Beep. Beep. Beep.

Andy’s eyes fluttered open, his vision blurry and unfocused. A dull ache permeated every corner of his body, like he’d been trampled by a herd of stampeding cows. It smelled sterile, wherever they were—back in the Moonlit Ward, perhaps—the lights weren’t intense, but they were harsh enough for the boy to cover his sensitive eyes.

As his vision adjusted to the filtered light from outside, Andy tried to sit up, but the crisp white sheets drawn over his frail body seemed to hold him down like two-ton weights. His limbs felt just as heavy, sinking into the hospital bed like a chicken in fry batter. Even the mere act of turning his head sent shockwaves of pain down his aching spine. Andy groaned softly, his throat dry and scratchy. As he continued to blink away the fog, a blurry brown shape in the corner of his vision gradually came into focus.

Martin sat slumped in a chair by Andy’s bedside, his hat tipped down over his snoring face. His clothes were left disheveled, though the wounds beneath the tears appeared to be okay. A half-empty styrofoam cup of coffee sat on the nearby table, long since having gone cold.

The boy tried to speak, but only managed a weak croak. The sound was enough to rouse Martin from his sleep. The old man jerked awake, his hat tumbling to the floor, balding head shining brilliantly under the fluorescent lights.

“Buh…? Andy? How’re you feelin’, son?” Martin asked as he placed a hand on the boy’s forehead. He was about burning up, the poor thing. Andy swallowed hard, his spit feeling like acid going down his cankerous throat.

“I feel…like I took a dip in a deep fryer.” Andy said.

Martin chuckled bitterly. “I’ll bet. You had a pretty rough night.”

Andy grasped his head and ever-so-slowly pushed himself upright into a sitting position. It felt like every ligament in his arm was being torn with the effort. A few tired tears dribbled down his face, as the fluids of the IV bag dribbled into his arm. Oh yeah. That was a needle in his arm. Andy could feel his stomach sink with that revelation.

As the boy repositioned himself, Martin got up to grab the boy a small glass of tap water from the bathroom faucet. Coming back in, he dragged his chair right up to Andy’s bedside, handing the boy the paper cup he’d filled. Andy took a few small sips. The cool liquid helped some to soothe the burning sensation that had plagued the boy, but he’d need a little more than just water before he really started to feel better.

“Easy, now.” Martin said. “Doc says you ought to take it slow.”

As Andy drank, he mulled over the sparse fragments of memories from the previous night—flashes of fur, fangs, fury. His stomach churned with a creeping guilt. Was everybody okay?

Martin could read the worried expression on the boy’s face; Andy made no attempt to hide it. With a small laugh, the old man gave the boy a very gentle pat on the arm. Andy still yelped with pain.

“I—sorry. Everyone’s fine, son. You didn’t hurt nobody.”

Andy let out a shaky breath, though a particular knot in his chest still remained.

Though the rest of the night was a blur, her bloody, ghoulish face was something he wouldn’t soon forget.

“The lady—Ms. Doukas—is she…?”

Martin’s jaw tightened slightly. “She’s alive. In custody now. Won’t be botherin’ us no more.”

Andy nodded, his breath hitching a bit as the flashes continued to go through his mind. It was all like a dream, or perhaps even a nightmare, fleeting, hard to bring into focus. Even still, what little he could remember from that night, all the rage, all the hatred, it honestly made him tear up a bit—the boy, lungs heaving, started to softly cry.

“I was so angry. I wanted to…I almost—”

“But you didn’t,” Martin cut him off. “That’s what’s important.”

Knock, knock.

There was a gentle rapping at the door. Martin turned, startled slightly, rising from his chair. He went to open it, joints creaking, revealing two giant men standing there—Mr. Hudson and Elder Davis. Hudson’s usual immaculate suit was wrinkled, the attire seeming to have experienced the same amount of stress as the Lamia himself. The dark circles under Hudson’s eyes seemed about the same circumference as his round glasses. Davis looked equally haggard, covered in new, nasty looking scars across his arms and legs.

“May we come in?” Hudson asked.

Martin hesitated, giving a brief glance at Andy. The boy gave a small nod.

“…Sure thing,” Martin said, stepping to the side. “He’s just waking up.”

The two men approached Andy’s bedside, their faces grim. Hudson cleared his throat.

“How are we feeling, Mr. Kessler?” he asked.

