A deafening howl was ripped from the boy's throat as he shot himself out the door with a spring of his legs, the sound of his battle cry and power of his pounce surprising him as he sailed through the air with his arms outstretched, claws striking air before falling upon the remaining guard. Deafening screeches could be heard from the two as Jerry landed on the guards head, sickened to be doing this but tearing at the screaming man's face. The man was clinging to desperately to Jerry's tail in order to try and pull him off, this only enraging Jerry more. His tail was now a part of his body and if it was tugged on this hard, it hurt.

The scene between Jerry and the guard was almost comical, something you may see in the newspapers on the Funny page. And if the situation wasn't so serious and the blood wasn't real, Jerry could almost have laughed. He was perched the older man's head quite like a hat with his claws hanging onto his screaming seat's face and hair, tearing whatever he could get his claws into much like a frightened housecat. The man stumbled and once on the ground, seems to have realized that pulling the tail was doing him no good. Now that he had finally come to his senses and grabbed his gun, shoving into Jerry's side.

Jerry unleashed yet another cry, this one of panic and of the pain about to come should the shot hit home. He hurtled himself off of the man's head and landed elegantly on all fours, body posed to spring for a second time as his lips drew back in a hiss of rage. Even so, this wasn't necessary. The man fell a few moments later, blood trickling from where the bullet had entered his head. As Jerry had dodged from directly atop the man, the man had just shot himself in the head. The sight was gruesome and horrifying, not to mention turning the contents of his stomach upside down. But remembering Jat he whirls around, screeching again as a stray bullet almost struck him.

• Jat flung himself at one of the guards and managed to kick the other in his face as his hand grabbed the guards hand in which he held the gun and heard a crunch that was the mans hand breaking. The man cried out in pain and pulled away from Jat. Taking advantage of weakening on and stunning the other he tore the gun from the other's hand before another shot could be fired from him and hit him in the back of the head with it.
  
  Turning to the man he already injured as the other dropped his eyes narrowed. It was all he could do when the sent of fresh blood hit his nose not to pounce on the guy and bite the man and feed. Stepping forwards he walked casually towards the guy noticing that the man wasn't trying to go after him but backed into a wall as Jat got closer and ran.
  
  Jat turned towards Jerry, the gun hanging casually in his hand. The sight of the blood though was just as bad as the scent as he looked at the dead man on the floor. His tongue darted out between his lips wetting them as his mind argued to grab Jerry and run before the injured man sends more guards after them. But the fact that Jerry also smelled of blood didn't help the matter.
  
  "Come on.." Jat sat turning away and examining the halls, this wasn't anyplace Dr. Roberts had shown them but he guessed the way the guard had run must lead to stairs. He had a feeling they were underground, in the basement.

As the conflict was over for the time being, Jerry stood attempting to still himself completely, failing miserably as he quivered at the sight of the man who's death he was responsible for. Jerry paled and was as repulsed at the sight of blood as Jat was at thought of drinking it, shaking hands raised into his eyesight. Unable to see the torn pieces of flesh attached to his claws and the crimson staining his palm he'd close his eyes instantly, so close to falling to his knees either in a dead faint or a fit of screaming and crying.

Luckily, before any of this happened, Jerry dropped his hands to the side and was able to open his eyes in order to pay attention to Jat, tensing at the sight of the gun. Although he had expected much better security than this, he supposed that he shouldn't be complaining as any more and he most likely would've been defeated, either by an opponent or his disgust for doing something so wrong. Offer a quick prayer to his soul and those whom had fallen, he nods his head and takes a deep intake of air, almost choking on the stench of blood.

"Yeah," he mutters, his eyes wandering through the halls. It hadn't occurred to him that they wouldn't be able to escape just because they got lost. But what where they supposed to do? Stop and ask for directions? He sighed. Why couldn't cats be born with some instinct on how not to get lost? "But where to do we go?" Then pausing for a moment he adds, "Where can we go?"

The last statement wasn't directed toward an escape route, but of their destination should they make it out of this hellhouse alive. There was no way society would accept them and the government would most likely take them away to lock them up, and if not, the police would get them for murder. All in all, it ended up the same way. The boys were going to get killed or locked up, that leaving only the option of avoiding the rest of the world- family and in Jat's case, friends- for the rest of their lives.

• Jat was pulled out of fighting with himself about letting the vampire instincts when he heard Jerry speak to him. Realizing just how much this would effect Jerry just the simple fact of hurting a person, he knew he was Christian and though Jat wasn't much of a believer he knew Jerry would have guilts.
  
  Dropping the gun Jat walked over to Jerry, at the moment barely noticing the scent of blood that was on him and pulled him into a quick hug, hoping it'd comfort him. "I'm not sure Jerry... If..." Jat paused and doubled back on what he was saying, "When we get out of here... I had planned to stop by our homes... grab some clothes and food and then decide from there...."
  
