Hunting night.

16.

"Franz..."

Something really bad was happening. Eva heard a groan and she realized it was coming from her own lips as she moved slowly in the chair she was sitting on.

"She's waking up".

That voice... She knew that terrible voice. Eva opened her eyes and there he was standing in front of her with a cold smile on his face. David. He wasn't alone though. Gratefully. The others were all around the room and Franz was against a table, with his arms crossed over his chest and his fascinating mismatched eyes focused on her.

"It was about time, huh". David turned around to their Alfa. "Do you want me to handle this? I'm sure I can get a confession from her just like those old German soldiers used to do."

He was obviously trying to scare her, right? He wasn't really thinking in torturing her... right?

"No". Franz's answer came like a cool breeze in a summer day but Eva realized too soon that she shouldn't have gotten her guard down yet. "I will do it".

"Are you sure?"

"Wait for me outside."

David nodded and gave Eva a last meaningful glance before walking out of the room followed by the others. However, once they were alone, Franz didn't move from where he was and simply stared at her silently for a moment.

"Do you know what will happen if you lie to me?" he asked finally.

"I think so... But I'm hoping that you will see I'm telling you the truth" she answered.

"We'll see. Let's start with a simple question. Who are you?"

"I told you already who I am."

"Your real name".

"Eva." She said wishing he couldn't actually listen to her heart beating anxiously.

"Do you know what I am... Eva?"

"Yes."

"Then you know I can feel it, don't you?"

He walked towards her deliberately slow and Eva couldn't help but move in the chair nervously.

"I don't know what you..."

"When you lie to me". Franz stopped in front of her and leaned over to whisper into her ear. "I can feel it. Do you know what else I can feel, sweetheart...? Your fear".

"If you just let me explain-"

She couldn't believe how fast he moved. One second he was whispering into her ear and the next he pushed her down on the floor and pinned her underneath him. His voice was harsh and his cold eyes were locking Eva to the floor more firmly than his hands could.

"Now it's time you really listen." He said. "There's only one thing I want from you and you know what that is. I saw you that night in my house." Franz chuckled ironically before his voice lost all emotion. "But that's not a surprise, is it? You're everywhere. Why? Why did you help him?"

"Franz, it's not what you think. You have to believe me. It was your friends who sent me here."

"Why did you kill her? Tell me! She was all I had".

His fingers brushed along her neck and Eva knew how easily he could break it like a stick if he wanted to. Although he hadn't changed, she could see the wolf's fangs protruding in his mouth and the fear made her struggled abruptly beneath him.

"Can't you just listen to me for one second?!"

Suddenly Franz released her and returned to the table turning her back to her. He was breathing heavily and Eva stood up slowly as she stared at him.

Had he just tried to stop the calling before he could hurt her?

"I didn't do it." She said then walking towards him. "It wasn't me who attacked her. You will have to believe me, okay? Because you're losing time and I- I'm not a damn miracle maker. You have to wake up".

"What the heck are you talking about?" His cold voice was merely a whisper but that didn't stop her from getting closer.

"You are just confused... and that's normal. I've made a mess of your memories and I'm sorry. But it's fucking time that you see it, Franz."

Eva touched his shoulder as gently as she could to turn him around and she noticed he grimaced at the contact. That gave her an idea of how little time they really had.

"You're dying... I'm sorry but you have to stop it. I can't do it for you. Only you can".

"Cut the bullshit, sweetheart". He replied without looking at her.

"It's not and I think part of you knows it". Eva placed her hand over his chest this time and he winced painfully shoving her hand off.

"Don't touch me."

"It hurts, isn't it? Something inside you knows it too. You're hurt. Seriously hurt and you have to wake up to heal yourself. That's why your friends sent me here. For you".

"You're out of your fucking mind. I should have left David take care of you".

"Don't try to scare me away. This is not a fucking joke. It's a silver bullet and it's killing you!"

"Get away from me". Franz pushed her out of his way and went to the door. "I'll send Elisa and Cesar. I'm sure those two will get something out of you".

"Franz...!" Eva followed him quickly and grabbed his arm making him winced once again. "Wake up!"

Ah, some part of him believed her. Eva understood that when those mismatched eyes met her gaze intensely and she saw the doubt in them. Franz didn't try to free himself of her touch this time. However it was too late to convince him any further.

"I'm telling you the truth. You can feel that too, right? Please, just trust me." 

Eva's voice reached him one more time before Tara woke her up desperately and darkness dragged her back to the cabin.