Running through hell toward the spiralling staircase seems rather straight forward. All I had to do, was go as fast as I could. Although while running in my hospital gown, I do feel a little ridiculous.

Until I see something far more strange beyond myself.

The spiralling staircase is in view, when I hear a howl from Onyx behind – signalling the beginning of his chase.

He's going to hunt me down, but I've stopped dead in my tracks – to watch what's happening to my left.

A group of young teenagers, two boys and a young child, a girl – are wandering hell together. They look like siblings to me, on an adventure with a dusty old map, while one holds a strange looking staff.

They're laughing about their adventure, while the little girl is frozen stiff, looking off into the shadows of the lush forest on fire next to them.

I see the red piercing eyes watching them – a rouge Lycan has his eye on them. He's going to kill them. He moves his head out, finally capturing all their attention.

As they all notice him and start to scream together, I run toward the group.

"Please don't kill them!" I beg, within hearing range. I can't help my police training to run in and help, but I know I have no chances here – but I can serve as a distraction.

The strange Lycan has walked forward – and he's such an odd colour. His fur is white, his eyes are red, but his jaw is also blood red – from other fresh kills. The life of someone drips down his fur, spotting the rest of him with red patches.

The children run back toward the spiral staircase as fast they can.

The new Lycan dismisses them, now focused on me – and probably my tits falling out of my gown.

There is something about this Lycan that feels dangerous.

I don't dare get any closer.

Now I also turn and run as fast as I can, looking over my shoulder briefly to see Onyx and his pack running through the trees.

Could this get any worse?!

I sprint as fast as I can, almost certain I'm about to get pounced on by a whole pack and a bloody murderer at the same time. I'm scared about the damage incoming, but before I can imagine how this will end for me – I hear a ripping cry and violent snarls as a brawl explodes behind me.

I look over my shoulder as I move, to see the pack attack the white rouge Lycan, who I didn't even realise was larger than them by another foot. He's rolling them around like pups, slashing into them and fighting them off with ease.

I finally grab the rail of the staircase, halting, heart racing as I look back to the bloody brawl.

I see the pack thrown on the ground bleeding and groaning in pain.

I look for Onyx frantically.

This white Lycan holds up a human's neck, as he snarls over Oswald's damaged and bruised form.

"YOU SONS DISSAPOINT ME! HA!"

Oh my goodness.

That was their father?

I stare, spellbound as the white Lycan drops Oswald, Onyx's human form to the ember soil.

He moves back to kick Onyx with his large claws out. But before he makes contact, I call out again.

"STOP," I roar it from the safety of my exit.

The father stops again to turn his head toward me.

The monster sized Lycan goes from frozen solid staring at me – to moving at lightning speed through the forest toward me – loping on all four paws. Fuck!

I spin so fast I almost roll an ankle, and I crawl my way up the stairs as fast I can. It feels like a nightmare, like I'm moving in slow damn motion.

I crawl and crawl and crawl, until I see a human hand reaching down – one of the teenage boys is trying to help me, reaching for me.

Oh, shit, I launch toward him, trying to grab the hand that will save me.

Lock. Our hands entwine. Our fingers bind together.

Then it breaks.

A furry paw slams over both my legs, clasping my calves.

"HELP!" It's all I can squeal – as I'm jerked down the stairs, lifted over the rails, and then dropped in front of two white paws covered in the blood of his beatings to his sons.

I wish to curl into a ball and close my eyes.

But...

Don't cower.

Onyx's words resonate with me, from the memory of the interrogation room. Survival. I had to survive a monster.

Lycan's took note of courage.

With an insane amount of speed, I manage to scramble to my feet and I stand ram rod stiff.

As I meet the Lycan who caught me, eye to eye.

"My name is Obsidian," he snarls at me. A greeting.

"Silvia," I don't stutter.

And I don't blink.

My fingers are curled so hard I believe my palms are bleeding – but I don't want to fail now.

Obsidian, this ancient father of Lycans – leans down to sniff the top of my head.

"Mother to a pup," his voice is demonically pleased, he starts to grin – and I start to take note of his various fangs, so long they hang past his jaw.

"Onyx is my mate," I state, and I state it as proudly as I can.

"You're a scared bitch," Obsidian snarls, his saliva drips, "You're a traitor. You run from your duty."

I don't know what to say.

Actually. I do.

"So what," I whisper, aggressive, "I am running. Why the fuck wouldn't I?"

"Then go," Obsidian talks just like Onyx, and tilts his head the same.

I side step.

I turn.

I walk back to the bottom of the steps.

When I turn back to Obsidian, he is watching me walk up.

"Return to Hell at your own peril, Silvia."

"Now you threaten me?" I stop and ask Obsidian, plainly.

"I will kill his pups and make you my bitch if you return a traitor," he snarls it at me – so loud my hair floats away.

At least I know where Onyx learnt his language skills from.

I cross my arms over my tits and keep walking up.

I was not going to respond to that.

Obsidian was laughing at me. I feel it. I also feel eyes digging into my back like daggers, and probably up under my dress.

I finally reach the top, where the black portal to the mortal realm awaits.

I look over my shoulder, to tell Obsidian, "You're horrible."

"I'm protective of my sons," his tone changes, and he watches me with shifting eyes.

I almost...

I almost see a hint of –

No I couldn't have.

Fear.

No. I'm imagining things.

Anyway, he's fucking crazy. How the fuck did that add up – him being protective – after what he just did to them? He beat them! Fucking monsters. Their logic was warped.

I turn into the portal and I finally manage to escape back to the realm I belong in.

Back to having my feet on Earth. It's where I would learn to keep my feet fucking grounded.

All these Lycan adventures were driving me mad.

Speaking of madness – I couldn't fucking wait to tell Carmen everything.

And that does bring me a little smile.