The Lovers card signifies perfect union, harmony, love and attraction. It represents finding balance within oneself. The Lovers tarot card can also appear when you have major choices to make or when you're facing a dilemma.

June, 2022

"I need you, and maybe I'm just afraid that you'll realize you don't need me."

Those were the words Emma told Abi when they were still at the shelter. Her heart was racing inside her chest. She wasn't used to being so vulnerable, so exposed. Maybe she was being moved by pure fear. Fear for what could've happened if Abi hadn't shot Nick. Fear for what could've been if she hadn't been able to escape from the tree house. Fear that soon something could break through those doors and everything would be over.

And there was also Nick. Abi was in love with Nick. Maybe they had kissed in the forest earlier that night. Emma didn't know. And she never wanted to ask. The answer would break her heart, she knew.

"You're my best friend," she added, dismissing whatever feelings she was hiding behind those words.

Her biggest fear became a reality when almost one year had passed and Abi hadn't returned her calls or answered her messages. She didn't need her after all. Whatever they had back in the Summer Camp, ended that night.

Until earlier that week, when a phone call changed everything.

"I'm home from college and I was wondering if you'd like to hangout."

"I'm going out with Abi today," Emma spoke to the camera. "And I have no idea what to wear! If only I could post this online and hear some opinions. Well let's see what Ben thinks."

"BEEENJAAMIIIN," she yelled while she walked to the living room, where her roommate was playing video games. "What about this one? How do I look?"

"Uhh…" he paused the game to look at her. Again. Emma had asked his opinion another four times. "Stunning. You… look perfect."

"Ugh! You said that for every outfit I tried."

"Because they all really looked great?"

Emma went back to the bedroom, speaking to the camera again.

"See? I can't count on my roommate to help me with this task," she exhaled frustrated. "Anyways, it's almost time for me to leave. This one will have to do."

She looked at herself in the mirror, checking her clothes and also her make-up.

"I… I'm going to tell Abi everything. Wish me luck."

Emma turned off the camera just in time. Otherwise, she'd have to edit that video.

"Are you finally going to tell her about this secret crush you have on her?! Scandalous!"

Jenna's voice coming from the door made Emma jump frightened.

"JENNA! God, I was talking about still being infected," she told.

"Oh please, you don't freak out to pick an outfit when we go out together. Besides, I noticed how you checked your phone every single day expecting this call from her."

Emma felt her cheeks burning. It was true. She spent all those months hoping Abi would finally contact her. She wanted to know if she was okay. If they were okay. Deep down, she always hoped they'd continue being friends after Summer Camp ended.

"She was my best friend at the Summer Camp. There's no crush at all. Abi… she doesn't see me like that. She was in love with Nick."

"Have you ever asked her? You'll never know if you don't ask."

It was the first time Emma was seeing Abi since they were released from the police station. She couldn't help but open a wide smile as she saw the girl coming her direction at the Central Park. There was a funny sensation in her stomach, what made her reflect on Jenna's taunting back at the studio.

Okay. Maybe she did have a crush on Abi. She still remembered the first time she saw her, at orientation. She immediately tried to approach, with the excuse they would share a cabin.

Soon, Emma realized they were complete opposites. Abi was shy, insecure and had a hard time socializing. Yet, she was the sweetest counselor she had ever seen. No wonder all the kids adored her.

During many occasions, Emma caught Abi staring at her. Later, she found out she had been drawing her in her sketchbook. That was when she started giving hints. Obviously not in the same manner she was used to. Abi was different from anyone Emma had met before. It was possible that if she was too straightforward, she'd scare her away.

Abi never seemed to notice her efforts though. Or the feeling wasn't mutual at all. Emma's last desperate attempt was trying to use Jacob to make her jealous. The biggest mistake she ever made.

She opened her mouth to say something, but no words would come out. She was nervous. Really nervous.

"A-Abi…"

"Hey there, party bear," Abi smiled, giving her the same greeting they used back at Hackett's Quarry.

Emma didn't quite know what to do. Abi came in her direction for a high five, while she went for a hug.

"I was so glad when you called me," in the end, they hugged. An awkward and messy hug where none of them knew exactly where to place their arms. "I missed you."

"I missed you too."

Abi looked even more gorgeous now. Not only because her hair was longer. But she had lost some of her teenage girl looks. She looked more like a woman now.

Suddenly Emma started to worry about her appearance again. Her body was definitely more toned due to all that working out, but she also had lost some weight. She'd often feel sick in the days after her transformation. Sometimes she looked tired too, due to long sleepless nights.

"You… look beautiful, Abi," Emma complimented as they walked together to a cafe.

"And so do you," Abi smiled. "So, how's life at NYU?"

"Actually, I quit."

"Oh my god, Emma. I'm so sorry. I had no idea…"

"It's okay. It didn't get easier for me. Even after a few months."

They sat down. Abi started with an apology for not answering her calls. After being released from the police station, her parents advised her to keep some distance from the other counselors.

