Bailey left a trail of footsteps and tears behind her as she walked back home. She got home at four forty three. When she got inside the house, Eunice greeted her with a wide smile and perky voice. Bailey mumbled back. Eunice stopped Bailey before she could go anywhere else.

"Bailey, honey, what's wrong?"

Bailey lifted her head up.

"Mama, I don't feel so well. Could I just go to my room and do my homework?"

"Why?"

"Cody won't be able to stay with us."

"Oh. Why not?"

"He had to go back home."

"Oh, that's a shame. I mean, it's good that he's going back to his family, but I was hoping that he could lend a helping hand."

"Yeah, I do too."

"Bailey."

"Yes, mama?"

"I know that you may not be feeling very well, but could you do a few chores before dinner will be ready?"

"Like what?"

"Well, you could collect eggs, sweep the porch, wake up Grammy Pickett from her nap and help set the table. Could you do at least that?"

"Yes."

"Good. Aside from those four chores, all you have to do is your homework. Before you go to bed, do you want me to fix you a cup of tea?"

"Oh, sure. That would be nice, mama."

"Okay, Bailey. Get along with your chores and then you can do your homework."

"Okay, mama."

Eunice patted Bailey on the shoulder and then went outside. Bailey turned on her heels and followed her mom to the outside. She grabbed a basket and went in the chicken coop. She gathered eggs and then placed them in a carton before she had refrigerated them. Afterwards, Bailey had placed the basket back where it belonged and got a broom and swept the front porch until it was clear of dust and dirt. She had put back the broom before she went back outside to wake up Grammy Pickett from her nap. Once Bailey woke up her grandmother, she headed inside the house to set the table for dinner. Once the table was set, Bailey went straight up to her room and did her homework. She stayed in her room until she was called to come to dinner. The family was having chicken pot pie with lemonade. Chicken pot pie was Bailey's favorite food and she did appreciate a good glass of lemonade, but Bailey was not in the mood. She ate and drank like it was a requirement just the same how homework is a requirement for school. Eunice looked over at Bailey during dinner and seemed very worried. She wondered what was eating on the inside of her sweet Bailey. Even Ashley was concerned about Bailey. Despite the fact that she was waiting for her aunt and uncle to come, Ashley felt less pitiful. But she did feel bad for Bailey for whatever was bothering her.

After dinner, Bailey helped clean up the table like a drone. She felt that her heart had been yanked out of her chest and discarded in the trash bin waiting be picked up by the garbage man. As soon as Bailey had cleaned the dining room table, she returned to her bedroom. Before she went up the staircase, she remembered that she was partially responsible for Ashley. She quickly asked the little girl if she needed anything and she just shook her head. Bailey told Ashley that if she ever needed anything that she could come to her. Ashley nodded her head and then watched Bailey give a sad smile and then go to her bedroom. Eunice walked over to Ashley.

"Ashley, why don't you find Diane, Lila and Suzy? I'm sure they'll be happy to play with you."

"Okay, Mrs. Pickett."

"Good girl."

Eunice patted Ashley on the shoulder. Ashley went off to find Bailey's three younger sisters. Eunice then went up the stairs and headed straight for Bailey's bedroom. She knocked on the door.

"Bailey?'

Shuffling could be heard from the other side. Eunice knocked again.

"Bailey?"

The door opened and Eunice saw fresh tears on Bailey's cheeks. Bailey shuffled back to her bed and huddled up in the covers. Eunice carefully joined her daughter on the bed.

"Bailey, what's wrong? What happened at the malt shop?"

"Well, Cody and I were sharing a malt when Moose came in."

"Oh, no. That must have been terribly uncomfortable for all of you guys."

"Not exactly, mama. Moose doesn't think much of Cody. He just thinks he's scrawny."

"Well, maybe Cody is on the skinny side but if Moose was will to give Cody a chance they would be good friends. Did the two boys fight?"

"No. When Moose came, Cody excused himself to use the bathroom because he wasn't feeling well. So, Moose talked to me for a while. After a few minutes, the wolf came rushing in and attacked Moose. The wolf tore off one of Moose's arms."

"Oh no! Will Moose be okay?"

"I don't know. Some police officers came by and took care of Moose and the wolf."

"Oh, that's good to hear. So, is Moose in the hospital?"

"I think so."

"What do you think will happen to the demon wolf? Do you think that he'll be put down?"

Bailey's breathe hitched in her throat. She wanted to say something but she didn't want make matters worse.

"It might be put down. I'm not sure."

"So, did Cody ever come back from using the restroom while all this happened?"

"He came back out once the wolf and Moose and taken away. Seeing the blood on the floor was his sign to leave. He decided that it was best if he went back home."

