#vbDNXNXBXBCB ONLY IF YOU WANT TO

[gruesomejack]

"You really think it's safe for me to bring the kids out here with that wacko on the loose?" Andy was leaned against a tree, his thumb in his mouth as he bit at a hangnail. His eyes were moving over the lush greenery-- It was gorgeous and this place used to be great when they were kids, but with the recent murders and talk of a serial killer lurking about, it brought him the heebie-jeebies rather than a sense of adventure. Glancing at Alex, he dropped his hand to fold his arms against his chest. "We can't all be as batshit insane as you and hang out in the deep woods for fun. -- That cougar shot was nutty, and you know it."

Hanging out with Alex on the weekends had been part of his regular schedule since high-school. It took a little lapse when during his brief stint in the league, but the second he was back home again, it fell right back into place. It was a little strange! The disappearance of a mutual friend had been what brought them together-- They didn't really have a bunch in common outside that, but despite it, talking to him came naturally. They'd gone from a pair of kids that felt obligated to mourn together to whatever this was now. Andy wouldn't give the other man the pleasure of knowing it because it'd be used to tease him ruthlessly, but Alex was his best friend.

Andy opened his mouth to say something else, but paused. Through the trees, past where he could see, he could hear the baying of a hound. It was too early for deer hunting season, wasn't it? Unless some dick was out breaking the law-- Which wasn't entirely surprising. Deep enough in here, nobody could really keep track of what you're trapping. And if you were skilled enough to clean your own game, nobody would ever know. The dog bayed again, and the group of quail the two of them were setting up to photograph immediately hurried for the brush. Pursing his lips, he frowned. "Sorry, bud." He said softly, "Maybe we can find something else for you to get some pictures of?"

The crunch of leaves had his attention pulling. The dog made its appearance near the treeline, but it wasn't what had him freezing. Following behind was a looming figure in a white rabbit mask. Andy watched his heavy steps and felt a hard shock run up his spine. Skittering closer to Alex, he smacked him gently on the back and forced his face towards the trail. "WE'RE SO DEAD. IF HE SEES US, WE'RE DEAD. THAT'S HIM." He whisper-hissed. "That's-" The witness accounts were right. He had to be close to seven feet, and that mask was terrifying, knowing the person behind it was out looking for blood. "We gotta GO. RIGHT NOW."

@purposefully-lost