Faced with the implications, Jessy began to beg. "Please, please jus-just let me go-"

The Buck interrupted her with a mocking voice. "We both know I can't do that Jessy... What happen to you nerve? The resilience? Hmm?..."

Jessy's body screamed in fear. Her eyes were wide, showing the whites of her iris and her bows were raised. All of which were accompanied by her quivering lips, and trembles reverberating throughout her body. And, amidst all that, her heart refused to slow, instead opting to skip a few beats.

The buck's grasp was unwavering, it was tight enough for her to remain aware of it whilst providing a bit of room to breathe.

As he eased his grip, he glared at Mason's mangled head. "It's okay Jessy, I can see you don't wanna get hurt..."

I can't look, I don't wanna see... Mason. I'm so sorry Mason...

The Buck continued, "You see the thing is, I don't wanna hurt you... You don't deserve it right Jessy?"

She didn't reply, his question was odd to her. She couldn't figure if he meant that she didn't deserve whatever lie ahead or if she didn't deserve to be let go...If he meant it, if he could be reasoned with... Thin slivers of hope, hope in which she latched onto. All she could do is sit there in fear. She didn't know what to expect and didn't want to take any risk.

As the silence ensued, he petted and played in her hair, as one would with a pet.

The touch was gentle, a far-cry from the violence she had just seen. It was disorienting, a fog prowling the edges of an already, fearful mind...

The buck sat up with Jessy in hand and walked up to the second floor. Entering the bedroom, he placed Jessy in one hand and held her while he dragged Rusko's corpse down the stairs.

"I aint gonna you hurt you Jessy." With a chuckle dancing in his throat, he continued, "Though I still got work to do. So I'm gonna sit you down on that table okay."

As he placed her on the wooden table, he looked Jessy in her eyes and calmly said, "I'm trusting you Jessy. Know that if-ya run, and I catch-ya I'll... Well, I'd hate to see somethin bad happen to-ya Jessy."

Jessy was frozen.

Playfully shaking her chin, he went on to conclude, "You just stay right there, Jessy. And, You'll and be A-Okay."

Turning his attention to the drawers, he searched for knives.

"No cleaver huh, guess this'll get messy... It's better that way..." He said to himself.

He grabbed a simple kitchen knife and started hacking Rusko's arm off. When the deed was done, he walked into the main hallway and used the severed limb to draw on the walls.

Laughing, he said aloud, "Just wait till they see this shit! It's so damn crazy that it'll be plain ol' unbelievable..."

The words to be written, said,

I'm coming for all of you next. You know who you are...

Jessy watched as the Buck took all of Rusko's limbs and used them just around the corner. She didn't know what he was doing, and she dare not move.

When he finished, the buck entered the kitchen and placed the knife on the counter.

The Buck leaned on the counter and watched Jessy. He didn't say anything, he gaze never left her, he wanted to make her uncomfortable. He wanted for her to break the silence, to talk so that he could worm his way into her mind...

Of course the silence made her uneasy. She found it difficult to hold eye contact, let alone look at him. The Buck appeared to be unpredictable. His silence could've meant anything. And with the ongoing silence, she grew restless. She needed to know what he was thinking, and so, she spoke.

"I-I'm scared. Ple-please, t-tell me what y-you want from me?" she stammered.

The buck answered with a slight chuckle, "Look Jessy..."

With the chuckle ceasing, he continued in a playful manner, "Look at me Jess-can I call-ya Jess, I'm gonna call you Jess."

Tapping his head, he again, continued, "It's clear I got few loose screws, you see I get carried away sometimes... But I wasn't born this way Jess... Look, I don't wanna hurtcha, but I can't let you go. This shit's crazy, but you gotta work with me Jess. Trust me, it's in our best interest."

His tone danced between malice and genuine sincerity, with his voice often wavering toward the latter...

The Buck walked closer and gently grabbed her shoulders. "You asked me earlier, why I'm doing this... The guy I'm after..."

Glancing away, after a pause, the Buck went on to fabricate a lie. "He took my family from me... I know that don't justify what I did here but all I care about Jess, is gettin revenge. He needs to pay... You just don't get to walk all over people like that... Look, I know I'm no different. I know I took someone from you..."

