Thirteen - The Ties That Bind

The Ties That Bind

It was Halloween night, and the air was thick with the sound of laughter and music as Harmony wandered through the party. The festive atmosphere surrounded her, people in costumes laughing, dancing, and enjoying the celebration. She had lost track of time as the drinks flowed freely, her laughter joining the crowd's. Her vision was a little blurred, and the world seemed to sway with each step, but it felt good to just let go. She had spent the evening with some friends, a group of familiar faces, but now they had all scattered. Harmony, a bit tipsy and ready to head home, decided it was time to leave the party behind.

The streets were quiet as she made her way toward the edge of the woods. The cool night air hit her face as she stumbled toward the familiar path through the forest, hoping it would be a shortcut to her house. The trees loomed tall on either side, their twisted branches looking like dark fingers against the starless sky. She tried to steady herself, but the ground beneath her felt uneven, making her every step feel uncertain.

The forest had always been a little creepy at night, but tonight it felt different—darker, somehow. Harmony's mind swirled with a fog of alcohol, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right. She paused for a moment, listening to the rustling of leaves in the distance, the soft crunch of twigs beneath her feet. Her heart raced, but she tried to push the unease aside. Maybe it was just the booze messing with her.

As she walked deeper into the forest, the sounds of the party faded into the distance, replaced by the quiet whispers of the wind. Her senses were dulled, but she kept moving, telling herself it would all be fine.

That's when she heard it—the unmistakable sound of voices.

At first, Harmony thought it was just her imagination playing tricks on her, but then she heard one voice clearly—Abbie's. It stopped her in her tracks. Abbie? Out here in the woods, on Halloween night? The thought didn't sit well with her, and she tried to shake the unease creeping up her spine.

She moved toward the voices, trying to stay hidden behind the trees. She couldn't see them clearly yet, but she could make out the sounds of movement.

Harmony's heart skipped a beat. What were they doing out here together? And why were they speaking in such low voices? She stepped closer, trying to get a better look, but the darkness made it hard to see. She crouched behind a thick bush, her breath catching in her throat.

And then she saw them.

Abbie stood there, looking different than usual. The way she held herself was strange, like she wasn't the same person Harmony knew. Her movements were sharper, almost predatory. Harmony's stomach turned as she watched Kai, who was standing far too close to her, a wicked smile on his face. The tension in the air was palpable.

Harmony didn't know what to make of it. Something about the scene felt wrong—too intimate, too dangerous.

Then, it happened.

Abbie's body began to contort, her limbs stretching and twisting in ways that were impossible. The transformation was slow at first, but then it accelerated, her body growing fur, her face elongating into a snout, her eyes glowing an unnatural yellow. Harmony's breath caught in her throat as she realized what was happening—Abbie was turning into a wolf. A massive, terrifying creature, right before her eyes. The girl she had known was gone, replaced by something monstrous.

The wolf snarled at Kai, its eyes wild with fury, and for the briefest moment, Harmony thought she saw Kai flinch, but he didn't seem afraid. In fact, he seemed oddly pleased.

Harmony's heart was pounding in her chest as fear surged through her veins. Her mind was racing, but her body didn't wait for her to make sense of it. She turned and ran, her feet pounding the forest floor as fast as they could carry her. She didn't look back, not even once. The sounds of the forest, the howling wind, and the cracking of branches filled her ears as she pushed herself forward, her mind only focused on getting home.

She stumbled through the woods, her breath coming in gasps, her head spinning from the alcohol. She didn't know how far she had run, but all she cared about was escaping whatever she had just seen. Abbie—Kai—and the terrifying thing that had just happened. She couldn't make sense of it. It was too much. She had to get home.

The edge of the forest finally appeared in the distance, the faint glow of streetlights welcoming her back to safety. She could feel the warmth of the city, the familiarity of home, and she pushed herself harder, her legs burning with exhaustion.

When she finally reached the edge of the woods, she didn't stop. She kept running, her breath ragged and her body trembling. She didn't slow down until she reached her house, slamming the door behind her and locking it tight.