"Then, I thought it'd get easier once I started college," Abi told. "But it didn't. In fact, it worsened."

Not only was she unable to sleep at night, tormented with nightmares about that traumatic night. But she started experiencing heavy symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, that included flashbacks and visions.

"I started therapy and it has improved a little. But once in a while I still see Nick turning into a monster, in front of me, like if it's happening again. I see him coming in my direction, ready to kill me."

"And…" Emma swallowed dry at the information. Nick had absolutely no fault at that event. Yet, she couldn't judge Abi for being traumatized. "Have you ever spoken to him again? Nick, I mean."

"No," Abi let out a weary sigh. "He hasn't contacted me either and it's honestly the best for both of us. I don't think I'd be able to look at him the same ever again. I'd look at him and see…. that monster."

That monster. The same monster that was still running in Emma's veins, hiding somewhere in her body, underneath the fake smile and the staged confidence. The same monster that was only waiting for the next Full Moon to come to surface again, ready to slaughter anyone that crossed its path. Even if that someone meant a lot to Emma. It had no conscience. It had no feelings. Only an insatiable desire for bloodshed.

"I'm glad to be here with you now," Abi smiled. Emma reached for her hand. She couldn't let her know. Not yet. Not now Abi was finally coming back to her life.

They kept talking for a while at the cafe, then Abi invited Emma to her parents' house. She wanted to show her some projects she had done at Art School.

"So, I still kept checking your social media. You never posted any videos again."

"Like they say, I was cancelled."

"Oh no."

"Yes. And exposed too. They took bits from my videos out of context and turned into something like - 10 moments that prove Emma Mountebank is indeed a psycho. The last one will shock you."

"I'm so sorry about that," Abi squeezed her hand. "You should consider starting vlogging again. I know how much you enjoyed doing that. At Summer Camp you wouldn't shut up about it."

Emma's mind was far, far away from her videos or the Summer Camp. There was a lot more she wanted to say, about her feelings.

"What?" Abi asked with a smile. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"All these months… I thought you hated me, Abi. I'm glad you don't."

"Why would I even hate you?"

Emma stood up, walking around the bedroom as she reflected about her behavior back at Hackett's Quarry.

"All we went through. All I've been through… it made me realize I wasn't a good person before. I was quite a bitch sometimes, like in the Truth or Dare game," she confessed. "I was so desperate to annoy Jacob that I never considered your feelings."

"Emma, it's okay. Nick and I, it wasn't anything but a Summer crush. I wasn't even sure I really wanted to kiss him."

"Yeah, because you totally wanted to kiss me. Do confess!"

Emma realized what she had just said. She'd joke like that around Abi all the time. But it felt different now. There was a hint of reality behind those words.

"I-I'm just kidding," she quickly excused, noticing her friend had a shocked expression on her face.

"But I did," Abi's words came out exactly at the same time. "I… I'd have kissed you."

"You wouldn't. Don't joke like that, Abigail!"

"Emma, I'm not joking."

There was a long pause. An awkward silence between them. Emma never expected to hear that, coming from Abi.

"Is this… is this why you were always drawing me? Because you…"

"Y-Yes. You were the… most beautiful girl I had ever met. And the most amazing too. You were always so confident and funny, everybody loved being around you."

"Wait a minute," Emma's eyes searched the bedroom. She stopped at an empty water bottle inside Abi's trash can. "That will do."

"What are you doing?" Abi's cheeks were still red, but she broke into a giggle as Emma placed the bottle on the floor and spun it.

"I start," she said. "And I pick 'truth' this time."

"Okay, so… just tell me what you have in mind."

"Abi, I only got with Jacob because you wouldn't notice me."

"Emma, oh my god. I never thought… I'm such an idiot!"

"Your turn now," Emma spun the bottle again. "Truth or Dare, Abi?"

"I…" Abi looked down, smiling shyly as she realized exactly what Emma expected her to do. "I suppose I should pick 'dare'?"

"Abigail Blyg," Emma sat in front of her, gazing deeply into her eyes. "I dare you to kiss me. If you still want to."

At first, Abi looked down and blushed, but then she started to lean forward. Emma touched her cheek, bringing her face closer to hers, where their lips slowly found each other.

Emma deepened the kiss, stroking Abi's tongue with hers. Abi's hand moved to her neck. Her touch made Emma's whole body tingle.

Abigail's kiss was everything she ever imagined and more. It was timid, but loving. It was soft, but passionate. And when they parted, her heart was racing inside her chest.

"I kissed Abi," Emma told to her cell phone camera that night, when she was already in bed. "I kissed Abi and told her how I feel. It was insanely good and I feel happy like I've never been since… well, since I got infected."

Her expression suddenly changed. She seemed conflicted, worried.

"I didn't told Abi this part yet. She's still suffering from severe trauma and I assumed she wouldn't take it very well."

Emma closed her eyes and sighed.

"Am I being selfish again? I just… I don't wanna ruin the only good thing happening in my life right now."

