Where the wolves go, ravens follow (Creepypasta)

Chapter 25: Patrol with Liu

I was allowed to take it easy for a few days because of my wounds. Whatever 'easy' meant for them. They still gave me work to do. Paperwork, simple cleaning, cooking. At least I wasn't bored... My wounds heal faster thanks to my Proxy symbol. I never questioned how it works. It's appreciated that it helps with recovering. Especially with how many times I end up injured.

''So, what happened on your mission? Heard you got shot.'' Liu asked

''Yeah, we were s-s-shot at when we found the ritual spot. Presumably it was the c-cultists. Although it a-also could've been s-somebody who thought we were the cultists. There were red symbols painted everywhere.''

''Any updates?''

''T-They did their best to remove their traces. A lot of symbols had suddenly d-d-disappeared alongside with other items.''

''None have been found yet?''

''No...'' I sighed

''They can't hide forever.''

''Bet you and Jeff were d-disappointed to hear I survived.'' I mumbled

''What..? We don't want you dead.''

''Right. Two killers don't want me dead?''

''Doesn't mean we want you dead. You kill too. We have to live by the code, don't kill other inhabitants. Only kill for orders. Besides, not like we entered this life willingly. It's just a part of us now and we've accepted it.''

I didn't know how to reply to that. He had a point. It still doesn't justify Jeff's asshole behavior– I glanced at Liu, particularly his splotchy green hair. Whatever dye that must've been, it was strong. His hair has been like that for less than a month now.

''So... W-What happened t-to your hair..? I mean it's dyed, obviously. S-Still, was it intentional..?'' I asked, trying to light up the mood. We still had a while before the patrol was over...

''Not intentional. Jeff's the suspect.''

''Not that I can't imagine him doing something like this, b-but what makes y-y-you think it was him.''

''Apparently he bought the green dye.''

''Any idea why he needed it?''

''My brother refused to elaborate.''

''Okay...''

''He accused you of being the colporate.''

''Me..? Do you know why?''

''You were checking the smoke alarms so you were in the corridor of our bedrooms.''

''That's a stupid theory.''

''Right? Everybody is allowed to go there.''

''B-B-Besides, my t-tracker history literally is proof of me staying in the halls.''

''Jeff isn't the brightest Woods.'' Liu shrugged

''Acts before he thinks.'' I added

''Yeah.''

''Well, at least it m-m-matches your green eyes.'' I commented

''You think?'' He chuckled

''Gotta look on the bright s-side s-somehow right?'' I shrugged

''Guess so...''

I could tell Liu cared for Jeff but as a typical sibling also had his bad moments with him. Or maybe it was Sully talking. I find it hard to tell them apart. Especially since I don't spend much time with him. It made me think of Lyra. We never had any big fights. Maybe when we were kids a few stupid arguments. Nothing that made us resent each other. I always looked up to her. I always loved her. I still do. I miss her so much. I hope she's doing okay.

I felt tears form in my eyes. They wouldn't be noticeable thanks to my goggles but I still avoided looking at Liu for the moment. I cleared my throat.

''Do you a-and Jeff have missions t-together a lot?''

''Ehh not a lot because we tend to end up bickering. But i'm one of the few that can put up with Jeff.''

''When d-does he h-have missions?''

''As far as I know he has an irregular schedule.''

I see, more of a last minute add on when it comes to planning...

I hope asking so many questions doesn't seem suspicious. I'm just trying to make small talk. Yeah, totally not trying to secretly get info for Kage...!

''I have a patrol with him later this week. Same time as us.''

''Friday?''

''No, Saturday.''

''Alright.''

...

''Wait, how can painted symbols disappear..? How did they remove them?'' Liu asked after a long silence

I should've explained when I first told him, totally forgot.

''On some t-trees t-there were literal pieces of b-bark stripped away where the symbols were located.''

''That's... Eerie. Have you ever seen the symbols anywhere else?''

''N-N-No, none of us have. Still investigating everything, not much progress yet.''

''Okay, if there's any extra help needed let me know.''

''Thanks, i'll tell T-Tim that.''

We had to check the forest from afternoon till evening. The only thing 'out of the ordinary' was a hole in the ground something had dug. But we quickly discovered it was from a coyote when we saw paw prints in the dirt nearby. I hope the information I got can help Kage.

The sky was gloomy, not quite dark yet but the sun was slowly starting to set. Me and Liu were on our way back. Our shift was done. I didn't see or hear any ravens or an extra pair of footsteps. The patrol was suspiciously ordinary. If we patrolled further, outside the border, maybe we would've encountered something suspicious. Today was an inside border patrol for us. Actually that's a good thing. Nothing bad inside the border.

.

.

.

At the mansion the two others who were going to take over our shift were waiting for us, ready to leave.

''Nothing out of the ordinary.'' I reported

It's not unusual for not a thing to happen on a patrol mission. But it always leaves me paranoid. What if we missed something? Better to be prepared for anything in this unpredictable life.

''Alright, me and Kyle will be going now.'' Hoodie nodded before putting out his cigarette in the ashtray

Liu and I watched Hoodie and Kyle disappear into the now pitch black forest. I know Kyle preferes to patrol alone but it's a safety rule to patrol in pairs. It was weird to have a shift with somebody you almost never have a shift with. I'm so used to my regular patrol partners.

Maybe it's a good thing they're switching things up. Not everybody is always available. We have to work as a team, whether we like it or not. I didn't mind patrolling with Liu.

''Damn i'm hungry.'' Liu mumbled

I was too. I hadn't eaten since breakfast.

''Wanna raid the fridge for leftovers? Or find something to eat in general...'' He suggested

''Sure.''

Not often that I eat with a non-Proxy. I wonder where Kage was and what he was doing. I'll see if I can find him before going to bed.