Meeting her gaze, he concluded, "You can take me out when all this's over. But first I need you help me... Are-ya willing to do that?"

Knowing she'd either hesitate or refuse, the Buck answered for her. He left it to linger, further to fester from his twisted kindness obscuring the underlying motives...

"You don't gotta answer now Jessy. It is a lot, so take your time..."

Jessy had tuned out and fled from that moment. While she remained seated and staring ahead, she was lurking in her mind. She could see Mason's mutilated corpse, she couldn't she his face... Now, she couldn't see him in any other way. The smiles and laughs they once shared, his smiles, she couldn't remember.

Mason, I'm so sorry... Why did this have to happen? Why did it have to be you?... I can't even remember your smile anymore... please show it to me, please Mason...

The memories were shrouded as her mind forcibly showed her Mason's mangled visage. She couldn't escape it, she couldn't un-see it...

Every single memory, every thought was him.

Jessy cried once more, gripping her hair, she started pulling and sobbing once more. The weight of that scene was now suffocating her, it was heavy and unyielding... Jessy knew she was in pain, but she couldn't understand that new gut wrenching feeling that was steadily devouring her.

"W-Why are you doing this to me!?!" Her voice trembled as she dared to question him. Amidst her agonizing cries, she repeatedly asked that question.

With each time, growing slightly more inaudible, as her words merged with her cries.

"Whyyy!?! Why!?!... Why..."

The questions dragged out and eased into silence as she shifted back into cries.

The Buck leaned on the archway behind the sofa and smiled.

...

Jessy sat in that lit living room, her mind dwelled on the situation. She knew the Buck was dangerous, but his occasional gestures of kindness left her feeling confused. She feared him, and she found herself gravitating toward that kindness. It was predictable, and most importantly, manageable.

She was getting away, she'd began to accept that. Was silenced the thought most, was the fact that she had none else to turn to. Mason was always there for her, and a piece of her, despite his condition, didn't want to leave him.

With these past moments controlling her fixation, she couldn't forget this moment, for it had been engrained into her mind.

This confusion, dealing with all of the underlying desires at play, the intensity of fear, the screaming emotions, she couldn't understand anything. She couldn't do anything.

As she attempted to process, Jessy found herself wanting it to all just end in one way or another. She couldn't understand that feeling... what it is she wanted, the Buck had some idea.

He knew this moment, that feeling. He reveled in seeing her go through it. She needed it to all go. The tainted memories, the swift nature in which these events unfolded, made to be exempt from this evil only to process it, after all, such evil demands that attention. Those feelings of wrongness, blurring them. Trying to wrap your head around this all, it was all just too much.

A lot, a fog.

Delving into that, facing that. It's not something many can do, and of those that do, majority seek to drown it, distract themselves in some manner of coping.

Jessy didn't realize this.

Deep down, buried in the confusion, denying to ever even entertain that deep thought crawling on the surface floor of her mind...

She wanted to forget, everything. After this instilled, madness, she needed to...

And sadly, the Buck was all too aware of that.

He sat beside her and gently guided Jessy to lean into his side.

"Jessy... If you want."

Smiling, he waved hand in a whimsical fashion. Continuing to say, "I can make it all go away."

Jessy felt a chill run down her spine as his words hung in the air, riddled with unspoken, implications. His touch, once, seemingly comforting now danced on the lines of suffocation. He was slow, and thorough. She glanced around for an escape that didn't exist, now realizing, she was trapped in a situation where even her thoughts, were not her own.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

...Some time later.

The Buck left Jessy on the couch to wallow in the betrayal of trust, violation of her body and autonomy, all of which weighed heavy on her, crushing her already fragile psyche.

But he wasn't finished. He returned with a glass of water, he carelessly threw it aside, shattering the tense, silence. A sinister smile crossed his faced as he looked at Jessy.

He wiped her tears and locked eyes with her, caressing her cheek. Despite his vile actions, his voice was gentle and his eyes exuded a crazed glare.

"It will all go away if you let it..."

Okay...

