Twigs cracked under Leos’ stomps. His footsteps thudded on the evening forest floor. The sun already set when he left the house. He couldn’t even begin to describe how aggravated he was towards the stubborn man. Leos grunted. No matter what he did, everything seemed to be hell bent on not following his will. Even since that man passed, he discovered a lot of things about himself. However, the more he knew, the more he felt like he didn’t even know himself anymore.

“Huff!” His steps halted from hearing a familiar wolf.

“Maximillian, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to guard your owner?” Leos crouched beside the huffing wolf. He brushed the wolf’s fur as it sat in front of him. “Why are you here?”

The wolf only howled towards the moon. Leos chuckled.

“Go, little wolf. Run to Konrad. Protect and guard him in my stead.” He murmured, staring into the wolf’s eyes. Maximillian howled before turning around and disappearing into the darkness.

Leos’ stomach churned as he watched the wolf’s disappearing figure. He clenched his jaw, extinguishing the guilt building in his guts. This was not the time to think about the welfare of others. Why did he have to be anxious and careful about a man that he had just met? He might have stopped his old ways, but he didn’t have to care for anyone but himself.

Leos already learned what would happen if he let himself care too much. It would end in tragedy.

As he started to walk, he headed towards the errand that he should have done as soon as he returned to Hemlock; to visit a very old friend. After half an hour of walking he reached his destination. He stood, just behind a large mansion. He squinted, seeing the light in one window.

“Perfect.” He whispered, lowering his hand to pick something on the ground. Tossing it, the pebble made a distinctive thud once it hit the target. Swiftly but silently, Leos climbed the tree beside the window, perching on one of its branches.

In a minute, the windows swung open, showing a man. He had an impassive frown on his face. He scanned the evening surroundings, probably wondering if there’s a presence. His average stature and permanent blank face still hadn’t changed. Wrinkles appeared as he squinted at the darkness. Leos grinned.

“Good evening, Herr Lampert. Will you allow this bastard inside your threshold?” Leos smirked when the old man saw his figure perched on the branch. The moonlight from the full moon shone on his face as the clouds cleared the night sky.

“Where have you been, boy?”