NIGHT 66: Stairwell by Nurse's Station 1-B

[envy_the_sinners]

[From here]

The stairs were a bit less easy for Scar to maneuver while supporting Frank's weight. It was an awkward process, each step taking a careful and deliberate movement.

"Tell me if you need to stop." The last thing he needed was to be forced to carry the other man completely. He would be willing to, yes, but it would be in no way efficient.

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[scarefaux]

Any shred of humanity the Scarecrow still had was stripped away as the lumbering beast opened his eyes, a growl rumbling through his chest as he got to his feet. His body shook only a moment from lingering tension before settling into its new shape- his frame was so changed that his mind struggled to recall what he'd been doing, where he'd been going, or even what his name was.

That was when he heard his name, though he no longer recognized it, his mind clouded from the infection. He turned with surprising speed toward Scar, rising onto his hind legs and roaring, putting on a show of intimidation.

Not that he needed to be intimidating, however. The kalidah was a dangerous predator, vicious and unyielding; he had no fear, no compassion, no keen intellect to keep himself from attacking those he considered prey. Unable to remember the former strawman he used to be, the creature took a wild swing with its foreclaws, massive paws reaching to tear into Scar's chest.

[envy_the_sinners]

"Dammit-"

Scar wasn't quick enough in jumping backwards to avoid Frank's newly grown claws. He hissed, stumbling on the stairs but managing to keep from falling.

Apparently he was just never going to get through a night without being cut open.

Scar knew that trying to get through to him would be pointless. This giant cat didn't even bear a resemblance to Frank. He spared a glance down at his chest. The gashes were deep and bleeding badly.

"Dammit."

There was no time to do anything about his freshly acquired wounds, though. Scar dropped into a lower stance, ignoring the pain and watching the thing that used to be Frank. He formed fists and sneered, trying to look as intimidating as possible when he was really in no shape to be fighting. How could he run, though? He would only lead the beast into more crowded parts of the building.

How much time was left, this night? Would he be able to last? With nobody else's safety to be caught up on in this moment, Scar's mind was fast at work. His survival instincts were strong.

[scarefaux]

The kalidah stomped on the ground with his forepaws, snarling as he padded backward defensively. Though he held the higher ground, he was held back momentarily by Scar's chance in stance- something in him recognized it, saw in that preparation for a fight a former roommate whose name he could no longer remember. A large frame and red eyes were all he recognized now, the Scarecrow's mind further and further from who he used to be.

That took him farther from those elements that made him himself, as well: caution, thinking things through, a friendliness that most found hard to ignore. They were replaced by savage ferocity and a feral wrath he couldn't understand. This man was in his territory, and he was going to get him out of it. It all suddenly seemed so clear.

His muscles coiled backward, tension building in his haunches before he sprang at Scar, leaping toward him to pin him down. Instinct spoke to him in a way it never had before, telling the Scarecrow that taking care of Scar would be no problem once he could no longer move.

[envy_the_sinners]

This time, he had been ready. With Frank's mind turned completely to run on instinct, it was easy for Scar to take the advantage of the high ground for himself. He lunged to the opposite side of the stairs, catching himself on the railing. Any lightheadedness from loss of blood was easily ignored as he dashed farther up the stares.

Scar turned to watch the thing that had just leaped for him. Human or not, it was still Frank. Or, at least, it would turn back into Frank come morning. Scar would sooner die than kill Frank. He highly doubted he could win against the cat anyway, in this shape. The glance back was to make sure he was uninjured in the fall.

That was why he made his way up the stairs. Perhaps he could lead the beast away from the first floor, where most of the other patients were concentrated.

[scarefaux]

Having missed Scar completely, the kalidah took a tumble down the rest of the stairs, his massive paws slipping on the floor. He was apparently unharmed as he got back to his feet, literally shaking off any lingering pain before turning back and growling at Scar at the top of the stairwell.

Despite his bulk, he moved surprisingly quickly up the passage, his feline hind legs working in his favor as he took the steps in twos, following his prey. He knew nothing of his former friendship with the man he chased, nor did he have a sense of mercy any longer. All he wanted was to protect his territory, to hunt, to satisfy animal instincts he'd never had before.

And so he followed Scar up to the second floor, never thinking about the fact that there were far more people in the first floor hallway.

[envy_the_sinners]

At the first sign that Frank was okay, Scar was on the move again. He moved as quickly as he could up the stairs despite the pain in his chest.

Now Scar could only hope that there weren't too many people upstairs.

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