He parted her legs once more. She was, in his eyes, no different from anyone else. Nothing more than a simple toy, to be used, abused, and tossed aside...

Later Into The Night...

The Buck reclined on the couch, pulling Jessy close to him. He eyed Jessy and held her with an eerie tenderness. Grooming her curved furred figure in silence.

She met his gaze, and swiftly averted away from it. She fixed her sight to a distant point on the floor. The Buck gently guided her by the chin to meet his gaze.

His dead eyed stare met her blue teary eyes.

"Kiss me." said the Buck.

He nudged her closer and kissed her with deranged passion. It was gentle and sloppy.

The kiss was one-sided for a time, but after a while, Jessy pushed his hand aside and kissed him. She leaned into his kiss with a bobbing head, it flowed in tandem with the rhythm of their kiss. Their tongues coiled around one another, dancing in the exchanged saliva...

Why? She could've done it for a number of reasons.

Maybe she figured she could get him to drop his guard, and act on that. Maybe she broke, and sought to cope through pleasure. Maybe... it didn't matter, no matter the reason, the outcome remained the same.

Amidst that demented passion, amidst that twisted bond, the Buck leaned forward a bit and pulled his gun out his pants and slowly positioned the barrel to be aimed upward, beneath her chin.

When the barrel made contact with the underpart of her chin, there was a pause. In that same moment, he squeezed that trigger and sent a spray of blood flying toward the ceiling.

With the deed done, he gently laid her on the couch beside him.

"Goodbye, Jessi..."

Present Time...

It's been two days since Jason's death.

The Buck doesn't know Simon as well as he knew Jason. In the blind, he's been moving and acting fast. All in hopes of drawing Simon out, and most importantly, cornering him. On the other hand, Simon too, had planned his next steps. He needs information, and more importantly, he needs to find Jason's wife.

And with that, the two set out to achieve what it was they so, desperately desired...

Simon snuck out of his room and went to get Jacob. He had decided to leave Eris and Miela behind. With a small breakfast made for them, he did just that.

After throwing on his trench coat, he gently closed the door behind him and crept on over to Jacob's room, behind the stairs.

When he got there, Simon crouched down and as he was about to give the small door a few taps, Jacob opened it.

Fitting his cap onto his head, Jacob said, "Simon? Good morning mane, did-ja need somethin?"

Retracting his hand, Simon replied, "Good morning Jacob... I was told you got that job with the cabby, mind if I tag along? I need a ride-I intend to pay the fair, I'm not asking for a free one."

"Sure, mane, sure you can! Just follow me, should be outside any minute now."

Walking around the corner, Jacob went on to pridefully say, "We gots this system aaaah-ll worked out, she comes to pick me up, then I provide secuwities... So, you's up pretty early today."

A brief honk interrupted him, he continued, "That's our ride."

Simon followed behind Jacob, picking up his pace as Jacob dashed to the door.

With the two exiting the apartment, the cabby opened the passenger door and let Jacob into the car. Jacob was quick to explain to the cabby that Simon was tagging along, she had initially refused until she found out that Simon was indeed paying for the ride. After hearing that, she unlocked the back door.

After hearing the click, Simon entered the back seat.

Jacob sat in front on a makeshift, elevated seat. The two had really planned this whole thing out. It was none other than the Jaguar. Simon figured it'd be her, though he couldn't help but feel a bit surprised.

"So, detective, where're we headed today?" Asked the cabby, as she looked into the rear view mirror.

"Maplerow Avenue."

"Roger that."

And with that, she started the car and drove.

"So, Simon, whatcha doing out this early?" Inquired Jacob.

Simon wanted to answer, but he wasn't too inclined to involve the driver.

After a moment, he answered, "Remember what we spoke about yesterday, evening? Made some plans and now I'm following through on them."

The cabby popped a curious glance at Simon.

"Ah-aight, we're headed back to your apartment then. Whatcha got planned?"

"Just swinging by, nothing more... for now."

It was going to be quite the drive. It'd be nearly an hour before they'd arrive. Simon slumped over in the seat and closed his eyes.

"Sorry Jacob, you mind if I take a nap?"

"Nhah, not at all. Have at it mane."

