It hadn't taken a lot of time getting their things together. Setting up wolf's bane water balloons to toss at the werewolf to keep it at bay. Malcolm insisting that Raphael be armed with the balloons along with a tranq gun. Even though, his partner felt like it was a little overboard. He didn't argue with him over it. Instead, he just took the item from him as they got ready to head out. Gil had him focus on the teenager that the wolf was attacking. Trying to figure out what the kid looked like. Raphael explained,"He was pretty tall for a teenager."

"Has short dark brown hair and is white.",Raphael added. Forcing himself to see the vision from before once again. As he needed to be sure of the details. Then he continued,"He's wearing jeans, a red t-shirt, and a bright red Elmo hoodie."

"Well, he should be easy to find.",Gil remarked. Especially if he was wearing a bright red Elmo hoodie. They were really lucky that Raphael had seen it beforehand. For once, it was starting to seem like things were going their way. That this case would be over in no time flat and they could leave Absaroka to go home. Find ways to deal with Malcolm's upcoming werewolfism in peace. Both the younger men were even starting to feel cautiously optimistic that they could fix this. And finally get the Hitchhiker Killer either behind bars or dead.

Raphael would prefer that he be dead to avoid hurting others. That the werewolf deserved to be dead for what they've done to others. Not just what he had done to Malcolm.

Malcolm just wanted this to be all over sooner than later. As there was so much that could go wrong. That Gil could get bitten. Or his partner could. Either of them could die during this. Then there was the whole 'Darius Burns' thing that made him worried. That man seemed to have an interest in their psychic. For what reason, Malcolm wasn't entirely sure. But, he knew it wouldn't be good. As the vampire was suspicious from the first time they spoke with him. The way that he spoke about the werewolf to them. It felt like he knew more than he actually was telling them. Something that he brought up with Gil and well, Gil felt so too.

Though they didn't have proof on it.

It was hard to understand why but, he felt Darius knew the werewolf. Who they were and wasn't going to come forward on it. Which was something that worried Bright even more. Why? Why feel the need to protect someone mauling your food source? It didn't make sense to him. But, they would figure that out as soon as they could get the white werewolf captive or dead. Not voicing it, the trio hurried out to Gil's car with their gear. Plan at the ready as they hurried off towards the Four Arrows casino in the hopes of getting there in time.

Quite a few moments later, they were looking around for the young man. Trying very hard to spot the red Elmo hoodie. So far, they hadn't been able to spot the teenager. Not even a hint of red from a distance. It was starting to make them all nervous. What if they weren't going to find the kid before the werewolf showed up. If the werewolf would somehow beat them to this kid. A half an hour into the search, Gil parked on the side of the road. Keeping a careful eye out for this teenager. In a low voice, he muttered,"You'd think finding a teenager in a red hoodie would be easier to spot."

"Maybe if we wait here, he'll come to us?",Malcolm offered. As it wasn't a particularly hot day for them to do so. And he highly doubted that the kid would take too long to show up. It was probably the wisest idea for the trio to do. Gil agreed,"Alright. Not like we have any better choice at the moment."

So, they decided to wait there for the young man. All of them doing their own thing as they waited. Raphael played with his phone as he thought of what he should do next. Taking a deep breath, he debated on forcing a vision or not. As there was this feeling of needing to double check what was going on. Whether or not he missed something about the young man. Then realized it was probably the wisest decision to do so. Feeling that they desperately needed this information to make sure that nothing was going south. A moment later, the vision slowly overcame him and he set his things to the side. Eyes probably glossing over as he watched the scene unfold. The young man was walking down the street and past the Four Arrows casino. It was around sunset when the young man past the whole place. Looking very uncomfortable as he tried to move quickly down the road. Glancing over his shoulder as he moved as fast as he could. Muttering stuff to himself that Raphael couldn't begin to hear clearly.

About five minutes into his walk there was a horrible noise. It sort of sounded like a howl but, not?

