The small vacation here at Hilla Cure, exempt from school work reminds Crescent of his life before. Free of rules and regulations. The hit of a drug called freedom isn't enough. He wishes he could skip out on going back. Return to the wild and hunt along with the animals. No one wants the end of the day. So Mr. Riley sends everyone off to bed, and Crescent lingers just a little while longer.

Raising one hand, adjusting his glasses Crescent walks quietly down a path. He was warned about wandering yet he couldn't contain his curiosity. At night, these woods are pitch black. The only light is gasoline lanterns dangling from nearby branches and the whitish glow of the moon through thick trees. The earth and the bushes all but one color, their rustling a haven for shy animals.

The air dipping in temperature, brings thin arms close to his chest for comfort. No denying the satisfaction this place gives off. He's reluctant to enjoy it just one more time. 

The memories at Hilla Cure, they adored the public bath together, the hot tub full of bubbles, and what Ahni called the fanciest food of his life. Their beds large enough to fit both of them in one; the bathroom is fit for a king. The carvings on the walls mimic old Indigenous tales they tried to debunk to no avail. Ahni often laughed, picturing himself dressed in such attire having Crescent spit back that he wasn't muscular enough. The two had a great time despite the BBQ drama and Diamond threatening his life.

He was able to tell Saikai what went on as Phantom wished. They agreed on working together for the time being. In the end, Crescent carries the power to stop Asho. Saikai gave his strength to deal with Diamond and he knew Kisha wasn't mad at him.

Everything's going to be ok, he just has to believe in it. He has to do his part.

Crescent's small scuffs lead him up a hill, where the path turns into a vehicle-made dirt road. Seems the island's staff took this road often. The tire tracks are fresh. He decides to follow it.

Swaying trees dance in the cool wind, a shiver of desired warmth ripples his frame and he laughs to himself. Is he still afraid? Of course, but what can he do except fight back? Crescent doesn't plan to go down without showing everyone who he has been. Maybe through all this struggle and recognition, it will be easier to get to the top. The top is where Diamond has been sitting for far too long.

Dreams of becoming God Of The Academy still linger within his mind, but he first needs to make it through the threats being hurled his way. A plan that will secure him as a candidate. Where will he start? Climbing through a rank of members will take years unless he thwarts the higher-ups quickly. Maybe from a role like Phantom's. Behind the scenes, taking everyone piece by piece until the chiseled sculpture is only his name.

His mind soon wanders, thoughts of Kisha pushing his worries away. He wonders what is he doing right now. Maybe pacing back and forth like an angry child? Is Saikai being scolded? Yeah right, Kisha hardly speaks. The images make him laugh even harder, his eyes closing as he melts into the joy resolution brings him. A male that's hard to pinpoint, maybe Kisha's doing the unthinkable.

Crescent soon leads himself further into the woods, not minding beside him a large dangling sign reading Warning! Not to proceed beyond this point. He's too much into his amusement.

The woods are deathly quiet, with no sound of animal life as if the world is sleeping and he's the only one experiencing its beauty. The constant rustling of bushes and trees masks the singing bugs. His gaze scans for somewhere to go, maybe a small area where he can sit. There's none thus far. Nothing but more fixed dirt. He decides to continue his path, a few yellow poles block off a path to his left.

It leads somewhere as the chain dangles with clips on both sides. The night is young. Mr. Riley made sure everyone tucked in before he turned in. By now, all authorities are asleep as well as the majority of students. An early start for the bus's arrival and departure. After the inn went silent, Crescent snuck out. The lady at the front desk decided to take a nap as well. The coast was clear, all too easy.

She curled up in her arms, head tucked, heavy snoring. The fundraising day, BBQ, and cleaning of the hotel was a success. People who were once long-term visitors were sending emails, willing to offer their services once more according to the staff. A small stay from a bunch of young men without an incident of local wildlife. That's a story worth coming back to.

Being live, many residents here spoke about Nirvana Academy. They saved this little heaven on an island.

Soon, Crescent hopes Hilla Cure will continue to get their messages out. In a week or two, he'll check online, to see if everything's ok.

The granddaughter sent her thank you's informing Mr. Riley she would welcome them back anytime for free. She's also willing to give the Academy a small donation once Hilla Cure's funds are sorted out.

Little did she know, she got helped by a bunch of thugs.

Taking in a deep breath, Crescent's gaze turns, spotting a small break in the trees, leading up to a cleared spot. Finally. It looks perfect. Smell of water and the sound of waves engulfs his senses before his eyes land on the area he travels to. It's a cliff.