  Jat really had no idea, he knew he should try find a way to tell the proper authorities but the first thing on his mind was to get Jerry to safety. Pulling out of the hug he grabbed Jerry's hand ignoring the feel of the blood and pulled Jerry along lightly down the hallway at a small run. Senses alert for anyone coming at them. It was quite obvious they didn't expect anyone to be able to escape... there weren't any alarms going off at all. He should have probably knocked out the guy who ran... They'd probably end up being opposed more quickly because they were warned.
  
  "Jerry, I want you to hang back... keep out of the fighting as much as possible..." Jat told him as he found a stairwell and took it eyes alert to anyone coming around a corner. "I'll try to take care of them myself... I.. I don't want you hurt."
  
  ((Sorry for the long wait... I've been more busy than usual lately.))

OOC: =P Its fine, I understand. And ignore my writer's block, it refuses to leave me alone. -.-;

IC: Ignoring the disturbing temptation to run on all fours, Jerry ran after his friend on his two feet only by reminding himself that his hands would get bloodier if he set them down. The thought of that was enough to override any inhuman instinct and he hurried after Jat, taking some comfort in his palm and continuing to loosely grasp at his hand after a few moments of awkward inner argument. He had just reached the choice to continue the mild contact when he realized that Jat had been speaking to him.

It took all Jerry had to keep himself from crying as he ran behind his protective friend, forcing himself forward and eventually being half led and half dragged through the maze of hallways, he struggling to keep his emotions under control of whatever remained of his broken logic. Although he wished to tell Jat that he would remain at his side in the midst of battle, he simply couldn't bring himself to say so. It would mean that he would have to hurt another person, something he had never done before this day.

"Thank you," he manages to croak out, guilty that he was leaving this deed all up to his friend. "I..." He takes a deep breath and continues. "I'm so sorry."

• Jat kept an eye on his friend and slowed his pace a bit, both for Jerry's sake and the fact they came upon open hallways that branched off to new hallways and he didn't want to run in front of a squad of guards still hauling Jerry behind him into the fray as well. When Jerry apologized though it was all he could do to keep himself moving..
  
  It was best to keep moving he knew, they'll have less chance at getting caught unawares and gets them that much closer to getting out of the place. He wanted to stop and hold Jerry tell him that he had nothing to apologize for but all he could do now was just tell him and worry about comforting his friend later.
  
  "You have nothing to apologize for Jerry," Jat said glancing down a hallway, he was really beginning to think Dr. Roberts, who he suspected to be the lead scientist of this building was an idiot. That or the guards he hired were cowards. "I'll always protect you and I know you dislike violence... just be careful.. I may not be able to pay attention to everyone at once."
  
  Jat began to run across a hall but stopped and pressed himself against the wall pulling Jerry beside him. He had heard voices down the hall. Peeking around the corner he recognized Dr. Roberts yelling at the disgruntled guard that Jat had let get away.
  
  "Why are you informing me first!!" Dr. Roberts growled at the guard. "For all we know they could be out the doors by now!!"
  
  "Yessir," the guard murmured, "But they took down us all quickly.. the vampire one three... the cat had the other kill himself with his own gun!!"
  
  "Are you using live ammunition? I don't want them dead you idiot!!" Dr. Roberts yelled at this new situation. "Tranquilizers, I've always told you that!!"
  
  "Yessir, I'll tell the others right away sir."
  
  The guard disappeared into what Jat could only guess to be another hallway and Dr. Roberts walked away from them down the same hallway. That was one comfort to Jat though, none of the guards had been rallied yet.. they still might have a chance before everyone gets organized. Another thing that comforted Jat was they weren't going to use real bullets anymore... Though he still had to be careful about getting hit with them.

Following his friends advice to keep up his guard, Jerry peels his ears from against the sides of his head, keeping them alert although it hurt to fight against the fear pinning them to the sides of his head. But that was no problem once he heard Dr. Robert's voice. The problem was that a low hiss was beginning to emerge from his throat once he recognized the voice of the man responsible for this. Ears were now fully alert at the top of his head and once more his hair looked as if it had been attacked by gallons of the smelly, extra-strength hair gel that other males looked to look 'cool'.

Identifying this man sent a jolt of hatred and fear through Jerry's veins. This horrible demon of a man was the only one in this building that could ever had a chance of receiving Jerry's strongest ill wishes, he being the gentle-hearted, timid male that had been taught to appreciate all things alive. He needn't try too hard for sake of the guards. He feared them too much for hatred, and just the thought of harming another one make him want to stop and vomit. But Dr. Roberts was a different story. Jerry hated him too much to forget about it.

Luckily, Dr. Roberts left before the overwhelming urge to kick him in the shin overtook Jerry's head. Jerry being himself, that was the most harm that he could ever think of placing on an enemy without feeling guilty about it. Breathing heavily, he fights a loosing battle to try and flatten his hair, looking so hilarious that one might of laughed if the situation wasn't so serious. He sighed. At least he knew that there was a chance for survival at this, the enemy wasn't allowed to kill the devil's precious experiments.

"I hate him," he murmured, almost to himself as he continued behind Jat, looking around madly in make sure that they weren't being trailed.

