Police Precinct -Interrogation Room-Kaitlyn

For three weeks and a half weeks, they wouldn't tell them who was dead. They had told Kaitlyn first, not allowing her to see Dylan. Or she would have told him herself.
Most of the victims bodies had been killed with silver bullets or had clear signs of being mauled. They didn't mention Ryan. That slightly worried her. That could also mean he was alive. They wouldn't answer her when she'd ask how Dylan was.

Finger prints on the gun that had killed Emma had matched both hers and Dylan's.

They were questioning her. For all she knew they were questioning Dylan too at the same time. Not even a week out of the hospital. Those bastards.
"We were all handling that gun that night. How could he have shot Emma with one hand? I thought it was a bear. "

"What about Caleb Hackett?"

"Caleb was attacking us. So I locked him in the freezer. "

"And you forgot him there?" The detective raised his eyebrow.

"We went out looking for the others."

Believing her story, because of her connections, she was cleared. It would be a lot harder for Dylan because he was Queer, an outsider. She could use the influence of her sister to get him out.


Police precinct -Interrogation Room -Dylan

"If you want proof there's pictures on Emma's phone. We agreed to take pictures in case you wouldn't believe us."

"Why did you have Miss Mountbanks phone?"

"I found her."

He had been the one to discover he body behind the bushes.
"Oh, no. Emma." He had realized that the werewolf in the van that had tried to attack them..

He had told Kaitlyn to shoot it with the shell with Abi's silver bracelet. In a way it had been unwittingly a symbol of justice for Abi. He had stumbled back into the lodge after that. He had tried to tell Kaitlyn but the next thing he knew was the floor of the lodge rushing up towards him and everything going black. The next thing he knew, he was waking up in a hospital, with several inches of his wrist missing. They had to take more off because of the infection. His remembered his father coming to visit him. And his sister Izzy. Vaguely.

"Sorry about the bears eating your hand." Sweet Izzy. "Heroes' always pay small sacrifices. It's in my fairy-tales."

"Well, Mr. Bun Bun was the real hero. He sacrificed his life to save us by trapping one of the big bad monsters in the freezer." That annoying stuffed rabbit had saved Kaitlyn. Ironically, what he thought would be the death of him, ended up being the coupe de grace. Saving grace.

"Really? I'm so happy he saved you and your friend Kaitlyn."

"I'm sorry about Mr. Bun Bun." He wasn't really. But he was upset for her.

"It's ok. I'm too old for him now anyway."

Then came the bombardment of questions from police. But the pain was too unbearable at times. He couldn't answer them. That couldn't be used as a valid exuse anymore.

"Did she bully you at all?"

"Emma? No. She gave me some advice actually."

"Oh?"

"That I should go for it with Ryan. She knew I have a thing for him."

"And did you? Go for it."

"Not really. We did play a game of truth and dare, it was my idea. When it was Emma's turn she made Ryan choose who to kiss between me or Kaitlyn. I'm sure she was the mastermind behind it."

"And did Ryan choose you?"

"No. He chose Kaitlyn..." He trailed off. He wasn't going to say anymore. How disappointed he had felt because they would use that against him. He could tell that they were already thinking it. "Wait. You think I did all of this? Over a stupid game of truth or dare?"

"Tensions run high during a game like that. Add underage drinking and hormones in the mix, well, things can become a bit heated. Miss Ka told us Miss Blyg got upset and walked off. Mr. Furillo went after her."

"Yes. That's when they got attacked in the woods..."

"How'd you take Mr Erzahler's rejection? Or were you upset that Emma dared you to kiss him?"

" I would never hurt Ryan. Or anyone. I was outed over a year ago and it actually did me a favor. Everyone at camp accepted me, far more than they did at home. They all knew."

"That you're gay."

"Queer." Dylan corrected. Like it would make a difference anyway to these close minded small town bigots.

"Did you get along with everyone?"

"Does everyone really ever?"

"What about Jacob Custos?"

"So, what. He was a dick. But he didn't deserve what happened to him. None of us did."

