# PAIN BREEDER – CHAPTER 12: "BROKEN OATH"
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**FADE IN:**
**EXT. FOREST – CAMP AREA – NIGHT**
The wounded Breeder lay on the ground.
The arrow in his back was embedded deep. The blood was slowly turning black. Poisoned.
Erett bent down and examined the arrow. His face tightened.
**ERETT**
This… is not one of Cain's men's arrows. It's an ordinary hunter's arrow.
**REN**
What's the difference?
**ERETT**
Cain's men leave no trace. This arrow… was shot in a hurry. By someone trying to hide.
The wounded Breeder's breathing was raspy. His eyes were half-closed.
**WOUNDED BREEDER (weak, trembling voice)**
…Please… my wife… my child… in the forest…
**REN**
Where are they?
**WOUNDED BREEDER**
…North… an abandoned cabin… They're hiding…
The man's eyes closed. His breathing stopped.
Erett shook his head.
**ERETT**
He's dead.
Ren closed the man's eyes. Then he stood up.
**REN**
We need to go to the cabin in the north.
**ERETT**
This could be a trap.
**REN**
I know. But maybe it's not.
Erett was silent for a moment. Then he nodded.
**ERETT**
Let me send word to Garrick. Ask for reinforcements.
**REN**
There's no time. We'll go alone.
Erett looked into Ren's eyes. There was no more helplessness in those eyes. Only determination.
**ERETT**
…Alright. But you will not disobey my orders.
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**EXT. FOREST – NORTH – SOME TIME LATER**
The night had grown very dark. Moonlight barely filtered through the trees.
Erett walked in front, Ren behind. Both were silent. Only the crackling of branches and the distant sound of owls could be heard.
**ERETT (whispering)**
After that hill, the cabin should come into view.
Ren nodded.
Just then, a branch snapped.
Both stopped at once.
**ERETT (whispering)**
…Someone's there.
A shadow moved among the trees. A thin, fragile shadow.
Then a woman's voice rose.
**WOMAN'S VOICE (trembling, fearful)**
Who are you? Please… don't hurt us…
Erett and Ren stepped out from between the trees.
The woman was young. Her face was covered in scars. She held a knife in her hand, but her hands trembled so much the knife nearly fell.
**ERETT (calm, gentle voice)**
We are not hunters. We don't hunt Breeders.
The woman's eyes filled with tears.
**WOMAN**
My husband… did you see my husband? Did he… send you to us?
**REN**
Your husband is dead.
The woman's face crumbled. The knife fell from her hand.
**WOMAN**
No… no, please… don't say that…
A child's voice came from behind the trees.
**CHILD (crying)**
Mommy… mommy…
A little girl emerged from between the trees. Her eyes were wide open, her cheeks wet with tears.
The woman took the girl into her arms and held her tightly.
**WOMAN**
Shh… shh… I'm here…
Ren looked at the woman. Then at Erett.
**REN**
We need to take them to the guild.
**ERETT**
Not without asking Garrick.
**REN**
Then ask him. But we can't leave them here.
Erett took a deep breath.
**ERETT**
…Fine. But they will be kept under surveillance.
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**EXT. FOREST – CAIN'S CAMP – NIGHT**
Keisecan sat by the fire.
The baby was in his arms, sleeping. Its tiny hands twitched in the air, occasionally making a small sound.
Keisecan stared at the baby. There was something in his eyes. Not fear, not sadness. Just emptiness.
**CAIN (on the other side of the fire, calm voice)**
What are you thinking, little aide?
Keisecan didn't answer.
**CAIN**
You couldn't kill the baby. But you couldn't kill the woman either. Actually, you didn't do anything at all.
Keisecan's hands trembled.
**KEISE (whispering)**
…I am not a murderer.
**CAIN**
Not yet.
Cain stood up. He began to walk slowly around the fire.
**CAIN**
But you saw what Breeders are. Did that woman lie to you? Don't Breeders kill families? They do. Just like your family.
Keisecan's eyes filled with tears. But he didn't cry.
**CAIN**
When that baby grows up, it will become a Breeder too. And one day, it will kill another family. If you save it now, more people will die later.
**KEISE (voice trembling)**
…It's a baby. Innocent.
