[center][color=DarkKhaki][img]https://i.imgur.com/VDJxaIT.png[/img][/color][/center] [center][@AtomicNut][/center] [hr] [color=DarkKhaki]"I'm home!"[/color] Wolf called out as he stepped into his house. [color=DarkKhaki]"Dad... why is the door gone?"[/color] It was later in the day now, but even in the fading light it was hard to miss an entire part of the house having been removed. [color=khaki]"Welcome back, son. Indeed, some things transpired while you were out,"[/color] his father strode into the main room. [color=khaki]"I'll-"[/color] While his father spoke, Wolf's gaze wandered over to his mother's portrait. He saw the graffiti upon it. For a moment the rest of the world faded away, becoming muffled and colorless. All that he could really hear was a dull roaring in his ears, broken up occasionally only by his own accelerating heartbeat. Something clawed at the back of his mind, trying to unbury itself, and his vision began to blur- no, the room seemed to be shaking. And then it stopped. His father pulled the portrait from the wall, turning it over and removing the painting from the frame and rolling it up. [color=DarkKhaki]"Huh, what are y-"[/color] [color=khaki]"You're right, Wolfram. There's no point in leaving it up in its current state,"[/color] the man said. [color=khaki]"I'll have to get a suitable replacement. I don't know that it can be repaired."[/color] [color=DarkKhaki]"So, uh..."[/color] Wolf shook his head, feeling like he'd just been suddenly woken up from a deep sleep. He realized his palms hurt and looked down to see he'd nearly torn them open from clenching his fists so hard. [color=DarkKhaki]"What happened, exactly?"[/color] [color=khaki]"There was a break-in of a sort. Your girl and a friend of hers came here seeking shelter, but I was out at the time. The assailants followed them in and apparently decided to add vandalism to their list of crimes,"[/color] his father explained. [color=DarkKhaki]"What?!"[/color] Wolf pulled out his phone. He'd received a message earlier, but hadn't been in a position to read it. Indeed it was from Vera. He didn't even bother reading it. [color=DarkKhaki]"Is she OK?!"[/color] [color=khaki]"For the most part, yes. I got them both back to Victor's safely."[/color] [color=DarkKhaki]"I-I need to-"[/color] [color=khaki]"Yes, of course. Go,"[/color] Guntram urged him and Wolf wasted no time, turning on his heel and dashing back out of the house. [center][b]. . .[/b][/center] Vera stepped outside, having finally received a response from Wolf. She saw him walking over to her nervously. [color=DarkKhaki]"Y-you're OK!"[/color] Wolf was relieved to see it with his own eyes, but there was still that sinking feeling in his chest. He knew better than to expect a happy reunion. [color=magenta]"No thanks to you. But yes, I'm in one piece,"[/color] she told him, crossing her arms. [color=DarkKhaki]"Umm-"[/color] [color=magenta]"I can't keep doing this, Wolf!"[/color] Her brow furrowed as she gave him a harsh glare. [color=magenta]"It's your job to protect her, not mine. I can't even do anything anyway! You need to be there!"[/color] [color=DarkKhaki]"Wh-"[/color] [color=magenta]"She's practically a prisoner here! She can't leave without some fucking creepy ass doll trying to drag her off somewhere! If she needs to go somewhere, then you show up! Got it?!"[/color] Vera commanded. [color=DarkKhaki]"Well, that's why I-"[/color] [color=magenta]"What good is your stupid training if you're not even around to use it!"[/color] she snapped. [color=magenta]"Whatever you're doing, you cut it short and move your ass over here! I'm sick of being in the firing line to cover for you!"[/color] She stomped over to him and jabbed him in the chest with her index finger. [color=magenta]"GOT IT!?"[/color] [color=DarkKhaki]"Y... yes..."[/color] He nodded, feeling his body tremble. [color=magenta]"You need to fix this! This isn't over when the job is. Just because whatever stupid plan William has is done, doesn't mean the people trying to kidnap her will be! So I suggest you get rid of them sooner rather than later!"[/color] [color=DarkKhaki]"I... don't know. How would I even do that?"[/color] He agreed, to be fair. Andras was a friend, not just a job. He'd have loved to get rid of the problem, but short of murder... how? [color=magenta]"Well I suggest you figure that out."[/color] Vera seemed ready to leave it at that and just walk away, but Wolf grabbed her wrist. [color=DarkKhaki]"Vera... I... I'm sorry."[/color] She quickly pulled away, seeming offended that he'd dare touch her, [color=magenta]"You should be."[/color] She took another few steps away and then stopped. [color=magenta]"So what had you so busy?"[/color] Wolf flinched. This wasn't going to help his case, [color=DarkKhaki]". . . one of William's stupid plans."[/color] The silence that followed said a lot. [color=magenta]"I see,"[/color] Vera finally spoke. [color=magenta]"And?"[/color] [color=DarkKhaki]"There was an old building filled with bloodthirsty, mutated animals..."[/color] He explained. It sounded especially ridiculous saying it out loud, but the truth was what it was. [color=magenta]"Well, you survived. So good for you."[/color] Vera still wouldn't even look at him. [color=DarkKhaki]"Yeah... I guess."[/color] Wolf lifted a hand to his ribs, where the giant horse creature had kicked him. He felt like mentioning how close he'd come to not surviving wouldn't even phase Vera. Part of him was scared to find out if he was right. A big part of him, apparently. He couldn't bring himself to speak up. [color=magenta]"Goodnight,"[/color] Vera said, dismissively of course, and all Wolf could do was watch her walk back into the house. He knew he was free to follow her. No one would stop him. Most would even welcome him. [color=DarkKhaki]"Good... night..."[/color] But instead he just wandered over to a nearby stone wall and slide down to sit against it. Speaking of getting kicked by a giant, fire-breathing horse, running there had actually hurt quite a bit. After Vera's dressing down, he wondered if maybe he deserved it...