#ccevent

Israel touched down on the street mere moments before the hunter, quick feet steering him further away from the city towards the coves. His assailant was gaining on him, bringing them closer to melee range, which the hunter took advantage of. A strong hand forced Israel backwards, taking more effort than he liked to create distance between the two as they clashed. Debris in the air coated his lungs as he breathed deep in an attempt to keep his head about him. He sputtered out a soundless cough, his gaze locked upon his hunter, allowing his body to move fluidly on instinct now. Locked barrel to barrel, they stared one another down, his own rifle down towards his hip, using his side to steady the length to keep his shots straight. "Oh, if only I could taste the tension in the air! Are you two going to drop everything and start making out?" He swallowed down a mouthful of dust in response to the unwanted voice a few feet away from them, breathing out a soundless hiss through his teeth. He knew that voice. He had grown up with that voice. He knew her.

Israel’s muscles ached, heart pounding faster than he thought possible. For being supernatural, it certainly felt like the muscle might burst right out of his chest; his lungs pleading for more oxygen, unable to take in air fast enough to make up for his earlier exertions. "I mean, here he is, he's chased you all the way out here, just you, just for you, and you've met him every step of the way, I mean, it's like you're absolutely perfect for each other." Israel stopped himself from paying her any mind, as his footfalls drowned out her words. “Israel, you know your limitations. Just give up. You won’t win.” Israel lacked the will to protest her point-- indeed, Israel knew very well the limitations of his body... even the parts not of him. Israel squinted at both the female and male hunter, so familiar, though he felt hard-pressed to remember why. He leaned back, torso slumping, shoulders forward, keeping the rifle secured against his side with his right hand as the left held the next round of bullets. He stood like an off-duty soldier, tired and burdened with thoughts of war-- of survival. His breathing heavy, his chest heaved with each intake and release, but he listened, silent. “You don’t remember do you? That’s a shame...” As the female spoke, Israel caught his breath; they both enjoyed this short respite, surely. “Why would he, Yvette? He was drugged half the time?”

A trickle of red ran the length of his own cheek, one of the few nicks from jumping through the closed window earlier. Aside from his obvious exhaustion and the hunter’s dings, neither of them boasted any real damage from this encounter. Israel knew he stood little chance should the hunters decide to overtake him now. He shoved the next set of bullets into a pocket, shifting the rifle from his right to his left, propping the butt against his shoulder. “If anything, I should thank you. You were a perfect test dummy." Israel felt a lump rising from his gut to his throat before the next few words came from the male hunter’s mouth. Visibly, Israel frowned. Test dummy. Test dummy? What the hell is he talking about? He hissed at the forefront of his mind, the distinct feeling of his anger hiding just behind his eyes. “Shoot him, Israel. Shoot him now!” A voice in his head urged; his fingers twitched, but refrained from pulling the trigger. Was one life worth his own life? He ground his teeth against one another, steadying himself, his arm previously trembling. Just what... what did this woman know?

Knife versus rifle-- the scene played out in his mind. The hunter would rush forward, Israel would match him, the end of his barrel meeting the hunter's Adam's apple, the silver knife deep within Israel's abdomen. A death for a death. It felt right, somehow, but Israel knew better than to give up that easily.

Israel registered the hunter’s stance, squaring his own shoulders, feet holding him steady to the floor beneath them. I might be an abomination, an affront against God, and an unholy creature stuck to this earth for an eternity of suffering, but at least I am no longer a play toy, just doing as I'm told, with no thought of my own. The realization, for both of them, of who stood in front of them, hit Israel hard. Michael? He remembered the man, somewhat fondly-- though his memories felt hazy. They always ended up in this dance, didn't they? Israel sneered. Who is defective now?

"My mission is to eliminate you, Israel. This should’ve been done long ago. Consider it a mercy killing."

As he heard his name, Israel leveled his weapon, right eye shut as he took aim. He would not move from his spot, not until he took his shot. He'd let the hunter make the first move. I don't kill innocents and claim it's all for the sake of divine judgment. The snarl on his lips spoke volumes. Michael, I don't want to kill you. His breathing leveled out, his entire form stilling, his shot lined up directly-- from the barrel to Michael’s left eye, as Israel expected the hunter to shift left when the assault began. Still, he felt the hesitation in his arms. Daring a glance past Michael, Israel took in the sight of the flat wall coming up behind the hunter. If Michael lunged at him, he could... with the right shot, he could drop a few wooden beams and, giving himself time to escape, without seriously injuring either of them.