• They continued to make more and more stops as the guards were now looking for them. Jat did his best to hide from them rather than fight. It moved them along quicker and once they got into hallways he recognized from the tour he picked up his pace once more but ran into a guard he hadn't noticed.
  
  In the confusion Jat released Jerry's hand as the guard tried to make out if they were enemy or foe but found out the answer as Jat punched him in the gut. Doubling the guy over but end up leaning on Jat rather than falling to the ground... This wasn't the best thing for Jat though he could smell the man's blood, without it being spilled his nose was so close to the man's neck.
  
  More footsteps stopped the argument with his vampire half and pulled away from the man letting him drop. Jat looked around for the others and with a quick glance at Jerry to be sure he was out of the way before turning towards the guards rushing to help their co-worker and maybe friend. There were five in total running at him from the hallway the first guard came from.
  
  Jat charged them before they began shooting at him but he seemed to be able to tell when an object would come near to hitting him and managed to dodge accordingly. Something he presumed to be a part of the powers he gained from becoming a vampire. Jat managed to take them down all rather simply as before.
  
  He returned to where Jerry was standing just in time to see one guard taking aim at Jerry, anger surged through him as he jumped the man knocking the gun to the side as he shot. The tranquilizer shattered against the wall and under impulse only Jat bit into the man's neck teeth sinking neatly into the carotid artery. Blood seeped past his teeth into his mouth, the sweet taste of it arousing him as he drank his fill.
  
  When he pulled away though he realized what he had done and began to feel sick. It repulsed him that he enjoyed the taste so much he had gotten aroused, the only thing Jat was glad of it was that he didn't have to fight with himself no longer... the scent of blood didn't make him want to lick it up.. But he had killed another man, and not only that but drank the man's blood!! He was sickened by himself and he wiped his mouth on his arm smearing blood across it with a nasty look on his face.

Standing helpless and terrified he watched the hideous scene unfold, reflected in his visible eye, which widened enough almost for one to realize from close up that they were actually a dark, dark shade of brown, rather than the voids of black they appeared to be. At loss of his friend's palm he had stumbled to a a wall where he shuddered in the sheer terror of watching his friend in combat, taking no notice at the threat of his own capture until it was destroyed by his best friend. But the terror of this was nothing compared to the sickness he felt from seeing what happened next.

From the moment Jat's sharpened teeth punctured the man's vulnerable flesh, Jerry felt as if his head had turned a thousand pounds. Matching this feeling he fell forward to his knees, the feline instinct and newfound flexibility in his arms allowing him to fly through the air in some odd, agile twist of the body, something that would have been a quite painful experience for him if it was not for the changes that occurred in his body. Although he landed safely on his bottom, he simply sat there, dazed, too shocked by what had happened to realize that he was as sitting duck of a target.

That blank look of sheer terror passed across what remained of the battlefield and the bodies littering hallway that had served as their war zone. They had won, but Jat had lost a much larger fight. An internal fight against his newfound genes and his humanity. And because Jerry had not yet seen any negative effect of his best friend's experiment, because Jerry could never imagine Jat turning to something like this... It was mystifying and horrible experience. And in the few moments it took him to recover, a dart whizzed by his neck.

"Oh God help us," he plead, half swearing in the prayer. "Jat, we have to get out of here!"

• Jat continued to be repulsed in what he had did as Jerry worked through it himself but was awakened to the actual situation they were in when he heard Jerry call out to him. Turning around he seen Jerry on the floor and another guard taking aim at him once more.
  
  Jat grabbed Jerry's hand once more and hauled him to his feet and pulled him around the corner as the second tranquilizer was fired and missed them. Jat pulled Jerry along turning down another hallway and finding themselves near an emergency exit door, something Jat hadn't expected but relished in its simplicity.
  
  Guards were most likely waiting in the front foyer but they hadn't thought to put patrols near the emergency exit doors. It gave them a free way to get out without any more fighting. Jat pushed his way out and groaned at the sound of an alarm beginning to go off as the door opened. He hadn't thought there would be alarms signaling that the doors had been opened.
  
  Taking the little time he had left he pulled Jerry out in the open his eyes darting this way and that to keep an eye out for anyone running for them. This was the crucial part of this plan, he need to learn to fly, to extract his wings and not put Jerry in any more danger. Closing his eyes and concentrating for something the vampire in him guided him to know how to extract his wings.
  
  Bat like wings, much enlarged emerged from his back as Jat gasped in pain and bit back a scream. The process was terribly painful, the wings had emerged at his shoulder blades but it felt like he had been sliced with a large thick dagger and something pressed into it. The pain drove him to his knees as he caught his breath having held it as the pain was at it's peak.
  
  The good thing about the vampire in him though it showed him also how to fly even if he hadn't done it before. Taking a quick look around he heard footsteps but still didn't see anyone. Standing he looked at Jerry and bent and hooked Jerry's legs under one arm, knocking him off his feet his other arm caught Jerry neatly. Surprised at how light Jerry was as he carried him like a groom would carry a bride he made certain that he'd make sure Jerry ate more.
  
