Marcus walked through the empty halls of the mall.

everyone just disappeared… did those guys get them..? Fuck. He thought.

”HEY!!!!” A voice echoed.

”WE GOT YOUR FRIENDS!!! JUST COME ON OUT AND WE’LL NEGOTIATE A DEAL!!!” Marcus stood for a moment, thinking about if he really should believe the voice, before looking to see where it came from.

”don’t worry about finding us! We’re already here.” An entire group of masked men appeared from the shadows, one holding Claire, another holding Charlie, and a large man holding Liam and an unconscious James.

”what the…” Marcus’ eyes widened.

”alrighty, let’s get down to it. I’ll let your friends go. But…. But but but, YOU have to give yourself to us. Only then will we let your friends go.” The captain offered.

”LET THEM GO!!!” Marcus held up his shotgun.

”don’t even try to shoot us. Pull that trigger, and your friends die. Drop the gun.” The captain stared down Marcus.

”you… who even are you guys..?” Marcus slowly dropped the shotgun.

”we’re the B.T.B.O Corps. I’m not explaining the name.” The captain blankly stated.

”just know. We obliterate beasts, and we believe you are one of them. But.. you have a tail, and you’re still normal? How? That shouldn’t be scientifically possible. And we would know. We’ve delved into what these things are. We still can’t pinpoint why this happened. But you… you might be that missing link. We need you. So just come with us, and your friends can live.”

Claire pulled Victor’s hand off her mouth.

”DON’T LISTEN TO THEM!! THEY’LL JUST TORTURE YOU AND KILL Y-“ The captain punched her and she fell to the ground, bleeding from the nose.

”DON’T FUCKING TOUCH HER!!” Marcus suddenly fell into a rage.

Marcus stepped back, and stepped into the only source of light in the area. The moon.

heheh…. HehehahaHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAAAAAAAGGHH!!!! I’VE BEEN CONTAINED FOR FAAARR TOO LONG!!! LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT LET ME OUT LET ME OUT LET ME OUT LET ME OUT!!!!!!

”AAGHH!!! RRGHHH!!!” Marcus grabbed at his head, and disappeared into the shadows.

what the hell? Is this kid finally turning? The captain raised his pistol.

”stay on guard, boys! This kid’s turning!” The whole squad raised their weapons.

”RRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!!” The screams echoed through the mall, but the group couldn’t pinpoint where they were coming from.

each scream became more and more strained and deep, until it eventually devolved into a single howl.

and then. Silence.

”Victor, you got a flashlight?” The captain asked.

no response.

”…..Victor?”