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Part 2

Ch14
Apple had given Granny soup and let her fall asleep. Apple sat by Zev's bed holding the soup ready to give it to him. She stared waiting for him to budge or open his eyes, but he lay still. Apple was constantly checking if he were still breathing. She put the soup on her side table then took out a book to read. Eventually she passed out on the floor.
In her sleep, Apple rolled over accidentally hitting her head on one of the legs of her bedside table. "Ow ow ow.." She sat up, hitting her head under the bedside table. "Ack!", Apple laid back down defeated. The steaming hot bowl of soup fell off the table and splashed all over her torso and neck, "Oh ow ow hot!" She wriggled from underneath the bedside table. Apple peeled off her shirt as quickly as she could.
"Wuzzat?" Zev sat up abruptly in a tired daze. He rubbed his eyes and looked over at Apple, "What just hap-" Zev froze a moment.
"The soup i-it fell on me." Apple turned so her back was facing him. "Just give me a moment." she laughed nervously face glowing redder with each word.
"Oh, yeah. Right, heh. Sorry." Zev looked away to the side.
"It's ok" she laughed and got up walking over to her dresser.
"So uh.. why was there soup there in the first place?"
"I made you some soup for when you woke up... When I brought you home you were cold." Apple was rummaging through her drawer and pulled out a clean shirt and turned around.
"I remember.. a bit this time... sort of." Zev turned to her. Apple quickly pulled the shirt over her head fumbling to put it on.
"Y-you do?" Her blue eyes shone with concern.
"Yeah.. the other night. I knew I had to return your cloak, but the snow storm was too brutal so I had to wait until it calmed down. Late at night it finally did, so I snuck out with the cloak. Then...I forget. But I vaguely remember picking up the cloak and seeing you dig in the snow." He looked at her confused
"I was foraging some food since the snow stopped. Then I brought you home.." Apple walked up to him. "Zev what happened to you? Before I mean."
Zev sighed and looked at her, "I don't know. The weird things that have been happening lately, the stomach aches. This never used to happen." Zev shrugged
"Hm... but.. before. Why did you run?" Apple tried to hide the hurt in her voice and looked away. Zev hesitated to answer.
"Actually.. it was because of Jack, but also I had a stomach ache and new I had to get home. I uh..I actually have to sneak out of my house to go out.. Jack doesn't seem to want me to go around strangers. He actually called Granny Smith a witch and doesn't want me being around you guys. But I've decided to go against him for this, and I'm glad I did." Zev turned moving the blankets out of the way and gave Apple a hug holding her tightly against him. She hugged back.
"Why were you gone for so long?" She rested her head on his shoulder.
"Jack found the cloak in my room. He knew I can't sew so he kept his eye on me for the longest time making sure I wouldn't leave. I'm..really sorry that I left so suddenly." Zev sighed.
"I understand why. I'm sorry you had to leave so suddenly too, but you're here now." Apple stood up straight and smiled at him.
"I am, and glad to be." He smiled back down at her brightly. Apple looked up into his eyes then at his lips, which were now pink.
"Zev... I think I'm..", Apple mumbled as he leaned towards her his eyes closing. Apple blushed about to close her eyes and continue
her sentence when suddenly, Zev's stomach growled. "I think I'm going to get you a bowl of soup heh." Apple laughed nervously then went over to the kitchen.
"Oh. Yeah I am pretty hungry", he laughed. Zev followed as she took out a new bowl and filled it with soup.
"Here you go" She beamed at him.
"Thanks" He smiled back at her a bit awkwardly. Apple thought to herself furiously, I can't believe I was about to say that!. Both of them stood a moment in the awkward silence, mostly silent other than Zev's slurping. Her face grew redder the more she thought. He looked at her and his smile relaxed into a bright smile blushing a bit himself. "I missed you a lot." He said.
"I-I missed you t-too." She looked down at her feet embarrassed as he continued to eat.

Ch15
The next few weeks it snowed and snowed, it was around the middle of January. Zev was positive that Jack would know that he's been gone by now, but knew that Jack didn't know where he was anyway. Apple let Zev borrow a couple of her shirts and skirts and altered them into pants and shirts for a boy. She also repaired her cloak. Zev was sitting in a rocking chair and reading a book as Apple was tending to Granny and helping her wake up. Apple walked out of Granny's room and turned to Zev. "She wants me to make another pie. Did you wanna try to make one? I'm beat." Apple leaned against the wall, the previous day she was running back and forth to get chicken eggs, make sure the chickens were warm, then making Zev and Granny food.
"Hm? Baking? Isn't that kinda.. a girl thing?" Zev put down his book. Apple gave him a look that says 'Are you serious?'. Zev looked around avoiding her look then back at her who was still giving him that look. "Well.. what? I mean I've never baked before, Jack told me it was kinda a girl thing."
Apple sighed smiling slightly, "No it isn't just a girl thing. Come on I'll teach you."
She walked over and grabbed his hand helping him up off the chair. Apple brought him into the kitchen and took out all the bowls and ingredients needed. They started mixing everything together. Apple told Zev to start kneading the dough. "See it takes real man power to knead the dough correctly", She said mixing the insides of the pie. Zev nodded focusing on the dough pressing into it with determination.
Once they finished the pie and gave a slice to Granny, they both sat down at the table. "That was pretty fun." Zev smiled at Apple.
"Yeah it is, unless you accidentally spill it all or burn yourself," she chuckled a bit. "Now you have to teach me something sometime. Something that known to be a boy thing."
"Like what?" Zev sat up and Apple shrugged.
"How about..tree climbing? I've never seen a girl around here tree climb."
"Alright. I haven't climbed a tree in quite some time."
"Sounds like fun." Apple nodded.

