Something weird was going on, and it is getting more difficult for Morgan to ignore it as the days pass. Telling Matt about it will just make it more difficult to ignore, knowing how his best friend will make a big deal out of it. Morgan hoped it would go away after a few days, but clearly, he was mistaken. Things have just gotten stranger.

It all started with those red eyes that kept appearing in his dreams. Round as a full moon, terrifying at first glance but appealing the closer he looks at them. A continued howling would echo as he found his path through the forest, calling out to him. Following it was the goal, but it was difficult to find. His dreams had been like that for days now, and every morning he would find himself exhausted, hands and feet covered with dirt and mud, his whole body sweating and tired.

It was just a dream, Morgan keeps telling himself, although it won’t be long till he can no longer fool himself. The other morning, he found a trail of dirt through the window leading outside to the forest. He is not just dreaming. Maybe. Definitely. It’s a good thing it didn’t happen last night when he was staying over at Matt’s place.

Morgan has noticed changes in his body as well. To call these changes improvements would be an understatement. His eyesight has improved. No longer needing reading glasses, and it’s the first time he was actually able to see the horizon. Basketball practice feels easier, and he is able to go for extended periods on the court without getting tired. On the annoying end, his hearing has gone sharper than before, sometimes going to the extreme. The other day, in the middle of a pop quiz, he almost screamed for everyone to keep quiet. It was a good thing that he realized the noise was coming from the other room before he made a scene.

"You already know?" Morgan decided to come clean to Matt. He’s better at dealing with the weird stuff, after all. Matt wasn’t even bothered when Morgan showed him that the wound was no longer there.

"I figured. I've been handing you the medicine kit to take care of that since a few days ago, but you just didn’t bother to pick it up. Clearly the wound wasn’t bothering you anymore."

"You don’t really think it’s..." Morgan did not want to say the word.

"Lycanthropy. Werewolf? Oh yeah. But that’s just silly," Matt said, faking a laugh that turned into a sigh. "Good silly. But it’s silly. Isn’t it silly? If it’s true, then it’ll be so damn cool. I hope it is. I mean, can you just imagine yourself with fangs? But still. It’s silly."

Morgan swiped a half-empty cup of coffee from Matt’s side of the table. It’s the third one he’s had in the hour. "That’s enough for you today."

Matt retaliated, swiping the untouched slice of cake Morgan had on his side, diving into it with his fork. "I have a murder frame job problem. You wanna switch?" Matt asked, crumbs of the cake spilling to the side of his mouth.

"No, thank you." Morgan dropped the book he was reading. It was difficult to concentrate and study anyway. "I’m already down in the dumps today." Varsity practice started this afternoon, and they called in the new captain of the basketball team. It is tradition for the departing captain to be the one to name the new captain for the next year, and Morgan was promised the spot. Of course, he is only in his third year, and captaincy is usually given to a senior, but everyone was on board with the idea, especially with Morgan’s skills and his performance from last year. "That was one of the few things I was looking forward to this school year. I can’t believe they gave it to someone else!"

"I think I know what happened," Matt said, finishing his slice of strawberry cheesecake. "Your dad’s recipe for this is just immaculate. I’ll probably take another slice home. Oh, who am I kidding. I'll take a whole box home. Anyway. I heard the PE department just ordered new equipment for better training, he said with thinly veiled contempt. "Guess who donated the money? Matt was waiting for him to respond, but then answered it himself when Morgan did not respond. "The ever-so-generous Suico family. Coincidentally, their daughter just became the new cheerleading captain. Surprise, surprise." Matt created a circle with his index finger and thumb in the shape of a coin.

A son of a baker like him could never compete against a son of a businessman like Cedric Suico. All he can do right now is sulk and bury his head in his arms. Eyes closed, he focused on the noise around him, this time using his supposed superhuman hearing. It seems news of what happened with Matt last night has reached the town’s rumor mill. It’s a good thing that Matt is not one to be bothered by this. Even unwelcome glances and whispers earlier on their way to the café did not bother him. It’s difficult to say if his best friend is just indifferent to all this or if he just got used to it from an earlier experience.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Matt excused himself to use the comfort room, and he is likely to come back with another slice of a random cake. He’s had three slices so far, and it looks like he’s going to try the new caramel recipe dad created.