“Like a million bucks.” Andy croaked.

“Good, good. We’ve got lots to talk about.”

“Like what?”

Davis stepped forward, bowing his head. “I’ve come to turn myself in, Andy. For what happened to you and your mother.”

Andy let out a long breath and nodded. “Okay.”

Davis sighed. “You were right. It’s time I face the consequences of my actions. I’ll serve my sentence, likely for the rest of my life, but I’ll do it.”

“…What about Elena?” Andy asked.

"Davis and I have come to a sort of agreement,” Martin cut in. “While he’s serving his time, I’ll help look after Elena, give her a shot at a normal life…as long as that’s what she wants.”

Andy’s gaze flicked between the three men, trying to process the sudden turn of events. He wasn’t sure what to say. Hudson stepped closer, his voice softening.

“We know this is a lot to take in, Mr. Kessler, but we reckon this’s the best path for everyone involved. It gives Davis a chance to atone, Elena a chance at a different life, and you and your father…well, maybe some closure on that front.”

Andy leaned back against his pillows, overwhelmed. The room spun, memories of his mother mingling with images of Elena's face, with the Natural Order, with Martin’s scowl—he thought of the rage he felt as a Werewolf, the desire for vengeance that had consumed him. But now, faced with this offer of justice, he felt that anger begin to ebb.

Still, he felt a bit uneasy after all was said and done. What did Hudson mean when he said to find some closure? Was this…was this really it?

Were him and his dad really about to part ways?

For a fleeting moment it hardly seemed fair, but…maybe it was better this way. Maybe it was safer for everyone.

Andy’s face crumpled under the weight of everything. Tears welled up and spilled over his eyelids, rivers streaming down his cheeks. His shoulders shook as he began to sob, loudly, uncontrollably. Wracking cries tore their way from his mottled throat and filled the white room.

Martin’s heart clenched at the sight of it—without a moment’s hesitation, he rushed to the boy’s bedside and gathered him into his arms as gently as he could, mindful of Andy’s injuries. Andy buried his face in his father’s chest, his tears soaking into Martin’s shirt.

“Oh, no, no…it’s okay. It’s okay.” Martin murmured, rubbing soothing circles on Andy’s back. The boy’s fingers curled into Martin’s shirt, all the fear, the pain, the uncertainty of the past week poured out of him, a torrent of emotion that threatened to sweep the others away.

“I’m scared,” Andy choked between his sobs. “I d-don’t want you to go.”

“I know…I know, son,” Martin said, his own voice threatening to crack. “But listen to me, Andy. Listen. This isn’t the end, okay? I’m gonna stay in touch. We’ll write letters, make a few orb calls—heck, maybe I can even visit if Mr. Hudson allows it.”

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Hudson cringed a small bit but held his tongue, simply crossing his arms in response. Martin pulled back slightly, cupping Andy’s tear-stained face in his calloused hands.

“You’re my boy, ain’t nothin’ is gonna change that. Not distance, not time, not your…condition. I love you, boy. I always will.”

Andy hiccuped, amber eyes swimming with tears. “You promise?”

“I promise,” Martin said firmly. “We’re gonna get through this together, you an’ me. You’re stronger than you know. And you’ve got good people here lookin’ out for you. It ain’t gonna be easy, but you’re gonna be okay. You hear me? Everything is gonna be okay.”

Andy nodded weakly, sniffling back his runny nose, wiping it on his sheets. Martin pulled him close again, pressing a kiss to Andy’s head. They stayed like that for a while, foreheads pressed together, Andy’s sobs gradually quieting down.

As the tears subsided, a fragile sense of peace settled over the room. There was still a lot to be worked out, wounds to be healed, and plenty of mysteries to be solved…but in that moment, wrapped in his father’s embrace, Andy felt hope for the future, whatever it may bring.

…

After fighting for her life on multiple occasions, Tanya O’Mally was finally given a break.

Along with the others, Andy, Cici and Vick, the Elf walked quietly by the banks of the lake. The others lingered a bit behind, chattering about that week’s events, how they uncovered a grand conspiracy, how they ventured through the depths of the valley and came out mostly unscathed—they talked about the Order, theorizing about what may come next, and Vick filled the two in on the mysterious heirloom which rendered the Rangers to jelly.

Tanya was hearing none of it, caught up in her own little world, embarrassed with herself and her recent performance. Her arms were crossed tight as she continued to pace faster on ahead.

