A couple of weeks later, Kaide was humming to himself as he walked out the complex's doors into the dark of night. His eyes were alight with excitement and anticipation. The light of the moon cast shadows in his path, but he didn't seem to notice. He was too excited to worry about threats, or even warnings. As he approached the fringe of trees where Lina had told him to meet her, he heard an odd cracking noise from deeper within. His eyes darted between the trees. His mind immediately went to the thought of Lina. Despite his lack of abilities, he leapt into the forest. His legs instantly sprinted towards the noise. Through his ragged breathing, he managed to shout; "Lina! Is that you, Lina?!" His mind raced. His heart pounded. His legs screamed, but still he ran on.
Soon, he reached a small clearing. He drank in all the horrific details. The smashed and empty bottles. The many empty packets. The light pink powder scattered around. The hunched over form in front of him. Her eyes pulsed unnaturally. Her tanned skin held coarse black hair. Her hands were curled into knives. She cackled incessantly, her lips spreading wide. Too wide. They showed rows of sharp teeth glistening in frothing saliva. "Kaaaidy... A little birdie told me you were with another girl the other day, hm? Whaddya have to say about zhat?" She slurred, wobbling on her feet. "What's she got that I don't? Cos I bet she's not as haaawt as me. Or as fierce!" She yelled, swiping at the air with a clawed, half-mutated hand. "Lina, calm down. I wasn't with anyone. I swear I'm loyal to you, babe."
"Oh bull spit. You lying, treacherous, two-faced, manipulative, callous, little mortal!" She spat, practically growling the words as she leapt towards him. Her arms and legs crunched and cracked into unnatural poses as her bones broke, her shape fluctuating.
A gnarled and twisted appendage, it was hard to tell if it was a hand or a paw, reached up to his chest, dragging its claws through his flesh. In her mutated form, she knocked him down so she was on top of him. Her sharpened teeth wrapped around his throat, ripping open the soft skin like a knife through butter. Thick, rich crimson liquid spurted from the wound, filling her mouth like a fine wine. Her eyes snapped open suddenly in a moment of clarity. Her features morphed back to human as her mouth unclamped from his throat. "Oh my God... I-I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me..."
"I think I do... about six bottles of... vodka and God knows how many packets of that, cff, Nova stuff." He replied, spitting blood.
"I- I didn't mean to... I mean I never thought I would... What did I do?" She sobbed, still on top of him in the tatters that were her clothes. "Believe me I don't think you were with a woman, you wouldn't do that to me... it was the drugs... and the damn vodka... I would never think that... It doesn't matter now anyway. We need to get you to a doctor."
"I won't make it..." He breathed, spitting blood to prove his point. "The imp- The important thing is I don't, cff, blame you... I- I love you, Lina."
"Oh God... Don't make this be my last memory of you... I don't wanna kill you... I love you too, Kadey. So much..."
"Its so cold... Lina... Lina listen to me." He reached a bloody hand up to her, pulling her even closer by her hair. "This isn't your fault. You hear, cff, me? Iss not your fault... I'll see ya... 'round, wolf..." He whispered passionately with his last breath.
Just like that, the abyss took him into its arms. His hand's grip on her slackened. Lifeless. "NO!" Lina screamed. She kissed his now lifeless lips passionately. But it was too late. Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over the edge as rain pelted her face, mixing with the tears. "No... You can't be gone... No... I'm not a killer... I'M NOT A KILLER!" She screamed into the sky as thunder cracked and lightning sizzled nearby. She sobbed, breathing deeply and running her blood stained hands through her hair. "I'm not a killer..."
* * *
Earlier that afternoon, Jen paced back and forth in her office, her hands balled into fists. A knock on the door broke her from her train of deep thought. "Come in." She said, biting her lip. She heard the door open and close as she paced away from it. Before she could take many steps, a pair of strong arms wrapped her in a warm hug from behind. "Have I ever told you that you worry too much?" Sammy murmured in her ear and pressing a kiss to her cheek. "Only every time we're together." Jen replied with a chuckle, turning around to face her. "I'm just thinking about what I'm about to do."
