A/n: Well, here we have it Screaming in the Dark, the prequel to the one-shot Claw Your Skin. This has to be probably the hardest fic I've ever written, so I apologize if this first chapter is rough. There's a lot of stuff to explain and get out there and the only way to write it, that I know, is more in line with how someone writes a screenplay. So I hope you understand, feel free to ask questions!

EDIT A/n: This piece is no longer associated with Claw Your Skin. (2/14)


Killian's shoulders were pitched forward as he pushed open the door of the tavern, his pack hot on his heels as they made their way in and sought out their usual table. The tavern was quiet, but only because they'd arrived. A hush always fell around the establishment, attention turned towards the menacing group of men that filled the room with their presence. Every week, like clockwork, they came - drinking and playing to their hearts' content and finding the women who were all too willing to lay with the wolves for a night.

Unlike other packs around the kingdom, they didn't conceal what they were. They embraced it. Even their appearances and mannerism had taken on that of the wolf.

"I see my favorite men have come back around."

Killian lifted his gaze from his rum, a smirk forming on his lips as he set his sights on Milah. "Men?" He questioned, feigning injury at her words. "Here I was thinking you had a favorite man." He reached out and caught a hold of her arm, tugging her down onto the bench beside him.

Milah gave him a cool smile, one that didn't carry to her gaze. "You did mark me after all." She slid her hand slowly over his thigh, leaning in close so their lips were almost touching.

His eyes narrowed, flickering to her lips. "And that means your mine." He caught her lips, but she pulled away, causing a low growl to rise up in the back of his throat.

"Only if you take me away from here." She said, pulling away from his powerful arm that was curled around her waist possessively. "Let me join your pack. Take me away from this life. Away from thatman."

Killian tensed, reaching for his mug of rum and downing it, masking the glint of anger in his eyes. "We discussed this. You have a son who is too young to travel with us."

"We also," She danced her fingers over the deep v neckline of his shirt, brushing her fingers over his dark curly hair, "discussed, that we could come back for him." Milah rested her chin on his shoulder, her breath dancing over his year. "Come on Killian."

Killian glared at her out of the corner of his eyes, "We leave tomorrow. Be ready to go." He said lowly, brushing her away and grabbing his mug again. He knew the game she was playing at; she'd played it with him since the very first day that they met. She knew how to get what she wanted and for the most part, he was fine with it. Most days, she made him happy. But the thought of abandoning her son left a foul taste on his tongue.

He wanted the family unit – a pack of his own. He'd marked her as his and he'd sworn to her that he was completely hers. But there were times where he doubted just how serious she was about the mark; when her gaze drifted to other men in his pack and she seemed less interested in him when he came back into town.

But he was happy. Why wouldn't he be happy?


The streak of black came out of nowhere. She slammed on her breaks as quickly as she could, but it came a second too late. The animal cried out loudly as the cruiser hit it stumbling a few more steps before collapsing against the hard ground.

Emma got out of the car as quickly as possible, moving cautiously towards the injured animal. It looked like some sort of dog; thick black hair, now slick with the shine of red blood. But at the same time it was almost toobig to be a dog. She watched as it struggled to get back onto its feet, trying in earnest, it seemed, to avoid her.

"Hey there," She held her hand out as she approached; trying to tell the animal that she was harmless. If it was someone's pet she was going to have to take it to the shelter and get it checked out. But that meant getting it into the cruiser and with the way it – he, she was certain it was male – was trying to edge away from her, she didn't think she was going to have any luck.

"Come here boy," Emma inhaled sharply as the dog turned around to face her, unbelievably blue eyes meeting hers. "I'm not going to hurt you." She stepped closer and the dog bowed its head, as if to say he wasn't going to harm her either.

Honestly, she had no idea if this was someone's pet or if this was her first night in Storybrooke all over again and she'd hit some wild animal. She held her hand out, smiling in relief as the dog sniffed at her hand, licking at her fingers. "Come here, I won't hurt you." Emma said again, brushing her fingers over his head, scratching gently behind at his ear.

The dog moved closer, raising his muzzle to sniff at her hand again - those blue eyes on her as he moved closer. It was almost trance like, that was the only thing Emma could akin it to. She wasn't entirely certain if that look was telling her that she was his prey or if it was a look of uncertainty.

"That's a good boy," She slowly stood up, trying to get him to follow her to the cruiser. He was limping with every step and from the way that he was panting she had a feeling that he had a few broken ribs as well. "Let's get you to the shelter," Emma said, patting her leg as she moved around to open the cruiser door. "I don't want to have to pick you up, come here." The dog started to edge away, wary of the vehicle that had hurt him.

