Content Warning: Suggestive Language, Mention of Sexual Assault, Profanity.

Between the forest shadows, the figure moved as if floating —light but precise in its purpose, leaving barely a trace with its provocative movements.  Vin stopped in his tracks the moment he sensed his presence: a presence unlike any other, familiar only because of how disturbing it was.

“What a cutie,” purred a low, velvety, seductive voice. “You’re back wandering these woods again...  whatever your name is. With bags and all. Did you become the dutiful husband of some lost little human?”

Vin didn’t reply. His eyes narrowed in irritation as the creature approached him with slow, calculated steps —almost theatrical. His face was disarming: ambiguous features, a wicked smile, eyes too broken to hide their intentions.

“Humans are so fragile,” the Rainbane continued, letting his hand fall loosely onto Vin’s right arm. “Fickle, selfish, weak… and yet… fascinating.”

Vin didn’t pull away, but his silence made it clear he was uncomfortable with the creature’s presence.

“Yes? We were once like them,” he finally said. “Now all we want is to kill each other.”

The mutant chuckled, and his fingers slid boldly down Vin’s broad back. 

So daring.

“I’ve seen you many times in this forest. You wander with almost romantic consistency. Could it be… you’ve found something worth protecting? Or someone? That human… the one who woke up a few years ago. He’s your weakness, isn’t he? You love him so much, he drives you mad —what do you even see in a man like him?”

“You know too much, freak,” Vin growled, frowning.

“I’m just curious. Always have been. Besides, there's nothing to do here. When I was human, I stole identities. I could see the cracks in people. And yours… yours are so alluring, sweetheart.” The Rainbane placed a hand on Vin’s chest without shame, sliding his fingers lower toward his abdomen and hinting at doing the unthinkable. Deeper and deeper. “Don’t waste yourself on that human. He’s not worth what you are.”

Vin’s eyes narrowed, voice laced with sarcasm. “You’re not my type. I prefer men with beards.”

Without another word, Vin rolled up his left sleeve and grabbed the creature’s bold hand with force. In an instant, the Rainbane’s skin began to burn with a searing glow. He recoiled with feline speed, visibly alarmed.

“I don’t know who you are, and I don’t care,” Vin spat. “But if there’s any part of you still sane, stay away from me. I don’t have time for fights.”

The other tilted his head, a crooked smile on his face. “Darling! You’re so obsessed with that human you don’t even realize someone like me’s been watching you for a long time. You used to look different. Are you scared of what you’ve become?”

Vin clicked his tongue in disgust.

“At first, I thought you were just another Rainbane hunting. But I noticed something… peculiar. You don’t live on instinct alone. You protect. You watch. Oh, but… are you... are you in love with him?” the seductive mutant said with certainty. “So you know him? Like, childhood friends or something?”

Vin swallowed hard.

“Fuck my life! Now I’ve got to deal with a creep like you… who the hell are you?”

“Oh, I had many names,” the Rainbane replied. “But you can call me Amon. My favorite profile on social media. I was an office worker… and a thief. Used fake identities and I was good at it. People always want to believe in someone charming. But then… the rain came. I was one of the first to be infected and I didn’t even care! There are people with particular... fetishes, you know? I kept working until everyone disappeared. And in the end,... I had nothing left. Now I’m just this. A shadow… like you. Like him.”

He moved with a theatrical air, as if still performing for an invisible audience.

“I still have a bit of humanity left in me. And I think you do too. But… why protect him?”

Vin closed his eyes briefly. “It’s none of your damn business! But I have to get him to safety.”

“To where? Mmm… Ediranus?” Amon laughed. “There’s nowhere safe for miles.”

“Hmmm,” Vin said with evident annoyance.

Amon paused. His smile faltered. “Eridanus?! Are you sure? Unless you manage to avoid a Rainbane the size of a dinosaur, it’d be a miracle to make it there.”

“We’ll make it,” Vin replied. “Fucking bastard.”

Amon leaned in closer, his lips nearly brushing the air in front of Vin’s face. “And can you protect him… from yourself?”

Without another word, he turned and disappeared into the trees, as if he had never been there at all.