A/n- Back for more, eh? If you're looking for a happy chapter, turn away now.

WARNING- This is not going to be a full chapter. I'm saying this in advance so I don't get unruly complaints. Part 63, what you're reading now, is a half-sized bite of Seeing Grey. This was done so the next few parts would flow more easily. All complaints on this one's length will be laughed at.

Rating- PG-13 for some not-so-happy events.




Seeing Grey - Part LXIII - Deliver Us




Hey, Kemmel, where's Rom? Remus shouted across the noisy cafeteria in late June.

That wife of his wasn't feeling well I guess, he took some time off. the mail carrier replied, trying desperately to find the owner of his current package.

Hm... Hope she's alright. he mumbled, despite his short terms with the woman. She was still family, after all, something he was rather short on.

I wish I could tell Rom... He'd probably try to kick me out of here or something. He has his reason though, it's not exactly safe for me to work at the Ministry like this...'

Hear about that raid, Al?

What raid? he asked, inviting the tired man to take a seat and half his sandwich. He declined the meal, but readily slouched into the plastic chair.

The Defense Squad went out and rounded a whole band of werewolves that had been hiding out in London.

Remus choked on his drink, and tried to remind himself not to go into shock.

I know! Kemmel said, mistaking his reaction for excitement. There's at least twenty of them last I heard.

Letting loose a strangled sigh, Remus swallowed the last few bites of his sandwich and tried to look normal.

I have to go, our entire wing is going to be a madhouse by the time the Squad hauls them in. he said. The mail carrier laughed in agreement, and wished him luck on finding some sort of order.

Not likely. he muttered sadly, pushing through the crowd.



Sir, would you mind terribly if I took the afternoon off?

We could really use all hands on deck today, Al. What with those beasts coming in...

That's the problem, you see. Remus said, putting on what he hoped was a frightened look. My father was killed by a werewolf when I was a boy...

Ah, no need ot say more. Sure, take the day off, I can find someone else to fill the void. he said with a smile. Remus bowed his head thankfully, and hurried away, trying to formulate a plan that had even a fraction of a chance at succeeding.



Ah, Jesus help me now... Remus said to himself, hidden away in a utility closet.

A huge congregation of Aurors and other Ministry members had just marched into the ground-level wing of the Ministry, yelling triumphantly to show off their catch. Behind the mass of adults, a throng of tightly-packed and battered werewolves marched sluggishly.

Kill the filthy Dark beasts! someone shouted, cheering on the execution march.

What the hell can I do? Remus asked himself, his heart racing angrily. If I try to free them I'll end up dead...

He shut his eyes, and brushed away the image of the terrified pack of wrongly accused innocents. A smiling face replaced them, a gentle little quirk of a grin that promised better times in the future.

You're going to save us all someday, I can feel it. You just have to stop worrying so much, look for the better side of things. There's always another way if you look hard enough.

Thanks Elise. he muttered to no one in particular, slipping out into the crowd without a second though. In the dark confines of the closet, his troubles and apprehensions stayed beyond, waiting for a less critical time to overtake him.

Keep your head down, they'll make it worse if you act brave. Remus mumbled, joining the ranks of those plagued by lycanthropy. Shamelessly, he bowed his head, encouraging the other boy to follow suit.

Who are you? he asked, not looking up to meet the gaze.

No one, just another faceless hero. he said quietly.



One at a time now, steady. he said, helping the assortment of people into a partially-renovated room of the old wing that had been destroyed in the attack.

Is everyone well enough to last here for a while? I need to go back for the others. Remus asked, surveying the room. Most everyone captured had been beaten horribly by the Aurors or employees of the supposed Light.

Shrunken in a corner lie a trio of weeping children no older than five, all held by adults not their parents.

At least ten around his age, most beyond reality, lost behind their bruised faces and bullet wounds.

A dozen-so elders, each trying to find some logic to grasp onto. Many were uttering prayers, crossing themselves for fear they would perish soon enough.