"Oh, how awful."

"I know…"

"Well, maybe there's a bright side to all of this. The wolf will be gone, we still have our health, Moose will be okay and Ashley Tibbles will have a second shot at happiness."

Bailey grumbled. Eunice smiled at her daughter because she wanted to give her hope.

"You'll see, Bailey, we'll get to move on with our lives and everything will get better. Now you rest up and I'll be back to give you a cup of tea. But, remember, you still got to tuck Ashley in and read to her before she goes to sleep."

"Yes, mama."

"I'm proud of you, Bailey. You turned out to be such a kind, understanding, and beautiful young woman. You turned out to be quite a trooper through this whole ordeal. You remember that, Bailey."

"I will, mama."

Eunice kisses Bailey on the forehead and then leaves the room. She closes the door behind her as she leaves. Once the door is closed, Bailey lets the water works go into full force. Bailey pounded on her sheets and silently screamed. She couldn't take the pressure anymore. She couldn't stand the fact that she may never see Cody again and that he was being blamed for all the bad things that have happened even though he can't control himself. Everyone in town hates him even they don't know that he's at fault. She cursed everyone who hated him in his wolf form and if she ever had the chance, she would make sure to give Zack a lesson he would never forget. Bailey felt so angry toward Zack even though she had never met him. She was so frustrated with life. How could a nice and sweet guy like Cody suffer the consequences of a selfish and immature guy like Cody's twin brother, Zack? Cody didn't deserve anything bad that happened to him. It should have been Zack who turned into a werewolf. But then Bailey stopped for a moment. What if Zack ended up in the same position as Cody? Would Bailey still be willing to give herself to him? Bailey for a moment and then without any second thoughts, she threw up a little in her mouth. No matter who they were, Bailey realized that if a teenaged werewolf did come for her help, she would refer them to another teenaged girl who wouldn't mind having sex with him. But if Bailey felt that strongly about not giving her virginity up to any random guy even if it might saving the town, then why did she let Cody do her? Why did Bailey allow Cody to take away her virginity?

Bailey thought for a short while. Then she got bitch-slapped by life itself. Was it possible that Bailey had actually fallen in love with Cody despite the complicated relationship they shared? Was it possible that Bailey secretly wanted Cody to enter her? Bailey didn't want think about the matter any longer so she shook her head. She didn't want to think of Cody anymore. She didn't want to keep crying but she couldn't stop herself. He was all she thought of. But Bailey couldn't help herself. Cody was after all in danger and her tender heart bled for him. She was worried about him. She wanted to do something to help but she didn't know what to do or where to start. How could she help Cody at all if he was being taken back to Boston to be tested on and then killed off? Bailey trembled with fear and frustration. Tears flowed from her eyes and her blood rushed through her veins. She felt so helpless. Bailey stayed in the same position until Eunice came back and gave her a cup of tea. Bailey wiped her tears away as she took the tea from her mother.

"Thank you, mama."

"You're welcome, Bailey. Keep your head, darling."

"Okay."

Eunice left the bedroom and returned to cleaning up the kitchen. Bailey took a while to drink her tea. When it was close to turning in for the night, Bailey did what she could do to be productive and helpful. She returned the mug that had the tea in it to the kitchen sink, got Ashley to get ready for bed and got ready for bed herself. Then she said good night to her family members, tucked Ashley in, read her a story and said goodnight to her. Afterwards, Bailey got into bed and looked at the moon. She hoped that Cody would be alive but she did have her doubts. Bailey closed her eyes, prayed for Cody's safety and then fell asleep. She only dreamt of Cody that night. It was just him and her.

At midnight in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Bostonian police officers and scientists had stopped for the night at a local Motel that needed to be renovated. The police officers and scientists were snug in their beds while an unconscious Cody lay in a cold van. He woke up and looked around. He realized that he was in a van. He had no idea how far he was from Kansas, but he wasn't going to back to Boston. Not yet anyway when there was a solution. There might be a slim chance of him turning back to human for good, but it was worth a shot. He couldn't just give up now because Bailey would never let him give up. She didn't give up on him and so he can't give up on her. Cody got up and tried to push open the back doors of the van. They wouldn't budge. Cody then went to the front of the van and tried to push open the passenger and driver doors. To no avail did he succeed. Cody looked for something sharp and spotted a hammer. He picked it up with his teeth and whacked it against the window. He kept on whacking it until the glass shattered. Cody dropped the hammer and jumped through the broken window of the driver's door. He got a little cut up but escaped with his life. Once he was on the ground, he limped away into pure darkness.

To Be Continued…