  Taking a couple strong fast strides he threw himself forward and pumped his wings and they carried them both up. The sensation was strange to Jat... having two new appendages that enabled him for flight. The most amazing part was he knew how to do it even if this was the first day in his life he had wings.

And here the poor boy thought he had seen everything there was to see in the world, but he now had to see his friend turning into a bat- a creature which he hated and feared- while alarms screeched like sirens? Thankfully for Jerry, his friend didn't seem interested in transforming completely into a bat as there wasn't much he could do from fainting at the sight of a large, winged rat. He didn't like rodents crawling on the ground, pray tell he didn't like them flying over his head.

But before he could show any hesitation in approaching his friend, he was swept from the ground and off his feet, the poor male releasing a squeak of surprise as he braced himself for the fall. Limbs waving even as he was captured, it wasn't until they reached the first few feet of air he realized he was no longer falling. He was being carried through the sky, and he could spot the faraway silhouettes of birds as he turned his head wildly toward the horizon, terrified of being shot at from this distance and even more so of being dropped. He was a cat, but what kind of cat survived a fall from this height?

Although he trusted his friend not to allow such a thing to happen, Jerry debated with himself for a moment then decided that the awkwardness was worth it if it prevented a life-threatening fall that, even as a half-cat, he wouldn't be able to survive. Taking a gulp of air and turning away to hide the portion of his face his hair didn't, he carefully wraps his arms around Jat's neck, clinging tightly to him and pretending to be on lookout to try and hide his blush.

"Please don't drop me."

As Jerry was scared of everything under the sky and above, it came as no surprise that he was also frightened of heights. But as Jat needed to look where he was going to prevent collision with a wall or something, Jerry knew that he had to watch for whomever may be following, although he hadn't seen any helicopters or aircraft during their escape. Feeling a bit dizzy and nauseous as he stared down and across the sky, he starts to glance, quite wearily, toward the facility they were leaving behind.

• Where Jerry was scared of heights and the flight in general Jat loved it, loved the feeling of managing to be free and be part owner of the skies. It also gave him a reason to cling to Jerry and Jerry to him. He hadn't imagined though what it would be like with the wind blowing through his hair and flying over the tallest buildings as they flew towards his house.
  
  "I won't drop you Jerry," Jat said as he was brought out of his revery when Jerry spoke to him.
  
  Every once in a while Jat would look back but it seemed the scientist facility wasn't equipped to follow an air pursuit. Jat was confident that they had a clean getaway for the moment. They had their home addresses though and so he needed to hurry to each of their places and figure out a place to hide.
  
  Spotting his house he slowed and made a slow descent landing neatly in his backyard and gently set Jerry down sort of hesitating at first before releasing him fully and headed towards the house and taking the hidden key to the back door and let them both in.

Although it was realized that they were now at a distance off the ground safe enough to fall without injury, Jerry's arms remained wrapped around Jat for the sense of security until it was Jat that left to unlock the door. He remained quite dazed and dizzy, not to mention faintly embarrassed, in the middle of the large, grassy area until he realized that the neighbors would panic or at least find it a bit odd if they were to see a catboy on the lawn. Or at least, they would wonder if Halloween was really that close on the calendar.

"I hope no one saw that."

Lowering his ears until the strain of keeping them flat became painful and curling his tail around his leg, he was happy that the black fur matched his black hair and black pants. The colors blended together and from a distance, he wouldn't seem too unusual unless someone came close. Or if someone had seem them land. Looking around quickly at the thought, he's happy to see that no one seems to have seen their dramatic entrance.

"I don't think anyone did, good."

Allowing Jat to enter the house first as he was the more noticeable of the two with his oversized wings, Jerry follows, closing the door as he walked. Hesitating only to turn around and check for the neighbors, he quickly slammed the door shut after noticing that a lady across the street was watching them as she washed the dishes. Heartbeat quickening at the thought of being followed here, the then realizes something.

"Jat... They know our addresses... They could be here already!"

• Jat looked around his house carefully taking Jerry's warning to heart. He knew that it was a risk coming here but he didn't think they could afford not coming here. When he seen nothing out of place though he found that they weren't here and looked out the kitchen window to be sure. No strange vehicle was there.. in fact even his parents car wasn't there which was strange... They usually took the bus to work to save gas..
  
  Jat turned around wondering how long they'd been put out when he spotted sheets of paper on the table. His parents were neat freaks, approaching them he seen himself and Jerry staring back at him and the caption 'MISSING' above both the pictures and phone numbers to both Jat's home and Jerry's place for people who seen them to contact them.
  
  "Jerry, I think we'd been asleep for longer than a day..." Jat said looking up at Jerry. "I don't know about your parents but my parents don't worry if I'm away for a day or so."
  