Ever the observant one, Cici noticed Tanya drifting away. The Xita quickened her own pace as she caught up with the girl’s side.

“Hey, you okay?” Cici asked. Tanya gave a small nod, not meeting her gaze.

“You know, you did amazing the other night! The way you took on those knights, it was like…watching a dance! Yeah, like, like breakdancing! Except you were like, breaking their faces and stuff.”

Tanya’s lips tightened, expression fixed on the path ahead, but Cici pressed on, determined to break through the Elf’s stoic facade.

“And when you disarmed the guy with the flail? Like, I didn’t even see your hands moving, you were so fast! And that dodge, you were like, you looked like something straight out of The Matrix!”

As she explained, Cici made various ridiculous gestures and motions with her hands. A faint blush colored Tanya’s cheeks, though her expression remained neutral. The two walked in silence for a moment, the gentle lapping of the lake’s waves filling the air. A cool breeze rustled through the trees, bringing with it the scent of barbecue.

“Oh, and remember when you flipped the brute over your shoulder?!” Cici’s eye lit up as she pantomimed the move. “Dude must’ve weighed like 300 pounds but you were like, wham! You tossed him around like a sack of potatoes! I bet he’s still sore from that.”

The corner of Tanya’s mouth twitched ever so slightly. Just up ahead, Drew and his Kobold landlord were cooking some chicken wings using a public grill.

“I mean it though, you were a total badass. Like a real life superhero or something.”

At that, Tanya finally cracked a small smile, shaking her head. There was warmth in her gaze as she looked at Cici. Thankful, grateful, whatever the moment called for. She figured the Xita got the impression by the time the Kobold started ringing a loud dinner bell.

“Hey, butt-nuggets!” Drew called to the group, his hands cupped over his mouth. “You’re just in time!”

The group gathered around the grill, the savory aroma of barbecue chicken wafting through the air. Drew expertly flipped the wings, the skin sizzling and crackling as it crisped to golden-brown perfection. His Kobold landlord bustled about, setting out paper plates and plastic utensils on the nearby picnic table.

Andy hung back a bit, still feeling sore and stiff from his ordeal. He leaned against a tree, watching the others with a small smile. Vick sidled up next to him, nudging the boy with his elbow.

“So, how’s it feel bein’ the hero, eh?” Vick grinned, waggling his eyebrows. “Took down the big bad, an’ made ‘em crap their pants to boot. Pretty impressive for your first full moon.”

Andy’s cheeks flushed red as he shook his head.

“Oh, I’m sure it weren’t just me. Everyone played a part—I just got lucky, I guess.”

Cici bounded over, picking up on the conversation. “Are you kidding? You were amazing!”

Andy winced. “I was out of control…”

“But you stopped yourself,” Cici affirmed. “When it really mattered, you made the right choice.”

“I guess,” Andy said as he rubbed the back of his neck. “Still feels weird though. Like, I ain’t too sure who I am anymore.”

Vick laughed loudly, clapping a hand on Andy’s shoulder. “You’re still you, wolf boy, just with some extra hair every now and then.”

“Yeah,” Andy chuckled weakly. “I s’pose.”

“And hey, you’ve got us to help figure all that out.” Cici added. A genuine smile spread across Andy’s face.

“Thanks guys. I don’t know what I’d do without y’all.”

“Probably be bored out of your mind. Or six feet under. Either or.” Vick said. The three laughed, tension easing from Andy’s stiff shoulders. As they joked and chattered, the smell of barbecue grew all the stronger. Drew’s voice called out over the sizzle of the grill.

“Alright, you animals, grub’s ready!”

The group gathered around the picnic table as Drew announced dinner, as the Kobold rang the bell one last time. A few others joined the picnic; Elder Balrog, who was recovering well from his injuries, loudly boasted on how he turned the tables on the knight that found him in the woods. Elder Fia stabbed a few lettuce leaves off her plate with a plastic fork, stuffing her face in as lady-like of a manner as she could muster. Snoozie and Ryan even joined in, neither of them eating, but the both of them yapping each other’s ears off about upcoming events.

As plates were filled and conversations flowed, Andy found himself surrounded by his newfound friends and allies. The warm summer evening wrapped around them like a comfortable blanket, the lake's gentle waves providing a soothing backdrop. For the first time in what felt like ages, Andy felt truly at peace.