An idea, at least-- something to contemplate in the thick air surrounding them. He met eyes with Michael once more, his gun never shifting from its position, despite his minimal movement. He gulped down the saliva pooling in his mouth, waiting to react to the first sign of movement, finger sitting precariously on the trigger-- a twitch away from firing. "Why are you so desperate to live? Are you not their prisoner? What loyalty do you have to them?" He knew he'd attempt the escape route, even if he failed to dodge the oncoming knife. To spite you all. Blood marred whatever direction this duel took them, whether only one or the both of them finally landed a blow. Wriggling free from Michael’s grasp, Israel started towards the forest from the West Side. If he could steer them towards familiar territory he’d have a better chance at ending this.

The distance between the two was great. Immediately Israel and his ranged weaponry had the advantage. Michael needed to close the distance and quick, being at this range with someone who so easily wielded a rifle was not a situation he preferred to stay in. Michael did his best to avoid incoming shots; keeping his body slim and side face just as he had always known. If he was to be hit by a bullet it would hit his arm, not his heart. Yet Israel knew better, it was Michael’s head he was after.

Bullet after bullet was lost while Israel maintained his perfect distance, not too close to invite melee but not too far where Michael would be able to easily dodge. Did he mean to drain his stamina? In truth he had already taken on impeding wounds, yet Michael did his best not to make it known. Michael realized with as much fatigue as Israel planned to put him through the only option was to end it all with one move. The words of his commander rang through his ears, “A tiger uses all of his strength, even when hunting rodents!” He charged towards Israel as the paved streets gave way to dirt and green. Without time to blink he was upon the wolf, his weapon aimed to fish out the heart his commander desired. He feinted when he came within an inch of attack and reached for his combat knife. As he reached his arm back to plunge the blade deep into Israel’s neck. Behind him was the power of not just his sister, or even his commander but an entire. A war cry resonated in him ready to end this battle with one fell action.

“Fill them!” He heard Yvette’s voice, “Fill your eyes with hatred!” He gazed with savage nature at the fearless eyes of Israel - faces only inches away. Time seemed to slow as he prepared to take life and his sister’s words ricocheted in the depths of his mind, “Accept your violent fate! Accept it and prove you deserve such a legacy!” How… How could someone he had known for so long cause him to be filled with such revulsion? He asked himself who Israel represented, was his existence worthy of such loathing? He had never asked for this...

His eye caught the glimmer of something behind him as Yvette screamed and Michael missed Israel’s head completely as they fell to the ground.

“Is that…!” Michael panicked. An explosive… at that it was one of his own – a grenade! Michael would not bring explosives, and would never use one in such close-quarters. No help was requested on this mission, why did anyone feel the need to assist?! He knew not what came over him as he bit into his lip and exclaimed to Israel and Yvette, “…Run!” In a flash, he picked up the explosive and batted it into the high depths of the trees. With no time he dodged for cover and prayed fate let him see another day.

A cacophony of sound erupted from the grenade. Decades of dirt filled the surrounding area. Branches fell from the higher parts of the trees and came crashing down to the forest floor in a shudder. The proud forest now took heavy damage, smoke rising around them as they coughed. Shrapnel flew before Israel’s face and white-hot embers of burning flame sparked amongst the debris.

Michael could not think of this, his act of kindness was all that filled his head. He knew not why he felt the urge to protect him… Israel was his target and ending him here and now would have completed his task. He hated himself, not only for letting the target away but also for giving mercy to the abominations that did not return the kindness. This act of pity would dwell within his mind for the rest of his life. The vulnerability of human nature shook him and he was once again given a grim reminder of his own mortality amongst these eternal creatures.

The dust cleared, and gone was Israel. Michael stood up slowly and turned to see no enemy before him. His target was known for his perception and could have easily put a bullet between his eyes before Michael’s vision cleared came to and yet… he did not. While Michael aimed to kill him, Israel only aimed to escape. Consumed by regret, Michael threw his knife and empty rifle to the ground in a tantrum. He screamed into the acoustics of the forest with a rage suffice for a millennia. To report to his commander a failure was to him as worse as not reporting back at all.

“I’m going to make you suffer in this life, and the next… Israel Skelton.”

He spotted this squadron, of whom was responsible for the display of such poor combat tactics and immediately began to determine an adequate retribution for letting Israel get away. If they survived that is. 

With this ears still ringing from the blast Israel ran. His legs did not stop pumping as he steered himself back towards the city. He would let those things handle the hunters he had abandoned in the forests. Surely the blast would draw their attention. If not his fellow wolves would descend upon them. Coughing smoke from his lungs, bleary eyes squinted against burning tears as he tried to get his whereabouts. His body doubled over to catch his breath as his once proud posture caved. Body sinking to the pavement, as he fell hard to his knees. His mind screamed to keep moving. But he couldn’t bring himself to move an inch. He would rest... just for a minute...