  Jumping slightly at the sound of a car he looked out the window again and watched the car pass by innocently. It's been many a time he spent nights over at 'friends' houses and didn't turn up at the place till the next night or the morning after that. They trusted him and since all his friends were boys didn't think anything of it.. needless to say they didn't know he was gay. They seemed to miss all the signs. The three main ones being, he had long hair, worn tight clothes and usually you wouldn't see him leave the house without at least eyeliner on.
  
  "I only returned here to get clothes and food, and this.." Jat said as he turned to the cookie jar on top of the fridge and took a money clip with a fair bit of cash from it. It was his parents emergency stash and he was sure this was an emergency, when he looked down at the fridge before turning back to Jerry he paused staring at a picture of him and his family accompanied by Jerry at the family cottage. That was their escape root!! Taking the picture off the fridge he turned around grinning. "Hey, I think I know where we could go. Remember that old cottage we went to last summer? Dad leaves the keys on the key holder there."
  
  Jat looked around once more planning to pack food last, he was taking to long here though and looked back at Jerry curiously. "Hey, I don't think we'd manage getting to your place... You're slim enough to fit some of my old clothes but they'll still be a bit tight and may be a bit too long.."

A visible wince twisted the male's delicately pale features when he realized that their absence in society hadn't gone unnoticed, a fingertip extending to brush the photo, the reminder of his full humanity. Although it seemed unlikely his flesh could whiten furthermore, it eventually did, also taking on a tinge of green due to just how sick he suddenly felt. It was almost as if he realized what their disappearance would cause at this moment, or if it only hit him now that he wasn't able to return to the life he once knew and hated. He had often wished to take the place of another, any other role in life besides his own. Now that his desire had come true, there was nothing he wouldn't give for his former life back.

"My folks must have torn half the state searching for me by now."

He had forced a shaky laugh at his statement, attempting to use humor to make their situation seem less desperate, less painful. But even that simple statement brought his parents to mind, his strict parents whom had done their best to bring up their child in a way they believed was proper, which in this case was meant as religious as possible. There were definitely times when he didn't understand some- actually many- things that were implanted into his mind, and frustration was common although due to respect out of his parents, he had never stated his issues aloud.

"I don't think I want to go to my house," he admits, although this was only half-true.

He had often dreamed of leaving the restrains of his house, much like any other person his age. But now that the day had actually come for him to do so, much too early than he had expected, he couldn't help but realize that evening seeing the small place he inhabited would make it that much harder for him to turn and leave. The house itself was nothing impressive, a small, two-story structure that was whiter than a hospital, both inside and out. Simple and modest with a rusted fence, it was the old-fashioned building one would guess was an elderly woman's retirement home. But with all the memories, like how he had tried to jump the fence and broken his leg, was worth remaining there forever.

"Let's go, Jat. I don't think its safe for us to stay here."

• A sad smile crossed Jat's face for a moment knowing almost what Jerry was feeling and looking around he knew this might be his last time entering this place. Parts of him were happy that his parents weren't home but it bothered him that he couldn't actually say good-bye to them. The last thing Jerry said barely phased him but it hurried him to his room a bit quicker.
  
  He knew they weren't safe but he had no want to be stuck in the same ratty pants he was wearing and really wanted to get out of them. But instead he grabbed a bag and stuffed in some of his clothes. He had more at the cottage he knew but having excess would be a good thing. At the back of the closet he found his older clothes for Jerry and stuffed them in the bag as well and hurried back where he left Jerry and filled the bag with non-perishables and grabbed the key to the cottage.
  
  Taking one last look at the place he sighed, he knew if he wasn't hunted by the scientists he'd be able to stay and live a semi-normal life.. his differences weren't noticeable, only he'd have to get used to controlling his vampire instincts but Jerry .. it was different, his changes were noticeable and Jat knew he couldn't leave him no matter what...
  
  "Come on, it's time we got out of here..." Jat said wrapping an arm around Jerry's waist and lead him back to the backyard. He didn't care if his neighbors seen them, it'd be the first place he'd check if he were Dr. Roberts and asking neighbors about it would be the next. So what if they're seen? They'll have no idea where they're headed.
  
  Again Jat picked up Jerry this time being sure that Jerry was comfortable before taking off and heading west outside of the city. A small sadness was in him now though as he left the life he knew forever. He wondered for how long they'd be safe at the cottage. The moment his parents notice the key missing they'll be heading up there in search of them... would they mention it to Dr. Roberts?

With his footsteps dragging in hesitation he brings himself to the doorway, slender frame positioned in such a hunch it seemed as if it were his corpse dragged by the strings of a sleepy puppeteer. Then suddenly, as if this master of dolls had been injected with coffee, these mistakes in posture were, more-or-less, corrected. The poor boy straightens his spine although his shoulders remained drooped, head held up though tilted as if a few pounds too heavy for his neck to study. Painted on his porcelain face was the look newly bought slaves must have carried upon theirs in centuries before, one of despair and such hopelessness of their situation- in such inhumane magnitudes they seemed quite hollow and destroyed within. And could one blame this child? He was in a situation similar to the comparison. Dragged from the place he had called home and thrown to a situation so strange and unbelievable it seemed like a distant nightmare, only to realize time and time again that this was no hellish nightmare but a cruel twist of life.