It was late January when the snow softened its fall. Zev and Apple worked together making meals, telling stories, taking care of Granny Smith and tending to the chickens. Zev almost completely forgot about Jack, just as Apple's worries of being alone have subsided.
One day they were wondering around the edge of the forest, the snow starting to melt away. They were looking for more loose branches to use for fire wood. Zev climbed up the first branch of a sturdy looking tree and ripped the hanging branch that was just over his head. He handed it down to Apple. She took it carefully. "Don't fall."
Zev laughed, "I won't, I won't" He slowly climbed down. "Hey did you want me to teach you how to climb a tree now?"
"Oh..uh sure." Apple said a bit worried smiling.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure you won't fall."
"Alright.. but a big tree with lots of branches." Apple put down the branches that they had picked. Zev nodded smiling and grabbed her hand. He lead her into the woods knowing exactly what tree to bring her to, Apple struggling to keep up with him holding onto his hand.
Once he arrived, Zev stopped running and Apple ran into his back. "Oof." Apple looked over his shoulder. It was a giant twisting tree large branches covered in huge thick leaves. The small stream that goes through all of the woods was babbling right behind the tree. Zev let go of her hand walked up and climbed up the first branch. "I was walking around here a long while ago and I saw this tree. I wish I could see it in the spring time." Zev smiled at Apple, "Come on over here." He put his hand out and she slowly walked over, "I won't bite don't be scared."
"I'm not scared. Just cautious." she walked up and grabbed his hand. He laughed a bit and pulled her up. "Woah!" Once she got foot hold of the branch she hugged onto Zev tightly.
"Alright good." He smiled, "Now the next branch."
"Uh.. I don't think that's a good idea." she laughed nervously.
"Don't think just do.", with one hand Zev grabbed onto a branch hanging over his head and stepped onto a branch a bit higher than the last, his other hand around Apple and pulled her over to the other branch. She slightly squeaked in fear of falling holding him tightly. Zev made her hug onto the tree trunk as he climbed up a higher branch. He sat down and leaned over to where Apple was reaching his hands down to her. She slowly grabbed onto his hands holding tightly as he helped pull her up.
"See, that wasn't so bad."
She looked around tightly hugging his arm. "I guess." Apple said slowly staring at the view of the tree from behind the leaves and nearby trees.
"Come on, maybe the view up there will be better."
They continued climbing until they were out of breath. "There, we made it." Zev huffed.
"Woah." Apple turned around and sat on the branch carefully. She could see over some of the trees and into the real tall ones everything covered in a blanket of untouched snow.
"I agree." Zev sat down on the branch leaning against the trunk. Apple leaned against Zev who held onto her. They both looked at the view for a while and Apple budged.
"Hey Zev?"
"Hm?" His eyes scanning around the tree tops. Apple turned herself around to face him. "You ok?"
"Yeah I'm fine I just wanted to say." She took in a deep breath looking down at the branch., "I wanted to say that.." Apple looked up at him, "That I l-love climbing trees." She smiled up at him. Zev nodded smiling a bit at her.
"Yep, tree climbing is fun." He leaned in pressing his forehead to hers and kissed her nose. Apples face was as bright as, well, a red apple.


Ch16
Apple sat at the end of Granny's bed holding Moonshine waiting for Granny to wake up. Zev had been living with them for about a month now, and was currently asleep in the bed Apple made him out of a spare mattress and blankets in her room. Apple hesitated to wake up Granny, for it was so early in the day, but she had an important question. Moonshine purred rubbing against Apples arm with her face and sat up. Moonshine's black patches of fur shined against the early morning light as she hopped out of Apple's arms. Granny had always thought of Moonshine as a calico cat without any of the orange patches.
She waddled on over and sat on Granny Smith's stomach. Granny moved a bit starting to wake up and snored loudly. Maybe I'll just ask another time.. it's too early anyway. Apple got up about to walk out of the room. Moonshine let out a howl of a meow almost making Apple jump.
"Moonshine!" Apple whispered aloud turning around. Granny sat up.
"Oh hello there pretty kitty." Granny pet Moonshines black patch of fur on the top of her head. Apple quietly tried to tip toe out of the room. "I see you there Apple."
"Oh, good morning Grandma." Apple smiled turning around.
"Is everything ok?" Granny motioned for Apple to sit next to her. Apple sighed sitting on the bed.
"Everything is ok... I just have an embarrassing question."
"This ought to be good." Granny said petting Moonshine laughing a bit.
"Um.. What's the best way to.. confess to someone that you think you might love them? But also I don't know if i should confess.. I mean it's been only a short time. What if he already loves someone? What if he doesn't love me back and goes home and I never see him again." Apple rambled on listing all the negativity running through her head,
"Alright alright," Granny grabbed Apples arm, "First off, you calm down. Second, you're in love?"
"I-I think so.. I've never connected with anyone like this before.."
"You need to be sure. You need to look him in the eye and say,'Hey, I love you'" Granny let go of Apples arm.
"B-but what if that too forward a-"
"No buts, if you love him let him know." Granny said seriously.
"Alright... so um.. what did you want for breakfast?" she mumbled changing the subject.

Once Zev finally woke up he held his head. "Hmm.. another headache." He got up and followed the smell of breakfast. Zev sat down at the table, Apple was giving Granny her breakfast. She walked out seeing Zev rubbing his temples and wincing.
"You alright?" Apple sat down across from him.
"Yeah.. just a headache."
"Granny was sneezing just now, you have a headache. I'm going make a huge pot of tomato soup for you guys tonight."
Zev smiled, "I'm fine, I just get headaches sometimes. I'm not sick."
"Alright, I just wanna make sure. Spring isn't here yet and it's freezing out there."
Apple looked at him and opened her mouth about to add something, but quickly closed her mouth and turned around and set up Zev's plate for breakfast. "Heh, here you go." She put it in front of him, two eggs sunny side up.
"Thanks." he said looking at his plate. He looked up at Apple noticing she was acting a bit weird. She smiled at him picking up the pan she used to fry the eggs accidentally burning herself.
"Ouch!" she flung it into the sink making a loud clank. Apple ran to the sink and put her small burn under the cold water.
"Is everything ok?"
"Heh yup everything is A-okay." She smiled nervously laughing.
"Mk then." He continued to eat his eggs.
The rest of the day Apple read from a book to Zev, his head bugging him the whole day. She took care of him as if he were sick, making him drink a lot of water and to take it easy. He didn't mind so much for he enjoyed listening to the story.
Granny had started coughing terribly and Apple made her a pot of tea. Zev eventually fell asleep in the rocking chair as Apple tended to Granny. Granny Smith started to grow a fever and Apple quickly put a cold wash cloth on her forehead. Every now and again checking on her, worry growing bigger.
Around four Apple began making the soup, Zev finally woke up from his nap and his headache pretty much gone. Apple told him to keep stirring the soup as she checked up on Granny.
"Hey, how you feeling?"
"I'm fine Apple honestly, you're acting like I'm about to see a light and follow it." Granny said and coughed hoarsely. Apple shrugged.
"I just want to make sure." She looked at her feet thinking of what the doctor had said.
"Apple come over here." Apple did as she was told, "Look, I know your worried. I'm getting old, I can't walk anymore, and my ears are fading out. Once I'm gone, you won't be alone. You just won't be able to see me, I'll still be here watching over you. Besides, you're in love right? Have you confessed yet?" Apple looked at Granny surprised she even remembered that and quickly put her finger to her own mouth telling Granny to shush hoping Zev hadn't heard.
Granny laughed, "Calm down girl, I just want to tell you that everything is going to be fine." and she hugged Apple. "Everything is ok." Apple hugged back not knowing what to say or think for a moment. She smiled and Zev walked through the door.
"Uh, the soup started bubbling, should I do something?" Zev felt like he was interrupting something. Apple stood up and turned to Zev and laughed a bit.
"It's alright, I think it's done. Let me go check", Apple speeded out of the room to go test the soup. "Yup almost done, just a few more minutes." She walked back into the room. Moonshine wandering around at Apple's feet and she picked her up.
"Ah, can't wait it smells delicious." Zev said and petted Moonshine as Apple held her.
"Thanks." Apple smiled, Moonshine looked up at Zev then suddenly pounced on him. "Moonshine!" Apple yelled at her.
"Woah!" Zev caught Moonshine who's paws were on his cheeks and sniffing his face. "I-it's ok she's not scratching." He laughed. Moonshine gave a little meow and jumped down from his arms.
"She's such a silly cat." Granny laughed, "Bring my wittle Moonshine over to me"
Zev walked over and picked up Moonshine who meowed and placed her next to Granny.
"I'm going to go keep an eye on the soup." Apple walked back into the kitchen.
"Alright." Zev smiled. Granny held Moonshine and looked at Zev.
"So, how have you been?"
"I've been doing good." He nodded ,"How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling fine," Granny smiled the color gone from her face, "Especially knowing Apple is doing so well."
"Yeah.. she's had a lot on her mind though."
"She always does." Granny shrugged, "Good thing she has you though." Granny smiled at him. Zev smiled back about to say something, but his smile suddenly melted away. He grabbed onto his stomach. "Are you feeling alright?" Granny looked at him odd.
Zev shook his head unable to speak. Moonshine hissed a bit a scampered away just as Zev doubled over. He winced in pain and groaned as he fell on his knees. His groans slowly starting to sound like whimpers as his face and body became covered in think black fur. His light brown eyes turning a burning yellow howling in pain. Granny sat up to no longer see Zev, but a black wolf. "Oh my god." Granny whispered.
The full moon shone through the window.