"What did happen to Jacob?"

"I don't know. I hadn't seen him since he went to the island looking for Emma. What does that have to do with anything? We were attacked by something. I've been interrogated for days and I'm sure had my rights violated and no one can tell me where the fuck the others are or what happened to them."

"We'll get to that. You said you were attacked by werewolves."

"I was delirious, from you know SHOCK, from missing a hand and an infection. And not the fun kind. We were attacked by something and Ryan's ghost stories didn't help, when you're stranded in the middle of nowhere in the woods, it sort of plays tricks on you." Crap. His mouth no doubt just dug himself deeper. He should have swallowed his pride and allowed his dad to get a lawyer.

"Like seeing things and hearing voices?"

Maybe that part he did imagine. Once on the phone in Mr H's office, then in the lodge. But Laura and Ryan had heard that same voice too.

The Hag of Hagett's Quarry.

If werewolves were real, ghosts wouldn't be too far of a leap, he supposed. If the others hadn't made it would they be ghosts too? Or maybe they were watching him from some afterlife, judging him. Or stuck between life and death in some purgatory.

Ryan, I hope you don't haunt my ass. If in the unfortunate circumstance you didn't make it. Of course he was joking. And couldn't believe that Ryan could be dead. There was no way.

"We know some sort of animal attacked you and your friends..."

"It wasn't just some fucking animal. It's right there on the phone. How much more do you need? "

"you cut off your own hand." He had told them he had done it, because he hadn't wanted Ryan to get into trouble.

"It was infected..by whatever bit me."

They thought maybe he was nuts.

" You think that what ever you were seeing, maybe it was all in your head. You're at that age when it starts. Hallucinations, hearing voices."

"You think I'm crazy."

"No. I didn't say that."

It felt like he was going nuts. They wouldn't let him see or talk to Kaitlyn. He had only once when they had first brought them in. Days had blurred into each other. He had begun to think that he had imagined it.

Then, he'd remembered his missing hand. They were kind enough to let him get some psychical therapy. It eased the phantom and psychical pains, just a bit. But it was the pure mental torture of not knowing.

That's what they wanted. They wanted him to believe it, to give credence to their 'theory' to make it fit the evidence, an explanation. An easier, accepted explanation. Some bullied kid loses it and kills fellow camp counselors. than unexplained deaths by possible bear attack.

"Maybe you don't remember killing them." Cop gaslighting 101. He wasn't going to fall for it.

"I didn't kill anyone. " Wait. They had said them. A few of them were at least dead right? "Can you at least tell me where Ryan is. "

Bad cop 1 took out an envelop. He knew what they were from watching way to many crime shows.
He has to force himself to look. Maybe if he showed no reaction, they wouldn't assume he was guilty.
The photo's of the dead counselors. The cop displayed them one by one, saying their names. Each time he prayed, please don't be Ryan, please.

"Emma Mountbank."
Emma's body, bloody behind the bushes. That one was slightly easy to look at because he had already found her but it didn't make him feel any less guilty. If they had only just scared her off with regular bullets, she'd still be alive.

"Jacob Custos."
Jacob's, crushed by the rocks in the stream, missing a head.

"Abigail Blyg."

He had to look away from Abi's. Also missing a head. But hers had been so maliciously brutal. She had been thrown across the room like a rag doll, her head ripped off. He didn't want a repeat of himself ending up on the floor, vomiting his guts out, struggling to get air in his lungs.

"Nick Furillo."

Nick. Splayed out in a cage, red light basked over him. That one wasn't so bad. The red light hid the blood. Nick looked like he was sleeping, like he was sprawled out in his bunk. He thought of Nick's snoring.

"the bullet that killed Mr. Furillo also matched the bullet that killed Kaylee Hackett, fired by Laura Kearney. We matched her prints to the gun." His heart sunk. He couldn't hate Laura for killing Nick. Although a part of him blamed her. For all of it.

"Caleb Hackett...your friend Miss Ka said attacked you two and that she locked him in the freezer."