And this realization reoccurred as he was secured for his second flight, although worry and fear of both the oncoming events and fact that they were to take to the skies again were reduced. The comforting warmth being embraced in Jat's arms had always ebbed negative clouds from his most innermost mental and emotional states, but to reduce the risk of dropping the precious human cargo, Jerry had to be clung to tighter than previous situations would have allowed. And due to his fear, Jerry was able to return the 'hug' without ten shades of red splattering like face paint on his cheeks. Although a faint pink touched at his flesh mid-mental-argument, to even have a voice suggest such a thing such as a liking beyond friendship for Jat....

"We're going to be okay," he announced, his voice as unsteady the walk of a drunken lout. This was to ease his own trembles, which were beginning to overtake his body in miniature earthquakes. He saw no visible fear nor flaw in Jat's composure, like the in the times the vampire had faced before transformation. And although his tone held not a droplet of courage, besides perhaps the small bit that Jat's company offered, his racing heartbeat slowed in the slightest as they hurtled themselves against the laws of gravity.

Green returned to decorate his cheeks as they began to gain height, unable to advert his eyes from the insect-sized cars parked or zooming on the black lines of pavement. Was there a child down there that giggled as she pointed out the existence of the mutated teenagers? Were there parents that chuckled in faked agreement? Jerry didn't want to know what would happen if the parents happened to gaze up, just in case, to identify that their sweetheart's imagination wasn't running away with her. Although he had forced himself to reason that they were much too high to appear to be nothing but a bird to those who bothered to gaze up, he couldn't help but to continue to gaze in paranoia, even when his stomach begged him to stop by threatening to hurl whatever may be in there at the time. If they had really been gone for as long as Jat had suggested, he wondered why he felt no need to eat.

• Spending time in the air seemed to calm Jat better than much else did. He wasn't including the short amount of times that he was able to hold Jerry before this, but the fact he had permission to cling to Jerry and vise versa it also calmed him but in this circumstance not as much as it would normally.
  
  In reality he was scared though, he had no idea what they were going to do... What if his parents found the key missing and come to find them? Could he trust that they wouldn't tell Dr. Roberts? He wasn't sure where they would go next if Dr. Roberts and whatever group of guards turned up at the cottage.. there wasn't much place left to run after that... A few miles further from the cottage the land dropped off to a river and if his Vampire lore was correct and not effected by the fact he was human... Vampires couldn't cross moving water.
  
  Long experience around Jerry had taught him not to show that he was worried, especially when Jerry himself was scared. He didn't want to upset him more and now he even wondered if it'd even be possible to calm Jerry down anymore.. Now that they would always have the same thing to worry about. Yet he hoped it was possible, he didn't want Jerry to worry more than he had to and leave Jat to figure everything out.
  
  They began flying over dense woods and Jat began to pay more attention to the landscape, he was tiring a bit and wanted to find a clearing to land they still had a while to go to get to the cottage and he didn't know what would happen if he tired too much. He'd possibly fall from the sky and he didn't want that. He seen a couple possible clearings but waited for a third that was further away from the freeway, in hopes that they won't bring any notice.
  
  As he landed he noticed the sky turning a deep orange and pink to the west and cursed silently. He didn't want to fly during the night, he wasn't exactly too sure where the cottage was.. well not by air and he didn't know how good his eyesight would be. He was further glad that they took the further one from the freeway.. a fire would go unnoticed.
  
  His feet touched the ground lightly, but Jat's knees folded under him causing him to fall forwards to his knees. Only by forcing his body backwards did he manage to stop from falling on top of Jerry.
  
  "Sorry.." Jat grunted with a small smile as he resettled himself and lowering Jerry to his lap. "Knees gave out, but I'm fine.. I think we should camp here for the night though.
  
  "We're well ahead of them and they'll be making stops in the city looking for us.. We should be fine here for the night." Jat said as he looked around the clearing.
  
  It was small, if they had a tent it would leave them little space to set up a camp fire but since they didn't have a tent they had nothing to worry about. Animals seemed to be the only living things that went through this clearing, there was no marks of human activity other than their own. With a small sigh he closed his eyes and felt around for that growingly familiar bit of himself to retract his wings. It wasn't as painful as it was removing them that first time but slices of pain had went down his spine and trickles of what his nose identified as blood dripped down his back from where the wings had protruded.

The last time that Jerry had been brought to a place not yet contaminated by human hands, the long trip had been spent with his face pasted against the window of his parents' car. By the end of the trip anyone could have sworn that the long bangs covering his face had literally grown onto his skin from all the pressure it had been put under, between his cheek and the glass. But right now, he wasn't quite in the mood for sightseeing. Besides that, he had a suspicion that he would surely get sick if he dared to look down at the swirling mass of green. Just thinking about it made his stomach churn!

