Faolan was kneeling, clutching his rib-cage and bent double as wave after wave of pain rocked him. He couldn't understand how he had made such a grievous mistake...one more day, that was all he needed and Lucien would be safe. Why couldn't he have paid attention!?

The pain subsided briefly and he heard Lucien approach, heard him speak as if they were both underwater. He forced himself to stand and did not turn to face the Nephilim. Instead, he focused hard on the treeline and began walking toward it with a tilted, jolting gait. [color=a36209]"Can't help."[/color] he growled, his voice growing more gravelly with each word, [color=a36209]"Get away...not safe."[/color]

He stumbled beyond the treeline and dropped his bag behind the trunk of the largest one nearby. It would have to be safe there for now. He lurched forward and breathed out hard as agony rioted in his chest cavity. He could feel the beast inside, it was ready to tear him open, turn him inside-out like it had every month for years, and devour his mind. He imagined the sun sinking lower and lower beneath the horizon, he could feel the moon's rays burning away his human skin to reveal the creature below. He would become it, fully, and he could have Lucien nowhere near him when this happened.