Lycanthropy and Me: The First Semester(mlm)

Day 54, Wednesday. Waxing Gibbous

Day 54, Wednesday. Waxing Gibbous

Hunter woke up squashed between Grayson and the wall. At some point, he had shed his skeleton hoodie, and his right foot was dangling off the bed, completely exposed to the autumn chill.

Halloween was over, and with it went October. It was now a normal day in November, and Hunter's stomach--full of candy and expensive cheeses was starting to ache.

Grayson stirred next to him, rising for his morning class.

Swathing himself in the blanket as Grayson tiptoed around Hunter was about to go back to sleep when he remained the other half of his bargain with Sandra.

'I'll come in early Wednesday, and Friday, promise!'

If he could go back in time and kick himself, he would. Of course, if he could go back in time at all, he could have prevented half of his issues that semester.

After kissing Grayson goodbye he left Marconi behind, driving back to his dorm.

It seemed all of Redwood was asleep, and with good reason. At least a thousand different students were nursing a hangover that morning. Pumpkin guts, candy, and empty cups were strewn about across the lawn.

Hunter was sad to see it all end so soon. The paper ghosts that hung from the lamps now looked tired and sad.

He parked his cart just outside the Howard dorm, grabbed his crutches, and headed inside.

The quiet hum of the overhead lights welcomed him inside. The hallways were quiet.

Hunter fished out the key to his room, already debating if he had enough time for a shower and a cup of tea before he released something was very, very wrong.

But he had already unlocked the door, and as he peered inside his room, he could make out the silhouette of a figure sitting at his desk.

Short chestnut brown hair, pale unblemished skin. His dark eyebrows arched and his lips curled in amusement.

"I was very worried." The tone of voice suggested disapproval. "But I know how much you love the holidays."

One hand still on the doorknob, Hunter stood frozen. His mouth felt dry, and he was vaguely aware of the fact that he had dropped one of his crutches.

"I told you, you don't need those things."

Colton rose from the chair, causing it to roll backward. The hallway lighting illuminated him, slightly taller than Hunter, dressed in all black.

"Nothing to say?"

As he grew closer, Hunter felt as if he were moving in slow motion. It seemed the whole world was slowing to a crawl and he had become a statue, screaming in his mind but not letting out even the faintest whisper.

Then the tears came, blurring his vision and streaming down his face as Colton embraced him.

"And who is this?" His grip on Hunter tightened as he inhaled deeply. "Found yourself someone to play with?"

Colton pulled away to get a good look at Hunter's face. All he could see in it was fear.

Colton sighed. "This is going to take longer than I thought." Cupping Hunter's face in his hands he continued, "Just leave everything to me. And until I say so..." He whispered into his ear. "Don't. Speak."

"It would be good if you packed light."