Ch17
The wolf stood up on all fours and turned to Granny who was staring at him in awe. "I-I....I knew it!" Granny said attempting to get out of bed, but decided to stay in bed from the pain of moving so much. The wolf growled at Granny and pounced onto her bed. "You exist" Granny stared into the wolf's eyes. It growled at her menacingly. Granny couldn't believe what she was seeing, and fell back onto her pillow passed out. The wolf opened its powerful jaws near Granny Smiths neck.
"Soup is ready~" Apple walked in holding two bowls of fresh tomato soup. She looked up to see Zev's clothes on the floor, Granny knocked out, and a wolf standing over her about to bite her. Apple gasped and screamed dropping one of the bowls of soup near her feet. The hot soup splashes back hitting her legs and shoes as she jumped back. The wolf lifted its head and looked right at Apple, it's eyes piercing into hers. "Z-Zev?"
The wolf snarled and jumped off from Granny's bed. It took two steps closer Apple froze in her spot. She notice it crouched as if it were about to pounce and quickly threw the other bowl of soup at the wolf splashing hot liquid into its face. It howled and whimpered shaking off the soup bowl. Apple took this as her chance and fled grabbing her cloak. She bursted out the door and slammed it behind her. The wolf followed then jumped out of the window shattering the glass. Apple ran into the snow putting the cloak on already freezing about to head into town, but the wolf was faster. He circled around her blocking her way to town. She had to move fast, so Apple ran into the direction of the woods.
Apple jumped over roots zooming past trees, but she could still hear the thudding of the wolf's paws chasing after her. She ran and ran until she felt her lungs were going to burst. Apple went behind a tree and stopped for a moment. She couldn't hear the paw steps, everything was silent. Apple used this time to catch her breath and try to understand what was just going on. She huffed in exhaustion wishing she'd exorcised more before now.
The howl sounded not to far away, from the left of the tree she was standing by. The wolf was bounding over to Apple about twenty yards away. She took in a big gulp of air and ran to the right. Apple twisted and turned through trees hoping to gain some distance or just maybe confuse the wolf. However, the wolf wasn't a simple minded creature. It raced after her its powerful paws pushing off the snow, it growled at her now only about a yard away. Apple ran as fast as she could ignoring the pain in her legs and lungs, each breath she took as if she were breathing in ice.
She looked up ahead to see the giant twisting tree Zev and her climbed up the other day. Apple regrettably looked back to see the wolf right behind her, she let out a small scream not watching her footing and stumbled over a shrub. She staggered putting one foot in front of the other and ran into the big tree. The wolf opened its jaws and Apple swerved facing the lowest branch of the tree. The wolf closed its fangs an inch away from her leg clamping onto her cloak. Apple screamed feeling the tug on her cloak almost make her fall back. She quickly turned and kicked the wolf in the nose. It whimpered jumping back as Apple mustered all her energy to climb up to the first branch. The wolf jumped up at her his fangs graze at her shoe.
Apple quickly pulls her legs up and leaps up to the next branch hugging onto the trunk. She looked down to see the wolf barking and snarling, but unable to reach her. Apple sat down catching up to her breath leaning against the trunk.
She looked back down fatigued, "Why didn't you tell me?" she asked the wolf knowing he couldn't respond. Apple stared down at the frustrated wolf not knowing what to think or do.


Ch18
Apple didn't sleep at all that night. She was too tired to think and too startled to sleep. Plus with the wolves constant barking and howling she could barely close her eyes. Apple looked up into the branches and the leaves seeing the sky behind them. After what felt like days, the sky began to lighten up a little. She guessed to herself it was around four AM by now. She looked down, but the wolf was gone.
She looked all around the tree and up into the woods, but no sign of him anywhere. Apple immediately thought of Granny. "I need to get back." She whispered to herself. Apple got up and leaped to the other branch almost losing her balance and held onto the trunk of the tree. She slowly climbed down and landed into the snow. In pain from the freezing cold and probably pulling multiple muscles, she walked in the direction of home.
Suddenly she heard growls. Apple quickly turned around to see the wolf. She froze in fear and the cold as it slowly stepped up to her. It leaped into the air and pounced onto Apple. It's bright yellow eyes darted into hers. The sky began to become lighter and lighter. The wolf opened its jaws right over her neck, if he bit down he would pierce a major artery and she would bleed to death. Apple closed her eyes hoping it was all just a bad dream.
The wolf took in Apple's scent freezing in its spot. It made a small whimper lifting its mouth away. The sunlight spilled into the woods blazing past the trees and hitting the wolfs dark fur. As if it were on fire, the wolf howled in pain as its fur melted away and its body and bones morphed into a humans'.
Apple opened her eyes slowly to see Zevs' face. Zev opened his eyes that glowed yellow slowly turning back to his light brown eyes as the pain began to die down. He looked down at Apple. "Apple?" he huffed "Whats...whats going on?" Zev looked around in bewilderment his voice heavy with exhaustion. Apple felt dizzy and tired starting to close her eyes.
"You're..you're a...wolf." her eyes closed passing out. Zev looked at her in complete confusion and collapsed on top of her falling asleep.

