There would be no need for rubber-necking to know that something was behind the bus. Nothing close enough to see yet, but a swelling overture of bays and howls was beginning to bound through the trees, filling the air behind and around them as they grew closer and closer at an alarming rate. Soon the patients would see the owners of these monstrous voices for themselves — three hulking and terrifyingly fit hounds, if they could even be called that. Well over twice the size and mass of normal hounds, the demonic, split-faced abominations rushed out of the undergrowth, gaining on the bus until they could match stride with it. Their seeking yellow eyes gleamed in the light of the waning moon, fixed on their target as they barked and boomed.

Their master would not be seen yet, but oh, he was there. If the pair on the bus were not completely distracted by the hounds that were about to begin ramming their vehicle from the sides, they might hear a sound like far-off thunderclaps further back in the woods.

So rarely did the opportunity to perform his duties come these days. What better opportunity to take than the chance to bring down patients in possession of something so unusually advantageous? They would be stopped. He would not fail.

Armed with a short but sturdy sword and a steed as monstrous as he, the huntsman rode, waiting for the sound of the vehicle toppling ahead.

[Eryn]