Every kilometre put behind you, your anxiety grows, a mild one. What the Foxes might deem a deserving punishment is up to them. A feeling of excitement, even happiness gets a hold on you,
"I'm starting to feel happy? Or, am I just getting excited?" you mumble to yourself.
Looking to your left, the Town is straight ahead of you. You can see the Guards on top of the Walls, some of them stopping, looking confused as to why a very old truck is approaching the Town.
"It's Walker, get me in!" you yell at them slowly approaching the Town's Gate, the Trucks giving into its exhaustion, the engine slowly starts to suffer.
The Gates open and you enter, the Truck is surely on its last legs, it can barely pull itself including the Cargo it transported, a worthy last Transport for him. His final resting place, a lovely Town and not a shady camp in the middle of bum-fuck nowhere.
The engine dies... a tragic end to its story. Perhaps a retrofit is an option to bring it back to life.
You dismount the Truck, every single soul that witnessed you enter the Town, with a now-dead truck looks curiously your way.
Thankfully your House is close, you pull the brake on the truck. You slowly move, exhausting taking its toll, towards your house. The door bursts open, everyone is outside, Katya rushes towards you.
"Dan Walker! You are a massive Idiot!" she yells.
"Wait Katya I can explain!" you defend your actions.
But Katya doesn't stop, she walks straight up to you and pulls your mask off brutally. With a powerful-looking swing, she slaps you in the face, an unbelievable event coming from her.
You're startled from her action,
"Why do you go out to do fuck knows what, without telling your Family where you go?!" Katya yells, your mind is shocked still recovering and processing.
Looking behind Katya, you see Kally holding Mila, she's crying.
"Milord, this is troublesome. Your emotions are getting the better of you." the Daemon says.
"I don't care anymore, look at what I've done to them. What Husband would I be if I can only bring suffering and fear to my own family through my actions?" you reply.
"Answer me Dan! Look what you've done to them!" Katya continues to yell, her Daughters are also coming outside.
"You didn't even think about the repercussions your actions take!" she adds.
Nightmare come to life, words you've told yourself as a young kid. Now, History repeats itself.
"Mother that's enough." Lena tells her Mother.
"You stay out of this Lena!" she tells her Daughter.
"I thought you've changed Dan, not because you would've liked to, but because of them!" Katya continues to yell, the Town's people continue on with their work, ignoring the event. A wise choice on their end.
"You've used their Love and care they give you each day to fill that void in yourself that will never close!" she yells, a spear sent through your heart.
"Look at Mila, do you know how much she cried?! Do you Dan?! You don't even care." she adds.
"And your Girlfriends, they haven't come out their Room the whole time, they knew you were gone but kept silent!" she adds, no sign of stopping.
"Mother that's enough, don't you think he suffered enough until now." Anika says.
"It's fine Miss Anika, this was inevitable." you tell her.
"You're a coward Dan, when your Family needs you the Most you just fuck off and go kill people. That's all you do, nothing else." Katya says, having lost control of her tongue.
"I am? Where the fuck is your husband when you're daughters almost got kidnapped, he sits in his office drinking Coffee and getting sucked off by fuck knows how many women!" you yell back at her.
"That's all most men are good for, start a family and then dispose of them when he gets bored." you say, menacingly walking up to her.
Katya starts to tremble as she flipped your switches, pulled your strings and torn down walls.
"You have no idea what I am capable of doing, nothing will stand in my way. I will keep my Family and this Town save, if you and your Husband are willing to help or not." you add.
"I don't want your gratitude for saving your Daughters or giving you Shelter when no one else did. I lost everything way before the Outbreak Katya, nothing left. And now you waltz onto the stage, and think you can steal my show. Not today Katya... never." you tell her walking off to Kally.
Katya stands still, stiffened and startled. A terrifying turn of events for her.
"Mila~ I am sorry that I was gone. I had some work to do~" you tell her in a playful tone.
Before you can even approach her, Kally pulls her away.
"Mommy, that's Master Dan~. Why are can't I hug him?" Mila says, you can see traces of tears on her Face, eyes red.
"With all due respected Master Dan, I will not allow a Murderer to touch any of my Daughters." Kally says.
"What? How do you..." you trail off.
