[He rolls out of bed heavily and pushes to his feet. He feels like a house was dropped on him. Or a hotel. He's groggy, wobbly, and his mind is adrift in that still half-asleep haze that often accompanies a rough night. With a yawn, he wanders to his bathroom to splash some cold water on his face and wash up.]

[It takes a moment to register; the light streaming in through his hotel room window. Light, when his last memory was of absolute bedlam and chaos. Of the world ending. Of his friends gone and being unable to help them.]

[He rushes to the window and looks out. The town was there. Everything was back to normal. There was no way that was a dream, right? Everything that had happened? It lasted for a month for gods' sake!]

[Frantic, he turns and throws his hotel room door opening. There he stands, this 6'3" well-muscled brick wall of a man in his boxers that have lassos printed on the pale blue fabric, looking around wide-eyed and dumbfounded.]

... ... ...

WHAT THE F—

[Despite all of the trauma and terror that accompanied the last month, Darin's in good spirits. The diner was back, the town seemed okay, and while there was still plenty to figure out, it's not like they couldn't celebrate this victory, right? Languishing in all of the bad just didn't seem to fit with this fun atmosphere, so he was leaving those worries at the door. He doesn't know how long he's been at the diner, but it's gotta be getting close to dawn.]

Hey, what do you say to one last drink or dance and then we head on out of here? I bet the sun's do up sometime soon!

[Of all the things that could be attacking them, Darin certainly felt relieved that it was these Chupacabra things. Not that he had any idea as to what the hell they were, but a tangible threat was leagues better than an existential one and this was an almost pleasant change from doppelgangers and the world literally ending. He has no weapon, but that suits him just fine. With his super strength and heightened resilience, he's more than a tough mark for these beasts.]

[Which is why he's out tonight, purposefully trying to lure as many as he can to keep them away from those who can't fight. When they get in close, he dodges and weaves with well-practiced movements, grinning all the while. He could take them on one at a time, but he waits until at least two or three try to tag him. When they pounce, he strikes with devastating precision; punches and kicks that sound like cannon fire crack against their hides and propel them away with tremendous force.]

HAH! Come on! Is that all you've got? At least give me a bit of a warm-up, will ya??

[Maybe he spoke too soon about things being better.]

[It started with just the feeling of being watched; a feeling that Darin felt familiar and only slightly uncomfortable. But even he could gather that being as loud as he is, he'd probably garnered plenty of attention wherever he came from. But as time went on, those gazed grew more fierce. Judgmental. Full of prejudice and disdain and suddenly, it was shaking him to his very core. He tried hiding out in his room for a few days, but the eyes followed him. They appeared in every shadow, every nook. Every time he closed his eyes he could see them, could feel them.]

[He'd made his way to one of the abandoned buildings. He knew he couldn't hide but he had to be alone somehow. Finally, it all boils over. His anger, his frustration, his guilt.]

I'M SORRY, OKAY?! I'M SORRY I SURVIVED!! I'M SORRY I GOT TO LIVE AND YOU DIDN'T!! I'M SORRY I'M SO DAMN CURSED!! ALL I EVER WANTED WAS TO BE A NORMAL KID!! I DIDN'T WANT TO BE DIFFERENT!!

[He stumbles back from the force of his own yelling and drops to the floor, stunned at the words he'd just bellowed out. What did he mean by any of that? He's so consumed by this admission that he hasn't noticed if anyone overheard him...]