"Come here boy." She urged, her brows knitting together as he started to back up. "Come here. I have food." Emma said, shifting the tone of her voice, having seen plenty of people with their dogs in dog parks, using that same engaging tone to get their dog to come to them.

Emma leaned into the cruiser, grabbing the wrapper from her grilled cheese from Granny's, turning back around to offer it to the dog. "Here…" She trailed off, finding the space where the dog had been standing empty. She moved around the car, looking out towards the line of trees. There was nothing. No sign of anything moving through the forest, trying to get away from her. It was absolutely silent.


"You look like shit." Ruby teased as she sat the bandaging down on the foot of the bed, a wolfish grin plastered to her lips as she met his gaze. "Did you get hit by a car or something?"

"You're hilarious." Killian scoffed, reaching out for the bandaging, wincing at the pain that streaked through his chest as he moved. He pressed his hand against his ribs, as if it would ease the ache that had set in there. "Perhaps you should try getting hit by one of those… whatever it was."

"Car," She repeated slower this time, her gaze falling to his trembling hands as he wound the bandaging around his bruise blackened skin. "You really should have let me bring Victor over to take care of those."

A low growl rose up in the back of his throat, "No." He ripped the excess bandaging off and threw it across the room, glaring at her. "Fetch."

Ruby rolled her eyes as she got up off the bed, moving over to retrieve the discarded bandages. "Just because you got hit by a car doesn't give you the right to act like an asshole."

"I do believe that you, my darling sister, have been away from my company for far too long. You've forgotten my finest qualities." He smirked, though there was no humor in his gaze as he slowly lowered himself back onto the mattress.

Ruby rolled her eyes, "Oh, I haven't forgotten what an ass you are." She tossed the bandages back at him, "Wrap your arm." She nodded towards the gash on his mid-forearm, her brows creasing together. "That car got you good."

Killian's gaze lifted to hers, ignoring the injury that she'd pointed out. "I want to know who it was in the car."

"Well, what did they look like?"

A wistful smile curved his lips, "Straight golden hair… kind green eyes." He looked away so Ruby couldn't see the look on his face. He may have gotten hit by a car, but he wasn't over how the woman had looked at him."

"Sounds like Emma Swan to me. Why do you want to know?" Ruby's hands went to her hips and she stared down at him. "If you're going to do something that's going to ruin this city, I'm going to get Victor bring restraints."

"Kinky." Killian retorted. This time it was his turn to roll his eyes. "I've got enough to deal with with my actual revenge. I have no interest in engaging with that woman." Though her name danced around in his thoughts, making him question whatever the hell last night was.

"Are you serious?" Ruby narrowed her eyes at him, her shoulders pitching forward. "If you keep this up, I'm going to get him to sedate you."

"You're the one who offered your charming Inn for my use." Killian reminded her, tapping the side of his nose. "I think you've missed your pack Ruby. You wanted my presence around again."

"I offered you the Inn because I know full well what you're in town for, Killian. And you know what? That blond, the one who hit you last night, she'll haul your ass off to jail if you pull some shitty stunt."

Killian gave her a droll look, "I simply desired to know who the woman was. Why do you think I have some nefarious plan up my sleeve?"

"Because I know you." She crossed her arms across her chest. "You've been seeking revenge for how long now? I don't put it past you to try to get revenge on Emma for last night."

"You don't really know me then." He said, looking away from her. "I only intend to kill him; I have no interest in harming anyone else. That would go against all of my efforts."

"I know the look in your eyes Killian." Ruby said, her voice softening, shaking her head.

He stiffened, his eyes snapping towards the window. "You should go. I need to rest." He could hear something. But he didn't know what. A steady beat. Like a heart, echoing in his head.

"Are you sure you don't want Victor to come by and check you out?" Ruby questioned, slowly moving towards the door, "He won't tell anyone that you're here."

"No." He gritted. "I've been through far worse than this, Ruby." Killian said distantly, his eyes still on the window. "I'll survive. I always survive." Even while everyone after everyone else had gone away. He still managed to survive. For the sole purpose of revenge.

Killian waited until he heard that she was further down the hallway, heading for the staircase. He didn't need her worrying about him; he could take care of himself. The only reason he was here in the first place was because she took pity on him when she found him limping down the road. He could take care of himself. He didn't need anyone.

Ignoring the pain in his chest, he pushed himself out of bed, moving towards the window. He pulled the curtain aside, looking down at the street below. Just as he assumed, there she was – the blond from last night. His eyes narrowed, focusing on her. Emma. There was something about the way she moved… the way her lips curved as she laughed along with the man in plaid standing in front of her.

This had never happened before.

Killian pulled away from the window, skulking back to the bed with unsteady steps. He couldn't let himself get distracted. He had worked too hard to get to this town, to simple throw it all away because of a woman.Revenge. That was what he was focused on.

Not Emma.