While Naomi worked on getting us back to the present, I continued to watch Ren and Gloria. Things were escalating quickly. “I think that might work. But the monster would need to be triggered for that. And that would be bad,” Ren said quietly. Gloria nodded. “Okay.” Suddenly, mid-reply, Ren froze. His head dropped to his hands again. “Ren?” Gloria asked with concern. “It-It’s back,” he whispered, his voice hollow. It didn’t sound exactly like the Ren from before, probably because of the monster slowly emerging. “Can I help?” she asked hopefully. “I think so.” He whispered something inaudible from my range, and Gloria drew a pocket knife. She sliced across her hand. “Now what?” she asked. Ren stayed silent, but scraped his hand across the seat, drawing blood. He pressed his cut against hers. 5 seconds later, he whispered, “Move your hand.” “Move your hand, Gloria!” he snapped a second later when she still hadn’t moved. His voice was still off, so I knew we didn’t have much time left. She yanked her hand back. “Sorry. Did that help?” “If that worked, you have it now, too. It’s small, don’t worry, only a fraction of mine, but it should help you understand.” She nodded. “Okay.” Ren winced. “What is it?” Gloria asked. “It just got stronger. Please, I need you to leave.” I turned to Naomi. “Are you almost ready?” I asked. “Things are getting heated.” She nodded. “I think. A few more minutes.” “We might not have that,” I muttered, but turned back to watch. “Why?” Gloria asked. “Like I said, it got stronger.” “But can’t I stay? To help?” “Please, trust me. I need you to leave,” he pleaded desperately. I could tell we had about one minute left before the monster completely took hold, judging by his voice. She nodded. “Okay. Where to?” “Anywhere. Just away from here.” Gloria stood, summoned a bag, and stepped off the porch. “I’ll write to you, little brother. You don’t have to remember where they are, but keep the letters safe.” He nodded, and looked up, his eyes dark and shadowed. “Go, Gloria. I don’t want to hurt anyone else.” She stepped into the shadows, and disappeared as I turned to Naomi. “Okay, we need to leave, now.” She opened her eyes and nodded. “Ready. Let’s go.” I grabbed her hand, and we left the past, just in time to hear Ren’s screams as the monster took hold. The screams still rang in my ears, but we were back in the present, in my room. Naomi dropped my hand and sank onto the bed. “I promise, I never planned that.” I nodded. “I believe you.” She sighed. “Thanks.” We were silent for a moment. “Let’s go discuss Halloween plans with Brazen and Harlow,” I suggested. Naomi shrugged. “Sure. We can tell them about… whatever that was, too.” I smiled, took her hand, and we exited my room, heading for the twins’s dorm. It was great to be back here, but I would be talking to Shadow’s father tomorrow, that’s for sure.
Notes/Credits: If you're reading this, you probably know I wrote The Wolf Boy. Well, here's the sequel: The Monster's Curse. This is Chapter 9. Previous Chapter(s): Chapter 1: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/652476202/ Chapter 2: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/652950608/ Chapter 3: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/655177024/ Chapter 4: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/655177565/ Chapter 5: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/655621072/ Chapter 6: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/656955201/ Chapter 7: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/657580423/ Chapter 8: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/657583863/ Credits: Me, for being the author Shannon Messenger, JK Rowling, Eoin Colfer, and many other authors for inspo @aqua_di_angelo, @AL600AWESOME, @Lanze_cupcake_face11, and @Yayabinks for inspo and supporting the story! QOTC: Why do you think Ren kept his sister a secret?