Harmony leaned against the door, her chest heaving with the effort of her run, but her mind was racing. What had she just seen? Was it real? Was Abbie really a werewolf? The questions swirled in her head, but she couldn't answer any of them.

The sun hung low in the sky as Saturday morning arrived, and with it, Harmony's exhaustion. She hadn't slept a wink, her mind endlessly replaying the events of the previous night. She could still hear the snap of Abbie's bones twisting and the low growl that followed, but doubt gnawed at her. Had she really seen it? She'd been drunk—drunker than she'd ever been before. Could it all have been some hazy, alcohol-fueled hallucination? Maybe the whole thing had just been a bad dream.

But there was something deep inside her that told her it was real. She needed answers, and she needed them now.

Determined, Harmony grabbed her bike, her legs shaky from lack of sleep. The ride to Abbie's house felt like a blur, her thoughts bouncing from doubt to certainty with every pedal. When she finally arrived, her palms were sweaty, and her heart was pounding with both anxiety and anticipation.

Harmony parked her bike on the sidewalk and took a deep breath before ringing the doorbell. Her stomach twisted in knots as she waited. She wasn't even sure what she wanted to hear anymore—just that she needed some closure, one way or another.

The door opened, and Abbie stood there, looking surprised but not particularly thrilled to see her. Harmony tried to steady herself, but the uncertainty still lingered in the pit of her stomach.

"Harmony? What are you doing here?" she asked, voice light and casual, but there was something guarded in her expression.

Harmony's throat tightened. She'd rehearsed what she was going to say, but now that she was here, the words wouldn't come out. Everything seemed so much bigger now, more overwhelming, especially the thought of confronting Abbie about what she'd seen.

"I... I saw you yesterday," Harmony finally said, her voice trembling. "I saw you turn into a wolf."

For a split second, Abbie's eyes widened. It was quick, almost imperceptible, but Harmony noticed. Then, just as fast, it was gone, replaced by an easy smile.

"You did, huh?" Abbie said, her voice light, almost mocking. "So, the first time you got drunk?"

Harmony felt her stomach twist. "I was drunk, but... It felt real. It didn't feel like a hallucination."

Abbie's smile faltered for a brief second, but she quickly recovered, her voice smoother now. "I don't know, Harmony, but I was home last night," she said, a little too quickly, a little too easily.

Harmony's heart sank. Abbie was lying. There was no way she hadn't noticed her, especially with everything that had happened. But the alcohol still clouded Harmony's mind, and doubt began to creep in.

"I wasn't imagining it," Harmony said, trying to push through the fog of uncertainty. "I saw you. I heard you."

Abbie sighed, crossing her arms. "I don't know what to tell you. I was at home, okay? Maybe it was the alcohol."

Harmony frowned. "That's not it. Can I come inside? We need to talk."

Abbie shook her head, her expression hardening. "No, Harmony. I really don't want to do this right now. Could you just go?"

The finality in her tone made Harmony's chest tighten. She couldn't believe it. This wasn't the Abbie she knew. There was something off about all of this.

"But—" Harmony started, but Abbie wasn't having it.

"I said go," Abbie cut her off, her voice firm

Harmony's mind raced. She wanted to argue, to push, to demand answers, but the coldness in Abbie's voice made her realize it was pointless. Abbie wasn't going to talk. Harmony wasn't going to get anything out of her today.

With a deep sigh, Harmony turned away, defeated for the moment. The door clicked shut behind her, and she stood there for a moment, staring at it. Her mind was a mess, still unsure if she'd seen what she thought she had or if it had all been a product of too much alcohol and a too-late Halloween night.

She walked down the driveway slowly, her feet heavy as she replayed the conversation in her mind. What had she really seen? Could she trust herself? Harmony's doubts only deepened with every step. She didn't know what the truth was anymore.

But one thing was certain: she wasn't going to stop until she figured it out. Whatever was happening with Abbie, Harmony was going to get to the bottom of it.