Fortunately, Jat had chosen that moment to start their decent. Jerry concentrated on holding in the contents of his stomach until after he had hit the ground (and some bushes, if he were lucky), although the thought of where yesterday's meal (or whatever fateful day it was that he stepped into that lab) may end up if he did get sick at this height was crudely amusing. If the situation hadn't been so serious, he would have laughed. But then again, if the situation hadn't been so serious, he wouldn't have had the chance to enjoy Jat's physically close company without any guilt. Without much guilt, at least.

But as much as Jerry might have enjoyed that small part of the ride, he would rather not have his friend fall atop him. And when there was a risk of just that happening as soon as they hit solid ground, Jerry released a shrill squeal of fear and surprise, not wanting to be crushed and worried for his friend. And all at the same time, he couldn't help but notice that he sounded like some sort of a pansy, shrieking like that. Although he had stopped screaming as soon as he realized how embarrassing and sissy-like it was, he still almost missed Jat's apology.

Not that he could actually reply considering the circumstances. The faint tinge of under the weather green had begun to leave his cheeks and revert to his pale white, although a touch of pink remained as if one of those cosmetic saleswomen had run to test one of her products on his flesh. He was beginning to more or less get used to this. And now that he had basically severed his ties with the rest of his world, including his parents who would certainly disapprove, a part of his hesitation had also gone away.

He realized then that he hadn't quite removed his arms from Jat, feelings conflicting for a moment before he simply moved his arms, planning to move back after a brief embrace. A trickle of liquid caught his attention and when his hand whipped back, he closed his eyes as if he were about to faint, muttering some sort of curse or prayer, it was hard to tell which. Taking a deep breathe and peeking over Jat's shoulder, he remains silent for a moment, then speaks.

"You're bleeding."

• The tension in his shoulders died away as the last twinges of pain died off. He was rather pleased that Jerry hadn't left his lap the moment he was able to and smiled as he watched his color return to normal. He had a feeling his cowardly friend was scared of heights from the beginning but there was nothing that could be done of it.
  
  "I know.." Jat said with a small smile, he had a feeling the wounds were no longer there though.. he was aware the blood came after he retracted his wings and he could tell that the two spots they had come from closed. "It's just from the spaces from the wings.. they're healed over now."
  
  Not quite wanting to move yet he moved the arm that had be holding Jerry's knees and curled it protectively around his waist while the other continued to support his back.
  
  He continued to look around the clearing though, knowing it'd be best to set up a fire before nightfall for both warmth and to keep the animals away. He wasn't too sure what animals were in these woods. Nothing too dangerous he was certain, maybe a wolf pack but he didn't want to run across anything that may harm them and force him to harm them first. He was quite against animal cruelty.

Raising his stained palm to his eyes, angled to the side as he could only see with one, he studies the crimson on his hand for a moment, with a mixture of interest and faint disgust. He had almost expected Jat's blood to be different from what was usually seen from cuts and bruises, due to what the accursed man had done to the two of them, but it seemed normal enough to him. Curiously wondering about his own blood, Jerry waits for Jat's shoulders to loosen before double-checking his shoulders. They seemed normal enough, although Jerry couldn't understand how. Not that he was complaining. The last thing he needed was to be depended on with Jat bleeding to death, there was a better chance for survival if he was the one that was about to hit the bucket.

"I'm glad you're alright," he mumbles, forgetting himself for a moment and shamelessly leaning into Jat's arms. "We survived everything else, it would be kind of ironic if you got hurt just when we've escaped."

With his eyes half closed and his frame clutched as if a child's in Jat's arms, his gaze begins browsing their current setting. He was content here, where there were no humans. Here, he was the predator and whatever out there could be his prey. Here, he was safe and in control. Whatever else here was food, and couldn't be a th- He blinks and perks his ears up, realizing that his feral mind had begun to wander again, taking charge. He couldn't understand how Jat handled things so well, ignoring his newfound instincts. Resisting the urge to leap into the trees to find and bring down the next animal he saw, he sighs and reminds himself to ask, right now, too tired to speak.

What would their lives be like now? What could they do? In Jerry's case.. who would fall for someone with the appearance and instincts of a cat, female wise of course, Jat would always care about Jerry no matter what shape or form he was in. Millions of questions filled Jat's mind as he sat there watching Jerry rather curiously wondering what was really going on through his friend's mind.

He finally concluded there'd be no way Jerry could survive without Jat by his side, though there wasn't any worry of him leaving Jerry behind. Jerry wouldn't be able to work for money, his changes were noticeable. Jat's changes were easily hideable and the eyecolor change could be explainable if he gets angry... It would be the bloodthirst that would get him though... He didn't feel it now .. but what would happen when it returns? Would he be tempted to attack Jerry?

He'd already told Jerry to worry about it to run if he went after him.. but.. Even at that time Jerry refused to. But then he wasn't really facing his friend attacking him.. what instincts would kick in if Jat actually did attack? Jat didn't want to know.. but somewhere in the back of his mind there ws something calming him down telling him it would be possible if he did end up attacking Jerry to stop him from bleeding to death after Jat finished his meal...