Zev woke with a tremendous headache. He sat up covered in a familiar blanket. Zev rubbed his face and looked around. He was laying on a bed in a room with no windows a single lantern hanging from a nail in the wall and one big old looking door. Zev saw something move on the floor and looked closely, it was Apple.
"Apple?" He slowly got up and sat next to her. Zev looked around for an extra blanket or anything but there were none, and he noticed the floors were scratched up quite a bit. Zev held onto his stomach feeling sick. He heard footsteps coming from outside the lone door.
The door swung open and Jack glared at Zev. Zev noticed behind Jack that there was a ladder possibly leading to a way out. "W-what are you doing here?" Zev stood up.
"I live here." Jack sighed.
"Wait, this is home?" Jack looked around.
"I guess you probably wouldn't recognize this room..." Jack closed the door and locked it, that's when Zev saw he was carrying an ax.
"What the hell is going on here?" Zev looked from Jack to the ax to Apple. She rolled in her sleep.
"Zev, there's something you need to know." Jack stepped forward. Apple rolled over starting to wake up. She slowly sat up and rubbed her back from sleeping on the floor.
"Where am I?" Apple looked up at Zev and Jack.
"We are in a secret basement in my house that Jack never told me about." Zev said.
"Oh...and Zev.. why didn't you tell me?" Apple looked at him hurt. "Though I guess it'd be difficult to tell someone something like that..."
"Shh." Jack snapped at Apple.
"What are you even talking abo-"
"I said Shh!" Jack raised his voice. "Zev.. you're a wolf."
"..He doesn't already kn-" Apple's question was interrupted.
"Quiet girl." Zev pointed the ax at her. Apple looked at him tiredly as Zev laughed a little bit.
"I'm a wolf? What does that even mean? I look pretty human if I say so myself." Zev would have proudly dropped his blanket, but didn't knowing Apple was there slightly blushing at the thought.
"It's true." Apple said interrupting his thoughts. "I can barely believe it either.. but last night what you became... You're a werewolf." Apple looked at him realizing. She remembered the book Granny had. Zev looked at both of them, then sat down thinking.
"...Last night." Zev began thinking his headache getting worse. He remembered feeling sick near Granny's bed and then it went fuzzy. Zev looked over to Apple, she looked as if she'd been through a tornado and her socks were covered in a red liquid. "Are you bleeding?" Zev asked, afraid that it was his fault.
"No..no this was tomato soup.. I spilled it when I saw you as a wolf by accident."
"Oh alright. So...I'm a werewolf? How? This just doesn't.. make sense. How long have you known?" Zev held his head in pain and confusion looking up at Jack. Jack thudded the ax to the floor and leaned against it.
"I've known the whole time." He sighed looking down at the floor with regret, "This is why we needed to move so much, why you aren't allowed to leave the house. It would be horrible if someone saw you, or worse if you ever bit anyone else." Apple sat listening to them still trying to take in what he was.
"But how did I become this way.. why did you only wait til now to tell me this?"
"I was afraid of how you would react.." Jack sighed.
"That's it? You were afraid of how I would react?" Zev snarled outraged.
"Zev, You were the one who killed them." Jack glared down at him.
"What?" Zev looked at Jack in disbelief.
"Your parents."

Ch19
John was a fairly wealthy man. He had been raised with manners and eloquence. John was generous and kind, but also maintained a very calm stature. That was until he met Claire of course.
His cool gentleman like style crumbled after meeting her one night at a party. John couldn't focus on his work, he forget to leave his elbows off the table at lunch, and forgot to comb his hair.
John walked around town in search for this beauty. The only thing he dreamed about is seeing her shimmering blonde hair and to hold her in his arms. He would constantly shake his head at the thought thinking he was being ridiculous, but then he'd catch himself thinking of her again.
One day, down and out he was at a local pub that he'd never set foot into before. John was feeling lonely, he never was used to feeling lonely. He had a few drinks and somehow managed to get into a bar fight. The other man was obviously more drunk than John was. The punches and scrapped, at one point the man even bit John.
Even though the other man was more drunk, he was also stronger. The man was about to punch John across the face that would have resulted in a knock out, when the mans fist was grabbed and someone yelled at them to stop. This person was strong willed, but not muscled. The drunkard pushed the by stander away and punched John knocking him out.
The bystander had taken John outside and set him on a bench away from the rowdy bar. John finally woke up to see his saviors face. Claire smiled down at him and John fell in love all over again.
She helped take care of his bruises from the brawl. He gained the courage to ask her if she would join him for dinner. Claire accepted.
Each day that month she saw him and they fell fast and hard for each other. John was surprised at how much Claire had grown accustom to him. He had never been this happy in his life.
However, one night they were at his estate eating dinner. When suddenly, John felt sick. His body slowly turned into that of a wolves. Claire was terrified, and ran out as fast as she could. Just as she got out of the door she slammed it on the rampaging wolf inside and locked the door.
The next morning John awoke with his house in shreds. Claire ran back to his house in the morning and saw him just sitting there on the love seat.
"What happened to my home?" John looked at Claire. She sat by him and held him tight explaining everything.
"There's another thing you need to hear...That man you fought at the bar. He is one too. He was caught last night and well.. you know this town. If anything out of the ordinary happens they set it on fire. He was executed about half an hour ago." Claire hugged John tighter.
"I suppose I ought to turn myself in as well.."
"No you will not."
"But I'm a danger to everyone, especially you."
"I don't care John, I love you"
And life goes on. Claire and John move in together and spend their lives together. If anyone started to become suspicious of John they would move into a different town. John researched more and more about himself and what he had been turned into. He had found out about the story of the first werewolf and of the statistic facts of a werewolf. As it turns out, women can only become werewolves if they were born with a werewolf parent, and that men could infect each other or be birthed into it. As unfair as that sounded to him, he was relieved to know he didn't have to worry about Claire turning.
They decide not to have children but they still live very happy and fruitful lives. He of course wanted children but he didn't want the stress of having another werewolf on Claire's hands. They were always moving and going to different towns, he decided it would be hard for a kid growing up to go through with that. Johns inheritance got them both pretty far.
But the inevitable happens. They both got old. Claire was happy with her life and left this planet still deeply in love with John. He was greatly devastated to let her go, but he knew it was her time. John was hopeful that Claire would wait for him, wherever she went, until his time. Which he predicted wouldn't be too far away.
John one day took a walk, knowing that night he would be turning. The silence in his home was too overpowering to stay in. He wondered around into a forest looking back on his life, smiling now and again remembering times with Claire. He undressed and prepared himself for the moon.
After his run he got his clothes and walked some more. That whole day he walked through a town, through another town, near a river. Just remembering the days, the good and the bad, that he's had with Claire. He wondered that if he wasn't cursed that if it'd all be the same. For he knew the reason she fell so quickly for him was because of said curse. John was extremely grateful. He knew he would have never been this happy without Claire. But he was sad, for after he's gone then what is he? Would anyone remember him? He had no children, so no one to continue his bloodline. John wished he could have given someone something, to have made a difference in someone's life for the better.
"What is a man... who gained everything then lost everything..", the old man mumbled to himself, "a man headed straight to his grave", he chuckled sadly answering his own question. He looked up and through the mist. There it is. The legacy he had been looking for. He had been wondering all day and it was about to become nightfall.
A boy stood there looking out into the trees around the age of seven. He spotted the old travelling man. "Who are you?" He said as he approached.
"I'm just a traveler. Who are you?"
"I'm not allowed to speak to strangers.." The boy said cautiously.
"Ah yes, very good. I am John nice to meet you." John held out his hand.
"I'm Zev, what are you doing out in the woods mister?"
"What an interesting name," Zev smiled up at him then it went away and looked at him seriously,"To answer your question, I was uh.. looking for someone."
"Who are you looking for?"
"Someone to give my gift to." John smiled at the boy.
Young Zev looked up at him in awe and pointed his finger to himself with a questioning face.
"Yes Zev, you. That is of course only if you want it. There are two sides to this gift. One side very dark maybe even scary to most people. The other side very happy that will brighten your life and make it worth living."
"Well... what exactly is it?" Zev asked folding his arms looking at the old man skeptically.
"Smart boy," John patted Zev on the head," The bad side is that for four nights in a month you become a beast, but it can be tamed. The good side is getting the one you love to love you back no matter what happens."
"But.. what if I hurt someone being a beast?"
"Tell you what Zev, my life is almost over. If i give you this gift I'll help you to tame the beast until I'm out of this world."
"Why would you give me this gift?"
"You sure do ask a lot of questions. That's a good thing. I would give you this gift because I lived my life with this gift and I wouldn't have it any other way. Life with this gift is beautiful, if you tame the beast of course, which I will help you do."
Zev, being seven, he of course thought the man was a bit crazy. However, he also thought of what if he was right? He stood there a moment thinking. John looked up at the sky and back starting to get a little impatient. Tonight was the second to last night of his phase and he didn't want the boy to be in range when he turned. John started to feel a little queasy.
"Alright fine, I accept the gift." Zev said nodding, half thinking the old man was joking with him.
"Great, now give me your hand." John smiled and Zev did so. John grabbed his hand and quickly bit it.
"Ow! What was that for?" Zev pulled his hand back.
"Don't be frightened, that is how I must give the gift to you."
"Oh.. and I'm not scared." Zev stood up straight now positive that this old man was out of his mind.
"Good.. good.." John shuddered. "Listen Zev. Is that your house over there?" John pointed behind them and Zev turned around.
"It's my uncles, me and my parents are visiting him today."
"Alright, please go into that house right now. Don't tell your family about this." John started to lean over in pain.
"Mister are you alright?"
"I'm fine I'm fine just get going, now!" John sat down on the ground and coughed terribly.
"B-but I want to help."
"N-no go now!" John knew he only had seconds. Zev hesitated to move and was about to run home. John roared in pain and changed into a wolf his black fur grey with age. Zev gasped and fell back. John growled at Zev but didn't move. Zev crawled back afraid. The wolf took one step forward but difficultly as if it was fighting itself.
A loud air shattering bang shot through the mist. The bullet hit John before he could run away.
"So then I shot him."