Crimson Café is one of, if not the only, places where they are free to hang out without getting disturbed or kicked out. This town really hates Matt’s family, but they are always welcome at Crimson. It is packed today, as always. The warm and cozy ambience, paired with the signature cakes, has always been its greatest draw. Low-hanging lamps cast a warm orange glow through the airy open space. Photographs toned in sepia line the red brick walls, and the rosewood curtains drape over stained glass windows, giving off a nostalgic vibe. Mismatched chairs and tables add to the quirky and homey spirit. A line has formed by the counter, and the glass display is almost empty with only a few cakes left. Morgan’s father is a genius when it comes to coming up with recipes. Everything about this place is so great that it’s a head-scratcher why their family is still in debt.

Matt emerged out of the kitchen door with another slice of cake on hand, just as Morgan expected. "Your brother asked me to give you this," Matt said, handing out a piece of paper before sliding back to his seat and munching down on his cake. "He said the cakes are already boxed, and the bike is ready at the back."

Morgan rose from his chair in fury. It’s Greyson’s turn to do the deliveries today.

"And he said it’s ‘cause you owe him for not getting up early to cook breakfast three days in a row, Matt added.

Morgan froze on his feet and sighed. It’s because of the sleepwalking.

"Guess I can’t hang around to do the calculus assignment anymore," Morgan said, waving the delivery list at Matt’s face, who did not seem to mind as he portioned his slice into smaller pieces.

"We still have tomorrow to work on it," Matt said, taking in the last chunk of the caramel cake. "I have to go somewhere too. Lola’s secretary, when she was working at city hall, found a few of Lola’s things and asked me to pick them up. Might get some trinkets, heirlooms maybe. You know, like empty ballpens or loose scrunchies."

Matt gathered his things and left in a hurry with a smile on his face after eating almost half a cake. It’s a wonder how just a few slices can make him happy like that. It is almost as if he was not brought down to the precinct for questioning just last night. Wherever Matt gets it from, Morgan wants in. It’ll be a relief not to have to worry too much about his problems.

"You okay?" asked Greyson, Morgan’s older brother. It would have been a sweet brotherly question if not for the light smack on the head Morgan got before he could even answer. Greyson’s hair was singed in places again, and his face had flour all over it, but he doesn’t really care. He enjoys baking as much as their father. "Anything wrong? Did you forget your insulin? You look queasy. Have you eaten anything?"

"I’m fine," Morgan answered, although the truth is that he is starting to feel lightheaded again. It has been coming and going the entire day.

"Then get going so we can close early," Greyson said.

"I’m actually not feeling that okay," Morgan feigned, but Greyson quickly caught on and pushed Morgan through the kitchen door. Their father had a stern smile on his face, knowing he and Greyson do this all the time when working out who has to do the deliveries. He was preparing one final box of cake. "Dad! Greyson should do the rounds." It didn’t work, and instead, Greyson put all four cake boxes on Morgan's hand.

"The last box goes to the city hall. It is last minute, but you know the mayor and his cravings," their father said.

"Take the east route and finish up at city hall. Make sure to return here before eight. We still need to do inventory after we close." Greyson really is hard on him most of the time. "Say ah," Greyson said, putting a piece of pan de sal with meatloaf in Morgan’s mouth. "Do not forget to eat you, little pup. We can’t have you dropping dead on the streets without finishing a delivery run." He makes up for being a secretly protective older brother, though.

"Relax, I’m not gonna leave your bike on the road," Morgan said, referring to the red motorbike Greyson bought a few months ago. He worked hard to save up the money to buy the second-hand bike. There were a few minor problems with it before they were able to get it to run.

"You’re taking the old bike." Greyson pointed to the bicycle with the Crimson Café Banner attached at the back. He treats his motorbike like a baby, and Morgan has yet to be allowed to use it. "It’s good for advertising. And cardio helps with your training, right?"

“Grey, come on.” Morgan went for the puppy dog eyes, his usual. But even he knows that this only works on his father. He huffed and puffed, watching Greyson’s back as he returned inside, wagging the motorbike’s key in his hand.

Be careful.

“I will!” Morgan replied with a smile. Although he realized he was all alone in the back alley of the café. There is no one else here, clearly and it was dark with only a single light bulb lighting the space. “Who’s there?” He said, slowly, knowing that he will not be getting an answer. Things are getting weirder and weirder and he knows he should tell Matt.