Simon was mentally preparing himself for lie ahead, what he'd be dealing with from here on out and who'd be accompanying him.

Despite the lies... Jason was telling the truth about one thing. This is gonna be a war, and in this very moment, I'm walking down that road..."

After a bit, Simon went to sleep.

Some minutes later...

"Psst-Jacob? You gonna fill me in or arya just gonna leave me in the dark?" Asked the cabby.

Despite Simon's reluctance to loop her in, in a stark contrast, Jacob was all to eager to loop his new friend in. A tiny, plump chinchilla and a curvy, stocky Jaguar. A dynamic duo in the making.

Jacob popped a glance at Simon to ensure he was sleeping.

"Aight Romona, look-"

Jacob went on to look in front of him and spoke with both his hands and voice, "Simon's bes-friend was murdered two days ago, it was that day we's was all in here! Remember? With the opossum?!"

After a quick check-in on Simon, he continued, "Now, the people who killed Jason prolly-gonna try and Kill Simon too! Is a whole conspiracy-"

Jacob went on to explain all he knew.

As Romona listened, she grew uneasy. Her finger's tightened around the steering wheel and her heart skipped a beat. Her eye's flicked to the rear view, looking to Simon, who appeared to sleeping peacefully despite the now, known circumstances.

As Jacob went on, each revelation shared only served to amplify her anxiety. She tried to steady her composure, watching the scenery outside the window as she listened. But, her thoughts kept returning to Simon, the danger he was in... and by extension, the danger she was now in helping him.

The thing is, the city was a far-cry from being perfect. Everyone was aware of that, because they'd actively ben reminded of it. Beneath the pandemic of often, petty crimes here and there lingered, a boogeyman. That same one, every one avoids.

It takes people for a variety of sickening reasons. Amidst the many, there are large, few who hunger for flesh in this world. Those, who have long since desired to be lost in the delusional duality of, gluttonous lust. That, boogeyman, caters to them...

And the problem propagates from one fact, it is not one, but many who embody this, boogeyman.

So when Romona sought to look out of the taxi's window, into the world around her. Upon hearing what she had heard, it did not ease the lingering, anxiety.

It could be anyone, anyone around them, watching and waiting.

Wha-what the fuck did I just get myself into!?!

Despite the spawned fear, gnawing at her insides, Romona maintained a clam facade in silence.

When they neared the street, police cars were huddled around Simon's apartment. So much so, that Romona couldn't even drive down the street, so she parked on the next street over and the two watched as they woke Simon.

"Hey uh, Hey, Simon!" Romona reached into the back seat and shook Simon's shoulder.

"That your apartment up ahead?"

I hope to god it isn't...

Simon rubbed his eyes and looked at his apartment flooded with officers and detectives. He was caught off guard, this was of course, that last thing he expected to see.

Despite that, he went on to say, "Jacob-"

"You ont-even gotta ask, I'm on it! Romona, get the doe!"

Romona taken aback, quizzically glanced at Jacob before opening her door.

"Be careful Jacob, don't worry about heading, just listen in onto what they're saying alright?" asked Simon.

"I'll be fine, I gos-it mane!"

Jacob leapt of the seat and jumped of off one of Romona's breast before darting out into the street. She blushed in silence, opting to refrain from commenting on it since it was only seen by her, and of course, Jacob.

"I see you've taking a liking to him..."

"Yeah-" Glancing back with a worried look, she continued, "You-you're not worried?"

Simon paused and analyzed her.

"No. He'll be fine, no is aware our connection. And if he gets caught, which I doubt, they'll escort him off the scene."

To ease her concerns, he added, "I like to think I'm pretty aware... and we're talking about a guy, who built his own apartment room in my stair steps. He'll be fine, and if not, I'll head on over. Since it's my apartment they're searching, stands to reason they'd wanna speak to me..."

Romona calmed down, watching Jacob skitter down the street into the crime scene.

Jacob ran under the parked cars and watched the legs of the officers pass by to block of the sidewalk. Jacob had stopped. Two officers, a panther and an anteater stood in front of the car, conversing.

"Fucking hell-man..." said the anteater Officer.