Ch20
"You just shot him?" Zev said trying to get a grip on the situation. "But.."
"Yes I did. I see a creepy old man bite my nephew, turns into a wolf and advances on him. So I shot him." Jack explained. Zev was starting to remember the old man.
"The next night Zev. It wasn't a robber.. I made that up so people wouldn't blame you, the only other person in that house at the time. I knew I had to take you in and you should be grateful that I did. That night you killed you're parents."
"I..", Zev couldn't believe what he was hearing. "No.." Zev put his hands to his head suddenly terrified of himself. Apple sat up and hugged him on the verge of tears.
"It's your fault. I lost my brother and my sister in law. I had to keep you a secret from everyone I had to keep moving to make sure no one would suspect you to be a werewolf. You've ruined me and my chance for a future." Jack rambled on. Zev shook his head wishing all of this would go away. He held onto his head resting his forehead into his knees beginning to cry.
"Shut up." Apple stood up and glared at Jack. She surprised herself for a moment, "Don't blame others for your problems Jack. Zev didn't know this would happen. You were the one that never told him. You were the one that was too afraid to do anything about it."
"You stupid little b***h" Jack snarled and grabbed at Apples neck, "You have no idea what I've been through!" His grip tightened and Apple struggled to breathe. Zev looked up. Apple was digging her nails into Jacks wrist pulling back. Zev sat up and jumped at Jack tackling him to the side and he let go of Apple. She coughed and backed away as Zev quickly got off of Jack. Zev walked over to Apple and checked her neck.
"We need to g-get out of here" Apple wheezed. Zev stopped and shook his head.
"Apple I don't want to hurt you. You need to get out of here and stay far away from here." Apple shook her head and hugged him tight. "No Apple listen to me."
"Zev. Stop." Apple was interrupted once more when Jack reached down and grabbed Zev by the hair.
"If only you were never here. You are a demon that took away my family. I would still have my brother and my own life. Now I hide you everywhere I go. But still a little rat found it's way in on the secret."
"Why didn't you just kill me then?" Zev yelled angrily.
"Yes, why didn't I is a very good question." Jack lets go of Zev pushing him to the wall. Jack quickly picked up his ax and Apple stood up. Jack walked back over letting the ax drag behind him and faced Zev.
"Do it." Zev glared at Jack. "Apple look away."
"No!" Apple ran towards him and Zev held up his hand to her.
"Apple look away now!" Apple stomped forward ignoring what he said.
"No no no. It's far too late to kill you now. That time has passed. Deep down in my heart, I could never spill blood that is of my own. What I'm going to do is keep you a secret." Jack looked over at Apple and lifted his ax. Apple quickly stomped away.
Jack put the ax against his shoulder and charged at Apple. His arm rammed into her collarbone as he slammed Apple against the wall knocking the air out of her. Jack took a step back and rose the ax. Zev quickly ran in front of Jack and held back the ax by blocking it with the side of his arm. Zev grabbed the key ring with his free hand that was in Jacks pocket and threw it at the door.
"Apple run now! Don't look back!"
She gasped for air and ran towards the door picking up the keys. Zev grabbed onto the ax and tried to pull it away form Jack. Apple quickly unlocked the door as Jack pulled away from Zev kicking him back onto the wall. Apple climbed up the ladder as fast as she could. Jack ran out the door and started climbing up the ladder once Apple got out of the square hole leading into the bunker. She ran towards the other door running out of what seems to be Jacks room, considering there was a deer head on the wall right above a bed.
Zev tried to pull Jack off the stairs, which actually more or less worked. The ladder leaned back and Jack held his grip. The wooden ladder kept going so now it leaned against the other side of the hole. Zev took this opportunity to climb up the other side of the ladder. Jack quickly hopped down from where he was and started to climb up the other side as well. He grabbed onto Zevs blanket that was tightly wrapped around him just before he reached the top.
"Damn it!" Zev put his hand outside of the bunker.
"You aren't going anywhere." Jack yelled.
Apple was just outside of the room. I can't leave yet, I can't just leave him here So she went back into the room. She saw Zev trying to get out and ran over.
"Apple I told you to get ou-"
"I know." She grabbed onto his hand and pulled.
"I'm going to kill you witch!" Jack pulled harder making Zev fall back a step and Apple lean forward.
"Go!" Zev commanded.
"No! You're just going to have to let go of the blanket!"
"But-"
"No but's. It doesn't matter, come on!" Apple stared at Zev seriously. He let go of the blanket and Jack reached for Zevs foot, which kicked Jacks hand away making him lose balance and grab back onto the ladder. Apple quickly helped pull Zev out.
Apple saw the door of the trap door and quickly closed it on Jack locking it. Zev quickly ran into his room grabbing some clothes. For a moment everything was silent and Apple stood in his living room trying to calm down. She started hyperventilating as Zev walked out putting on his coat.
She sat down on the sofa trying to catch her breath. Zev sat down next to her and hugged her tight until her breathing became normal.
"Apple... I think you should-"
"Hey Zev, I love you." Apple looked up at Zev right into his soft brown eyes. She blushed but she kept her serious look on her ice blue eyes staring at him. Zevs face turned red looking down at her surprised and smiled a little bit. His smile quickly faded away.
"Apple I..."
"Already have someone else?" Apple looked away regretting she'd said anything.
"No no.. Listen. I love you too," she looked up at him and he continued. ,"But you need to get out of here. Even if my uncle wasn't trying to hunt you down right now, I would be a danger to you..."
"I don't care, I'm going to help you the most I can." She held him tightly. "Without you I'd be better off dea-" Apple sat up realizing something, "Granny." Zev gulped hoping that the old woman was still alive. Apple got up grabbing onto Zev's hand and pulled him towards the door.
A clunking noise was heard from inside Jacks room. He was starting to bash the ax against the hinge of the door. Zev looked back then forward.
"I'll hold him back you get goi-" Apple turned back stepped on her tip toes and kissed Zev on the lips.
"You're coming with me." She squeezed his hand looking into his eyes smiling lightly. He smiled and kissed her back. Apple held onto his hand and ran out with him.

