#if you've read the werewolf story... iykyk.

[enniewritesathing]

memory management (admonitory)

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(It's strange in this room. The lights hurts his eyes. The floor is cold and too new. The mattress is thin beneath him and he knows that he won't get meaningful rest. The air has a lingering sterile smell he knows all too well.)

(It's late in the night but he hears people talking elsewhere. One's sobbing. Another is laughing softly. Two more are talking about their future. He doesn't care for it.)

(A unfamiliar feeling sits at the bottom of his stomach. Yes, he's free, but just being out here... it's bothersome. It's overwhelming to just be and it's putting him on edge. There's no danger around.)

(The Werewolf looks up at the sound of knocking on the door and the handle jostle before opening with a creak.)

(Mark almost tells him to relax but thought better of it the way he's looking at him.) "It's just me. How are you feeling now?"

The Werewolf: "Better." (He looks up and down at Mark and scoffs.) "That look doesn't suit you."

Mark: "I... I know. Honestly, it doesn't feel right. God knows I don't have the right."

The Werewolf: "Is everything set? Did you contact... her?"

Mark: "Yeah; she's on her way. No one saw us or anything like that. If they did... well. It's four in the morning. I'm sure you want me to cut right to the chase."

The Werewolf: "Yes, I do. What are your plans?"

Mark: "Well... I've done some thinking."

(He twiddles his thumbs.)

"Because of what happened and me being suddenly... promoted, I'm making the decision to stop the study. It's the only thing I can do. It should've stopped long ago; it was unethical from the start. Obviously ending it is the best solution and only solution. There are two ways I can do this because I have to report it in some way."

"I can state that the study was terminated because that what was the patient's wish to do so and you were released the day after. Scrub and redact everything to hell and back. Simple enough. Or. Or I can state that the patient died -- er-- expired via sudden cardiac arrest; attempts were made and every last method were used and exhausted but could not be resuscitated. Which did happen. Technically."

The Werewolf: "There's a catch, isn't there?"

Mark: "Yes. It all wouldn't make sense because of what you did. I'd have to explain why there were... immediate resignations. Especially Charles'. Everything was recorded. Either I'd have to go in and delete everything after you were declared dead or I delete everything and tell the lie that none of it got recorded. That someone failed a check."

The Werewolf: "A cover up either way."

Mark: "Yeah."

The Werewolf: "Hmph. And what will you do?"

Mark: "I don't know."

The Werewolf: "You sound like you're having a hard time deciding. I can tell that you're not one for deception. You're uncomfortable."

Mark: "No, I'm not. Yes. It's just... everything's that happened tonight, these past few years, I... I didn't sign up for this at all!"

The Werewolf: "What did you sign up for? Why? Let me guess and tell me if I'm wrong -- you had debts that you could not get over and he offered you something that you couldn't turn down. The promise of it being erased."

(Mark's eyes widened.) "You're not wrong. That's what exactly what happened to me... all of us really. We... were all broke graduates and we were desperate. He promised that once that the study was completed and our papers published, we'd be rich -- wealthy even. That's why we stayed. At least, they did."

"That time you woke up and looked right at me, I got a bad feeling I couldn't shake, so I did the bare minimum. Hell, I was going to resign way before then; that I'd take my loses. But--"

(The Werewolf hops off the bed and within 4 steps, he's right at Mark. Mark squeaks at the sudden appearance of The Werewolf being right in front of him.)

(Mark knew that The Werewolf was big but up close? Holy shit, he can snap him like a twig. He gulps as amber eyes bore a hole into his soul.)

The Werewolf: "Let me help you decide then."

(The Werewolf rests a hand on Mark's shoulder and draws him in. His voice is low and unmistakable.) "I will let you live, but here's what I want you to do."

"Do what you have to. You'll be better off. When my... his mother comes in, tell her what happened. Tell her however you see fit, but do not lie to her."

Mark: "What if--"

The Werewolf: "If he's there with her... separate them. He... I don't want him to find out about me. Not like this. In fact, swear her to secrecy. I know his mother will keep it."

(He leans in closer as he digs his claws into Mark's shoulder. The Werewolf takes a long sniff of his scent.)

"You are the only other person who knows of my existence and I want you to keep it that way. If you ever tell anyone else about me, I will finish what I started. I will hunt you down and I will fucking kill you. They will never find your body."

(The Werewolf sits right back on the thin mattress and stares at Mark. He's drenched in the scent of fear. Good.) "Figure it out. Got that? Do not make me regret this."

(Mark opens his mouth after a while, no doubt The Werewolf's threat swirling in his head along with other thoughts.) "I... got it. Loud and clear. I..."

(He turns away, fighting his urge to run out the door screaming for his life.)

"John... I don't know what else to say. This may not mean much to you at all, but... I'm sorry this happened to you. Really. I hope... I hope you'll have a good life after this."

(Mark pauses.) "I hope we never see each other again. Goodbye, John."

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