Chapter 1: Aftermath

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A few months after what happened that night at Hackett's Quarry, the gang all concluded that it was for the best to heal, recover, and be able to move on from the incident. Everyone took their time to help one another to deal with the trauma, especially when it was going to be difficult for them to forget everything that has happened with the werewolves and nearly facing death himself. But when the memories faded, it was still clear enough to remember distinctly.

Dylan knew it wasn't easy for him as well for everyone to move on and assume that life will get back to normal but he knew it made everyone bond together over this experience. That's when he knew that compared to everyone in the group, he and Ryan spoke the most about their experiences. Looking at the constant reminder of his hand getting chopped off made it difficult for him but thanks to Ryan, the pain would slowly dim and the only thing he could think of was meeting up with him again.

Looking at the plastered tapes and the swarm of cops collecting evidence around the area, Dylan had walked out of the lodge, still in fear of wandering werewolves alongside Kaitlyn. She was able to protect him throughout the night and thankfully, they weren't hurt. Kaitlyn gave him a heads up as she strolled down the steps of the lodge to look for the others.

Meanwhile, Dylan began to collect his thoughts as he looked around in disbelief. The only person he could think of right now is Ryan who was last with him in the pool house but thinking back on the moment when they were at the pool house, they shared a moment before going on separate paths to survive the rest of the night and to figure out how to help the others.

"You and Kaitlyn will head to the lodge to check around and try to be careful. I'll go with Laura to show her the Hackett's house," He nodded as he gave a quick thumbs up to Kaitlyn.

For Dylan, he hesitated but he trusted Ryan more than anyone else. The pit of anxiety forming in his stomach didn't help, however. With Nick becoming a werewolf and his hand getting chopped off, he could only hope that Ryan would be okay.

"Hey, just promise me... that you'll be okay and so I don't have to worry about you getting hurt, you know?" Dylan hesitates before giving a small pat on Ryan's shoulder, the awkward concern in his voice growing but he looks away with a flush forming across his face.

"Yeah, I will. Don't worry about me and you should also try not to get hurt," He gives him a small grin and returns the gesture to Dylan with his hand bumping against his shoulder.

But before he could reassure him with a joke, Laura ushers him out the door with a stern look as if she's been waiting for him to hurry up. He could only take one last glance at Dylan before heading out, the anxiety forming within him as he felt himself hesitate at the thought of Dylan and quickly cleared his mind of any doubts.

That was the last time he saw Dylan, the tears at the corner of his eyes forming in fear from everything that had happened. Walking through the forest with Laura in silence gave him enough time to process everything and how he was feeling.

The pit in his stomach only made it worse for him as he sighed in frustration. Looking back, none of this would've happened if he was insistent on having everyone stay in the lodge instead of throwing a stupid bonfire party.

Then maybe, he wouldn't have to cut Dylan's hand off. He wouldn't have to go through the pain and knowing that it was preventable churned the guilt he felt within him.

"Fuck. Shit, so stupid of me," He whispers as he clenches his fist, his eyebrows furrowing at what would've been and he would probably never accept that mistake. The one stupid decision all because of him.

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The empty silence was thick in the car as they made their way back to the lodge, reflecting on their encounter with Silas and hearing the anger in Laura's words as she took the final shot, finally destroying the curse upon the Hackett family and those who were infected.

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