk, J, or do I have to break your face?"

"Ryan, don't start to fight him, Jacob clearly didn't mean it. He is just angry. Okay, Jacob. We sorry for playing around like that. Let's just tone it down, okay?-" Sam began from the side, Dion nodding at that rapidly.

The fox was clearly riled up, having never been actually angry at Jacob in his life. But this time he really was running on a dangerous area, especially when Ryan felt threatened by the fact that someone was spreading a rumor that was a threat to him and his boyfriend. If people started to believe such, it would be brought to Calvin and he would act on it... And Charlie was the last person Ryan wanted to find out about it.

"Jacob. Who was telling you this?" Ryan asked with a serious tone.

"... Are you seriously going to beat me up over it? Because you are not going to like the answer." Jacob asked slowly in genuine worry. He now started to realize that he had acted a bit too emotional and was about to visit Amir's treatment soon. He would have a zero chance against Ryan in a fight.

"... That is up to you. Did you make that shit up, or did someone really tell you this filthy lie?" Ryan asked with a serious tone.

"... Look, buddy... I... I was just annoyed. I didn't mean it. I was just trying to-"

"I'm not your fucking buddy! Give me the name! Jacob, who said that shit?!" Ryan began, getting clearly more agitated because it seemed like Jacob was actually telling the truth.

"Come on, Ryan. You know me, I was just-" Jacob now began, starting sound scared.

The fox had enough. He grabbed the dog by his collar quickly and spoke.

"Are you going to fucking speak to me or not?"

"RYAN, STOP!" Dion yelled.

"Guys, please just stop this!" Jill yelled as well.

"Ryan, don't hit him, please," Sam said, laying his paw on Ryan's shoulder.

"FUCK OFF!" Ryan said slapping the paw right away off from his shoulder and looking back at Jacob.

The fox was raising his paw up, ready to hit Jacob in the face.

"Ryan, I'm sorry man!" Jacob began in panic, everyone looking like they were about to grab Ryan to stop this. The fox was about to punch Jacob right in the face.

"It was me, Ryan. Don't hit him."

Everyone slowly turned around to look at Tio. The wolf was looking rather nervous but sounded convincing.

"... Excuse me, what?" Ryan asked as he let go of Jacob right away, turning around.

"... It was me." Tio said back quietly.

"... You?" Ryan asked like it didn't make absolutely no sense.

Jacob was looking at Tio in total confusion now, wondering what the fuck was he doing.

"Yeah. I'm sorry. I was telling that to Jacob."

"... Is this a fucking joke?" Ryan asked with a serious tone.

"No." The wolf just said bluntly.

Now everyone was way too confused to understand what was even going on anymore.

Ryan spoke with threatening tone, looking at the wolf in question and balling his paw into a fist.

"What have you been spreading about me, you fucking nerd? Why are you saying that me and Niles are fags?"

"... "Tio didn't answer, just looking at Ryan.

"Did you hear what I just asked, you fucking mute freak? You better start explaining yourself. And do it in plain English or I will smash your teeth out."

"Oh maaan, Ryan. Chill out, please." Sam said from the side scaredly.

The fox ignored the remark, taking a few steps closer.

The wolf just closed his eyes, taking a deep breath and readying to get ass-beating of his life.

Dion was about to step in with Sam, both readying to grab Ryan before things could escalate totally out of control.

Ryan ended up chocking Tio right away, the wolf feeling his eyes open from scare and the pressure from Ryan's paws being too much for him as he started to gasp air. Dion and Sam grabbed Ryan's arms, the fox effortlessly shoving both away from him but ending up releasing Tio for a moment, the wolf able to catch breath and gasping as he fell on his knees.

Jill was screaming Ryan to stop.

The fox tried to go for the wolf again in his outrage until he felt someone grab him from behind.

The German shepherd had taken a hold of Ryan, trying to calm him down and the fox yelling.

"LET GO OF ME!"

"DUDE, YOU ARE ACTING CRAZY RIGHT NOW! YOU FREAKING CHOCKED TIO!" Jacob yelled in panic, knowing that once Ryan would get free, he would get a lot of punches in return.

"FOR A REASON, HE IS SPREADING FUCKING LIES ABOUT ME!" Ryan yelled.

"NO, HE ISN'T! HE JUST MADE IT UP!-" Jacob tried to yell. The fox managed to get free, shoving Jacob on the ground and making the dog land on his butt against the ground. Dion and Sam quickly grabbed Ryan by his hands before he could move again.

"He is calling me and Niles a fag against my face and you are all taking his side?! Just let me talk to him!"

"Not until you have calmed down, Ryan!" Dion yelled desperately, begging for the fox to take a hold of himself.

"Okay, okay! Fine! Let go! I'm calm!" The fox said, huffing and ripping the arm holds off from him. Jill was on the ground, helping Jacob up carefully and Sam started to check up on Tio right away, the wolf still coughing up.

The fox was just breathing rapidly. Dion talking to his little brother calmingly.

"Just breathe... Ryan... Look, we all need to calm down..."

"... Yeah, finefinefine... Fucking... Just... I don't like to be called..."

"I know..." Dion whispered, having his paw on his brothers' shoulder and calming him down. So far, he was slowly succeeding, the fox just panting and nodding at him to show that he was slowly getting his blood pressure down.

"I-I'm sorry, dude... I just... I didn't mean-" Jacob began.

Ryan was just waving his paw at the dog and muttering.

"What the fuck ever..."