Raphael wasn't entirely sure of what the noise was. But, he knew that it was horrifying. So did the teen. His whole body froze before he bolted down the road as fast as he could. Screaming at the top of his lungs as he did so. Not looking back once as he ran as hard as he could. Arms pumping as the poor child tried to get away from the creature. Unfortunately, despite how hard he tried, it caught up to him and pinned him to the ground. Tossing him around like a dog with a toy. Ripping deep into the back of his neck until his head came clean off. Causing Raphael to grab his own throat in the vision. Eyes widening until the sight before him faded out of his sight. In a low voice, he muttered,"He'll be here in a little while."

"I really hope that we get this kid safe soon.",Raphael added. The vision was just so horrifying to him as they waited for the kid. He told the other men the entirety of his vision. As it had become much more clear than it had been that morning. Both the other men looked horrified at what he told him. Malcolm muttered,"Well, this is going to be interesting."

"We'll need to have him hide at the casino while we lure the werewolf.",he continued. It probably wouldn't take all that much for them to do. Use the kid's hoodie or a hoodie that's similar. But, that would mean Raphael would have to wear it. As he knew that the werewolf would recognize both his and Gil's scent. That was what worried him as he feared Raphael would be harmed. It made his stomach twist at the very thought of him being chased. Despite the weapons that he had on him, he worried that his partner would be harmed. Gil nodded his head in agreement as he looked over at Malcolm. Then Gil stated,"Yeah, that definitely sounds like our best bet."

"But do you think that Mr. Nighthorse would agree to helping us?",Gil pointed out. It was probably something that he wouldn't want to do. As this would bring a lot of drama to the Four Arrows casino. Possibly bring danger to not only himself and his staff. But the folks that were there for a good time. It probably wouldn't be something that Mr. Nighthorse would be fine with. The trio thought it over before there was a knock at Gil's window. Arroyo turned to look at the person who was knocking. Expecting to see a teenager standing near the driver-side window. Making a 'roll-down-your-window' gesture as he gave a tiny smile. When Arroyo rolled down his window, Gil asked,"Yes, Mr. Nighthorse? Is there anything we can help you with?"

"Well, I was here for Raphael's little vision.",Jacob explained. Looking into the backseat at Raphael and offered a sweet smile. Then turned his attention back to Gil and he continued,"Figured that I should come down here and offer to help you with it."

"Can't exactly have more people being attacked by that monster.",Jacob added. Malcolm realized it was probably to protect his business. As he doubted that the older man wanted people to know an attack happened outside his casino. Well, that was his first thought. Then he smothered that thought to the best of his ability. Wondering how he could think so low of someone that helped them? Sure, it was a little suspicous that Jacob was another psychic like Raph. But, he really hadn't given them a reason to doubt him. After all, the guy offered to help his partner with his power for nothing. So, he couldn't really be that bad, right?

Right.

"Don't suppose we could keep the kid there while we bait the werewolf?",Malcolm questioned. Knowing it was a lot to be asking of him. But, they really needed the kid to be somewhere that was relatively safe. He felt that the older man would say no but was surprised when Jacob agreed to the idea. Nodding his head, Nighthorse answered,"That's fine. It'll probably be for the best as my security team is more equipped to handle this."

That nearly made Raphael roll his eyes in annoyance. They were equipped to handle it too. Just not in the same mannner that Jacob's men were. Instead, he just put his phone back in his pocket as he looked behind them. Noticing something red in the distance. One that was getting closer at a slow pace. Then there was the young teenager coming towards Gil's car. It would probably take the young man a little bit to get to the car. So, Raphael stated,"Hey. I see the kid now."

Gil, Malcolm, and Jacob turned to look where Raphael was. Immediately spotting the child as he walked down the road. The hood of his red hoodie was up as he made his way towards them. Jacob backed away from Gil's car to give him space to move. Pulling away from the side of the road, he drove down towards the young boy. Keeping his window down as he called,"Hey, kid. Ya want a ride?"

