*Quick note: Unknown Author wrote an entry where Claire meets a weretiger and his daughter. Weres don’t transform until they reach puberty, so the girl couldn’t have been “young” and in her were form. - bj88
The entire Anderson family got a good night’s sleep in what felt like an eternity. A week ago, Eric was normal, Nate was in the closet, and Martha was still down in the dumps. But now everyone was in a much better mood.
Eric woke up in his were form, and fur all over his bed. He tried to just brush it off, but that only made things worse.
“Better to hand it out the window to get the fur off.” Eric looked up and saw Nate standing in his doorway with a towel wrapped around his waist.
“Thanks. You’re up pretty early.” Normally, on Mondays in particular, Nate was the last one up. But here he was, already showered and wide awake.
“First time I really slept in like a month.” Nate said.
“Me too. Hey, is there, uh, anything I should know? I mean, going back to school and all.” Eric asked sheepishly.
“Whatever happens happens. And if anyone gives you a hard time, tell them to…”
“Nate!”
“…mind their own business. Did you really think I was going to say something explicit? Shame on you Eric. Shame.” Nate wagged a finger mockingly at his brother. Eric shut the door in Nate’s face and did as Nate suggested.
He was surprised just how much fur came off his sheets, and then formed a pile below on the grass. Eric reluctantly shifted back, since he really did enjoy being a were. Now he knew why he brother had been raving about it for weeks. Once Eric was dressed he went downstairs to find his mother chatting on the phone with someone.
“Work.” she mutters when Eric gives her a curious glance. Nate’s already started his own breakfast. Eric sits beside him and pouts himself a bowl of cereal as his mother ends her call. Whoever it is, they’re talking so softly even Nate and Eric can’t hear what’s being said.
“Any idea who she’s talking to?” Eric asked Nate. His brother shrugs and says when he came down Martha was already on the phone. Eric gets up to find himself a spoon, wondering who would be calling their house at 6:30.
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On the other end of Martha Anderson’s phone call is Francis Twist. Who, after a pleasurable evening cuddling with Samantha, went back to the hospital bright and early to see Julie off. She’d called Martha to let her know what was happening, and they both agreed they wouldn’t tell Eric. No point in making him worry.
“She’s doing much better. But she still needs surgery to correct the physical injuries.” Frances explained. She stood outside Julie’s room, Melissa and Martin inside talking with Dr. Tachibana and Dr. Curry. Julie looked nervous, as to be expected of someone going in for surgery. But otherwise, she was perfectly healthy.
It was a mystery to them all. One second Julie was ripping IVs out of her arm, the next she was as level headed as the rest of them.
“I’m not going to look a gift were in the mouth. She’s better, let’s just leave well enough alone for now.” Martin said in regard to both doctors wanting to run some more tests. They were intrigued by Julie’s sudden progress. Martin just wanted to get the day over with.
“Alright. Are you ready to go in the next hour?” Tachibana respected the mayor’s decision. He knew if this were his son, he wouldn’t want to do anything to create further problems.
“So soon?”
“The operation won’t take place until about eleven. But we’ve got to get her checked into the other hospital, and do the usual pre-op routine. We’ve secured a room that’s typically used for quarantine patients, so Julie won’t be disturbed by any normal nurses. If all goes well, she should be back in here in a day or two.” Tachibana said.
“I’m as ready as I’ll be.” Julie said.
Tachibana and Curry left the Stovalls to prepare to leave, and met Frances in the hall. She quickly ended her conversation with Martha, and asked how the family was doing.
“Honestly, better than I expected.” Curry remarked, sparing a glance over her shoulder. Melissa and Julie were talking about something, while Martin was on his phone.
“Will you be staying in Moon Lake?” Tachibana asked. He knew Dr. Twist’s presence wasn’t required, but she may still want to go to offer some support to Julie’s parents.
“No, there’s another matter I have to deal with today.” Claire Robertson being the other matter. Frances was to check in on her and Ryan later to see how Claire was dealing with the bomb that is Moon Lake’s secret. That they’d all but dropped on her head.
“I see. Well, whatever it is, I hope it goes better than this case has been going. I fear the worst is yet to come.” Tachibana said.
“Why do you say that?” Mera asked.
“Call it a hunch. There’s always some sort of near end plot twist to these kinds of scenarios. At least that’s been my experience.”
“You’ve been reading science fiction again haven’t you Tora?”
“Blame my son, he’s got me back into that stuff.” Tachibana’s face almost turned the same shade of red as his fur.