Jill was finally breathing in relief, clearly not used to this kind of mornings at all. But neither was any of them. They had not seen Ryan this pissed since he had tangled with both Farin and Maurice year ago in the middle of the dining hall. When Ryan was getting under adrenaline, it was hard to stop him.

So far, everything seemed to quiet down... Until something happened.

"H-hey... What is that... What is that noise?" Sam asked quietly, his ears perking up.

"What fucking noise?" Ryan asked in agitation like it was a poor attempt of trying to change the energy on the hallway by making something up.

"... I can hear it too." Jill suddenly said others starting to listen slowly out of interest.

"... What?" Tio asked confusedly.

"... It's coming closer." Dion said after two seconds, now everyone clearly hearing it. Ryan spoke quietly as he couldn't deny the growing noise that was heading in their direction.

"What is that?" He asked.

Everyone turned their gazes at the end of the hallway, hearing the rumble and the yelling making its way to them.

"It's coming from the senior hall's way?"

"It-"

Their eyes widened out of confusion the moment they didn't have to guess anymore.

A flood of people were running towards them now.

Screaming. Panicking. Running for their life.

The sight was so overwhelming and unexpected that none of them knew really how to react, just staying on their spots and seeing as the people were running closer and closer to them.

But the moment they realized, these people were not about to dodge them in the hallway, they had to move in order to let them pass through.

And for a moment, they were swarmed all around, everyone yelling confusedly questions and cursing as their feet almost got stomped.

"RUN! HE HAS GONE CRAZY!"

"LOCK THE DOORS!"

"GET THE KIDS!"

Those were some of the distinctive shout outs on their way past them, not really answering anything. But the concern indeed was heavy. It didn't take a lot to notice that something very serious was going on.

"WHO HAS GONE CRAZY?!" Ryan yelled in agitation for a desperate answer on everyone's mind, as last of the people were stumbling their steps and looking behind them paranoidly.

"WINCHESTER!" Someone yelled.

"WHAT?!" Ryan asked right back.

After hearing that, he needed an answer. His already agitated state gave him the courage to suddenly grab someone by the arm.

And that person was Tio's father.

The wolf stopped and looked at the fox, gazing at the scared younglings around them.

"TIO! We need to go! Right now! We need to get to away from here!" Santino yelled, Ryan, letting go of his arm after realizing who he was, the old black wolf walking to Tio.

"Mister Tampico, what is going on?! Why are people running?" Dion asked scaredly from the wolf.

"Dad, I'm not going anywhere before you answer Dion," Tio said firmly.

"Son, what we need to do now is... Scratch that, all of you younglings. Follow me, I can protect you. I have a knife in my cupboard. I know it sounds scary, and I am not making a lot of sense, but right now... We need to go!"

"K-knife? Protect us? From whom? MR TAMPICO-" Jill began, everyone looking way more afraid now as the wolf was far from kidding around.

"I... Charlie has a gun. He... He is trying to kill Randal Hovan! I fear taht most likely has already! And he... Before that he... Oh god, we need to go!" Santino said like there was no sugar coating it.

"A-are you talking about my dad?!" Dion asked, Ryan, shaking his head like that could not be true.

"... I am afraid so! Look, children... Tio, all of you come with me!-" Santino said, starting to guide his son by his shoulder to leave the scene. And it was clear that despite hesitation and the thousand inheld questions, others were ready to join Santino. Jacob, Sam and Jill staid close to the elderly wolf now, Dion and Ryan not moving an inch.

"Mr. Santino... There is no way that Teacher Charlie would-"

"Yes, there is. He-"

"Why would he want to kill Randal? Nothing that you say makes any sense. I am not coming with you!" Ryan said bluntly like this had to be one big misunderstanding.

Santino looked panicking for a while and spoke with a sympathizing tone.

"Ryan... Your father accused Randal just now of attempting to murder his own son. And when people didn't believe him... He... He started shooting."

"... WHAT?" Ryan asked like Santino was blatantly lying.

"I know It sounds crazy-" Santino began until they heard an echoing sound that all of them heard now, chilling their spine.

BLAM!

BLAM!

BLAM!

The voice of a handgun echoed three times in a row from the hallways, making them freeze their words from terror.

"Oh god... GO! GOGOGOGO, RUN!" Santino said, having enough of standing around. Jacob, Jill, Tio and Sam, all did something everyone else did. They started running. The fearful thought of their loved teacher having gone crazy was more believable now.

Those were clear gunshots coming behind only a few doors and hallways in between. Someone was definitely shooting someone.

Only Dion and Ryan were standing still, looking at each other in fear and wondering what they should do.

Santino and others turned around after seeing Ryan and Dion still stand on their spots.

"RYAN! DION! DO NOT GO TO HIM! FOLLOW ME TO SAFETY!" Santino yelled, not wanting these two to get harmed when he had the chance to save them.

Dion and Ryan both looked at their scared friends' wave at them from the corner and yell for them to follow.

"HUSKER! RYAN, COME ON!" Jacob yelled.

"DION!" Jill yelled, about to cry.

Dion was about to do what others did... Until Ryan spoke quietly with a determined tone, steeling himself up.

"Fuck this."

The fox started running in the opposite direction, planning to confront the situation going on in the senior hall.

"NO! RYAN!" Dion yelled desperately, his brave little brother running towards the danger head-on.

"HE IS OUR FATHER!" Ryan yelled like it had to mean something to Dion despite his fear.

And he knew Ryan was right. He had to be strong. He needed to know. He could not let fear control him during this moment, as it always usually did.

He started running after Ryan...

And the yells for them to come back, waded away, as the two brothers ran side by side for their father.

END