Mikael looked at the man who he now knew was named Carson. [b]"I didn't know what else to call you, so I figured everyone would know who I was talking about if I called you Silence." [/b]

Mikael waited until they were out of earshot of the other three before diving into a few more questions. [b]"Before we get to the compound, I have a few questions I need to ask you."[/b] Mikael reached for the radio, turned it on, and hoped the music would drown out their voices to anyone who was listening. [b]"What are the other three? I am assuming the two women are werewolves by the way you talked about them, but I want to know if I'm right. Also, what's David? Is he human, vampire, werewolf, or something new?"[/b]

Mikael shook his head slowly. He knew he was bombarding Carson with questions, but he didn't assume there was a whole lot of time before they reached the compound, and he needed answers. At the very least, he had to find out what else he was dealing with. 

[b]"The werewolves, are they like the ones that killed my family? If they are, so help me God, I will not let them continue breathing. I know we are supposed to be a team, but I find it nothing but a sick joke that your 'organization' would pair the man who lost everything he had cared about, twice, to werewolves with a pair of werewolves. Honestly, unless you or your boss can convince me otherwise, I'm not sure I could ever work with them. I hope I don't sound too unreasonable, but if either of those women, or the man, whatever he is, has torn apart families like mine has been torn apart, I just can't do it."[/b]

With his last words, Mikael retreated into himself, pulling a knife from his boot and running the sharp edge of the blade along his thumb. He wasn't pushing enough to cut the skin, but there was enough pressure to help Mikael focus on something other than what he'd lost. After another couple of strokes, Mikael pulled a flask out of the space between his boot and inner calf, swallowed enough whiskey for a couple of shots, and replaced the flask. He continued slicing the exterior layers of skin on his thumb, waiting for Carson to answer.