The kid jumped for a moment before turning to staring at him. Eyes wide with fear for a moment. Then quickly recovered himself as he looked into the car. Debating whether or not he wanted to be inside of it. Raising an eyebrow as he stared at the trio. Causing Raphael and Malcolm to tense slightly in their seats. What if he said no? What if he just ran off instead? But, Gil wasn't concerned. After all, the teen was probably walking for quite a few hours to here. And probably would like to be riding in an air conditioned car. Then into an air conditioned place like the casino. There was no way that he would refuse to get inside. He kept his cool as he smiled warmly at the teen. Who nodded his head in agreement. Then he quietly answered,"Yeah, I'd really appreciate it. I just need a ride into the next town."

Getting into the back with Raphael and buckling up not that long later. Gil continued his drive down the road before pulling into the Four Arrows casino. When he did, the young man asked,"Uh, why are we here?"

"I'm a little young to be going in there ain't I?",he added. Sounding so very nervous and uncomfortable. Like he were about to bolt from the still moving car. Setting a hand on the kid's shoulder, Raphael answered,"Hey, it's ok. We're trying to keep you safe from the recent attacks on hitchhikers."

"I wasn't hitc-""Iget that but, the killer doesn't care.",Raphael informed. The Hitchhiker Killer didn't care if he was really one or not. All that mattered was he was a person alone. A vulnerable person alone. Malcolm pipped up,"Not everyone who was attacked was one. They were just alone walking this road."

"We think it'll be better if you hide here while we deal with the killer.",Gil insisted. Looking over at the kid, they prayed that he would go along with it. And for the longest moment, it didn't seem like he was going to. Then he nodded his head in agreement as he stated,"Yeah, ok. I guess it'd be the best place to go for a little while."

This was good. They were going to have a little less issues with this part. And they were grateful that the kid believed what they told him. Raphael didn't want to picture what would happen if he hadn't. Instead of lingering on the thought, they got him into the building. Heading back towards the road to get the trap ready for the werewolf.

~Almost Sunset~

Being bait wasn't something that Raphael had wanted to be. It made Malcolm slightly uncomfortable with the whole thing. But, he felt it was the wisest decision for the situation. Pulling the kid's hoodie up as he made his way down the road. Keeping the tranq gun in the pocket of the hoodie. Along with the gooey water balloons as well. Doing his best to have them pop as he quietly walked along. Listening hard for any telltale signs of the creepy pale werewolf. Any form of noise that sounded similar to the one from last night. Yet, the road was strangely silent as he walked down it.

This wasn't good. This was far from good as it could get. What if his vision was off by a long shot? That this was a week or maybe more away?

For the briefest moment, Raphael felt that he failed Malcolm and Gil. That he was worse with his power than when he first got it. Then the crawling feeling of a vision fogging up his vision. And he saw the wolf's white muzzle before the snap of a twig somewhere to the right of him. With that, he ran. Bolting as fast as he could down the road. Not glancing back once as the sound of werewolf foot steps grew louder and louder. The sound of their snarling, growling, and snapping jaws grew even louder. So much so that it felt like it was near his ears. But, there wasn't time for that now. Right now, the young psychic had to keep running until he reached the spot. The one that both Gil and Malcolm were set up. Just a few more feet. A few more feet and he would be with his team. His lungs were burning with the effort of his running but, he couldn't stop now.

When he was only a few feet from the spot, the creature lunged at him. Grabbing the hoodie tight in their claws and tossed him far away. Throwing the shorter man into a nearby ditch. Rolling a little as air left his lungs. Leaving him unable to scream or properly orient himself as the Hitchhiker Killer was cornering him. Drool leaking out of their maw as they stared down at him. Opening their mouth to terrify him with as he scrambled to grab the tranq gun. Soon as the item was pulled out, he aimed it at the creature. Without a thought, Raphael immediately pulled the trigger. Sending a handful of tranqs into the killer's chest. Which barely seemed to do any form of damage to them. As they barely noticed them as they slowly crawled down the ditch. Causing Raphael to scoot backward on his back to get away from it. Continuing to shoot tranqs into it. Right until he was completely out. His eyes widened as he stared at the now useless gun and threw it hard into the Killer's head. A loud pained grunt came from them but, they still came towards him.

