Alex was now dragging Caught (his friend, perhaps even something closer) into the woods. "TIM! GO! RUN, SAVE YOURSELF!" Caught screamed.

But Tim remembered exactly what had happened last time he had abandoned a friend. Jay had died at the hands of this.. this monster that looked like Alex but moved in a distinctly inhuman way.

Tim heard Masquerade in the back of his head. You have a chance to end this. Avenge Jay at last. Don't let his death be in vain, do what you know you have to do. Kill.

Tim decided that this was not going to end like Jay's tale had. He tore after Caught.

-
"You were right, Tim, in the end. I am something bloodthirsty now - a vampire. Look at what you've done to me. I want to rip you apart, and yet I want you to stay with me forever. This, all of this.. was your fault. So here's what I'm going to do. You're going to watch as I kill every last one of your 'friends,' one by one. You're going to watch as I drink the blood from their veins and bleed them dry. And then, at last, we will be the last infected left." Alex hissed.

"The sick can stay together. Forever." he added.

Tim was fading fast. He could see Alex striding towards Caught (not again, god, not again) with that violent elegance.

Something feral in Tim took control. Carnal instincts ruled him. He was becoming a monster. He was not going to let Alex claim another of his friends, not today.

Tim tackled Alex to the ground. His Aura was now visible - a deep shade of ebony. And his eyes glowed an bestial amber.

Alex smirked, baring his fangs. "Your inner beast reveals himself." Alex spat. Tim's only reply was a feral snarl. The two were tyrants, struggling for control and domination. Tim turned his head and growled only one word to Caught in a monstrous baritone: "RUN."

Caught was rooted to the ground. He was transfixed at this sight. It was darkly enthralling, seeing Tim become this primal carnivore of a man.

Alex's smirk had grown more malicious now. "You wouldn't do it. You're too weak. You always have been, Tim." he taunted. This monster that wore Tim's skin grabbed Tim's silver rapier, Masquerade.

"I am not Tim. I am a monster. And I will not allow you to take what is mine." Tim snarled. And Masquerade pierced Alex's black heart.

Alex Kralie, the vampire, died with dark laughter on his lips.

And Tim, the Beast, loomed over his corpse. His breathing was heavy, his claws unsheathed. He'd won.

Caught just watched. A beat of silence passed.
"Help me dispose of this corpse."

Caught, ever the conversationalist, simply went "Ok."

The two walked away from it all.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: An old chapter I had saved in my files. Figured you guys would want it, after all this. An update on this fic's future coming today. Y'all deserve it.