Hunting night.

Epilogue.

The sun was rising behind the trees as Eva stepped closer to the window. It was truly a beautiful sight despite of all what had transpired the night before. Some things were really unforgettable, weren't they? Like watching a pack of wolves eating someone who had threatened to take your life before your eyes, for example.

She didn't regret it though. Any of it. She was glad she had helped them out at the end and they were all safe. There was still something they should talk about but the time to do so would come eventually.

"How are you feeling?" Danny's voice came from the door and she turned around to look at him as he entered the room.

"The dizziness has subsided thankfully."

"That's good to hear."

"Where are the others, Danny? How's Franz?"

"They're all in the living room. I thought you would appreciate the privacy. He's much better."

"I do. Ah, all is well that ends well, right?"

"It is".

Eva noticed he was staring at the bruises on her wrist and crossed her arms over her chest casually but Danny didn't pry.

"How's Tara by the way?" She asked. "Hunter must have hit her pretty badly."

"Don't worry about it. It wasn't that bad and she's stronger of what it seems."

"She's a good woman, you know. What is she doing with you all?"

"I guess that's just how things went for her." He didn't seem offended by her words and Eva nodded quietly as she looked at the window again.

"Will anyone find him...?" she asked finally.

It wasn't necessary to explain who she was talking about. Danny didn't move but he stared at the woods as well with a hard expression on his face as he answered.

"No one will ever find him. Well, what was left of him anyways. You don't have to worry about him anymore".

"Did you know... he was here after me?"

"We figured it out eventually. We knew he wouldn't go away until he had found you so we waited."

"I see. I'm sorry though. I never thought he would trace me down all the way to Angel's Hill. Or that he would go after you all too."

"As I said, you don't have to worry about him."

"Then I guess it's over, isn't it? Does Franz remember anything, Danny? About... his dreams."

"He didn't say".

"And will I be able to go now?"

Her question lingered in the room for a moment before Danny met her eyes and smiled subtly.

"Franz will decide it", he said then and walked out of the room.

Wasn't that a bit ominous, though.

Eva wasn't surprised when she saw Franz at the door right after Danny left. The memories they shared about what happened in his dreams were already becoming blurry but the feelings were not. He stepped into the room quietly and closed the door behind him before looking at her.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

Eva wasn't sure how to answer that, not because she still were feeling sick or weak but because the sight of him right there in front of her, alive, real, had put her heart to race for some reason. Foolish girl, she thought again.

"I'm okay. Better. How about you?"

Although Franz was wearing a blue shirt, the top was unbuttoned and she could still see the bandage over his chest. The grey veins caused by the silver bullet were all gone completely.

"It'll heal soon enough" he said. His mismatched eyes were locked on hers and that began to make her anxious.

"I'm glad. I'm really glad. Well, I guess it's time for me to go. I mean, I just want what was promised to me, you know. I don't need anything else".

Because assuming she would get any kind of reward for saving his life although she was the reason why Hunter had come there in the first place was reasonable and not what she meant at all. Eva cussed at herself mentally and averted her eyes without knowing what to do. Should she simply go to the door and walk away? Would they try to stop her?

"Seems fair". Franz was watching her reflexively now. "Tell me. What did you see in my mind?"

"You don't remember it?" she asked surprised.

"Ghosts from the past."

"Yes... and other things. Franz, can I really go?"

"Was it too creepy?"

"I have seen worse to be honest". Eva flashed him a shy smile. "You don't have to worry about that really. I already don't remember much. It always happens. If I could remember all I see while I am in people's heads, I would lose my own. Everything tends to vanish as time passes and the same will happen now".

"So I won't remember you?"

"No, no. Just my presence in your memories from the past. My presence there will vanish because I don't belong there".

When have he gotten so close? Eva got aware of the man standing before her and she seemed to lose her voice as he touched her neck gently with the tip of his fingers. He brought unexpected heat to the spot he had just touched. His fingers ran over her shoulder slowly and along her left arm and then they stopped when they got to her wrist.

"Did I do this to you?" Franz frowned as he stared at the bruises.

"Oh, no, no. It wasn't you. I promise. It was... just someone else. Someone who doesn't matter anymore".

"I think one can never truly forget no matter how much they try... Okay, Eva. I am in debt with you after all. You can leave".

"I... can?"

"Were you not expecting it?"

Oh, for all Heavens, he had smirked for a brief second and Eva thought her heart would burst out from her chest just by that sight.

He had just set her free though. Why wasn't she saying goodbye then and walking the heck out of there? That was her chance, wasn't it? That was what she was waiting for, wishing for, since Danny found her in the hotel. Why was she not leaving then?

Her heart began to pound hard in her chest because she knew very well why she wasn't moving. And wasn't that a good damn reason to hesitate? Even if she would walk away from that room, she would never forget the feelings he had awaken in her nor the kiss they shared in the dreams. She wanted to feel his lips again but in real this time, and the bare thought brought a warm blush on her cheeks that Eva tried and failed miserably to hide as she cleared her throat. 

"I'm sorry..." she said finally. What she didn't say: For bringing danger into their lives. For not being able to change the past that had hurt him so much. Hells, for not speaking like a normal human being.

"Don't be". He stepped back and met her gaze again. "Thank you".

Maybe the answer was simple, she realized. Maybe it was just time to stop running and tell someone her name. Tell him her name.

The End.