Karen stood in shock by the announcement that Officer Brooks made. The Gamboni's knew where they were. The three of them had to move to a safe house. Her life was in danger again. Her life was being upended again. All because some boy couldn't understand the word "no". It was then that she made a decision. Her family was headed out following Officer Brooks when she started to speak up.
"Officer Brooks," she said, a bit more timid than she'd like.
The three adults stopped and looked at Karen who was standing in the back of the group. "Yes?" Dan Brooks asked.
"Can-can I ask you something?" she asked, a small waver in her voice. 'Why am I so nervous?' she thought to herself. She noticed that all three adults were looking at here. "Um...where...where can I get...some birth control pills?"
"Birth control pills?" Nichole asked, "You're already on birth control pills."
"No," Karen said, "I mean...um...for weres...Peter told me that weres were on them so I thought..."
"What?" Nichole asked, but Moe put a hand on Nichole's shoulder before moving over to Karen. He knelt down to her and asked, "What are you saying, honey?"
"It's just that...you know that I've volunteered to be the family were, right? And Peter has shown me a weretiger and a werecougar, and I've seen a wereleopard. He was going to show me a werelion later this afternoon, but with everything going on right now..." She took a deep breath before continuing, "I think I'm ready to make my choice now. And I'd rather get it over with sooner rather than later. Before the Gamboni's get here."
"Honey," Moe said softly, "You know that once you cross that line, you can't go back."
"I know," Karen replied, "But I really do want this. I'm tired of running, and I want to stay here in Moon Lake. That's why I volunteered to be the family were. Peter has shown so much of this town, and of the people who live here. He's shown me how wonderful the people here are, and...well...honestly...I wouldn't mind joining them. Not just because of Peter, but because of the people here. I want to be a were not just because of this town, but because of the people here. And I know which were I want to be. I was going to wait until I met with a werelion, but I know what I want to be now."
"Well, if you're sure..." Moe said thoughtfully. Nichole wanted to say something, but she tightened her lips.
Daniel, watching the whole scene, finally spoke up. "Okay, folks, here's what we're going to do. My job is to protect you and get you to Tara's place safely. So, we're going to go back to your house, and all of you will pack up some personal effects, including clothes for the next week or so, toiletries, and anything else. Once we get to Tara's, I'll take Karen, and we'll go to the hospital to get the birth control pills. After that, I'll take her back to Tara's house, and you all will stay put until further notice." He turned to Karen and said, "I'll see what I can do about arrangements, but it might not happen tonight or tomorrow. It might not happen until this whole thing's over. But once the Gamboni's are gone, we can see what we can do." Karen sighed when she heard this, but at least she was one step closer.