Squeeeee! I'm so SO happy you like it! You were in my mind as I was writing, because I know I can go really dark and you'll still enjoy it -- thank you for that! This:

maybe they weren't animals on that island or even turning into them, but he is now.

is so perceptive -- even though he pulled the trigger on Locke, and all the other uncivilized things he did on the island, he was still more civilized there than he is back in the world now.

I'm just so glad you liked this, it made my morning. Thank you, and ♥ ♥ ♥