The panther didn't really reply, he had just stood there and appeared to be listening.

"it's just. I don't know..." the anteater rubbed his head, before going on to inquire, "You don't look too bothered by it, is this, is that normal?"

The panther returned his gaze to the apartment and paused before answering, "Just about, we get something like this every few weeks or so..."

Afterward, the panther parted from the anteater and when on to speak to another group of officers. Soon after, the anteater went his own way and stood by the sidewalk, redirecting civilians to different streets.

In the clear, Jacob continued and weaseled his way through the cars and saw the steps leading to Simon apartment. Though he was told only to eavesdrop on some conversations, Jacob had opted to do more. He was gonna head inside.

With patience, he watched as a few detectives entered and exited, a few of whom were visibly disgusted at whatever lurked within. When all seemed clear Jacob dashed up the steps are darted under the first piece of furniture in sight.

Huddled under dresser placed in the hallway, he was hit with a wave. A mixture of a heavy metallic smell laced with a faint but noticeable, stench. A precursor to the upcoming stages of decomposition.

After Jacob was hit with the smell, he didn't need explore any further to realize what was in his apartment. After checking, Jacob crept on over to the exit and swiftly left. Before long, he had returned to the taxi and hopped up into Romona's lap and then to his seat.

With Jacob in the car, Romona started the taxi and pulled off, idly driving until there was a plan or new destination going forward.

After settling in his seat, Jacob looked toward Simon. Averting his gaze, he said, "People been... recently they been, there's dead people in there..."

Romona looked at Simon, her eyes betraying her worry.

Simon didn't respond to it, he was too fixed on the what and why of it all.

What are the implications? Why in his apartment?

And true to Simon, it didn't take long to get an answer. With the right questions, he had surmised that, at the very least, not only was he being hunted, he was being framed... and isolated.

... Jesus... I hadn't expected that. Given this, I'm left with two options. Either I'd have to turn myself in, and deal with this mess, exposed... Or be forced to remain hidden... Both of which, should I act... Shit!

Simon's anger festered as he realized what was being played. Early in this game, he was already being pushed into a corner. And to make matters worse, he didn't know who he was playing, he had no information... Despite the foresight, despite anticipating, he was slow, and his opponent appeared to be moving fast.

Still, there was one more thing he needed to do. At this point, in his eyes, it was a shot in the dark.

He'd have a limited time to go out and search for Nyala. Once word was out of him being wanted, he couldn't move without being traced... Every action there out would prove to be problematic. With this in mind, Simon spoke.

"I'm operating under the assumption that, whomever killed Jason, did this too. It's clear I don't got a lot of time now..."

Thinking on Nyala, and Jason's old remarks of becoming a father soon. He went on to say aloud, "Jason's wife, Nyala... She was pregnant, assuming she wasn't killed or captured, and didn't come to my apartment. She could be at a hospital..."

His voice trailed off as he thought about it. There were quite a few hospitals in the city. Four were close in proximity to Jason's apartment, two of which specifically catered to predators. Now while prey weren't exempt, it's just what those particular hospitals specialized in. Narrowing down his search to two possible options.

It was for Jason, if his wife had made it, Simon needed to get to her. Despite, spiting Jason for risking himself and more importantly, his family. Simon, still opted to check. Even if it was likely to be a fruitless endeavor, he was still going to try.

...

Romona had remembered driving a pregnant woman in rough shape to the hospital. She figured it couldn't hurt to mention it.

"Simon, I might know who you're lookin for. Was it a lioness by chance?" She inquired, looking up into the rearview window.

Simon met her gaze in the mirror.

Looks like I've been favored...

He smiled and answered, "Yeah, you remember the hospital you went to?"

"Saint Adam's berry." She responded, nodding in response.

She took her to a hospital for prey... all thing's considered, an aggressor would like check there last...

After hearing this, Jacob was in a brighter mood.

"Thas-what I'm talking bout, gimme sum." said Jacob, extending his hand for a high five.

Romona glanced at Jacob. Seeing Jacob's enthusiasm was just what she needed. She smile and high fived Jacob.

With new resolve, she raced through the streets like a madman, weaving in and out traffic.