On that month's Full Moon, Emma decided to return to Hackett's Quarry. She would spend the morning in North Kill, researching about the fire that destroyed the Harum Scarum show. Then, she'd follow to the house where the Hackett's used to live. Even if the police sealed the place, when they recovered the bodies in there, she still hoped to find anything that could help. After all, Chris and his children were werewolves for years. They had enough time to study about their condition.

Her first stop was at the local library, where she asked to read all the past years' newspapers. There wasn't much about the Harum Scarum show, except for what she had already seen. Being so influential in the area, the Hackett's probably tried to cover up anything that could lead to them.

Then, she followed to the precinct. It had a new sheriff. She immediately tried to come up with a plan to obtain any information she could.

"Hello, I'm a journalist and I'm in charge of an article about the Harum Scarum fire. Can you provide any information?"

"Name?" The new male sheriff asked.

"Jessica…" She forgot about the name she had initially picked, so she said the first name that came to her mind. "Jessica Riley."

"Well, Ms. Riley. Any information about the Harum Scarum fire is confidential. I'm afraid I can't help you."

"Anything? I just need some information about the members of the show."

"I'm sorry."

It was obvious it wouldn't be that easy. Emma would have to use other methods. She waited outside, observing as the sheriff went out for lunch. Then, she went to the back door of the precinct where she kept trying to pick the lock. Unfortunately, she couldn't kick it open this time. The noise would be too loud.

"Fuck! It seemed easier on YouTube."

It took longer than expected, but she finally did it. Soon, she was in the archives, searching for anything related to the fire.

"Here it is!" Using her phone camera, Emma photographed everything she found inside the box. Including evidence collected from the remains of the freak show and reports of people who had any contact with its members.

She quickly fled away from the precinct before the sheriff returned.

Emma's courage ceased to exist once she stopped the car in front of the deactivated lodge. A lot of memories and feelings she had been ignoring for the last few months suddenly hit her like a storm. Her knuckles turned white as she held the wheel tighter.

"Fuck this place," she left Benjamin's truck and sat on the stairs. Everything that happened in that camp seemed like a lifetime ago. She grabbed her phone and started to analyze the evidence she collected from the precinct.

"Okay, so… Eliza is the famous 'Hag Of Hackett's Quarry'. Nobody really knew about her true origins, but someone speculated she came from New Orleans."

Emma wrote down some notes, questioning if Eliza was truly a witch and if she had the power of casting such a curse.

"Silas was a boy with albinism, found and adopted by Eliza. He was kept in a cage as an attraction of the Harum Scarum show. He was called 'The Dog Boy' due to his shapeshifting during the Full Moon."

She couldn't help feeling a hint of anger and sadness for Silas. After all, she was like him now. They had some kind of connection.

"If you expected me to get some kind of revenge for what was done to you," Emma sighed weary. "I'm sorry. You picked the wrong person, Silas."

She stood up and started to walk around, headed to the Hackett's old house.

"Or… you could help me get rid of it and I can make sure the world will know your story."

It sounded stupid, Emma knew. But after everything she went through in that place, she wouldn't be surprised to know the spirits of those who had been killed in the fire, or even by the werewolves forms of the Hackett's, were still trapped there.

When she finally found the house, it was difficult to locate its entrance. Inside, the places where the bodies were found were still marked. A chill ran through Emma's spine.

There wasn't much to be seen in the rest of the house, except for… cages. That should be where the Hackett's were kept when they transformed. And where Jacob and Nick reported to be locked.

Emma still checked all the books and notes she found around the house for a possible explanation about werewolves and the curse, but nothing.

When night started to fall, she locked herself inside the shelter she once hid with Abi. At least the memories brought a smile on her face, as she started feeling the first painful effects of the incoming transformation.

"I can't wait to be home and see you again, Abi," Emma spoke to the camera. "I'm sorry I'm hiding this from you, but… I don't think you'd be ready to face it all again yet. I don't want to make you suffer. And I don't want to lose you."

There was a noise, followed by a sudden drop in the temperature.

"Eliza?" Emma shouted. "Is that you?"

There was no answer. But she knew she was not alone.

Usually, Emma had no memories from the hours she was under her werewolf form. This time however, she had glimpses. Glimpses of a vision she had about the Harum Scarum fire, an elderly woman and her promise to get revenge.

When Emma got home, her phone immediately started to ring.

"Where were you?" Abi asked on the other side of the line. "I've been trying to reach out to you since last night. I was starting to get worried."

"Sorry, Abi. I had to cover an extra shift last night and I forgot to charge my phone."

"Are you okay? Your voice seems tired."

"Yeah, I didn't get to sleep. Lots of nightmares, you know?"

"Can I drop by to see you later?"

"Of course. I can't wait to see you."

Something got Emma's attention. At the entrance of the studio apartment, a package with her name had been delivered. She opened it. It was an ancient book about curses.

"You're welcome," an unsigned note said.