Ch21
"Ahem" Zev and Apple were just five yards away from his house when they heard that. "Uh.. Hi." Zev and Apple looked at each other.
"Did you hear that?" Apple asked.
"Yeah.. Hello?" Zev looked around.
"Down here." the voice said a bit annoyed. Apple and Zev looked down infront of them to see a cat. Not just any cat, Moonshine.
"Moonshine! What are you doing out here silly kitty." Apple walked over and picked her up.
"We seriously don't have time for this." Zev said.
"...I'm out here to help you." Apple almost jumped as Moonshine spoke.
"Oh god.. Zev.. I'm going insane. Moonshine just talked." Apple looked over at him worried. Moonshine chuckled.
"You aren't insane, just surprised. Humans instantly think reality is gone from their heads once something completely different happens." Moonshine jumped down into the snow. She would have been completely camouflaged if it weren't for her black spots. Zev stared at the cat.
"I can hear her too." he said in surprise
"Yes yes that's all very fantastic you both can hear me. Now can you stop talking as if I'm not here?"
"W-what are you?" Apple sat down next to her.
"Well. I'm mostly cat right now. But to put it in human terms, I'm a witch." The cat grinned a toothy grin.
"Of course why didn't I already guess that." Apple slammed her hand to her face baffled at what was going on.
There was a loud bang noise coming from the house behind them.
"We need to get out of here." Zev said urgently.
"Yes alright.. Explain to me when we get home Moonshine."
"Let's go!" Moonshine ran in the direction of home. Zev and Apple followed jumping over roots at one moment they thought Jack was behind them.
Soon they could see Granny Smith's house not too far away. They got up to the door and ran inside. Moonshine jumped up onto the table.
"Whew what a run" she panted and laid on the table. Apple would have shooed her off, but giving whats going on right now she didn't bother. Apple walked into Granny's room and ran up to her bed.
"Grandma?" Apple looked down at her. Granny's face was pale but peaceful. Apple slowly put her hands to Granny's afraid she'd feel cold. Apple grabbed onto Granny's hand, and it indeed felt cold. "Granny.." Apple's heart stopped. She almost got a heart attack when Granny's hand squeezed back. "Granny?!"
"Oh, good morning Apple." Granny opened her eyes ,"It's freezing in here." Apple smiled a bit almost crying again.
"I thought you died." Apple sighed. Zev walked into the room greatly relieved to see Granny was still here.
"I'm not gone yet." Granny said smiling as Moonshine walked in and jumped on the bed.
"I told them." Moonshine said to Granny and sat by her.
"Good good. I felt bad not telling you all these years about Moonshine, Apple. You see, back when I found her-"
"Oh oh can I tell the story?" Moonshine sprung up. Everyone looked at her and Granny nodded. "Alright. Back when I was just a young girl, my mother, who was a powerful witch, was discovered for being able to turn herself into an animal. So she was sent to be burned at the stake. Me being so young I couldn't use magic very well so I couldn't save her. She told me to stay strong and then turned me into a cat. This was to protect me. Others who knew us though I ran away, which I did but as a cat. Granny Smith found me after that. I was trying to cast a spell and of course cats don't talk so I figured Granny would have told everyone. However, she took me in, fed me, and took care of me. So now I promise to stick by this families side." Moonshine smiled.
"I see." Apple nodded thinking. The cat had always seemed a little bit off to her. "So is you're real name Moonshine?"
"Well it was Moon, but Granny called me Moonshine because the one spell I was casting made me shine in the dark so I could see better."
"Interesting" Apple looked at the cat. Zev looked out the window hoping Jack didn't know where this cottage was.
"Oh and you there by the window. I could smell it on you." Moonshine pointed her snout at Zev. He turned around.
"Hm?"
"You are cursed with something. I could smell it." Zev nodded at Moonshine surprised.
"He's a werewolf" Granny chimed in and coughed. "I'm so blessed. I could meet a werewolf and a witch before I left this place." Granny smiled and Apple held onto her hand. "Thank you so much Apple, for being here for me."
Apple hugged Granny, "I should be saying the same thing. You did a good job of raising me." Apple smiled at her holding back tears.
"It's alright deary.. You are going to be just fine." Granny closed her eyes smiling.
"Oh no..." Moonshine walked up to Granny's face. She gently put one paw on Granny's cheek and closed her cat eyes. "Her soul escaped." She opened her eyes and put her paw down. Apple gulped and put her hand down at her sides. Zev walked over to her and held onto Apple.
"It's alright." He put his chin on her head hugging her tightly his eyes getting a bit misty. Tears rolled down Apples cheeks and Moonshine hung her head down looking almost as if she were praying. The cat made a small mewling sound and looked up to be crying as well her ears drooped. Apple walked over and picked up Moonshine hugging her tight Zev wrapping his arms around them.