Pushing through a bush, he steps into the clearing, eyes wide with excitement. In the distance, separated by dark waves of top glowing foam, the city. The place he calls home. As if he's on a different planet, the bright buildings, colors of white, and yellow seem unreal. They are beautiful. Crescent isn't sure what side of the city his gaze lays upon. He's always secluded in a few spots.

The night's boisterous just across the bridge while the island seems to be asleep.

He steps closer to the edge. Crashing waves against the island splash cool mist in his direction, hands pulling up blocking the salt-filled liquid.

His glasses dampened with particles, Crescent removes them from his face, sleeve used at clearing them. Heaven on earth. He'd kill to have this image in his mind every night. A peace he doesn't think he can obtain. Though it's etching itself inside of his mind, it brings a bit of sadness along with it. Foreshadow torn desire, missing this place through the window of the bus.

As Crescent focuses on remembering what he is seeing, his ears suddenly catch the sound of whimpers. From behind an animal engulfs his alert.

He freezes narrowed eyes. Crescent forgot there's still animal life here. Heart jolting, he stands like a statue wishing whatever lurks behind him will go away but the constant whimpering seems to intensify.

So does his nerves. A wounded animal can do damage if it thinks he is a threat. Maybe sitting still and blending as a tree will keep him as safe as possible. The anticipation of knowing what it is burns him the most.

Neither coming close nor moving, he feels the eyes on him. Watching him. Waiting for him. He doesn't want to turn, but he knows he has to in order to escape. The only way from the edge is behind him.

Hands shaking from cold and fear, he raises them slowly. Trying to remain unseen, glasses placed back on his face. Crescent inhales gradually. Make a run for it. The thoughts that are buried within him.

His heel digs into soft dirt, and his foot rotates. His frame whips around, taking off when suddenly he stops dead in his tracks.

There beside a tree, blood dripping from its side, a young female doe sat curled up. She's in pain, cold, bitten by shivers. He doubts she knows he exists. Her eyes are closed. A small amount of blood drips from her snout. A tug at his heart, casted worried eyes draws his humanity to a boiling point. To have to go out like this. At least he doesn't plan to leave her alone.

Crescent isn't sure of what to do. This is nature. Should he allow it to take its course? But he can't find himself to put an animal out of its misery. The hard thumping in his chest seizes, releasing his nerves with warm exhales.

He doesn't have the courage to keep this up. The small painful huffs win his wavering mind and Crescent slowly approaches. The rise and fall of the doe's chest is rapid, trying to regulate the oxygen within her body. Does she want to live? Should he alert the staff? Are animals the same as humans when they are injured or dying? But then he'll be in big trouble for wandering around, but at least she will be safe. Crescent weighs his options. Her wounds are extensive. Trying to understand the survival instinct of an animal is hard, but he hopes she understands him.

"Hey there, I'm not gonna hurt you. Don't kick me."

He isn't sure if she has the strength to even fight, but she's defeated. Climbing to one knee, Crescent scoots close until he can lightly share his warmth with her. The doe never opens her eyes and never looks his way.

As he scoots nudge by nudge, the deer's breathing increases, whimpers falling to a hush. Why is life always so cruel? Brutal to those who don't have much strength? He oftentimes feels like this doe. Helpless and wondering if life is going to end young.

With his brother attached to his hip, he had believed they could do anything, but Crescent began to understand what it meant to have his life in someone else's hands. He only hopes that nothing bad ever happens. It will devastate him to have to witness himself leaving Ahni behind or Ahni... as this Doe.

With one last puff of air, it's heavy, hard and the frontal limbs twitch a little. Her breath slowly drifts from her body and just as she suffers; she lets go.

Letting out a sigh, he reaches out to rub her on the head. First time seeing such a large animal up close. The fur feels stale, but the colors are beautiful. A light tan follows the specs of white. Is this the spotted deer the inn staff spoke of?

Extraordinary. His eyes wander towards the injury. A deep slash, four distinct claws running a path downward. Her insides are nearly dangling from her open wound. The animal that attacked her is big. The width of the prints is larger than his foot. He winces thinking of what could've done this.

This girl is being hunted. The sad life of prey--

Fresh kill...

With the thought jumping into his mind, Crescent gasps. Whatever hunting this doe... Hunting...

Crack.

The noise rushes to his side, his eyes shoot in that direction, his blood running cold.

