'Shit..Ash don't open tha-'
A screech cut off your thoughts as the other Wendigo popped out from the cellar, grabbing Ashley's head and ripping it clean off. You cringed at the sickening snap of her neckbones and watched as Hannah dragged her headless corpse down to the basement, closing the trapdoor.
'Yet another one...gone..' Dropping down from the ceiling, you walked over to it. You felt something soft brush against your foot, kneeling down, you felt for the object until you managed to pick it up.
Closely examining it, you recognized the familiar scent....
~Flashback~
"Happy 18th birthday, Ash~!" You smiled, handing your friend a wrapped up gift. Her green eyes sparkled with happiness as she accepted the present and proceeded to unwrap it.
"Awh, thank you so much [y/n]! You didn't have to-" Ashley's eyes widened when she saw that it was a striped red and pinkish beanie. "I...um..thought it would look cute on you," you tried to explain, though you got no response.
"I-If you don't like it I can always take it ba-"
"Noooo [y/n]! I love it!" She hugged you tightly, almost to the point of crushing you. "I'll cherish it! Chris! Look what [y/n] got me!!"
As she went to search for Chris, she put the beanie on her head. You sighed, a smile forming on your face as you went after your bubbly friend.
~Flashback End~
You let out a small whimper, clutching the beanie to your chest. 'Ash..I'm sorry..I'm so-'
"Ashley? Ashley?! Where are you Ash?!" Flinching, you turned around to the source of the voice. Your thermal vision saw a man round the corner, stopping in his tracks when he saw you. He immediately froze with fear.
"Oh shit.." He muttered, before looking down at the floor to find a trail of blood beneath your feet, leading to the cellar's door. "O-Oh no...A-Ash..." Chris fell to his knees, his eyes wavering at the realization.
You stood still, twitching slightly, trying to fight the spirit in you. "No, no, no, no! WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER YOU BASTARD?!!" The blonde looked up to you, tears streaming down his face. You flinched once more, letting out a small whine.
"..what..?" He seemed to acknowledge the noise you made. Squinting, Chris saw a rather familiar [tattoo/scar/piercing/etc] on your form.
"[Y/n]...?" You nodded, feeling relieved that he recognized you. Before you became a Wendigo, he knew you were adventurous, caring, and passive. You wouldn't hurt a fly.
Did those traits stick with you even when the curse took over?
You slowly walked over to Chris, sensing fear and confusion radiating from his form. He scooted back, but the look on your face told him it wouldn't be wise to run.
"What..are you gonna kill me now anyways?" You shook you head, crouching down in front of him.
Chris gasped as you took his hand, but what you placed in it would forever horrify him..
Clutching the beanie to his chest, grief hit him like a brick as he choked out a sob. "Oh no..please don't tell me th-this is real..this can't be happening! Oh god Ash..."
'I'm so sorry Chris..' You whined again, wishing you could hug him and give him reassuring words of comfort...but alas your voice was gone along with most of your humanity. All you could do was watch as Chris sobbed violently, crying out his feelings for Ashley.
After several moments, he was able to compose himself and stood up. He looked down at you, wiping away the tears that his face was soaked with, before he walked towards the trapdoor.
'Chris..what are you doing?' You stood up and rushed towards him, standing in front of him."Get out of my way.." He demanded coldly. Shaking your head, you tried to put a hand on his shoulder.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!!" Chris shouted, slapping your hand away. Your eyes widened, but you complied with him, stepping aside. As he walked past you, the look he gave you softened, becoming more...apologetic.
"I'm sorry, [y/n].."
You nodded, acknowledging his apology as he knelt down to open the trapdoor. You stood a few feet behind him, poised and waiting...
Chris hesitantly opened the door, for a few moments, nothing was there. He sighed, deciding to close it when he saw another clawed hand closing it for him...
Looking up, he gasped as Hannah looked at him in the eyes, before proceeding to pounce on the blonde. She was about to tear his head from his body when you shrieked and tackled her off him.
The Wendigo hit the wall with a grunt. When she looked up and saw you between her and her victim, she let loose a scream, appalled by your betrayal.
'This one is MINE [y/n]!'
''This One'' is your FRIEND, Hannah!' You reminded her. 'You killed the one he loved..but I'm not gonna let you take him too!'
'Why are you so..soft towards the humans?!' She growled, rising to her feet. 'They're food..our prey. So what if we torture them first? Prey tastes much better when they're in fear. Should'a killed him when he was blubbering like a-'
'I think you lost it, Hannah..this isn't you. If there's a good person inside of me still...I know there's one in you, too...neither of us have fully lost our humanity..have we?'
Hannah glared at you, snarling..but then something flashed in her eyes. Was it a glimmer of..realization? Remorse? You couldn't tell.
'They won't survive until dawn..[y/n]..none of them will..' And with that, she sped off, disappearing into the mines.
"H-H-Holy shit..." Turning around, you looked down at Chris, his eyes wide. "Y-You saved me...but why [y/n].? Why d-did you stop that thing from killing me?" You tilted your head slightly, confused.
"I-I can't live with myself.." Tears were starting to fill his eyes again. "..k-knowing that Ash..is gone...I could have-"
You growled at him, cutting off his sentence. His eyes widened. "Y..You understand me?" Nodding, you put your hand out, to which he slowly grabbed. You pulled him up with such a force that his arm nearly popped out of its socket.
"Ow!"
You whined a bit, feeling a bit guilty. "It's okay, [y/n]..I-I'm okay..I think...heh," he chuckled, wiping his eyes, before he looked up at you.
"I miss the old you, buddy," Chris sighed, putting a hand to your cheek. He cringed when you flinched at the touch, but then you were...slightly purring. If you could blush, your face would be pink by now.
The blonde chuckled. "I..." He dropped his hand. "..I'll be alright, I promise. I-I gotta go find the others..." But as he turned around, you reached out and gripped his arm. He jumped, looking back at you with fear in his eyes.
'Oops..sorry Chris..I forgot how intimidating I am..but...please don't leave me alone...' Your grip loosened, and eventually, you let go of him.
"Hey," he started, putting his hand to your cheek again. A small smile formed on his lips. "I owe you big time, [y/n]..thank you...just keep holding on to your humanity and..everything will be fine. We'll get through this night together. I promise..."
You nodded, raising your hand up to lightly pat his head, to which he chuckled at. "Hey! Stop that!"
'Sorry, couldn't help myself Chris...but I'll stick to your words...I'm holding you to that...' With that, you stepped away, before leaping onto the ceiling and disappearing into the darkness of the mines.
You would hold on to your humanity..for Ashley, for Chris....for everyone.
