Content Warning: Profanity.

The weapon remained steady, aimed just inches from the skull-like face of the mutant. Leonard didn't hesitate, but the intensity in his gaze was enough to reveal his inner fears. In front of him, that terrifying creature —with his disproportionate, badly injured body and his tattered coat— took a step forward.

“Hmmm… how much longer are you going to point that at my head?” he growled in a dry voice. “You should be hiding. Even in this state... I could kill you effortlessly.”

Leonard didn’t back down.

“Who are you? And why are you so interested in keeping me alive?”

The Rainbane twisted his face into something that resembled a smile, but on his skull-like features, the expression looked more like a threat.

“I know your name is Leonard Engel, and as I already told you…” he paused for a moment, eyes locking with Leonard’s. “I promised someone —a human. I’ll do whatever it takes to… protect you.”

Leonard stepped back, still gripping the weapon tightly. The creature was massive and dangerously close.

“Protect me?!” he shouted, stepping farther back. “Stay away from me!”

The mutant clicked his tongue, letting out an exasperated sigh, but didn’t move an inch closer.

“Tsk. Relax, beardo. I’m not gonna eat you or drink your blood or anything like that. I’ve never killed a human in my life. I’m not like the others… not yet...”

But he couldn’t finish his outburst. His body collapsed suddenly, hitting the floor with a heavy thud that echoed all around.

“I… I didn’t shoot YOU!” Leonard exclaimed, still holding the weapon up —forgetting that he had hurt him just minutes earlier.

“SHIT! Yes, you did! Remember it!” the Rainbane shot back from the ground, panting. “I’m wounded, man… I don’t feel good…”

Suddenly, a thunderclap interrupted his words, roaring fiercely from the clouds above. Leonard looked up. It was a clear signal that it was time to hide from the threatening power of the rain. Without wasting another second, he tucked the weapon into the waistband of his pants, just above his boxers —he had nowhere else to put it— approached the Rainbane, and cautiously forced him to his feet. As best he could, he pushed the creature into the cabin. It was a huge risk, a stupid idea, but something inside told him that monster wasn’t like the others.

**

The rain pounded violently against the roof of the humble dwelling. Heavy, dense radioactive drops hit the shelter, which had been built —by some genius, who knows when— to keep water from leaking in. The cabin, shabby and disorganized, smelled of moisture, gunpowder, and old wood.

Leonard sat down on his mat, still keeping the weapon at hand. The mutant settled on the other side of the room, in a corner, breathing heavily.

“Leonard?” he said, his voice whiny. “Buddy... you didn’t have to force me in here. I mean... I’m a Rainbane. You’re human. I don’t kill people like you, but I can’t even trust myself with what might happen.”

Leonard watched from his corner, still alert.

“The more Rainbanes are exposed to the rain, the wilder they become… right?”

“Uh... yeah? I guess…”

“Let’s change the subject,” Leonard said, his voice firmer. “How does that human know about me? Who are they? What’s their name?”

The mutant ‘blinked’ slowly. His skinless face showed no human emotion, but his tone softened slightly.

“Vincent Lyon... I’ve known him for years. He always talked about you. Reminds me I still have... some humanity left.”

Leonard felt the air grow dense. He covered his face with both hands and opened his eyes wide. It couldn’t be.

“VINCENT LYON?! My friend… is alive?”

“How...?” he whispered to himself. “How does he know where I am?”

“Calm down, Leonard” he reminded himself. “Maybe I made the biggest mistake of my life bringing this Rainbane in here… but it's the only one who hasn’t tried to kill me. And it seems to know more than I do.”

He looked at the creature again.

“Your name?” he asked. “Can you tell me what you’re called?”

“Call me whatever you want. It doesn’t matter,” the mutant replied gruffly.

“I need to know who you are.”

“Do whatever you want... I stopped caring the moment I became this,” referring to himself as if he were an aberration.

Leonard observed him in silence for a few seconds and said the first thing that came to his mind. 

“Vin, then.”

“Like your friend?” asked the mutant. “He called you Leo.”

“And what else did he tell you about me?”

The now ‘Vin’ slowly reached into his coat, which made Leonard immediately spring to action, raising his weapon and aiming without hesitation.

“I’m going to show you something,” said the Rainbane, unbothered. “I promise I won’t hurt you.”

He pulled out a small beige metal box and held it out to him. Leonard approached with caution, taking it with trembling fingers.

“Here. Vincent wanted you to have this.”

“What is it?”

“Something from the two of you. From what Vincent told me, you guys were… cringey, boring... normal. He also told me about the last time you saw each other… when he kissed you. Or something like that. I’m not one for cheesy stuff.”

Leonard froze. He opened the box slowly. Inside were several handwritten letters, all from Vincent.