The door clicked shut behind Harmony, and Abbie stood frozen for a moment, staring at the wooden panels as if they could offer her some kind of escape. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and the walls of her house felt like they were closing in. Harmony knew. She had seen too much. Abbie's mind raced, her pulse quickening. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to know about what she had become—especially not Harmony.

She felt a surge of panic and moved quickly, her hands trembling as she locked the door, as though doing so could lock away the truth she was so desperate to keep hidden. Abbie ran her fingers through her hair, the frustration boiling inside her. Harmony wasn't supposed to see that. She wasn't supposed to find out. But somehow, in her drunken haze, she had.

Abbie hurried into the kitchen. The old, creaky floors seemed louder than usual, the silence deafening. She grabbed the phone from the wall and dialed the number with shaking fingers, glancing toward the front door as if expecting Harmony to come back.

The phone rang twice before it was picked up.

"Hello?" A woman's voice answered, the unmistakable tone of Kai's mother.

"Mrs. Parker," Abbie's voice cracked slightly. She cleared her throat, trying to steady herself. "It's Abbie. I need to speak with Kai."

"Oh, Abbie, it's you! Hang on just a second." There was the sound of rustling, followed by the clatter of a phone being passed.

"Hello?" Kai's voice was cool, almost detached, but there was an edge to it that Abbie recognized.

"Kai," she said quickly, her words tumbling out in a rush. "I... I need to talk to you. It's urgent. Can we meet? I think we need to meet at the diner later. I've got something to tell you."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, a slight rustle of movement as Kai processed her request.

"What's going on?" he asked, his voice low, the casual tone replaced with something more serious.

"I can't explain over the phone," Abbie responded, her words clipped and tense. "Just meet me at the diner. I'll be there at 5. I'll explain everything then."

"Alright. I'll be there." Kai's voice was steady, but Abbie could sense the underlying curiosity—and something else. His protective side, maybe. He knew something was off.

Abbie hung up the phone with a quiet click, staring at the receiver for a moment before slowly placing it back on its base. She sank into a chair at the kitchen table, her fingers running through her hair. Harmony knew. The thought repeated itself in her mind like an echo.

She glanced at the clock. 5 PM felt like an eternity away.

The neon sign outside the diner flickered, casting a pale blue light across the parking lot. The air was cool for a late October evening, and Abbie tugged her jacket tighter around her shoulders as she walked inside. The bell above the door jingled softly as she entered, and she glanced around, her eyes quickly searching for the booth Kai had promised to meet her at.

She spotted him almost immediately—leaning back against the booth with a casual confidence, but there was a tension in the way he held himself. As she approached, Kai looked up, his eyes scanning her face as if trying to gauge her mood. Abbie slid into the seat across from him, her fingers nervously tapping against the table.

"Hey," she greeted him quietly, trying to sound casual, but her voice betrayed the unease she felt. Kai didn't say anything right away, just studied her carefully. After a long beat, he finally spoke, his tone soft but serious.

"So... Harmony saw us last night."

Abbie felt a shiver run down her spine at the mention of her name. She had been hoping to avoid this conversation for a little while longer, but now it was unavoidable. She nodded slowly, taking a deep breath.

"Yeah. She saw everything," Abbie admitted, her eyes briefly darting away. "I didn't even notice her watching us. She saw me turn... into a wolf."

Kai's lips tightened into a thin line as he leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Wasn't she at the Halloween party?" he asked, his voice calm but laced with concern. Abbie's heart sank at the implication, but she nodded.

"Yeah," she muttered. "She was drunk. I was trying to... I don't know, make it look like nothing happened, but she's smart. And she's not one to back down when she feels something's off."

"Did she believe it?" Kai asked, leaning back again, his arms crossing over his chest as he studied her.

Abbie shrugged, frustration building in her chest. "She said she saw me turn. I told her she was probably imagining it, that she was too drunk to remember clearly. I thought she might let it go... but I don't know. She's stubborn."

There was a long pause. The hum of the diner and clinking of silverware seemed distant as Kai processed her words. After a few seconds, he sighed and shook his head.

"You didn't have a choice, Abbie. You couldn't just let her see that. She's better off thinking it was just a bad memory from last night."