I'll be back soon. he said quietly, his voice ringing in their ears like that of a saint. Try to hold together until then.

Not caring that a shrill piece of metal had found home in his leg, he hobbled off in search of the last five that had been broken apart from the pack.



Are you alright? he asked quietly, relieved to ave finally found the last crowd of his pack. Hunched in the corner of the newly-built wing of the Ministry, three older men and two very small girls were hunched together, trying to calm each other.

I'm here to get you out, the rest of the pack is safe. here, come with me- he started. Remus noticed a moment too late that one of them men's eyes had gone very wide, and his hand had started to point.

You're not going anywhere. a shaky voice interrupted. N-Not until you pay, for what you d-did to me...

Remus swallowed, his heart rising in his chest. To the back of his head he felt a thin barrel of metal press, quivering in place from an unsteady hand.

What do you want? he asked, hoping to calm the armed man down. The werewolves went rigid, and one little girl began to cry again. Remus cooed, wanting her to be silent. The gun jerked forward, making him stumble.

They d-destroyed my life... Everyt-thing. the man stammered. Remus couldn't see his face, but knew it was ridden with tears. between his words, he would sob uncontrollably, the gun inching forward, pressing to his skull.

It was under the influence of the full moon, sir, they can't control their actions when transformed. They wont even remember it.

So that j-justifies them, takin' my baby? T-They get away free for killin' him?

They older men diverted their eyes, ashamed of what they could not even recall to be true. Remus shook his head very slightly, knowing it wasn't their fault though still feeling the guilt.

You don't want to kill any of us. Remus said aloud. Ending our lives wont save your child, it's useless. Don't prey on the innocent.

the man snapped, his voice cracking even more. You... You killed um, you f-filthy little murderers!

Remus shut his eyes, willing reality to disappear. The icy end of the gun pushed hard against his head, making it nearly impossible to concentrate.

No way out...' he mused angrily.

I'm sorry about your wife. Remus started.

You killed her! D-Don't say that you're sorry! he chocked out.

My father died at the hands of a werewolf when I was very young. he continued. I know what it's like to lose people you love, but you have to understand, we can't help it. Remus explained, his eyes shut in thought. My entire life I've been degraded and prejudiced, and now I'm facing death because of something I cannot control. These people, like myself, would give anything to be a normal person again. We don't have that choice.

You killed my child. the man said quietly, his voice barely audible between his angry sobs. And stole my wife from me. I will n-not have pity for you... You killed my s-son...

And you think we aren't sorry? Remus snapped, his eyes beginning to burn.
He looked out into the torn eyes of his comrades whose names he didn't know, whose pain he shared. We're sorry every single day just for being alive.

The nose of the gun dropped slightly, resting at the nape of his neck.

Kill me, alright? I've had enough of this world, so shoot me if you want. take their lives though, you'll just become what you despise. A murderer of the innocent.

Doesn't matter. the voice said, its owner raising the gun, now steady. As long as you all end up dead I'll be content...

Before the trigger was pulled, Remus snapped around, pushing the nozzle away. A shot fired into the ground, littering a floorboard with shell.

Neither Remus nor the shooter noticed the stray bullets, they only noticed the other.

They killed him Remus... You killed him. he whispered, eyes red, voice shot from grief. Didn't even have a chance to live...

In disbelief, Remus let his hand slide from the shotgun, one that soon raised to his face.

I can't let you get away with it. Not this time... They killed him, you did...

Rom, please, you aren't thinking. Remus pleaded, his words catching in his throat.

His request fell on deaf ears. The solemn barrel aimed, and Remus forced his eyes shut.














A/n- Guess what? Yeah, that's the end. Evil, aren't I? I kind of hate to leave of on such a disgusting cliffhanger, but it's the only way I could make the 63-64 transition work to my liking. Ok, be angry now. ::cowers from angry mob::

Iggie

Note- My prayers go out to the family and friends of the Columbia crew... America is NOT having a good year.