Lamps illuminated the streets of Gehenna as the group exited the post office, passing by a vampire who politely said "hello" to Lewis as they walked inside, but were immensely confused by the presence of the Miles and Baines gentlemen. The walk to the front gate looked further away than it actually was. It was around a corner and several blocks away, but considering the situation, that could make all of the difference. Casually but with great caution they made their way down the sidewalk, taking only the well-lit paths to avoid danger that could be lurking in the shadows.
"That's a spot they like to hang out at." Lewis whispered, pointing at a bench that lined the sidewalk. "We should be careful. They could be nearby."
"Why didn't I bring the car?" lamented Audrey while shaking his head. His plan to be inconspicuous cost them a safe vehicle to get them out of there. "That was stupid…"
"You didn't know how long we would be here. It's not your fault." Kristopherson said. "It's nobody's fault. I'm scared. I'm scared out of my mind right now, but I don't blame you for it."
"Shh." Hushed Lewis, putting a finger to his lips. "Listen."
The group grew deathly quiet at the sound of groaning and animal-like growling coming from inside one of the buildings. Cold sweat began to coat their skin as their hair stood on end at the sound. It was a transformation, and upon realizing this, the group began to walk faster. The snarling and growling got louder as they rounded the corner, as one of the houses nearby seemingly has many werewolves in it. Even the vampires in the area tried their best to slink by.
"I can see the gate." Lewis pointed out, ushering the others along with massive arms. "Just a little longer."
"Good. I don't know how much more of this I can ta-" Audrey was cut off as one of the doors behind them flew open. They didn't dare, look, so Lewis did, shielding them from view to the best of his ability.
The werewolf's clothes strained against his large frame and thick, dark fur peeked out of them. No shoes were on his feet, as they no longer fit comfortably. His nails had become claw-like and his face was that of a wolf. There was no going back, now as its eyes scanned the street while stretching its limbs and scratching as though they just woke up. Walking faster, the group did their best not to stare as they made their way down the street, not knowing whether or not they had been discovered as the wolfman looked their way.
Audrey reached into his jacket and gripped the handle of his gun, even as the beast walked inside momentarily. He was not risking it. Kristopherson saw him, and the action only made him become more fearful.
"What are you doing?!" demanded the faux-blonde in a hushed tone. "Do you want them to suspect something?!"
"I'm just getting ready just in case something happens!" Audrey answered in a similar tone of quiet urgency.
"Don't— Don't just reach into your jacket like that! It makes it obvious!"
"Then what am I supposed to do?!"
"Be quiet!" Lewis warned, silencing them again. "Just stay focused! Everything will be fine as lon as you stay cal—Ah!" The ogre let out a yelp as a hand was placed on his shoulder, turning him around. His eyes stared at a man the same height as him, but much more frightening.
The werewolf stood at eye-level to the ogre, almost staring him down. Patches of greying fur were visible under the light of the streetlamps on the wolfman's face and head, giving the impression that he was older. He spoke in a grainy voice, using the entirety of his throat to bellow at the man before him.
"Postman…" the werewolf greeted without a shred of politeness. The threatening manner in which he spoke sent shivers down the spines of the outsiders.
"Kessler." Lewis said in shock, trying his best not to look away and point his eyes at Kristopherson and Audrey. "H-how are you doing this evening?"
"Wonderful." The wolfman replied, taking a moment in order to look up at the sky. "Every night the moon is out is a good night. It makes me feel alive."
This was the man known as "Kessler", the leader of "The Kessler Boys". His pack had been causing trouble all over Gehenna. They followed him almost religiously, imitating his every move and following his every order, gripping onto his ideas with almost deadly force. He was a dangerous man. No, he was not quite a man. Even in his human form, everyone thought of him more as a beast.
His eyes darted downward, catching a glimpse of the two men behind the ogre's back. "And who are they, mister Postman?" he questioned while tilting his head, causing Lewis' stomach to drop.
"Them?" he asked nervously. "They're just ordinary folks. They're helping us design the new uniforms for the post office."
"They don't look supernatural…"
"Neither do you, ordinarily, if you recall." Lewis said defensively, causing the wolfman's attention to shift again.
"What are they?" Kessler asked, stepping closer to Mister Knaggs and invading his personal space. Lewis could feel the other's breath on his face, persuading him to turn his head, ever so slightly.
"Sorcerers!" answered the ogre. "What else?"
"They don't look right… Who dresses like that around here?"
