"You can do this, Alan." She reassured me. Her hope was starting to bug me. It had been only two days since I'd killed those two men.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked. I wasn't sure what was going to happen.

"Positive."

I stood on the threshold of the doorway, well, what was left of it. The door still hung in place thanks too Derrick's quick repair skills and it did act like a door. It was just riddled with holes.

Beyond distinct line between inside and out, were the voices. I feared their excited callings.

"You don't have to fear them. They only wanted to make you happy." She said. I almost wished I hadn't told her about the things they said to me. Because every time she mentioned them, I felt like I was being coaxed with a condescending lie. Even though I knew better.

"I know. I know." I said, forcing my first foot outside.

He's coming. They squealed with glee. Their voices were like that of a toddlers TV show. Unquestionably kind, and almost unnaturally happy. To them, nothing bad had, or ever would happen. They were deluded in their own simplistic nature. Grow, die, grow.

I felt the cold wooden porch bear the weight of my foot. The weight of my sins. And that same feeling came again with my other.

"Good." Claire said, coaxing me. She was already down the stairs in the patch of grass I'd made two nights before, right after Michael and them left. Her arms were out and waving me forward. "Stop day dreaming and come on outside. The wind is nice and cool." She promised.

I took a few more steps, and rested my hands on both rails to the stairs. Please help us grow. They called again. The child-like, high voices were tantalizing, but I knew all too well what they were capable of.

But instead of turning back to hide in the house, I remembered the promise I made Claire that morning. If you help me, I'll try my best.

One foot in front of the other, I counted the four steps until I reached the bottom. At first I thought I'd never be able to make that final step. To me, it seemed like an impossible mission. And yet, without though, I pushed myself forward. Both of my feet hit the ground at nearly the same time.

Instantly the tall grass grew a bright green and spread out around the steps.

I'd forgotten how forgiving they are. I thought. It was the truth. I also forgot their kind "thank yous" when I helped them grow and flourish. I forgot the loving way they called me father, and even the warmth that seemed to invade my heart as I listened to them. They were always great company. And when Claire saw me smiling, she laughed.

"That's much better, isn't it?" She asked.

"Yeah." I replied. "Watch this." I said, making my way through the grass.

I need something blue.

The grass around me started to quiver as I moved along their many bodies. With every step forward they grew more and more restless. And by the time I made it to the forests edge, the ground was shaking.

Thank you.

You're welcome father.

There were several dead vines on the tree they'd brought me too, and I took my time choosing just the right one. And once I'd found it, I grazed my hand against its dead exterior. Instantly the brown vine became lighter in color, almost shining in its new life, and from the small pores that rode along it, came dozens of brilliant blue flowers.

They were the exact same flowers I'd shown Michael when I'd first been found out.

I plucked one off the vine and allowed it to grow its roots into my fingers for penance. It hurt a little more than it had when I had adrenaline and rage burning in me, but it'd keep it alive until I was done with it.

Handing the flower to Claire, I smiled. "Thanks for everything, Claire.

She beamed happiness and was in awe of the beautiful flower. Even with all of the misery I'd been showering her with, she never gave up on me. She never left me alone, flustered by my hopelessness. She deserved as much happiness as life could give her.

Claire had announced that Michael and the others would be arriving in less than ten minutes. She'd also said not to be worried if Emily looked a little different. I had no idea what that meant, nor why it took any precedence. But then again, I hoped she was alright. I don't think Michael would ever live it down if one of them got hurt.

Claire kept reassuring me that everything would be fine, but I was skeptical. I felt like a dog that'd just pissed on the rug, and was waiting for his master to find it. It wasn't a pleasant feeling, I'll tell you that much.

Derrick and Wilson had already taken a cab back to North Dakota. I didn't blame them. When werewolves came back from fighting, they were always pissed off and violent. I prayed the such was different for my new family.

The sound of Claire's Nissan was all too clear approaching Michael's usual parking spot, and as I prayed for more time, I heard the doors open and close. There was some bickering coming from outside and I Emily's voice was yelling something, and before I could realize what it was, the front door swung open.

The being that walked through the battered doorway wasn't Emily. She had her face, but her wild hair was a bright, glowing red. Her eyes matched them perfectly. Like glowing stoplights, they shown brilliantly in the dimly lit living room. I held my breath as she stopped to look at me.

"Oh, sorry darling." She said. Her accent was strange, but as she pulled her hair back with her hands, the dark red became bright blond once again. She closed her eyes and then… she was Emily once again.

"Sorry for scaring you, but they wanted me to stay changed for the trip home." She apologized. Then quite suddenly, she turned around on Nick who was waiting for her to move out of the way. "And as for you! I don't care about waiting till we're married anymore! You better be in the bedroom in two minutes, or I'll kill you!" She yelled. Her face was fury red, and without another word she stomped up the stairs and I could hear the sounds of the door too their shared room slam shut.

Nick was all smiles as he came through the door. And in his hand was a rather large bag of Burger King that he handed off to Angela. He stopped by Claire, gave her a hug and thanked her for watching the house, and he then disappeared beyond the stairs. I didn't really need that much imagination to tell me what was about to happen. So instead I smiled.

Angela was smiling as she came in as well. Her black hair was frizzed up and her clothes were dirty as rags, but she was smiling. I had no idea of what had happened, but I was glad to see everyone smiling, with the exception of Emily.

"How was your trip back?" Claire asked her, smiling as well. I was definitely missing something.

"I'll tell you later, when everyone's gone to sleep."

The girls instantly paired off and went into the kitchen where Claire began riffling through the brown bag full of food. Her eyes widening by the many choices that perplexed her decision making.

And last but not least, was my brother. He looked just as ragged as Angela. Brown dirt covered his white shirt and blue jean pants. But he wore it proudly. I could see it in his eyes. And upon meeting me in the doorway he stopped.

I could feel the two girls' glancing towards us.

I wanted to apologize to him for bringing something so unforgiving onto his land. I wanted to drop to my knees and ask him for forgiveness. I wanted to beg for my right to stay here…

And as I opened my mouth to speak, he dropped his bags and ran right up to me. His tight, strong arms almost knocked the breath out of me.

"I'm so proud of you." He whispered, "And I'm glad you're safe."

His words made me want to hug him back, but my arms were locked in place. "You're going to break me in half." I protested.

He laughed as released me. "I'm just so happy to see you safe."