Approaching from the bushes, rustling the leaves, the creature haunting Hilla Cure phases in like a nightmare. As if he's trapped in a horror movie and it's his time to face death-- the silhouette of a viscous monster fills his wide eyes.

Brown in fur, lowered head, jaws wide open it growls. Those amber eyes lock on him with fierce fixation. It shakes its head, drool dripping from large canines as hard breaths send its chest to expand. It's huge in a tucked position, beyond the size of a normal wolf, but Crescent had never seen one in person like this before. Grey hairs at its face and snout, a seasoned killer.

The famished look in its eyes, a mirror of horror.

Crescent sat hovering over its prey and now finds himself stuck in the gaze of a wolf that wants no part in his survival.

The large wolf snaps jagged teeth, drool flying in all directions, splattering at the environment. The heavy developing saliva is flicked away by the constant lick of its tongue against its small front teeth.

He doesn't know what to do. His heart feels like it's stopped, body weighs a ton. The deer was only a warning of an approaching predator and Crescent was naive to not listen. The closer the wolf gets, the more Crescent knows his escape is slimming.

He needs to go. Now!

All summoned strength hurls his frame forward. Leaping over the deer, he burst through the bushes, pushing himself frantically back to the path. Which way had he come?! A quick glance left and right gives him no answer, but the seconds wasted trying to decide puts his panic on one hundred. At any moment that thing can come busting through. He's frantic to find the right path or he fears he'd risk being lost within the forest.

Stumbling over the weight of his legs, Crescent scrambles back up, running as fast he can as he desperately goes to shift his direction right. If he's not mistaken Hilla Cure is kept behind him, no matter the direction he walks. If he runs this way, he'd find it. It doesn't take long before he can hear it, the heavy thudding of paws behind him as it too bursts through the bushes. Snapping twigs and sticks in its path. 

He isn't faster than a wolf, but his determination pushes a speed he doesn't know existed in a burning frame. To be able to outsmart such an animal is crucial to survival. If only enough to get close enough to call for help. Someone will hear him, right? The time back to the inn isn't long, but the distance only seems extended in his vision.

His body hyperventilating. His view became blurred, heart beating too fast for his panting to keep up. He can't do this for much longer. Crescent is pretty athletic, but he finds it hard to push himself for too long. He's made for quick and sudden movements. Anything beyond a couple of minutes of max speed and he will surely feel like dying is better. He's too afraid. Crescent tumbles over his foot, body slamming into the dirt almost knocking the air out of him as he's sent rolling twice before sliding.

The wolf's speed doesn't slow but rather increases in the opportunity. Crescent rolls on his back, drawing his arm up to block his face. The only thing he can think of as a defense method.

Those documentaries always said animals aimed for the throat. Swift kill. If he can get his arm into the wolf's mouth, maybe it will take that for an equivalent exchange. That deer that it had, why didn't it just go for it?!

Hilla Cure staff never said their wolves are human eaters!

"Please, don't!" He's alone, the choking cough from the terror erupting from his lungs as well as the realization; however, that doesn't stop him from hope. His yelps may scare the predator-- with a lot of doubt it will work. Clenched eyes and Crescent braces for impact, the wolf's closing distance echoes throughout his frame. His body will turn up tomorrow mauled and Hilla Cure's reputation will be tarnished. He will no longer be able to see Kisha and Ahni---

"I-I'm sorry. Ahni!!"

He hears the wolf leap and he prepares for the most immense pain to hit him. This is his end. To die like this. Unable to see his brother one last time. He isn't ready, but with no set skills and no weapons, he needs to quickly realize that he may not come out of this alive.

Fear of his last images, the darkness behind his lids. At least it isn't the face of his killer. Drawing his legs up, the front of his frame exposed to whatever the animal desires to sink its teeth into first.

Crescent waits for the impact. He hopes it's quick and his death is with minimum suffering, but what he hears is only a shattered sound of another animal colliding into something; everything goes into confusion.

The heavy gust of a larger object quickly passing over him runs through his sweating skin; instincts telling him that something happened. He flinchs, thinking it's the wolf landing on him. He can hear it, the whimpering, the fast scuffling sounds, and the panicking of a wolf. The... fighting?

Crescent opens his eyes slowly looking to his side. The brown wolf lay struggling, thrashing its arms beneath something. It can't move, whining, snapping at whatever holds it down by the neck.

It isn't until a small shift in its jowls does Crescent sees the camouflaged beast.