"Someone who doesn't have to buy their clothes in bulk, probably." Retorted Audrey, gesturing to the strained fabric tightly hugging the werewolf's frame. The remark cost Audrey his remaining security as Kessler looked his way, leaning down a bit to look him directly in the eyes.
"What was that?" he demanded.
"Just a simple observation, mate." The reaper answered, crushing his fear. He tried his best to act like one of their other friends who might be better equipped to handle this situation. The blonde menace was the first thing to come to mind, so Bones was simply going with it. "No need to fluff your coat."
"I could tear you apart." Kessler growled, baring his teeth. "You better watch your ass before I rip you to shreds."
"We're sorry." Butted in Kristopherson, grabbing Audrey's shoulder. "Don't mind him. He's kind of an idiot."
"What are you doing?!" hissed the reaper.
"Trying to get us out of here!" Kristopherson hissed back. "Stop antagonizing him you fucking twit! What the fuck is wrong with you!?"
"You're especially odd." Pointed out the wolfman, capturing both men's attention. They stared up at him, wide-eyed as their minds scrambled for a way out.
"Wh-what?" asked Kristopherson in disbelief as the colour completely drained from his face. He continued to stare at the beast while his body tensed, completely on edge. How did he know?
"You don't look right." Kessler said. "You look even weirder than him. I haven't been here long, but you don't look like somebody who fits into this picture. Are you really a sorcerer?"
Kristopherson opened his mout to reply, but he hestitated. The act he then proceeded to put on was thick and unconvincing. "What? Psh! Of course I am! Why else would I be let in here?"
"Oh, so you are a wizard, then?" asked Kessler, standing straight up. Now that he wasn't the sole thing occupying their field of vision, they noticed the wolf-like faces now pressed against the windows of the building.
"Shit…" muttered Audrey, causing the wolfman to smile. The sight of his teeth made their blood run cold.
"Show us a magic-trick then, lad." Kessler provoked, crossing his arms. "Go on, then. Show us what for."
Kristopherson's eyes darted around before eventually settling at his feet. They were wide with fear as it donned on him that he had nothing. No way to get out. No way to convince this beast. Nothing. Kristopherson was not magic. He couldn't even do any sort of sleight of hand! It was over. This is where he dies.
"Are you a fucking idiot?" Audrey butted in. "Don't you know that magic is a girl thing? Male sorcerers don't have as good of a chance inheriting the ability to use magic. Even when we do, it's weak."
This was true, thank god. Audrey had done his homework. The way that the genetics of sorcerers is set up, women are more likely to be able to use magic, and use it well. Should a man inherit the ability, they would need many rings to help focus their power in order for it to be used for something big. Audrey knew this, and it was a good thing. His friend's head shot up and a relieved smile formed on his face as it seemed as though he was in the clear.
"Then you're no better than a human." Kessler said, causing Kristopherson's smile to drop instantaneously. The faux-blonde took a step back as the wolfman put his face closer, leaning in as though he were about to whisper a secret into the human's ear. "I wonder if sorcerer's can become werewolves, too." He hissed, making Kristopherson's eyes go wide.
The Miles was completely numb as he couldn't feel his legs to run away. He was frozen in terror. It was over. This is where Kristopherson's life ends.
"Leave that shit to fuckin' scientists!" Audrey shouted as his fist collided with the side of the beast's skull, knocking him back some. Grabbing Kristopherson's wrist, he turned around and made a run for the exit. "Kris, c'mon! Let's go!"
Snapping to his senses, the faux-blonde began running, being unable to run at full speed without leaving Audrey behind. Lewis ran for a ways too, only to turn around and clock a wolf in the jaw when it got too close. He was attacked by another, and another still while the rest of the pack made a run for the two outsiders.
"Get out of here!" roared the Ogre. "I'll be fine!" he added before hurling a wolfman off of him.
Kristopherson and Audrey continued to run, taking only a moment to look over their shoulder at the pack of rabid dogs. Lights in the houses nearby turned on as the commotion woke the residents, but the pair kept running, making a beeline for the gate as fast as possible. Audrey let go of his friend's hand in order to grab the gun in his jacket. Their breath was ragged and their minds were too focused on living to notice the ache in their legs as their hearts pounded at the sound of feet hitting the pavement behind them and drawing closer. Some people in the houses came out, and the brave tackled some of the pursuers, getting them off their tails, but several wolves remained.
