Eugene ended the call and heaved a sigh. He looked at Claude. "I don't want to go, but what if she's in real trouble? I don't want anyone hurt because I didn't go."
Claude nodded and grabbed a few garments to put on more layers. The nights in Lunavida City seemed colder than other places. They jumped the fence to escape the dorm, but not without Claude sending a message to Ryan and Joshua. He should at least let them know that something came up again. They might have to rescue Eugene's and his ass from deeper trouble.
…
If this were last weekend, the bus to Hatter's Town would be waiting for Eugene at the corner. The bus routes didn't cut through the hillside city. Everyone who wanted to leave and visit had to walk along an old road to the city gates. Post lights were available in intervals, but a great deal of the path was submerged in darkness.
"Is it normal for assholes to be this desperate?" Eugene whispered, realizing how cold and dark this road was at night. The moon was growing full, but its light barely gave his eyes some relief.
"Eugene…"
Eugene flinched and looked behind him. He saw Hunie peering from the side of the tree. Her smile didn't look coerced or afraid. She used a hand to beckon him closer. However, Eugene thought he saw a siren luring him to his death.
With a giggle, she flirted with him. "Hey, handsome. You came as quickly as you said you would. Are you ready for a good time?"
"Oh… are you hoping to do it behind a tree? I didn't take you to be so daring." Eugene faked a laugh and jogged toward her as if his feet weren't pulling him back. "Baby girl, don't you want to hit a hotel instead? People can still find us here. We can get expelled."
"Hmmm… really? You care about expulsion?" Hunie hugged the tree and stared at him. "Eugene, I really want you now. Why don't you just follow me?"
"I'm not sure about that." Eugene peeked behind her, seeing no one else. He then turned to the old road. "Are we going far from the road?"
Hunie clawed at the tree bark before detaching herself from the tree. She stepped back and stood in a lazy yet provocative posture. Her finger even rested on her lips for her to bite. "Yeah, very far. No one will find us. Come with me, please. I really need you."
Eugene glanced at the old road one last time before flashing a grin at Hunie. "Sure! You want to hold my hand? This place looks slippery."
A hostile glance came from Hunie, but she forced a smile and took it. She pulled Eugene deeper into the forest that surrounded Lunavida City. Their feet stepped carefully along the roots and rocks in their path. Like a real gentleman, Eugene would carry Hunie if he had to. After all, even if he had no interest in those girls anymore, he couldn't let them get hurt under his watch.
Well, as long as he wasn't their target.
"We're pretty deep in the forest." Eugene looked around and couldn't find anything else but trees and shrubs. He turned to Hunie, whose grip tightened around his hand. "Are you scared, Hunie?"
"Huh?" Hunie looked at him, but her body trembled at the cold air surrounding them. Even if she didn't want to, she ended up hugging Eugene for protection. The young man didn't push her away or offer less shielding, either.
A person dropped from the treetop. He wore casual topless attire, only worn-out pants that didn't fit him well. Behind the trees came out more people, and Eugene could recognize some of them from the fraternity party Psi Saint Alpha threw. Even the guy who Claude kicked in the stomach showed up wearing his loathing in his gaze.
The person in the middle chuckled. He lazily pointed at Eugene, glancing at some men. "Is he the guy? Did she get the person right?"
"I already told you! I can't call Lavallee out here alone. That guy will ignore me!" Hunie snapped, but her hands grabbed Eugene tighter. "Where are Jane and Odessa? You said you'll release him if I…!"
"If you bring the right person." The guy scoffed and jerked his head to cue someone. "But don't worry. I'm generous to the people who are willing to help me."
One random guy pushed Odessa, another girl from the group date, and Jane, Courtney's roommate, into the clearing where they stood. However, what made Hunie and Eugene gasp was the blood streaking from their lips, noses, and thighs. The one holding them pushed Odessa to the ground between them, her hair covering most of her unmoving body.
The leader laughed at the horror in Eugene's and Hunie's eyes. "Don't worry about her. She's alive and… well, a little pure. It took you so long we got bored."
Hunie sobbed as she fell to the ground. "I'm so sorry… wait… Why hold onto Jane? Release her, too. I brought this guy. Claude Lavallee won't take long to get here…!"
The leader grew angry, even lunging forward and kicking Odessa toward them. Hunie and Eugene had to catch her lest she get hurt some more. However, their glares turned into terrified gazes when the leader showed off big teeth as if morphing into a monster.
"Don't lie to me! You only brought the wrong person because the right one won't show up!" The leader then laughed, recalling his monstrous features. He consoled his jaw as if his stunt was painful. "It's okay. You're not the only woman in the world. Neither is he the only person Claude Lavallee knew. You wasted my time. I'll just leave the crying to you.
"Everyone…" He cued his friends. "Don't leave anyone alive. A few clothes and severed limbs should be enough warning for that old man."
"What?" Eugene looked at the people, catching the confused looks coming from other members of Psi Saint Alpha. He would have gotten angry, only for half the gathered men to break into their bipedal werewolf forms. It was slow and excruciating to watch. Monsters slowly emerged under the moonlight. The victims were only left to freeze in fright and denial.
Among everyone, Eugene was the only one who could move. He kept glancing as if counting the people who wanted to run away. His lack of fear intrigued the leader.
The leader smiled and morphed his arms, blood spurting as the claws broke out from his nails. "You don't look scared. Ah, she must be telling the truth. Is this not the first time you've seen the real rulers of this world? Your friend entrusted you with a little secret. You're lucky…"
He stopped and entered an assault stance. "But not lucky enough to survive an encounter with us. Say your prayers, human."
Eugene stared the leader in the eyes, defiance making them shine. "I won't pray for you, thugs. I will stand here and watch you die like roadkill. Do you think I'll go here without Claude having my back? You're the unlucky ones, you bastard!"
===A/N===
Thank you for sticking until this point! The next chapter will go premium in a few hours after it gets posted. I hope you can still stick with us! :D By June, I will try to set up four tiers of privilege chapters. That's around 20 or 25 chapters.
If you can't continue reading due to the needed Fast Passes, I will still thank you for staying with us this long.
Don't forget to leave reviews. I will surely appreciate it!