"Milord, Kilu Foxes are the best at seeing the hidden truth in people." the Hound says.
"I did that to keep all of us safe, not because I wanted to." you tell Kally.
Kally doesn't seem to change her behaviour towards you.
Kate and Katie rush outside straight towards you,
"Master~! You're Home..." Kate quickly stops, together with her Sister.
"Morning you two..." you say, walking towards the Bench.
"Guess my dreams are truly shattered now, all because of my extreme sense of, protection." you mumble.
The Hound manifests, the others don't see him.
"Milord, it's too early to give up hope. But it is also wrong to take all the blame, that Katya Woman told too many lies about our Family, it was very difficult to hold our Anger back, but it must've been more difficult for you." he Hound admits.
Your Girlfriends are walking over to you,
"Master, I apologize for trailing off, but the scent of blood is too strong on your clothes." Kate confesses.
"Don't bother with a Dog like me, go get some sleep now that I am home." you tell them, starring at the ground.
"Could you for once not put yourself in misery like you always do?!" Katie lashes out.
"Katie don't yell at him, he got enough to hear." Kate says to her sister.
"Owner, we don't care how many people you kill, how much blood you've got on your clothes, or the expenses you have. But we want to be by your side, always." Katie says, simmering down.
"Hmh, I know that you two. I'm grateful for that, but you two should take care of Katya. I said some mean things to her." you tell them.
"We don't think that's necessary anymore." they say.
You look at them and notice Katya walking up to you, with a teary Face. She sits beside you and grabs your head, putting it on her Heart.
"I'm sorry Dan! I'm so sorry! We all were scared, terrified as to where you've gone!" Katya expresses.
"I didn't mean to say those things I've said, I was just panicked that you would leave us all." Katya whispers.
"Neither did I, apologies for that Miss Katya." you add.
"I talked to your Foxes for a while, they've suggested that when you come back. I should let you listen to my Heartbeat, they say that a Mothers's heart beats differently. Can you tell~?" she whispers into your ear.
Truly, the sayings of your Foxes are true, it does beat differently.
"I hope that you remember the pleasant memories of your past Dan, as a Kid. Playing in the Yard, with Toys. Not giving a damn about the world, something nice." Katya adds.
"Ma-Katya, I don't have too many or better said, none of those Memories. I've... buried them." you admit.
"You almost called me Mama, didn't you~?" Katya says, stroking your back.
"Y-yeah... it's embarrassing." you mumble.
"Katya I don't think it's a good idea for you to hold me like this." you confess, trying to stand up. But Katya quickly yanks you back.
"No you don't, this is my apology for the things I've said in a panic earlier. Also, your Foxes told me that you worked hard for not only them but also my family. This is the least I can do." Katya says, now stroking your head as well.
Opening your eyes, you gaze upon Kally and her Daughters, sitting on the opposite bench,
"Master Dan, I deeply apologize for reacting defensively to your actions earlier. I--" Kally tries to express her feelings.
"You're a Mother Kally, you have every reason to keep your children safe, even from someone like me." you interrupt her, hoping to comfort her.
"You're a wise Man Master Dan, that is now clear to me." Kally says, relaxed.
"Though, I am nowhere near wise. But I still appreciate the nice words Kally." you tell her, the three of them brighten up, smiling and wagging their tales.
A loud growl can be heard,
"Master Dan~ Mila is hungry again~" Mila says, worried.
"Brought back enough food, let us see..." you mumble, conceiving a plan.
"Darlings~, could you two make food with what we have, pretty please~?" you almost beg your Darlings to cook.
"Sure thing, Owner." Katie says, wagging her tail like her Sister.
With the stress, anxiety over... the Nightmare that erupted into reality finally fades off, hopefully, to never be seen again.
Everyone does as instructed Kally and her Daughters watch as you and Katya look through the supplies you brought back. Your Girlfriends admire you, a clear sign, they missed you too much to take their eyes off you.
"That's amazing Dan!" she says, smiling, almost salivating.
"Do have some surprises for everyone...Uh... just gotta remember where I put them." you say, scratching your head.
A loud chain of laughter breaks and the atmosphere brightens up significantly. Now that everyone is safe, happy, and not anxious anymore. The daily activities can resume, including some mandatory fun with the Family.