**CAIN**
A Breeder is born, a Breeder grows. There is no such thing as innocence.
Valerius stepped out from the shadow of a tree. He was puffing his cigarette.
**VALERIUS**
Enough, Cain. Stop manipulating the child.
Cain stopped. He turned his head toward Valerius.
**CAIN**
Manipulating? I'm teaching him the truth.
**VALERIUS**
You're teaching him your truth. There's a difference.
Cain's eyes narrowed.
**CAIN**
Are you defying me too, Valerius?
**VALERIUS**
I'm not defying you. I'm just not letting you brainwash a child.
They stood face to face. Yesser's spear was about to come between them again when…
**FROSTMORNE (cold, flat voice)**
Stop it. Both of you. There's a big hunt tomorrow. We need to rest.
Cain looked at Valerius one last time. Then he turned his back.
**CAIN**
Keisecan. Take the baby. Sleep.
Keisecan nodded silently.
The baby was still sleeping in his arms. Its tiny hands twitched in the air.
Keisecan looked at the baby. His eyes were empty. But something inside him was breaking.
---
**INT. YONCA GUILD – GARRICK'S TENT – MORNING**
Garrick stood before the woman and the child.
The woman sat on the ground, her daughter in her lap. Both were trembling.
**GARRICK (calm, but authoritative voice)**
What is your name?
**WOMAN (trembling)**
…Mira.
**GARRICK**
Mira. Where is your husband?
**WOMAN**
Dead… hunters killed him…
**GARRICK**
Who found you?
**WOMAN**
Two men… one older, one young. They weren't Breeders… but they helped us.
Garrick looked at Ren and Erett.
**GARRICK**
Why did you bring them to the guild?
**ERETT**
Ren wanted to.
Garrick turned to Ren.
**GARRICK**
Why?
**REN**
Because they are like us. Running. Hiding. They don't want to die.
Garrick was silent for a moment. Then he took a deep breath.
**GARRICK**
Breeders cannot stay here. You know the rules.
**REN**
Then change the rules.
Garrick's eyes narrowed.
**GARRICK**
Who are you to tell me to change the rules?
**REN**
I am the man who agreed to become a monster to save his mother.
Silence.
Garrick looked into Ren's eyes for a long time. Then he looked at the woman and the child.
**GARRICK**
…They can stay temporarily. But they will be kept under surveillance. And at the first mistake… they will know the consequences.
Mira's eyes filled with tears.
**MIRA (whispering)**
Thank you…
Garrick turned his back.
**GARRICK**
Ren. You stay. We have things to discuss.
Erett led the woman and child out.
Only Garrick and Ren remained in the tent.
**GARRICK**
What did you feel when you faced Cain?
Ren thought for a moment.
**REN**
…Nothing.
**GARRICK**
Don't lie.
**REN**
Fine. I was afraid. But at the same time… I felt something toward him. Not respect. But… understanding.
**GARRICK**
Understanding? He's a murderer.
**REN**
I know. But he was once like us too. He lost. He broke. And then… he turned into a monster.
Garrick listened silently.
**REN**
I don't want to turn into a monster.
Garrick nodded.
**GARRICK**
Then you're on the right path. But remember, Ren. In this world, good intentions are not enough. Sometimes, you need a sword too.
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**EXT. FOREST – CAIN'S CAMP – SUNRISE**
The sun was just rising.
Keisecan held the baby in his arms. The baby had woken up and was looking at him. Its tiny hands waved in the air, trying to catch Keisecan's finger.
Keisecan's eyes filled with tears. But he didn't cry.
**CAIN (from behind, cold voice)**
Get ready. There's a new hunt.
Keisecan held the baby tighter.
**KEISE**
What will happen to the baby?
**CAIN**
You'll carry it with you. We'll use it against the Breeders.
Keisecan's hands trembled. But he didn't let go of the baby.
Cain turned his back.
**CAIN**
Come on. We don't have time to waste.
Keisecan stood up. The baby in his arms, still trying to catch his finger.
**KEISE (whispering, to the baby)**
…I will protect you.
Cain didn't hear. But Valerius did. He puffed his cigarette and smiled faintly.
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**FADE OUT.**
**[END OF CHAPTER 12]**