Feet hit hard against the pavement as they ran, running only on adrenaline at this point. "We're almost there!" said Kristopherson, only to jump in order to avoid the fangs that went for his leg. Audrey aimed his gun and sent a bullet through the beast's head, causing its body to fall with a mighty thud and disappear behind them.
"Hey!" Audrey shouted at the gaurds at the gate, now in sight. "Help us!" He waved his other arm over his head in order to alert their attention if the gunshot hadn't already. Relief began to build up from within him when he saw the men running toward them. Unfortunately, this lowered his guard and he was tackled from behind, his pistol landing on the ground several feet in front of him.
"Audrey!" Kristopherson called out, stopping his movement while Audrey held the werewolf's jaw, preventing it from biting down on him. Quickly, the faux-blonde darted for the gun, picking it up and aiming it.
His hands were shaky from fear, so the first shot missed and whizzed by the reaper and his assailant, causing another wolfman behind them to fall with a yelp. Trying to calm down, Kristopherson aimed again and pulled the trigger, this time hitting his target in the shoulder. It howled in pain, pulling back enough so that Audrey could kick it in the stomach and crawl away.
"Gimme the gun!" yelled the reaper. "Hurry!"
Kristopherson slid him the gun across the concrete, allowing it to fall into trained hands. Audrey then turned around, laying on his back, and fired just as the beast lunged again, hitting it between the eyes. It fell, its body landing on top of him.
"Fuck!" Audrey cursed as his friend frantically ran over to try and push the body off of him, dropping his bag in the process. Kristopherson tried with all of his might, and managed to lift the massive beast slightly, only to be knocked to the ground by another, screaming as fangs tore into his flesh.
"Kris!" the reaper desperately called out, trying to free himself so that he could help his friend. His muscles couldn't handle the weight and he was getting nowhere, still trapped as he was forced to listen to the screams of the faux-blonde as he was mauled. Tears stung in Audrey's eyes and the smell of blood filled his nostrils as he clawed at the ground with one hand and tried to wiggle the other one free so that he could at least use his gun.
Then, gunshots rang out and the beast on top of Kristopherson fell. A few H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G. soldiers stopped to examine the faux-blonde while others pushed forward to fend off rest of the werewolves. Fortunately, the appearance of H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G. soldiers dissuaded the beasts from pressing onward, and instead caused them to turn around in retreat.
Audrey's eyes stayed trained on his friend, never looking away as the agents surrounded the Miles, some of them shaking their heads and covering their mouths. Bones didn't even pay any mind to the men as the pushed the dead werewolf pinning him down, and he burst forth once he was free, ignoring the aches and pains of his complaining muscles as he stumbled to his feet and ran toward his friend.
"Move!" he barked, shoving soldiers aside. "I'm with H.E.L.L.S.I.N.G. too! He's my friend!" Once he was finally allowed through, he froze in his tracks upon seeing the other man's broken form.
Kristopherson's body twitched and he tried with all of his might to keep breathing with his torn throat while his eyes looked up at the sky above him without focus. He was lying in a puddle in his own blood, and he didn't even know what happened to him. Everything moved too quickly. He knew he wasn't in any pain, though.
Falling to his knees, Audrey grabbed the man's hand and squeezed it tightly. "Kris…" he said, his voice cracking. "Stay with me, man… Y-you're gonna be okay…" Turning his head, he looked up to the soldiers. "Don't just stand there! Get somebody down here!" he roared.
"A helicopter is on its way." One said. "They're gonna airlift him to HQ."
Slowly, Kristopherson moved his head and eyes in order to look at his friend, wheezing harder. The sound caught the reaper's attention once more, causing tears to stream down the man's cheeks. His contacts were irritated, but he could still make out that Kristopherson was moving his lips. More blood continued to fall from them as Kristopherson tried to call out to his friend.
"Just hold on, Kris!" Audrey pleaded, his own throat closing up. "Fuck… Fuck! Don't—Don't you fucking die on me! Don't fucking do it!"
His friend was pale. Veins were visible as they continued to pump blood that would eventually make its way onto the concrete. Audrey continued to hold his freezing hand tightly as the sounds of Kristopherson's choking filled the air. The man's own grip started to relax as his eyes became glassy, rendering him unable to see Bones anymore. The choking and wheezing was getting weaker, and Kristopherson wasn't moving.
"Kris?" the reaper called, now clutching his friend's hand with both of his, trying to strengthen the faux-blonde's grip himself. But he couldn't. "Kris? Fuck… Kris? Kris! Kris, stop! Fucking… Kris! KRISTOPHERSON!"