It was at that moment he realized... today was his birthday...

However, today, she was not working, nor was she cooped up in the hat store, over which she lived. No, on that particular Saturday, Jieun found herself drawn towards the expo that was in town, feeling it seemed incredibly interesting. She wandered the stalls aimlessly, since there was no one else with her to regulate her. She observed some things with great interest, and passed up that which didn’t draw her in. Such as the freedom of being alone.

And yet, it had its drawbacks too.

The giant portal had ripped open in the center of the expo, and Jieun had been unfortunate enough to be near it. She arms flailed widely as she tried to grab onto something, anything to tether her to the world she was currently inhabiting. Her fingers grazed the wood of a stall, but she was lifted from the ground by the force of the portal and found herself flying into it.

It was an endless fall. She sped downwards, fearing the worst when she reached the bottom. But what could she do to prevent an inevitable death from such a long fall? She shut her eyes tight, tears leaking out as she braced herself for what she thought would be her end.

And yet she landed quite softly on her feet.

She opened her eyes slowly, dabbing them dry in a hurry. A quick glance around told her that many others had been pulled in too. None of them bore faces she recognized. Their eyes slid over her, as if they didn’t see her. She quickly dropped her head, wanting to avoid their gaze anyway. Not that she was of any interest to them anyway.

It was only then that Jieun realized she was standing on a massive chess board. She blinked in surprise and made and attempt to move, but found her feet felt incredibly heavy. It was immensely difficult to lift them, and it was an impossible feat once she tried to move off her square. She looked around, panicked. Were they… pieces? She didn’t know enough about chess to knew what piece she was.

It was sudden.

Jieun was being moved, much against her will. Her feet forced her forward and she realized with a jolt, that the pieces belonging to the other side were horrific monsters.

She was placed on a space with a man who was covered in blood. It oozed from him and Jieun had to force herself not to retch, not to back away. She couldn’t leave the space she was placed in.

It was a disgusting sight, but the initial panic that flooded her soon faded, since the man did nothing but stand there ominously. Then, he vanished quite suddenly. Jieun jumped in surprise. She glanced around and close by, she saw another person achieving a similar result. Her mind moved in overdrive as she tried to process, tried to understand this game of chess.

Several minutes passed as Jieun tried to reason conclusion after conclusion, but without great success. She could be sure of no definitive answer. Without warning, she started moving again. Startled, Jieun steeled herself to face the next monster.

It was grotesque. A huge spider was standing on the square, clicking its pinchers ominously. As soon as Jieun stopped in its square, it lunged at her, trying to trap her in its pinchers. Jieun was quick to dodge, moving on instinct rather than thought. She had nothing on her to fight this creature with, not that she thought she would have been able to do so effectively anyway.

She dodged and weaved to the best of her ability until finally the spider managed to grab her arm. It broke in the pinchers grip. She cried out, swinging wildly at the spider’s eyes. She made contact with the squish spot and the spider recoiled. Jieun rallied, aiming again with her good arm. The spider seemed to be practically shrinking in size. As her confidence bloomed, the spider shrunk, until it was no bigger than the average house spider. Jieun stepped on it, broken arm hanging limply at her side. It was bleeding from the puncture wound.

It was an even longer wait this time before she moved again. She was exhausted, and her arm was in excruciating pain. She winced as it swung by her side when she walked and she forced herself to keep it still.

In this new square, there was nothing but a dark mass, having roughly the shape of a human figure. She squinted at it, but it remained somewhat undefined.

As soon as she stopped, the sound of faint whispers reached her ears. At first, she couldn’t distinguish what was being said. Her heart began to race, to pound harshly against her chest.

She realized with a jolt that the mass was no longer so crudely outlined. Slowly, it seemed to be gaining definition. She could see cruel eyes looking at her, scanning every inch of her. Jieun tried to shrink herself, to hide herself from its judgmental looks.

The whispering was becoming more audible, more pronounced. A mouth could be seen on the mass, clearly speaking.

“She is rather plain, isn’t she?” “Plain? She downright ugly, if you ask me.” “She useless too!” “Yeah, its not wonder she is always alone. No one but hats for company.” “Who would want to spend time with her anyway?”

Jieun was shaking, sinking to her knees as words lapped over her harshly. She was sobbing, she realized. Her hands were clamped over her ears, but this only seemed to make the muttering louder, crueler.

“Useless!”

“Hideous!”

“Unlovable,”

“SHUT UP,” she cried, wanting nothing more than for this to end.

And then suddenly, she was falling again. The space beneath her had opened and she had fallen through.