"Ah, cold feet. Its understandable, but just know I'm with you every step of the way." The brunette's blazer crinkled as she leaned into Sammy's arms, resting her head on her chest. "I just don't want to disappoint Piper... She's changed, Sammy... She wasn't always like this. Once upon a time, she was my mentor, and a damn good one at that. She taught me everything I know, Sammy... How can I turn my back on that?" She muttered, tears glistening in her eyes as she looked up at her girlfriend for comfort. "You're wrong. She didn't teach you everything. She didn't teach you kindness... She didn't teach you compassion... She didn't teach you love... You did that. You. Jennifer Espinoza. You've grown in this industry. You learned to stand on your own two feet by yourself. You don't need her as a crutch anymore. Yes, she taught you. But that doesn't give her the right to treat you like this. You deserve better, Jen." Sammy said, losing herself in those beautiful brown eyes. Tears streamed down Jen's face as she reached a hand up to cup her partner's face. "Sammy... that was beautiful... Thank you. You have no idea how much that means to me to hear you say all that... You're too good for me." She beamed, clearly moved by her words. The vampire leaned down to kiss her nose. "Or maybe I'm exactly good enough." They shared a giggle as they separated. "You're right. I can do this. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a job to quit." She took a few steps toward the door.
"Jen... wait..." Sammy appraised her for a moment. "I'm coming with you. We'll quit together."
"I couldn't possibly ask you to-"
"Well you're not. I'm telling you. I only got into this internship to get back into the routine of work. Y'know give me something to do. I don't need it for a resume or to get higher in the profession. Hell, I wouldn't even need a job for the money. But the point is, I got into this job for the fun of it, and well we sure had a lot of fun. The fun of the job slowly became the fun of being with you. But if you leave, where's the fun in any of it. So... I'm coming with you." As she spoke, a resolute smile formed on Jen's face. "Let's do this."
Jen set her jaw as she knocked on Piper's door. Hard. "What is it?!" Rang a voice from inside. Her lips were a thin line as she strode into the office with purpose. "Piper... we've come to hand in our resignations... We're quitting!" She snapped, slamming the papers down on the desk in front of Piper.
"Hah. I never thought I'd see the day... Jennifer Espinoza actually growing a backbone."
"Piper, you have been nothing but harsh to me since the day we met. My career will never thrive under your leadership!"
"You wouldn't even have a career without me. And as for you..." She growled, jabbing a finger in Sammy's direction. "Interns are two-a-penny. This is only going to be bad for you. Now, I'm going to give you two one last chance to reconsider. Remember, everyone is replaceable." A simpering smile formed on her beady features. "With all due respect, ma'am, our answers still stand. You've been nothing but horrible to us, especially Jen. And I'm not gonna take it anymore. We don't deserve it. She doesn't deserve it." Sammy stepped forward, clearly fighting to keep calm. "Oh and just who do you think you are? Jen's guardian angel?" Her dark eyes widened, clearly enjoying every moment of the drama. "No. I just realise her worth and know she deserves more. More than to be stuck in this damn rut of a job for years, wearing herself out. More than to be forced to live and breathe this job every damned day. More than to-"
"Sammy. I've got this." Jen said, pressing a hand to Sammy's chest, stopping her and zeroing her eyes in on Piper like a targeting scanner. "Piper. I'm grateful for what you've done for me, but that doesn't excuse your behaviour. You've destroyed my confidence. You've shattered my self-worth. You've mocked my friends for caring about me. You think you know what's best for me... But you don't. You want me to be just like you. But I'm telling you now that I'm not like you and I never will be. Not in a million years... So I think I can speak for the both of us when I say you can shove your second chance. Goodbye, Piper." Together, they walked out of the office with their heads held high, leaving Piper shocked and open-mouthed in their wake.