Ch22
Zev stayed by the window as Apple sat on the other side of Granny's bed holding Moonshine. Apple sniffed and wiped her face every few minutes as Moonshine wailed her little kitty heart out. Apple held her tight petting her. Zev was getting more and more upset.
"I can't believe he'd do that. All this time keeping my own secret away from me. Ridiculous." he grumbled. Suddenly he saw something in the trees. Zev quickly slid away out of sight from the window and peeked hoping he wasn't seen. It was just a passing deer.
Zev went back to staring out the window and then Jack came out of the trees.
"s**t."
"What is it?" Apple looked up.
"We need to get out of here." Zev walked away from the window. "Jack found us."
"W-we can't just leave Granny here.."
Zev walked over to Granny's closet and opened it. He turned to the window, Jack was running over to the cottage maybe only twenty feet away. "Hurry hurry, get in here! We can fit." Apple ran with Moonshine over to the closet and got in after Zev, he closed the door.
Jack walked up to the door of the cottage and yanked at the locked door. He sighed annoyed lifted his ax and chopped the handle of the door off. Jack kicked open the door and walked in. He scratched his beard looking at the living room and kitchen.
"Hello?" Jack looked into Apples room, "I know you guys are here. You wouldn't have just left the old coot all by herself." Jack stomped into Granny Smiths' room. "Well hello there old hag." Jack stood at the foot of Grannys' bed. She didn't move.
Jack poked her foot. "Aye, witch. Wake up!" still no movement. "You damn woman. Truth is if I kill your granddaughter, then you'll be on my tail. I really don't need that kind of bull s**t. Sorry Granny, you're going to have to go too."
Jack lifted his ax over his head aiming for right in the center of Granny. Apple burst out of the closet. Moonshine scampered to the other room.
"No!" Zev shouted reaching for her. Apple grabbed onto the ax keeping it up.
"Hello there little rat."
"This is disrespectful to the dead." Apple said plainly. Jack looked up at Granny's limp body.
"Oh. I see.. one less body to hide." Jack pulled away from Apple and swiped his ax right near her neck. Apple leaned back falling onto Granny's bed. Jack put in too much power for that swipe for it made a 180degree turn and stuck into the wooden wall behind him. Apple rolled away and stood near the window.
Zev ran and shoved Jack away from the ax stuck in the wall. Jack stumbled to the side then powerfully punched Zev in the stomach. "Oof" Zev doubled over.
"Stay out of my way boy."
"Stay away from her." Zev said through gritted teeth.
Jack laughed a bit pulling something form behind him. Zev then noticed the strap that was around Jacks chest. Jack pulled out his shotgun and aimed at Apple. He aimed for the center of her stomach and pulled the trigger.
Zev kicked the gun away as Apple froze. Two bullets grazed passed her waist and one entered her skin. She gasped a squeal of pain and leaned back against the wall. Zev ran to Apple her red cloak turning a darker shade of red as it soaked in the blood. He hesitated not knowing what to do and covered her wound with his hand when he heard a loud click behind him.
Zev turned and put his arms up his left hand covered in blood. "Jack stay away."
"You get out of my way." Jack aimed the gun at Zevs' head.
"She's done nothing wrong.. Shoot me." Zev stared at the gun and looked at Jack.
" Z-Zev no." Apple pleaded
"Shoot me. Leave her alone." Zev looked at Jack calmly and seriously.
"...Deal." Jack lifted the gun aiming it at Zev's head. Jack hesitated staring back at Zev lowering the gun a bit. Jack then glared at Zev pulling the gun back up suddenly full of rage and hate from the past. His finger was about to pull the trigger,
"Wait!" everyone turned to the doorway. Moonshine walked in nudging a book in front of her. Jack dropped the gun.
"Wha- what the hell!" Jack stared at Moonshine. She smiled and leaped onto the big book.
"Yes a talking cat. Consider yourself under my trance." Moonshine lifted her paws and unsheathed her claws doing a spirit fingers movement with them. Jack backed away from the cat as it laughed maniacally walking towards him.
"Stay back demon!" Jack kicked at the cat who jumped back in time. "I got to get out of this fun house." Jack said to himself and opened the window. He quickly hopped out and Moonshine jumped onto the window sill.
"This lumber jack guy is fun to mess with." She grinned, "Zev fetch me the book please. This man has caused everyone enough trouble."
Zev did so but held onto the book. "What are you going to do?"
"Just help karma give him what he deserves." Moonshine took in a deep breath. Zev nodded sadly and put the book down on the window sill. Moonshine opened it to the right page. Jack kept running as Moonshine began to mumble. Zev stood back and faced Apple. She was pale and trying to keep a steady breath as she held onto her wound. He put his hand over hers and kissed her forehead. She rested her head against his shoulder feeling very light headed.
"Don't ever.. do that again." Apple huffed.
Zev wrapped his arm around her and she started to cry again and so did he. "I'm sorry." he shuddered, Apple shook her head.
"Thank you, just don't ever do that again." She held onto him with her other arm.
Moonshine closed her eyes mewling out jumbled words and the book began to shake. Jack suddenly stopped walking and fell to his knees. He was half way to the woods from Granny's house. Moonshine pressed her paw onto the book and it sunk into the book. Green liquid bled from the book where Moonshines' paw was.
The liquid oozed down running along the wall outside the window to the grass below. The liquid formed together and slithered through the grass to where Jack sat stunned. Moonshine spoke louder and the liquid moved faster.
In the distance the green stuff reached Jack and wrapped around his legs and it grew. Quickly it wrapped around his whole body containing him in a cocoon. As if time was on fast forward, leaves grew from the cocoon with little flower buds. The flowers bloomed into little red flowers and eventually wrinkled and fell off. The leaves turned yellow and brown and fell off as well deteriorating before hitting the ground.
The green liquid had turned into a thick vine and was starting to turn gold with age. Moonshine yelled at the top of her lungs as she pulled her paw out of the book it covered in the green goop. She leaped out of the window and ran down the over sized vine leaving a trail of a green paw print down the decaying vine. She reached Jacks' cocoon jumped up and slammed her paw onto it. The cocoon cracked and opened falling apart.
Zev looked out the window. Jack was no longer there. Moonshine jumped off of the vine as it fell away into the grass. She licked the rest of the green slime off of her paw.
"Bluh." She quickly spit it out. Moonshine looked up to see a small sapling. "I knew it."
"What happened?" Apple asked Zev as he stared out the window.
"He's gone... I can't see over there very well."
"Let's go see." Apple tried to stand up but Zev stopped her.
"Hold on.. I'll carry you." Zev picked up Apple gingerly and carried her outside. She squinted when the sunlight hit her face. He reached to where Moonshine was and sat down.
"You...turned him into.. a tree?" Zev looked at Moonshine.
"Yes and no." Moonshine walked up and poked the single green leaf on that small sapling. "I helped karma, an existence in the spirit realm as you would call it. Karma brings fair balance into one's life, I only helped karma connect into this realm to give Jack a dose of karma. Turns out he'd chopped down too many trees."
Apple laid in Zev's lap and looked at the young tree an sighed thankful all this was over with.
"Seem's just about justified.." Zev looked down at the sapling. He looked at Apple who looked back at him. She softly smiled at him. "We need to get you to a hospital." His face stretched into a sad smile his eyes damp. "I'm so sorry this had to happen to you." Zev held onto her tightly.
"I'm sorry that this all had to happen to you." Apple hugged back.
"Yes, this is all very nice and touching. You're both sorry for the hardships that happened. Your seriously bleeding," she pointed at Apple,"and you're still cursed." she pointed at Zev We need to stop dilly dallying." Moonshine stood up and walked over to them.
"Wait.. you talk as if it can be taken away. The curse." Zev looked at Moonshine.
"Well yes.. That is if I can lift it properly. If done wrong there could be a chance I could accidentally turn you into a full wolf." Moonshine pressed her paws to Apples wound.
"Ow ow."
"Sorry, it will sting a moment."
Moonshine cast a spell that will stop the blood from leaving her body so she would make it to the hospital. Having no other way of transportation, Zev had to carry Apple to town. It was a mile down and Zev had to take a few breaks to catch his breath and rest his arms.
"Sorry. I know I eat too much pie and cookies.." Apple sat her face pink with embarrassment pouting.
"No it's ok. I can carry you miles." Zev smiled bravely at her, worried if he could even make it to town. She smiled back.
After very tiresome walking, they made it to town. Moonshine quietly followed them. People stopped and stared seeing that a mess these two kids were. Blood was splattered all over their hands, hair was a mess, and clothes torn. Apple smiled at the people who stared as she laid in Zevs arms.
The reached the hospital and people zoomed to help them. Apple saw the doctor she had talked to previously.
"My god! Apple what happened?" The doctor help lay her onto a gurney and rolled her away as Zev followed. Apple sighed.
"It's a long story."
Moonshine wasn't allowed in. She made a quick click noise with her mouth and the spell she cast on Apple's wound disappeared and she began bleeding a lot again.