Cici plopped down next to Andy, her plate piled high with wings. "So, what's next for you, huh? Got any big plans now that you're officially part of the creature club?"

Andy chuckled, shaking his head. "Honestly? I think I just want to take it easy for a while. Maybe finish up school here, get a job or somethin'. I wanna try to figure out this whole Werewolf thing one day at a time.”

“That sounds like a good plan. No need to rush into anything,” Cici took a big bite of chicken, sauce smearing across her plated face. “You know, if you need help with school stuff, I’d be happy to help. I’m kind of a whiz in arcane science.”

“Thanks. I might take you up on that. Arcane science uh…don’t sound too familiar.”

“Oh, it’s awesome,” Cici’s eye lit up with excitement. “You know you can actually enchant weapons with elemental status effects like, like fire and frost and poison and stuff like that? Just gotta like, make a few deals with a few gods and like—I dunno, it’s pretty cool I guess.”

The boy didn’t understand a word of it, but he nodded along anyway. “Yeah. Sounds like it.”

As Cici enthusiastically described the process in video-gamey terms, complete with dramatic hand gestures, Andy found himself laughing along. Her love of the art was infectious.

“Hey, everyone!” Vick shouted over the chatter, perching himself high above the picnic table. “Let’s get a photo!”

There was a flurry of movement and tired groans—Drew grumbled as he and the other tall ones were pushed to the back. Cici bounced excitedly, trying to find the perfect spot. Andy hung back a bit, unsure, until Vick waved him over.

“Come on, wolf boy, front and center! You’re the man of the hour, ain’t you?”

Blushing, Andy allowed himself to be pulled into the middle of the group. Cici threw an arm around his shoulders, her eye indicating a wide grin. On the other side of the group, Tanya gave a small nod of acknowledgement and crossed her arms.

“Alright everyone, on three, let’s say cheese!” Vick left the camera floating in midair as he descended toward the group, finding a spot between his friends. A chorus of voices rang out, some enthusiastic, some mumbled, but all together. The camera flashed, capturing the moment—a ragtag group of monsters and misfits, united in friendship and community.

As everyone began to disperse, Vick retrieved his camera, reviewing the photo on the screen.

“Perfect! This’ll make a great centerpiece for the article.”

“Article?” Andy asked. “What article?”

Vick nodded. “Yeah, I uh…figured the community could use some good news for once. Somethin’ light, an’ drama free. ‘Community comes together for lakeside barbecue’—has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”

Andy smiled. “Yeah. I like the sound of that.”

As the sun began to set in the distance, painting the sky in brilliant reds and pinks, the group settled in to enjoy the rest of the evening. Stories were shared, jokes were told, and plans for the future were theorized about in sparse detail.

The day was good. The folks were good.

Everything was good.

As the day drew to a close, Andy sat at the edge of a dock, his bare feet kicking at the cool waters, amber eyes watching the native fish swim back and forth down beneath the waves. Lost in thought, Andy heard footsteps approaching behind him. He turned to see Cici walking up, two ice cream cones in her hands.

“Thought you might want some dessert,” she said, holding out one of the cones to Andy.

“That ain’t cat food, is it?” Andy asked, his nose twitching. Cici shook her head.

“Huckleberry. Figured you could go for something sweet.”

Andy smiled and accepted the cone. They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, enjoying the sun’s last rays of summer on the lake’s surface. A cool breeze rustled through the trees, leaves blowing across the lake.

“So,” Cici said after a while. “How are you really doing? With everything that’s happened?”

Andy took a deep breath, considering the question. “Honestly? I’m not sure. It still feels kinda surreal, ya know? Like I’m gonna wake up any minute and be back on the farm.”

Cici nodded in understanding. “Yeah, I bet. It’s a lot to process.”

“But,” Andy continued. “I think I’m starting to feel…okay about it all. Like, maybe this’s where I’m meant to be. Does…does that sound crazy?”

“Not at all,” Cici replied with a smile. “I think you fit in here perfectly.”

Andy felt a warmth spread through his chest at her words, taking in the beauty of the lake. Cici bumped her shoulder against his. Andy grinned, feeling content. As the first stars began to twinkle in the darkening sky, he knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, he wouldn’t have to face them alone any longer. The boy had found his place in this strange new world, and whatever was next…he’d be ready for it.

One step at a time.