Lycanthropy and Me: The First Semester(mlm)

Day 72. Sunday, Waxing Crescent (Part One)

After spending a day resting in safe surroundings, Hunter could analyze the event of their camping trip with better clarity. Hoping for input on his theories, he called upon Abner Hodges.

"The more I think about what happened, the more about it doesn't make sense," Hunter said, cradling his phone to his ear as he paced Redwood's browning lawn. There was a formidable autumn chill threatening to seep into his jacket, but he persisted.

"I think I was sitting in the middle seat before we were knocked out. Why was I the one that he pulled out of the car? What made him want to take me and not Ashley or Grayson?"

"Luck of the draw, maybe?" Hodges scratched at his whisker-laden chin. "Not gonna pretend Psychos like that are workin' with logic and sense."

Hunter sighed. "Okay but what about his creepy underground lab thing? All that equipment had to cost a lot. What was he doing out there? You think he was going to dissect us? Or..." He trailed off.

"You know what I think?" Abner sighed. "That you should leave the investigating to the investigators. Go out of town with your little boyfriend and go...frolic or somethin'."

Hunter winced. "Please never use that word again." After a pause, he added. "But you think I should go?"

"Look, I'd love to dole out more advice but I do have other cases to work on. So let me rehash my two cents. Leave the case alone and skip town. Oh, and uh, use protection."

"Gahhh!" Hunter flinched. "WE HAVEN'T EVEN--" He caught himself. "We're are NOT having that conversation! Just...Tell me if you hear anything new okay!? BYE--" Recoiling with a visible cringe, Hunter put his phone away and headed for the mess hall. Maybe after the holiday, he could get Abner to look into any progress on the investigation, but for now, he would leave the man be.

Grayson was waiting at the end of one of their usual tables, sitting with his back to the wall and his eyes glancing about the room.

Hunter grabbed lunch for himself and headed for the table. He felt as if someone's eyes were watching, but he dismissed the sensation. Serena was gone. Colton was surely on the other side of the country. And his newest "friend" was already being chased by government officials. Well, hopefully.

The conversation started light enough. They talked about Ashley's less than cheery replies and Notes' scattered responses in their group chat. Hunter munched down on the lukewarm cheesesteak and got to the next topic before they could get derailed.

"I think if I'm gonna go..." He paused. "I'm going to have to shift first."

He could see the apprehension in Grayson's face but he continued. "Listen, I'm still off cycle. I can kinda feel it coming, but there's no telling when it will happen now, so I think it's better if I just--Like--get it out of the way instead of waiting for it to show up."

"I understand but...Is that even possible?"

"I think so. Ever since that last time I've kind of felt it. It's hard to explain. Usually, towards the end of the cycle I just resist changing as long as I can, you know. But now there's this weird feeling...Like, if I try I can just...start things off myself."

"That sounds pretty dangerous." Grayson frowned. "Are you sure you can do it? I don't want you to push yourself."

Hunter leaned back and shrugged "Not changing is the hard part. I've been doing this for years. Month after month. I hate it, but I know it's just part of my life. And if I can learn to control how and when shift--That would be amazing. Worst case scenario I wind up napping through Thanksgiving."