Standing three times the size of the brown wolf, pitch black, long tail swishing back and forth, another wolf-like creature? Its growl deep and strong, rumbles the air and sends his senses into overdrive. The expectations of being spared drain from his frame. The ground vibrates, like the base in a suped-up vehicle or the drums of the band, and so do Crescent's insides.

He watches with eyes dancing in confusion. The larger wolf drives its teeth into the small wolf. With a thunderous outcry, and the snapping of bones the brown wolf falls limp. It's over in a matter of seconds. He parts his lips, the air choking him. Frozen fear set in. Crescent's heart picks up in speed when the wolf shifts focus, ears darting in his direction.

Crescent sees thick glops of blood dripping from its mouth, stained teeth, clumps of fur falling loosely to the ground. It's menacing. The amount of blood so easily spilled. How quickly a life can be over. Just like that Doe, just like he nearly was. It tore the throat of the brown wolf out. The sheer size of the darkened figure reflects every space in his widened glossed eyes.

He grows cold, breath caught in his lungs. This thing is massive! By the lingering creature, he begins to doubt that it's there tp save him and more of a battle of predator vs predator, claiming its human prize?!

The wolf turns slowly, its large tongue licking one side of its jaw before it shoots Crescent a lowered glance; his existence is acknowledged. Paws reflecting the size and weight of medium disks left indents in soft dirt. The wolf seems to be uninterested, calming the once-riled aggression as he lay only a few feet away.

Those eyes! A shudder radiates through Crescent. There's only one individual with those special colors. Crescent frantically pushes himself to his feet and the alerted wolf raises its head just as fast. This isn't an ordinary wolf. He's seen this one before. The terrain in the pictures is different so how can this very animal be here at Hilla Cure? And why did Kisha have in his possession pictures of it? Only this wolf can tell.

"Wait!"

Crescent starts to run toward the wolf, but the large beast suddenly picks up speed before vanishing into some shrubbery. He can't afford to let it go, so he casts every fear from his joints to now determination.

"Wait!" He calls again, an arm reaches out in the air. What he's feeling isn't just some hunch. This is Dejavu. It can't be. The wolf begins to jog, dipping through bushes in the distance. The rustling sound alerts Crescent of its path and he follows.

Twigs, limbs, and leaves scrape at his face. A wince, his clothing snagged, holding him back. He pushes through until his foot catches something and he falls to his knees.

"No, I can't lose you..." He whispers as his fingers clench up a ball of dirt. Pressing on his feet, he musters the last bit of courage, gritting his teeth and mentally telling himself to push on.  Crescent has irrational excuses holding his mind of what he can say to something that possibly doesn't speak english. He can at least thank the wolf, but that isn't his real reason for chasing something that has the ease of killing him. The cold, brisk air strikes his lungs as ice clashes with heat.

The wolf is vanishing in the distance, lost in the darkness of the woods; until it turns suddenly to throw him off. Dipping quietly into another bush.

This is his opportunity. Crescent turns and bursts through a nearby bush, landing right in the wolf's direction. It halts, immediately turning the other way, and begins walking, dipping itself to seem as small as possible. 

Impossible.

Not aggressive towards him. No growling no nothing. A wild animal having no desire to hurt saved him. That isn't normal and this isn't some fairytale movie. He expects to be eaten and the wolves are just fighting over a kill. It's just going to save him and then move along without what follows? Is it not hungry? Again with these weird encounters!

He knows his strength isn't good enough to chase this thing all night long. So, he needs something else to get it to stop and his mind contemplates for a quick answer.

Anthropomorphism... The art of an animal turning into a human. This is the only shot he has to know the truth. If it is nothing then he'll go on, living without any thoughts. If somehow it is all true, he will have to deal with it. How can he, when he's entering into a world he knows nothing of?

He's afraid, shocked but over the past few days, he's come to realize that he failed Kisha. Before him stands a being, the same icy blue stare. It's... Him... He has to know.

"K-Kisha?!" Crescent yells at the top of his lungs, the chill of the wind blowing at the same time carries his voice. "You asshole!!!" 

Everything rushes from his core when in mid-stride the large wolf's paw suddenly.... freezes.

(((A/N

Crescent is a little stupid. He often bounces around in his decisions because he's always treading in uncertain territory, driven by impulse.
However, it's now or never, right?

Don't be afraid to tell me what you think by commenting.❤️❤️

Drop a vote if you like. 👍👍))