The first thing Kate was aware of was the gentle breeze that was filtering through the forest, rustling the leaves and sending a cold chill over her body. Mornings weren't usually this cold. Or..Wet? She blinked her eyes open groggily, becoming increasingly more aware of some type of rather thick liquid that was pooled around her. The bright morning sun made her squint her eyes and she lifted her hand to block it out of her view. As she did, there was a glimmer of scarlet on her hand, that part pooled into a small drop and landed on her face. 

She sat up with a jolt as she realized that she wasn't in her usual cage. The night prior had been the full moon and if she had woken up outside, that meant her wolf half must have broken out of its prison. Her gaze flickered to what she now realized was blood around her naked body and paled. Not only had she escaped, but she had also killed. Unfortunately it was just some poor forest creature that had been her victim either. 

A crying gasp escaped her lips as her dark gaze fell upon the bloodied and shredded body of what appeared to be a man. His middle had been completely torn up and his face had large claw marks through it making it damn near impossible to tell his age or who he was. Kate felt herself struggling to catch her breath as she stared at the horrid scene. She was a detective, she was used to seeing brutal crimes and murders but it was far more different now that she was the one who had caused it. 

Amidst her panic, she also began to notice her bloody hands starting to grow fur. "Shit.. shit.. shit.." she breathed. Her current state was causing her to begin to shift back into her wolf form, something she was not pleased with. Afraid she might not be able to get herself back under control in time, Kate bolted from the gruesome scene.

Even in her current state, she was able to locate her underground hideout without issue. Once she reached it, she dove into her cage and curled up at the back corner as she tried to process what happened. Looking around, her cage still seemed fully intact, which only further made her wonder if she had not locked it properly the night before. Kate shook her head and tried to meditate on getting her breathing even. It was a trick she had discovered during her first year as a werewolf. It helped keep both her emotions in check as well as kept her from turning into the wolf when she didn't want to. 

After some time passed—she couldn't keep track of how long—she felt her panic die down enough for her to begin to think straight.  Now away from her kill, she would have to figure out her next move. Kate slowly rose to her feet and stepped over to her supply bag, pulling out a canteen of water as well as the clothing she had packed. Carefully she washed off as much of the blood as she could. Knowing that she likely wouldn't be able to fully clean herself until she was back home, she focused on the parts that would be most visible to the public once she put on her clothes. Once she had used up her water, she slipped into her regular clothing and let out a shaky sigh. 

Internally, she debated what to do with the body of the man the beast in her had mauled. Logically, hiding it would be her best bet. Kate was aware that it's discovery could cause a lot of trouble for herself. While he had clearly been mauled by a creature, someone might be able to recognize exactly what type of creature it was. Then it would turn into a hunt rather than case handled by detectives such as herself. That being said, it just felt overwhelmingly wrong to make this poor victim just disappear. Being a detective herself, she'd have to make sure his case remained one of disappearance rather than murder. And that was just going against everything she stood for.

[i]But what choice do I have?[/i] Kathryn thought dryly. [i]It's either me or him and he's already dead.[/i] Taking in a deep breath, she gathered her things and prepared herself for what would come next. 

And then a shrill scream cut through the otherwise silent forest. 

It seemed she wouldn't have a choice in the matter at all. Someone must have discovered the body. Kate cringed at the thought. It was time for a new plan. She poked her head out of the opening of her hideout, sweeping the area for any signs of people nearby. Not seeing anyone, she make a break for the shelter of the trees. Now her survival out of this situation would rely on her ability to sneak out of the forest and back to the comfort of her small home without being noticed.