"That...that tracks."

"Chris Hackett was shot by Mr. Erzahler..."

Oh, no Ryan. Here he was dreading how the cops would treat him. If this was privilege, he could only imagine how they were treating Ryan. They'd pin that one on him for sure just for being black.

"Constance, Jedidiah, Chris Hackett's parents and his brother Bobby were mauled to death. Gives credibility to your story you all were being attacked by an animal."

They were interrupted.

A woman, with black hair and a serious expression stormed into the room. "I'll have you stop right there, detectives. Olivia Ka " She looked like a much older and much taller Kaitlyn.

"I'm Mr Lenivy's lawyer. As of now. You don't have permission to ask him anymore questions. This interview is over."

Kaitlyn entered the room. She had slipped in quietly as the door began to close behind her sister.

"Dylan!" But they wouldn't let her go over to him. They could only look at each other.

I'm sorry. She mouthed.

"Kaitlyn. Who's alive? Tell me who else is alive. Is Ryan..." She saw her swallow. She opened her mouth to say something before she was escorted out of the room.
He went over with his new lawyer the things he's already said.

"Well, they will try but they can't use it against you, without any actual evidence. Which does points to an animal attack. But we're going to say it was a bear."
"A bear?"

"The Hackett's were stalking you in the woods because you and your friends saw them poaching illegally. "

"Bears?"

"There's a bear skull mounted on the wall in the Hackett's home. It gives it more credibility. Once they found out that you kids knew about their illegal activities, they figured they couldn't let you go."

"What about Laura? She's being framed for killing Nick. Kaylee was an accident..."

"I already got that sorted. Your friend Ryan and Miss Kearney were being held hostage. One of the Hackett's, Constance, they omitted that her prints were on the gun as well. She could have been the one who killed your friend Nick."

"I don't think they'll let me off that easy. I wasn't making a lot of sense. And I..." Seriously fucked up.

"You went through a traumatic injury and an event. It's understandable to be a little confused. You're still processing. But I need to know if you have been mentally diagnosed with anything."

"No. But I've been to a therapist before..for a few years. I have anxiety."

"That's good. I mean...that does count as a genuine diagnosis. You should keep seeing one, a therapist. Mental health is important."

"How's Kaitlyn?"

"Taking it like a champ."

"No, really."

"They cleared her already. There were two prints on the gun that was used to kill Miss Mountbank. Yours and Kaitlyns."

"I feel guilty about Emma. I didn't think it was... It was going to kill us. I didn't know it was...her" That was a partial lie. He had known that there was a chance for it to be Nick, Emma or even Jacob. In a way he did kill Emma. They wouldn't be wrong. Kaitlyn would tell him that he was wrong. That she was her own woman. He didn't tell her what to do. She chose to use the silver shell.

"You had no way of knowing that. And I'd refrain from saying things like you feeling guilty. It could be used against you."

"Right. But what about survivors guilt?"

"I was being serious Mr. Lenivy."

"N...no. So was I. Sometimes when I speak it doesn't come out the way I mean it to."

"Kaitlyn already told me about Miss Mountbank. When you checked the van to try to escape, you heard rustling in the bushes. You thought it was a bear or that it could be one of the Hackett's. You told her to shoot fearing for both your safety."

"I mean I was more concerned for her. When can I see her?"

"In a little bit. They're going to show you more pictures..."

He shakes his head. "I don't know if I can." He felt like his throat was going to close.

"Take a deep breath. It's almost over. You're going to have to do this. For Ryan."

"Ok. Ok. I can do this." He breathed in and out, finally relaxing. Well, as relaxed as he could be. "Then they'll let me see Ryan too right?"
She got up quickly. What was that expression on her face? She picked up her papers and briefcase. For a second he thought she was leaving. Then she moved her belongings in front of the chair next to him and sat down.

"I'm not going anywhere. You don't even have to say anything. I'll be here right with you this time."

Bad cop 1 and 2 were back.

