She wrapped her arms around herself, attempting to shield her body from the cool night air that enveloped her. She shivered despite herself. Half of her wanted to turn back, to see if they were still watching – and half of her wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. She knew what lay ahead, and she didn’t want to face that either. Instead she kept her eyes downcast, watching her feet as they carried her slowly forward.

They were sending her to him. Her life was forfeit now that they had figured it out; they didn’t care what happened to her. She was one of Them, one of the Wolves. She was the reason some of them had died, the reason they had been turned against each other – and even if none of it was direct, she worked for him, and he was the enemy. They placed all the blame on her shoulders. She laughed as she recollected. They honestly thought they would be safe now that she was gone. They thought the horror was over.

“Fools,” she spat.

She knew he wouldn’t tolerate this. She knew what her chances were, but maybe… Maybe he would feel merciful. She had been good to him, right? She had never failed him before. She was so loyal… Maybe her devotion had meant something to him.

“If you fail me, your life is forfeit.” That’s what he had told them when he had gathered them. That was their motivation. She was trying to push it out of her head when she head his familiar growling voice.

“Ty.”

She stopped, turned, looked him in the eyes. She knew this look, she just never thought it would be directed at her…

“Master,” she mumbled.
“You were careless.”
“Yes…”
“They discovered you.”
“Yes.”
“It wouldn’t be fair if I let you live…” There was a tone of finality in his voice, and she knew he had decided before the game even started. Failure would not be tolerated. Her loyalty meant nothing to him.

What was that in his hands…? He was toying with something, and though it glistened when he moved it a certain way, she couldn’t be sure what it was.

“I suppose I’ll make it quick,” he sighed. “This is your first mistake.”
“And last,” she intended, but never got to speak it.

Seconds after his words he was behind her, and he had wound something around her neck. She felt it cut into her skin. Wire.

“You don’t want to die.”
He knew. It wasn’t a question because it didn’t need to be – he knew. He could see it in her eyes.

“A pity,” he mused.

The wire tightened and she felt a warmth from her neck. There was no pain, and she couldn’t help but wonder if… If he was being considerate…?

“Truly a shame.”

He pulled tighter; blood flowed freely now, and she could barely breathe as she choked out what would be her last words.

“B… But master… I was so… so loyal to you…”

Rake yanked the wire then. It went black. It was over.
He kicked her severed head away from his feet with a sneer of disgust.
He let her body fall.
Someone else would take care of it.

“What a waste.”