Then he yanked out some of the balloons from his hoodie pocket. Wincing at the goo he was touching. As a few clearly popped while he was thrown into the ditch. But, there were at least three that were decently intact. And without a moment's hesitation, he threw them as hard as he could at the killer. Aiming for their face as he screamed for help.

Hitting the werewolf in the cheek, forehead, and chin. Coating their face in the liquid that caused them immeasurable pain. Screams, growls, and other noises coming from them. Backing away from Raphael as he was pulled up. For a moment, he thought it had been Gil. And he turned to him as he panted,"Just in time, I thought they were gonna..."

What else the young psychic said had died on his lips. As the person next to him wasn't Gil. Or even Malcolm. The person next to him was wearing a strange mask, goggles, and thick clothing. Like they were determined to not get burned by what little sun was out. A vampire. Wait, that didn't make sense. Why was there a vampire out here? Before he could make proper sense of it, the other person scooped him up and tossed him over their shoulder. Holding him as if he were nothing more than a sack of potatoes. One of their arms holding him around the upper chest. Their other arm wrapped around his thighs to keep him in place. And before he could properly see either Gil or Malcolm, they were suddenly moving. So fast that his mind couldn't entirely keep up. It was one moment there was the highway and then the next moment they were outside some house. Being set on his feet as the person walked towards the place.

The urge to run overcame him and he did not resist it. Bolting down the road for at least a few minutes. Then a second later, the person was in front of him. Grabbing the shorter man tight around the shoulders and turning him around. Frog marching him towards the house as they snapped,"Nuh uh. You're not running from this."

The person's voice didn't sound familiar in the slightest bit. They sounded like a man. Whoever they were. Raphael couldn't entirely understand who they were or why they wanted him. But, he knew he was in trouble. Malcolm and Gil didn't know where the Hell he was. Nor would they. His stomach twisted as he was forced into the house. Noticing that the living room had blackened windows. There was a thick curtain seperating the room from another room. Three men were already in the room together. One was someone the young psychic hadn't ever seen. An older gentleman that he'd also never seen before. But, from what Malcolm and Gil described, was probably Malachi. And then there was Darius sitting on the couch. Looking at Raphael with a raised eyebrow. The person who led him in had gently shoved him in. This made his stomach churn as he stumbled but, managed to stay upright. Doing his best to make his expression look annoyed rather than the terrified he felt. Crossing his arms, he asked,"The Hell is this? I thought I said I'd think your stupid offer over?"

"You couldn't wait for me to contact you?",Raphael continued. After all, he gave him his number. It wouldn't have been too hard for him to wait. Or at least Darius could have gone to the Red Pony to see if he was there. Hell, even if the vampire realized he wasn't going to call him. He didn't have to do this. What was the end goal for this whole thing? Darius answered,"Well, I wasn't the one who wanted to see you."

"Malachi did.",he continued. Motioning towards the elderly vampire seated in front of him. The older man didn't look intimidating in the slightest bit. In fact, he looked like someone's Grandpa. Yet, there was that feeling welling up in his stomach. Crossing his arms tighter against his chest, Raphael asked,"Okay. So the Hell do you want?"

"You usually this hostile towards folks?",Malachi questioned. Raising an eyebrow at Raphael's demeanor. Part of him felt bad for talking to him like this. It was something that would have gotten him yelled at when he was younger. But, they stole him from putting down a dangerous werewolf. Manners were the least of his problems. Raphael answered,"You just took me from stopping the Hitchhiker Killer and the rest of my team."