"Right. Max Brinly...was mauled when he swam to shore from the island. Sheriff Hackett and Laura Kearney were killed in a car wreck. Mr. Ezrahler was with them. He died instantly."

Ryan. A car wreck? What were they doing on the road?

Should he look, or should he remember him as the smiling, carefree and laid back man he had fallen for. Too late. It was a quick glance. But quick enough, to see that Ryan's neck had been broken. It would have been instant like they said. But why didn't that make him feel any better?

As he turned his head away, he covered his mouth. He held the tears beginning to sting his eyes at bay.

"Do you know who this is?"

A pale albino boy, about fifteen, no older than Caleb had been, with red eyes. Red eyes like his when he had been infected. Red like blood.
He rubbed his eyes and shook his head. Not in answer to the detectives question.

"Laura Kearney managed to shoot him before she died. His name was Silas Vorez. He was believed to have died six years ago, along with his mother Eliza Vorez. Do you know why she would do that?"

He shook his head. He had some idea. He was another werewolf. The one that bit him. It had to have been. It had been a question lingering in the back of his mind. The werewolf curse had left him when Laura had killed Silas in her final moments.

It didn't feel like a celebration without Ryan here.

"Ok, detectives we're done here now. Any further questions, will be answered by me."

Annoyed the detectives got up from their chairs.

"Did...did Kaitlyn know?"

"No. No she didn't." He didn't want to believe Ms. Ka. Not even when the door swung open and she ran toward him. She was blocked again from touching him.

"Let them." Olivia demanded.

The officer reluctantly allowed it.

Kaitlyn reached her arms toward him. He sank to his knees, and she held him. He sobbed. And once he started, he couldn't stop.


The funerals for the Hacketter's were held that weekend that they were released. He knows no one in town or anywhere associated with or knew of Hackett's Quarry would look at him the same way again.

He knows Jacob's parents blame him. Emma's just look at him and shake their heads. Abi's were too upset in their own grief to even look at him, or notice him. Nick's body had been flown back to Australia. That was one less funeral to attend. He didn't know Laura and Max, so he didn't go to their services in Asheville.
Ryan's grandmother Betsey, came up to give him a hug. It had caught him off guard.

"you must be Dylan."

"Mrs. Erzahler."

"I know you were friends with my Ryan. Please call me Nana Betsey."

She went up to the pulpit to speak.

"Ryan's life wasn't always easy. But he lived joyously. He loved his family. He loved his friends. And he was loved by them. Ryan was funny. If you knew him, he made you laugh at some time or another. "

That didn't didn't sound like the Ryan he knew.

Then he realized he hadn't known the real Ryan at all. That part of him he missed out on and would never know. It was lost to the ether, like so many things he's lost.

"Think of him every time someone makes you laugh. Think of him every time you make someone laugh. Think of him every time you hear someone laugh."
He presses a hand over his eyes to stop the tears from coming. He's trembling. He feels Kaitlyn's hand on his shoulder. The other around his wrist of his non-exsistant left hand.

The funeral ends.

He waits by the curb in the bright sunlight. Kaitlyn pulls up in a battered Nissan.

"Sorry my AC doesn't work." She swipes the piano books off the passenger seat and tosses them in the back.

"Don't you ever die of heat any time you drive anywhere?"

"Seriously? That's the best way you could phrase it?"

"Don't you ever experience extreme discomfort but not literal death anytime you drive anywhere?" He got in. "I didn't know you play piano."

"Yeah. That's what I'm going to school for."

"My parents had me take lessons. I quit not even a week in. Guess it didn't make a difference anyway cause jokes on them." He lifted his stump.

At least he was starting to make jokes again. "I thought you were going to get a hook for that."

"I think it makes for more of a interesting conversation starter. " He gave a shrug. "Eh. Maybe later."

They arrived at their destination. The cemetery.

"Hey, are you ok?"

"Yeah." He lied. "No. Is anyone?"

