Charlie turned the corner, only to see the beast crouching over what seemed to be Marcus. There was blood gushing everywhere.

”no… no…. No, god….” She couldn’t breathe. Marcus was dead.

but then, she heard a grunt. Not a beastly one, but rather, a human one.

she looked up, to see Marcus standing there, covered in blood, with an axe splitting the beast’s face in half. He panted as he planted his foot on the beast’s face, and ripped the axe out, making even more blood gush out of its face.

”…M-Marcus….” She felt sick. She fell to her knees and began uncontrollably sobbing.

”I… I th-thought you were dead!” She cried.

Marcus knelt down and pulled Charlie into his arms.

”it’s okay. We’re okay now…. I’m not going anywhere, don’t worry.” He sat down and rocked slowly back and forth, resting his head on Charlie’s.

”it’s okay to cry.. just let it all out. Spare yourself some pain. It’ll make moments like these easier to deal with if you let it out now.” Marcus held Charlie as she sobbed.

”…..AAAAAAAHHH!!!” Charlie felt too many emotions at once. She couldn’t do anything but cry and scream.

”that’s it… that’s it.” Marcus sat patiently, allowing Charlie to take all of it in.

”I’m sorry I made you think I died… you’re safe now. We’re safe now.”

Marcus picked up Charlie, limped over to a counter, and sat Charlie on top of it.

”you just stay here. I’ll go get the supplies we need. No pressure.”

CHAPTER TWO:

NEW HOME, NEW LIFE.

END.