"I think it's reasonable that I'm acting like this.",he snapped. Both men glanced at each other at this. Darius then glanced at the man behind him. Who just muttered,"You said you guys wanted him. You didn't say that I had to wait."

"But to be fair, I think his friends're armed enough to handle them.",the guy added. Walking past Raphael to sit near the third man in the room. Not saying anything or looking at him as he plopped down. It didn't matter if Malcolm or Gil were 'armed enough'. They didn't know where he was or what was going on. And who knew if the Hitchhiker Killer was drowsy enough for them to handle. What if, despite all the things the young psychic did, it wasn't enough? That made him angrier as he sneered at the kidnapper. Then turned his attention back to Darius and Malachi. Noticing that they looked surprised by his anger. Raphael stated,"That's still not okay. I want to go back to my friends to put the damn Hitchhiker Killer down."

"I ain't helping you assholes with anything.",he informed. The two main vampires turned to each other then looked at him. Both of them were fairly annoyed with Raphael. Something that he did his best to ignore as he glared at them. It didn't matter that they didn't like this. At all. All that mattered was going back to his team. Malachi answered,"You're not going back to them."

"Now hang o-""Our offer wasn't really an offer.",Darius admitted. Wasn't really an offer? Then the Hell was it then? Raphael's blood started to run cold at this admission. They were keeping him for whatever reason they could think of. What reason, he wasn't sure. And that it didn't matter in the slightest bit. What mattered was getting free from either of these men. He didn't have his normal anti-vampire gear on him. Which wasn't much. Just some holy water in a squirt gun. Along with a spray bottle of garlic. Sure, he was wearing his silver bracelets that Malcolm bought him months ago. Chewing the inside of his cheek, Raphael took a step back. Then another as he asked,"Then the Hell is this?"

"Why can't I go back to stop the Hitchhiker Killer for?",Raphael questioned. A second later, Darius got up from the couch. Staring deep into the young psychic's eyes with a smirk. This wasn't about him. He sort of guessed this from the beginning. Who it was about, he wasn't entirely sure of. But knew that he was just a small pawn in the entire plan. Taking another step back as Malachi answered,"You don't need to know your part in this."

"Just know that you're helping a good cause, Raphael.",he continued. The taller vampire took a few steps closer to him. Helping a good cause? With vampires that could mean absolutely anything in the world. And he highly doubted that it meant anything actually good. So, as quick as he ever could, Raphael pulled open the door and ran outside. The sun was still out and cast a few rays into the building. A few screams came out from behind him but, he ignored him. Unless there was a fire but, he would not look back. All that mattered was getting away from the place. Even without him knowing where they were, he had to get away. Far away from the house that the men were in. Not knowing if they were going to come after him. But not really caring in the slightest bit. While he bolted, he realized that nothing looked familiar in the slightest bit. There was no way that he knew where he was going. Or be able to get back to the place he had been either. But, Raphael didn't care. At the moment, all that mattered was getting away from the house. While he ran, there was an odd tugging at his wrist. Pulling him towards the side of the road and he allowed the feeling to pull him. Unsure of what would happen as whatever it was yanked him to a hollow tree.

Quietly, he slipped into the hole in the tree. Pulling out his phone to start calling Malcolm. A second later, he was receiving a call from his partner. Immediately answering it, Raphael whispered,"Mal, that vampire had me kidnapped."

"I don't know where I am and I don't know what to do.",he added. Looking towards the entrance of the tree hollow. Hoping that a vampire wouldn't be poking their head in. Eyes wide as he tried to keep his breathing from easily being heard. Malcolm whispered,"Stay where you are, we'll contact Mathias and see what he can do to help."

"Whatever you do, don't leave wherever you're hiding.",he continued. Which his partner didn't have to tell him twice about. Quietly, Raphael muttered,"I won't leave, I love you."

"I love you too, Raphie.",Malcolm stated. Then his partner hung up. Leaving Raphael seated in the tree hollow. Praying that someone would save him from whatever the Hell this situation really was.