She thought back to the night, when she had to cauterize the wound, so that he wouldn't bleed out. She had almost repeated the same words back, verbatim. It was after Nick had killed Abi, and Dylan had taken it pretty hard. He had gone into a full blown panic attack.

She asked him if he was ok. When she knew he wasn't.

"I'm ok." He had answered.

"No ones, ok."

Several times that night she had thought she had lost him. When he had passed out at the end of the night, and they slowly realized that they might be the only ones left after the sun rose, and the adrenaline had warn off. And she could not wake him.

She had spent hours, days in the hospital by his side, even when the police had swooped down like vultures almost literately the second he woke.


It was nearing the first full moon since Hackett's Quarry. Dylan, feeling anxious and haven't really slept in a few days,(after the funerals) decided to go see his therapist.

Marie asked about how his relationship with Kaitlyn was.

"We're just friends. "

"I meant how things are going?"

"Things are good. They're great. We still text and talk almost everyday. She asked me to come tour her campus with her and I asked her to do the same."

"Trauma bonding can be therapeutic. it is likely that you will heal from your trauma and be stronger as a result of it, but becoming too dependent on each other can also stop you from healing, from moving on with your life, becoming independent again. There's helping and then there's relying too heavily on each other."

"Did my dad tell you that? Did he put you up to this?"

He wasn't paranoid. He didn't know where these intrusive thoughts were coming from. Man, it was hot in here. Why was he so hot?
He got up, and rushed out of the room, he could barley hear her call after him.

"Dylan."

He made it to the bathroom, near the end of the hall, locking the heavy wood door behind him. Turning on the tap, he splashed cold water on his face.
Just another panic attack. Come on, Dylan. Pull yourself together.

He looked down at his arm, a black substance, invading his veins like tendrils, creeping their way up it.

"No. No. No. No. This can't be real." They were tiny at first maybe he had imagined it. He closed his eyes tight. Wishing what he was seeing wasn't real. "It's not real."

It's over. They ended it. Silas was dead. But when he opened his eyes, his face looked translucent, he could see the veins, the black stuff. And his eyes.

They were red.

"Dylan are you ok in there? Are you having a panic attack? Listen to me..."

Yes. He fucking was. Because he was turning into a fucking werewolf.

You thought this was over?

"Leave me the fuck alone." Was he shouting at her or the wolf trying to claw it's way out of him. Both perhaps. She was annoying as fuck and he wanted to...

He was not about to eat his therapist. Or the receptionist. Whom he remembered was still there.

"Fuck."

He had to get out of here and far away from people before he loses himself.

He can feel it's pull becoming stronger now. It was now or never.

He ran for the door, which was heavy before, now felt like nothing as he pulled it open.

The light in the hallway burned his eyes. He had to shield them.

"Dylan are you on any drugs? Dylan did you take anything?" Of course she was asking that.

"No. No. I'm not. Just. Fucking move."

He pushed her out of the way. He was able to make his way down the hallway without running into anything because he had it memorized. He could see as he made it to the entry hall, that was dimly lit.

Freedom.

He tried the push bar on the door but it wouldn't open.

He remembered that visitors and patients had to be buzzed in and out. "Open the door." He called to the receptionist. He pressed on it harder. "Open. The. Door! "

"Jenny, don't. I got a potential hostile patient, that might be a potential danger to himself or others, more likely to himself. Do not open that door, Jenny.

He looked down the end of the hall. He could see two male staff behind Marie. One had a syringe in his hand.

"Fuck." He doubt that would be enough to stop him.

"Push the button. Push the fucking button." The grinding of a chainsaw. Blood everywhere.

He leaped partially over the reception desk, grabbing the receptionist by the shirt. Her smile gone from her face.

"Do it, fucking now."

Jenny pressed the button. The door buzzed.

He let go of her and was out the door. Running as far as his legs could take him.

Until he collapsed onto the green grass, endless lines of trees stretched out before him. There was a brief moment of relief. Till he felt the blinding pain.

It felt like endless fire and pain, throughout every part of his body. All he could do was scream in agony, until the darkness took him.