Ch23
The sun began going down as Zev waited outside. Moonshine was sitting next to him when he stood up.
"I-I've got to get out of here..."
"Oh that's right." Moonshine stood up. "I could try to lift it now if you'd like. It's an old curse and it might be difficult but this is the perfect timing to do it."

Moonshine brought him out of town down near the stream that connected to everything.
"Alright, now sit down. Close your eyes. Relax and meditate, don't think about anything."
"Easier said than done."
"Shush." Moonshine sat in front of him. "I need no distractions or sounds for this to work."
Zev tried to clear his mind. But something was bugging him. Something was saying 'Don't do it' in his head. He tried to reassure himself that this was so him and Apple could live happy normal lives. He shook his doubt out of his head and closed his eyes.
Moonshine began to speak,
"What was done was done
Be it now undone
By the light of the full moon's wane
Cleanse thy soul of taint and stain
Let now thy hurtful spell reverse
And lift from he this vicious curse
As he enter now this sacred space
Return thy spirit to its natural grace"
Zev gulped as it felt like claws rested against the top of his back. The claws pierced his body as a gentle hand pressed in the center of his chest. He held in his wail of pain as Moonshine began to mumble. Moonshine began running around Zev in a circle her eyes glowing white. It felt as if the claws were reaching for his spine and the hand was pushing him to the claws.
Zev groaned in pain trying to clear his mind. Moonshine stopped running and stood in front of him. She jumped up and knocked him back onto the ground the claws the pain and the hand melted away. Moonshine spit on his forehead and placed her paws over where she spat. The sun disappeared behind the hills. Moonshine leaned her head down and pressed her nose to his forehead.
It felt as if a hammer slammed down onto his forehead and that his body was made of metal so the impact vibrated throughout his bones. Zev shivered as the moon shone down on him. He opened his eyes and looked up at the moon. Moonshine jumped down panting and laid in the grass.
Zev shot up and felt his back. No open wound just skin. He looked back up at the moon. No headache or stomach ache. He smiled and grabbed Moonshine hugging her.
"Woah!"
"Thank you, Thank you, Tha-" He froze. Zev realized why he had a feeling he shouldn't have done that.
"You're very welcome. I'm glad it worked." Moonshine looked up at the full moon.
Zev looked down at the ground. "The promise.."
"Hm? What promise?" Moonshine looked at him.
"That old man that passed on the curse. He said that it also promised something very important. I'm pretty sure I just screwed that up..."
"Well what was the promise?"
"That whoever I loved will love me back unconditionally... and now that the promise is gone what if Apple doesn't feel the same anymore."
Moonshine sighed, "I can't promise you anything. However, even if you still had the promise wouldn't it drive you nuts never knowing if she truly loved you without it? I would have lost my marbles."
"I guess you're right."
"As for Apple, we'll just have to wait and see."
Zev nodded staring off into space, "Well..thanks..."
"You're welcome."
Zev stared up at the moon and sighed. Worried that Apple wouldn't love him anymore but relieved that all of the hiding and fighting was over, and that now he can stare up at the full moon.

Ch24
The next day they were able to visit Apple. The doctors stitched her up and disinfected her bullet wound. Zev let Moonshine in through the window of the hospital room when he got there. Apple had just woken up but was still drowsy. Zev stared at her and stood by.
"H-hey there, good morning." Zev smiled, "How are you feeling?"
"It's passed noon," Apple corrected him, "and I just got a bullet pulled out of my side." She groaned tiredly snapping at him.
"Oh right." Zev smiled apologetically and turned to Moonshine. She made a paw motion telling him to calm down and walked over to the bed. Moonshine jumped up and sat next to Apple.
"How long did they say until you're able to leave?" Moonshine asked.
Apple sighed, "About ten days.. I also told the doctor about Granny.. they said the funeral people would get her and bring her to the crematorium."
"I see..she did always want to get cremated. So ten days. It might be risky for the doctors to see this but I could continue that blood flow spell and take away the pain so you would be able to walk. It would still take ten days to heal but if you wanted to get out of here sooner, the option is yours."
"I don't want to stay here." Apple gulped looking up at the ceiling.
"Alright."
Moonshine mumbled her magic mambo jumbo as Zev stood back. This magic would help her heal faster, but she'd still have to stay another night. Apple rolled over on her good side and fell asleep. Zev got a chair sat and waited having no where else to go.
When the nurses gave Apple meals, she would eat then fall right back asleep. Moonshine hid behind Zev's chair whenever the doctor did come, but sat by Zev when they left.
"It looks like shes trying to block everything out." Zev said staring at Apple.
"I wouldn't blame her. Losing her only family, finding out the family cat's a witch, finding out the only boy she's been with was a werewolf. Oh not to mention that same boys' uncle trying to kill her violently with an ax then getting shot." Moonshine shrugged. Zev looked at Moonshine and sighed.
"I just hope she doesn't.."
"Blame you?"
"And resent me."
"It isn't your fault all of this happened." Moonshine leaned against Zev.