Page 39 of Psycho Pack

But he's beyond hearing.

Beyond reason.

His fist crashes into my guard, shattering my forearm. The bone snaps with a sickening crack. Pain explodes through my body as I hit the ground. Before I can roll away, his massive weight pins me down.

Those sharp teeth flash in the sunlight. I throw up my good arm to protect my throat, but he clamps down on my arm instead. His teeth tear through muscle and sinew like razors. Blood sprays.

I scream, the sound ripped from my throat. "Brother, please!"

He snarls down at me, blood dripping from his exposed teeth. His hands lock around my throat, crushing my windpipe. Black spots dance at the edges of my vision as I stare up into wild blue eyes that hold no recognition.

Just blind animal terror.

My fingers scrabble uselessly at his iron grip. Can't breathe. Can't think. The world narrows down to those savage teeth snapping inches from my face, strings of my blood connecting them like crimson spider webs.

Then something flickers in his gaze.

Recognition.

Horror.

His hands release my throat. I suck in a desperate breath as he scrambles back, staring at his bloody hands like they belong to someone else.

"Wait—" I try to say, but only manage a weak croak.

Before I can stop him, he turns and bolts for the woods.

Shouts erupt from the house.

Guards pour out of every door, weapons raised.

"No!" I grab his bandana and sprint after Wraith's retreating form, but he's impossibly fast for someone his size. My boots pound against the manicured grass as I chase him toward the tree line. "Brother, wait!"

The guards fan out behind me, rifles raised. Their boots thunder across the lawn in pursuit. Father's voice booms from the house, ordering them to contain the situation.

To take him down.

Wraith reaches the woods, crashing through the underbrush like a wounded animal. Branches snap beneath his massive frame as he flees deeper into the shadows. I follow the trail of destruction, ignoring the thorns that tear at my clothes and skin.

"Stand down!" one of the guards shouts.

"No!" I yell back. "Hold your fire! That's an order!"

But they don't answer to me.

The first shot cracks through the air. Wraith stumbles, a red stain blooming on his shirt. He doesn't fall. Doesn't even slow down. More shots follow, the sound echoing through the trees.

I put on a burst of speed, my lungs burning.

Have to reach him before they do.

Have to protect him.

My brother may be huge and insanely strong, but right now he's running on pure terror. Not thinking. Not fighting.

Just trying to escape.

The guards are gaining on us. I hear their harsh breathing, their boots crushing fallen leaves.

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