"I know," Abbie replied quietly. "But... if she keeps asking, what am I supposed to say? I can't keep lying to her forever. I've already lied to her about enough."

Kai reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small leather pouch. He slid it across the table toward her, and Abbie looked down at it, surprised.

"What's this?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

Kai gave her a small, reassuring smile. "It's something I spelled for you. It won't fix the problem with Harmony, but I hope it will make you feel better."

Abbie opened the pouch and found a delicate silver bracelet inside. It was simple but beautifully crafted, with intricate designs etched into the metal, almost like a series of tiny, interwoven vines. As she picked it up, she felt the coolness of the metal against her skin, and the weight of it seemed oddly grounding.

"It won't stop the transformation from happening, but it will help ease the pain when it does." Kai explained, his voice soft yet steady.

Abbie ran her fingers over the bracelet, her mind racing. She felt a surge of gratitude, but also a deep sense of dread. She wasn't sure if she deserved this kindness after everything, but Kai seemed insistent. She looked up at him, her eyes softening.

"Thank you, Kai," she said quietly. Her voice was thick with emotion. "I... I don't know what's going to happen now, but I'll figure it out."

Kai nodded, his gaze unwavering. "You don't have to figure it out alone. I'm here, Abbie. We're in this together, whatever happens."

Abbie felt a lump form in her throat as she looked at him, the weight of his words sinking in. He wasn't just talking about the bracelet or the wolf. He was talking about everything. The secrecy. The danger. The lies. And somehow, in that moment, it felt like the burden wasn't hers to carry alone anymore.

She looked down at the bracelet once more, feeling a sense of calm settle over her. Maybe she didn't have all the answers, and maybe Harmony's questions weren't going to go away, but for the first time in a long while, Abbie didn't feel so lost. She knew Kai had her back.

But still, a nagging worry lingered in the back of her mind. What if Harmony didn't let it go? What if she dug deeper? What if she figured it out?

But that was a problem for another time. For now, Abbie focused on the warmth in her chest—the connection to Kai, and the fragile thread of hope that maybe, just maybe, things would work out after all.

"Come on, I'll walk you home," Kai said, offering a gesture of kindness that was rare but meaningful.

Abbie gave a small, appreciative smile before stepping out the door, the crisp night air brushing against her skin. She inhaled deeply, trying to shake off the weight of the evening, and the tangled thoughts that had kept her up at night. As they walked, the world felt a little quieter, a little calmer with him by her side.

When she arrived home, the familiar scent of her house filled her senses. She entered the front door, the quiet creak of the hinges a small comfort. The sound of her shoes lightly tapping on the floor echoed as she moved toward the living room, where she found her mother sitting on the couch, a steaming cup of tea in hand, engrossed in an episode of Cheers. The soft hum of the TV and her mother's relaxed posture made the house feel more like home than it had in a long time.

It was the warmth of her mother's voice that drew Abbie's attention away. She looked up, meeting her mother's eyes, who smiled brightly and waved her over with an exaggerated motion.

She looked up, her smile widening as she waved her hands in an exaggerated motion. "Come here, I've got something to tell you."

Abbie arched an eyebrow, a little surprised, but she made her way over to the couch and plopped down next to her mother. "What's up?"

Her mother's grin was almost too wide, her excitement clear. "I've made up my mind—we're not moving again for a long time. I love it here," she said, her eyes sparkling with contentment.

Abbie blinked, surprised. She had grown used to the idea of uprooting every few years, but the thought of staying in one place for longer was oddly comforting. She leaned back into the couch, looking at her mother with a smirk. "Nice to hear that. But that 'long time' better be so long that I've already moved out by the time you decide otherwise."

Her mother's smile faltered for a second, but she quickly recovered, raising an eyebrow playfully. "We'll see about that!" she said, her voice light with teasing.

Abbie couldn't help but laugh, the tension from the evening momentarily lifting as she shared this small, familiar moment with her mother. The idea of stability, of staying somewhere for a while, felt strange—but maybe it wasn't such a bad thing after all.