It took a long time, but I eventually started to regain control over my powers by shifting most of my energy into another dimension. The process left me in a state of perpetual exhaustion, but at least I didn't have to worry about accidentally destroying the safe house anymore. I kept up the effort hoping it would get easier the more I did it. Doom Dragon visited me at the safe house one day when I was nearly out of strength. I was surprised to see him. I thought he was jealous of me. Maybe he realized what a pathetic state I was in and came to gloat.

"I'm here to see how you're doing, Brother," he said.
"Come on in," I said, guiding him through the front door. "Make yourself comfortable."

Doom Dragon sat down on the couch. I tossed him a bottle of water. He caught it and drank it down in one tyrannical gulp.

"So are you feeling better?" he asked. "You look terrible."
"I haven't been getting much sleep lately. I think I'll be back to my old self soon... I'm getting back more and more control over my powers every passing day."

"Good, because we still need you. I want you to know that I'm here for you. Brother Smoke and Nightmare as well... All of us are still here for you. You're going to get back on your feet, and when you do, we'll be here to support you."

I was touched. Maybe Doom Dragon wasn't the person I thought he was.

"Thank you, Brother. I've been stuck here for so long, I feel like I've lost touch with everything. Truth be told, I was starting to worry that the Brotherhood was in danger."

"Heh. Don't worry about that. We're stronger than ever. The Wild Cards are still a problem for us, but we'll get them when the time is right. Once you're back to normal, we could try going on the offensive for a change. What do you think of that?"

"I'll help in any way I can."

Doom Dragon got up and patted me firmly on the shoulder.

"Glad to hear it, Brother Rex. Glad to hear it. I know we've had our differences, but the fact remains: you are one of us. That will never change. I have something for you. A letter from our leader. He couldn't come to see you himself, as you might expect. The doctors are treating him well. We hope to see him back at the Animal Fortress soon."

Doom Dragon reached into his satchel and pulled out a letter. On the outside was written: REX.

"He told me he hopes to see you soon. I'll be back to visit you in a few days. Get some rest, and get better soon. Brotherhood before all."

"Thank you again, Doom Dragon. The Brotherhood is lucky to have a man like you with us. Brotherhood before all."

With that, Doom Dragon handed me the letter and left the safe house. I went back to bed and wrapped myself up in blankets before reading the letter. I was shivering. My brief conversation with Doom Dragon had stirred up my emotions. My psychic power was getting the best of me again. I needed to relax, to calm myself down before I destroyed everything in sight.

I didn't dare to read the letter from Ghost Wolf until I was sure I was in control of my power. It was a slow process, but after several minutes I felt the chaos in my mind settle down.

I read the letter from Ghost Wolf. The words were written neatly in sharp contrast to the dreadful and insane contents within.

Dear Brother Rex,

I hope this message reaches you well. I'm sorry I cannot meet you. I wanted to. I've heard you are very sick. Maybe it's best we don't meet. I've done terrible things, crimes that cannot be atoned for.

I willingly gave up my seat on the Council. Do not think it was out of selflessness. The beast inside of me has gone wild. I cannot control myself and I am scared. I cannot stay in this hospital any longer. The doctors here are trying to brainwash me into committing suicide. I know it. They keep showing me pictures of dead women. I can't get their screams out of my head. I want to live. I want to live like you, Brother. I want to be cured of this sickness too.

I don't have the strength to die. Brother, I can't think straight anymore. My thoughts are jumbled. I don't know what's going on around me. I think they're drugging my food. I'm scared of what they'll do next. I'm scared of the animals they bring into my room. Too many here want to see my blood. I cannot stay here any longer.

I'm sorry, Brother. I've made mistakes, but I want to atone for what I've done. I shall make up for my weakness. I have something terrible to tell you. The rest of the Brothers are planning to kill you. I am so sorry. I can't stop them. I will give you the chance to escape death. I, the loyal Wolf, release you from your oath to the Brothers. I release you from your loyalty to them. If you run quickly, they won't be able to catch you. Run, Brother, and hide!

I will escape this place. I will escape, and then you and I will meet again. Remember, the Brothers cannot be trusted. Death Smoke, Straylight, and Nightmare will try to kill you. I tried to talk them out of it, but their minds are filled with anger and hate. They do not fear you and your powers. If you find yourself in their clutches, you are as good as dead. I entrust this letter with Brother Dragon. He's a worthy man and I pray that he will share this message with you before the worst comes to pass.

I am sorry that I cannot serve the Brothers loyally. I regret what I did. Goodbye, dear Rex.

Ghost Wolf

I folded up the letter. A trembling sensation took over my body. I grabbed more blankets and bundled myself up into a nest. My dark bedroom swayed back and forth. The walls were breathing in and out as if they were alive. I closed my eyes and tried to keep myself still. Ghost Wolf was out of his mind, wasn't he? Were the Brothers really planning on killing me? Not Death Smoke. Straylight and Nightmare, though... they would have no mercy for me.

I didn't want to believe it, but I couldn't stop myself from thinking about it. Would they be able to catch me if I ran away? When would they come for me? Would I even be able to survive on my own without their help? If they truly wanted to kill me, why did they bring me food and water when I was at my most helpless? Were they trying to get my guard down before they delivered the killing blow?

I chose to ignore the letter. I didn't want to believe anything Ghost Wolf wrote. It was a sick joke, a desperate attempt to control me. I was working hard to get my powers under control so that I wouldn't be a burden to the Brotherhood. I didn't want to leave. I didn't want to run away. Even if they were planning to kill me, I wanted to stay with the Animal Brotherhood until the very end.

I shivered in my cocoon of blankets and wondered if they would kill me in my sleep.