He didn't know what this meant and he really didn't want to test it out either. Instead his grip around Jerry's waist went a little tighter as he held Jerry as close as possible. He really didn't want to hurt his friend ever, he didn't want to put him in that position...

As Jerry had always been more or less a social reject during his entire lifetime, he knew that he had less to miss compared to Jat, who was usually found in a center of friends. Friends that Jerry had never exactly learned to get along with. There were times when he had been a bit jealous about sharing his best friend with other people, but afraid of appearing clingy or giving his parents any wrong ideas, he kept his thoughts to himself. And while their situation at this moment was anything but pleasurable, a low hum of a purr vibrated from his throat. The last few days had forced both into isolation, and th guilty voice in the back of his head would definitely be lying had it claimed that he was not happy to have Jat to himself.

Sure. There was a chance that they would die within the next few days due to starvation, after whatever money they had 'borrowed' ran out. And there wasn't much either of them could do to work, although Jat may have been able to pass as human. But they had survived so far, and Jerry had his doubts that God was cruel enough to slam the door in their faces after all that they had endured so far. And if all came to all, Jerry could try surrendering to his newfound natural instincts and hunt something down for the two of them. Although he was terrified of hurting anything again, nevermind eating something raw in a momentary loss of humanity.

ooc: xD I suffer from writer's block. I beg Kale's forgiveness?

((everyone suffers every once in a while))

Jat's forboding thoughts were calmed and seemed to deteriorate as he listened to his friend purr. However strange it was for him it had a calming effect for him at the moment, reminding him just how innocent Jerry really was. Jat knew he had to protect Jerry no matter what happens and try to keep Jerry out of any further fights.

As the night wore on it grew cooler, it was fall and winter would be hitting in a few months... Driving Jat to know that they had to find somewhere warm to stay somewhere protected from the elements... As of this moment though.. they needed a fire and thinking about it wasn't going to get it done.

"We're going to be all right," Jat whispered mostly to himself as plans ran through his head he acted instinctively instead of thinking of his actions as he pressed his lips to Jerry's forehead in a quick kiss. "We need a fire so we don't freeze during the night though..."

Looping his arm back under Jerry's knee's he lifted him off his lap and onto the ground in front of him before standing up looking around the clearing once more. They were in the woods.. finding wood would be easy and if he remembered correctly he had a lighter in one of the pants he stuffed in his bag.

"I'll be back, don't go anywhere," Jat said as he walked towards a small animal path. "I'll collect wood and return."


Jat walked up the path picking up dry sticks as he walked when his senses alerted him of movement. Standing still slightly crouched he waited silently when a rabbit hopped into the path and stood staring at him with alert ears and eyes.

Seeing the rabbit reminded him they needed to eat as well and he slowly bent down to drop the sticks and picked up a stone the size of his fist, standing up he took aim at the rabbit leaving room for the direction the rabbit would run and tossed the stone with dead accuracy that surprised him.

Running to the rabbit he snapped it's neck to be sure it was dead and not suffuring at all. He had a knife in his bag he could cut the strips of meat off of and with extra sticks they could cook it over the fire. Collecting the sticks once more and the rabbit by the hind legs he returned to where he left Jerry waiting.

"Look what I found."

Whatever feeling of safety left as soon as Jerry left the protection of Jat's arms, the only remaining comfort being the lingering reminder of his friend's lips against his flesh. And although he began to shiver as the wind started to grow colder, his nerves seem to reach a heavenly numb against any sort of pain. It was almost blissful as he tried to sort reality from hallucinating, confused in some parts his heart yet mostly not quite caring. A thousand debates to confirm this as reality and that was enough to serve as an answer to his questions for now.

Hugging his body the way a cat in front of a fireplace may, Jerry spent the rest of the wait trying to get as warm as possible. He was happy when Jat had returned with the wood, his appreciation for fire completely redefined. Heaven bless whomever had discovered a way to control the flames in order to be a gift to mankind, although he was a bit taken aback when his eyes fell on the rabbit. And at that point, he was torn. Half of him was starved. Actually, three quarters of him was. But at the same time, he pitied the poor rabbit. He had seen plenty of death today, but bunnies were more helpless than anything else. But he knew that now, this was needed to survive.

"Poor bunny," he comments, sadly under his breath. He reaches out and carefully pats the dead creature with the tips of his fingers. "I'm sorry, bunbun." He was talking to a corpse... He couldn't tell if that was a step toward mental instability or not.

Forcing himself to sit up, he carefully takes the sticks from Jat and sets them down next to him. After a few moments of staring at the decently sized stack, he realizes something and turns back to Jat, looking a bit sheepish. Jerry certainly hoped that Jat had an idea on how to light these sticks, because Jerry obviously had not a clue. The catboy wasn't much of a boy scout or an outdoorsman. He had spent most of his days indoors, in his territory and where he had felt safe.

"Uh. I hope you do know how to light these, because I haven't a clue."