A Witch and a Werewolf

Change of heart

"Finally!" Gene groaned. He slumped onto the couch. His wrist aching, and his head pounding.

"Will you shut up?" Ivan scoffed. He walked over to the table looking over a sheet of paper. He mumbled to himself, picking up different sheets of paper before tossing them in the air. He was frustrated. But Gene found it annoying that he cared more about some paper than him.

"Seriously," Gene huffed. "No, thank you? No good job? The least you could do is help with my injuries."

"Alright." Ivan sighed. He turned around and snapped his figures together. Gene looked at him like he'd gone mad.

"What was that supposed to do?" He laughed. "Were you hoping to learn magic from sheets of paper?"

"That idiot!" Ivan huffed. He snapped his fingers twice. Nothing happened.

"Which one is more difficult? Fighting a werewolf with twice your strength! Or fighting a half-conscious witch?"

"Weren't you a shadow knight? Did you not get into fights then?"

"That's different!"

"Could we stop the yelling?" A woman with long purple hair walked in. She had cat-like ears and a tail. She had soft tanned skin and wore a black mask to conceal her face. She wore a red flannel jacket over her black matching top and shorts. Her combat boots echoed loud footsteps as she stepped into the room.

"Finally, attend to his injuries please." Ivan turned his attention back to the desk. "I figured you'd get injured in your scuffle. So I'd hired help."

"Michi? What are you doing here?" Gene asked. Michi pulled down her mask and smiled.

"I needed cash, so here I am." She kneeled beside him examining his hand. She hummed to herself, carefully brushing the buried area.

"Ow, careful." Gene whinced.

"You just need some ice and a lot of painkillers."

Ivan chuckled. "You were whining about some bruises?"

"Hey, your target wasn't fully aware! Give a man some credit here!"

"There's ice in the kitchen Michi."

Michi got up, brushing dust off her shelf before making it to the kitchen. Gene watched Ivan flip through different sheets of paper. Picking the ones he threw off the ground and re-examining them. His curiosity grew.

"So, what are those exactly?" He asked.

"Spells," Ivan replied.

"Of what?"

"Potions."

"What kind?"

"Do you always ask these many questions?"

"Are you always so vague?"

Ivan pinched the bridge of his nose. He sighed, trying his best to keep his composure. Gene smirked, he loved getting on people's nerves. It was his specialty after all. Michi came back with a bag of ice and gave it to Gene.

"By the way, the person you spoke to is here," Michi said.

"Perfect! Go greet them." Ivan smiled. Michi walked away.

"Who is she talking about?" Gene asked.

"An old acquaintance from Phoenix Drop."

"Hold up, what exactly is the plan here?" Gene started to sense a shift in the atmosphere. Something had changed.

"What it's always been. Get Lucinda to forgive me and be my girlfriend again."

"And how did that go last time?"

"Great! She's in the basement right now."

"What!" Gene stood up. This wasn't what he agreed to. He thought this was a prank. Sure it seemed a bit extreme, but his intentions were never bad. In hindsight, he should have realized something changed when Melissa attacked him.

"You sound shocked?" Ivan turned back around.

"I didn't agree to this."

"You want out?"

"Listen, I did what you asked. I'm not going any deeper. Whatever obsession you have with this girl it's gone too far."

"What about your money?"

"I already got the amount I wanted. I don't get mixed in with... whatever this is." Gene waved his hand gesturing to Ivan. Ivan grew irritated.

"Fine. If you want out then go ahead. Take your money and leave. But if you tell anyone about this-

"He won't be going anywhere," Michi said. "For this plan to work, we need all the help we can get. Even if we have to use force." 

"Michi, don't you see how messed up this is?! They have someone locked in the basement!" 

"Have you met Kawaii Chan? I had to work with her once at Ihop. Trust me, this isn't the worst-case scenario." 

"She has a point. I guess I can't let you go Gene." Ivan walked closer to him. 

"Hold up... Let's talk this out." Gene felt his heart race. Everything happened so fast that he didn't have time to react to Michi jumping him. She forced him down, pinging his arms behind his back tightly. 

"Nice job." Ivan complimented. 

"Oh sure, give her the thanks!" Gene scoffed. "What about your acquaintance you said was here? Wouldn't they just replace me?" 

"They could. But as Michi said, we need all the help we can get." 

"Michi? You're ok with this?" 

"They promised me diamonds! How could I say no?" Michi grinned. Gene was astonished. He of all people shouldn't judge someone for wanting to make extra cash. Heck, he did the same. But surely Michi would understand just how far this thing has gotten. 

"I won't help willing! Did you think of that?" Gene tossed her off with a heavy push. He got up and ran to the door as fast as he could. 

"Stop!" Ivan yelled and chased after him. Gene ran down the hall prying to Irene for help. The door was in sight, he could taste the freedom. Just a couple more steps and he would be free. Ivan was gaining on him, his hand stretched out reaching for him. 

"Let him go!" Michi yelled. 

Ivan sped up but it was too late. Gene had already opened the door and ran outside. Michi stopped Ivan from continuing. 

"He's getting away! You just said-

Glass shattered outside, and Gene froze.

"Get back here," Michi commanded. Without hesitation Gene obeyed. Michi smirked. "Sit down." Gene obeyed. "Say you're sorry." 

"I'm sorry," Gene replied, his voice emotionless. 

"Good boy."

"How did you-

"Your friend." Michi gestured back outside where a person dressed in black stood.