An unsteady truce

The next day, I spent my morning looking for a potential target to use my powers on. This talk with Aurora really motivated me, but I couldn't just go wild and target random people. The mayor immediately came to mind, since the vast majority of politicians were corrupt, but he wasn't the only one. There were also a few wealthy businessmen around here that seemed suspicious.

As Claire left for work, I took a walk near the city hall, observing the building and the people going in and out, wondering how I could potentially get inside. The best way would probably be to wait for an employee to leave and skin them once they're out of sight, but since it was morning, it wasn't something I'd be able to do right away.

There's work, too... I need to think of something... I can't keep working full time if I want to do this...

I would need to talk with my boss to see if it'd be possible to work part-time from now on, to give me a few days each week to enact my plans. If I had less honor, I could just borrow some money from the crooks I'd wear to help pay our rent, but it didn't seem right.

I'm better than them.

I decided to get back home for the time being, grabbing something to eat on the way. I spent my afternoon doing some workout to stay in shape and read a few comic books.

When I went to the bar to start my shift, I spotted Aurora waiting in front of it, smoking a cigarette.

"Good evening, Aurora. How are you?" I said, smiling.

"I'm good, what about you?"

"Pretty good. Our conversation from yesterday really helped relieve some stress."

"That's nice." She simply replied, eyeing me weirdly.

"Is there something wrong?" I asked.

"No, nothing."

Slightly confused, I opened the door and got ready to start my shift, cleaning the bar and making sure we had a good stock for the night. I also took the time to talk to my boss about working less due to personal reasons, and he accepted. He was such a nice guy, I was truly grateful he gave me a chance and took me in.

It was a calmer night, giving me the opportunity to talk to Aurora more.

"So, I talked about myself last night, but I don't know much about you." I started as I served her the same drink as before. "Where are you from?"

"Hmm, I was born in Norway, in a small town around Oslo." She replied.

"Oh, Norway? That's neat. Always wanted to visit it one day."

"It's a charming country. But my mother and I moved to the US when I was eleven, after my father... passed away." She said, a sad smile on her face. "My grandmother already lived here, so it made things easier."

"I see, I'm sorry to hear about your father."

"It was a long time ago, now. Anyway, I spent most of my life here instead of in Norway, I haven't been there in years."

I glanced at her guitar case. "Are you in a band, by the way?"

She shook her head. "No, I'm kind of a lone wolf. What about you?"

I chuckled. "I never got the time to learn an instrument. Between my boxing practice and all the punishments I got from standing up against bullies when I was in school, I couldn't."

It made her smile a little. The conversation was interrupted by a few clients walking in and ordering foods and drinks, so I excused myself and got back to work for the time being. Aurora left shortly after, waving at me. I waved back, slightly disappointed to see her go so soon, but it was also a relief considering the incessant pesterings from my skinwalker side whenever she was around.

The rest of the evening went by fast, I didn't have too much work. I closed the bar and started to walk back home, but I was surprised to see Aurora, leaning against a wall and smoking another cigarette.

"Aurora? You're still here?"

She took a puff. "I was waiting for you, actually."

"Huh?"

She came closer, but still kept some distance between us. She seemed on her guard.

"Edward, tell me the truth. I know you're not human, but what are you?" She declared as she stared seriously at me.

"W-what?" I took a step back, shocked by her declaration. "W-what are you talking about?"

"You can't fool me, I can feel that you aren't human anymore. Something happened after the first time I saw you at the bar. Tell me what happened."

I caught a glimpse at what seemed to be a dagger underneath her jacket. We were in the middle of the night, no one was around, it wasn't a main street. The conditions were perfect for her to get rid of me without any witnesses.

"Do you... plan to kill me?"

After another puff of her cigarette, she spoke. "My goal is to kill monsters and protect humans, so yes. But I can give you a painless **** before what you became corrupts you."

I clenched my fists. "Why... Why would I need to die? I am still the same person, with the same ideals, the same love for my sister, the same motivation to help those being oppressed... Nothing has changed apart from having been granted the means to do better."

"You say that now, but whatever curse you're now afflicted with is bound to corrupt you."

"I was granted a great power, and it comes with great responsibility. I can make the world better, how is it wrong? Yesterday, you said that you wanted that, too. We have a similar goal."

I saw Aurora starting to unsheath her dagger, her expression becoming more focused. "It's a risk I can't take, Edward. There's nothing personal there."

"I don't want to fight you, we're on the same side... But I can't let myself be killed, my sister needs me..." I stated as I got in a fighting stance.

She rushed towards me, trying to slash me with her dagger. Despite my enhanced reflexes and my own experience as a boxer, I could barely dodge. She was really fast. Had I not been prepared for it, I would probably have been done for. Still, her swiftness was a danger.

I need to finish this quick...

I had a weapon of my own, these bony spines coming from my fingertips. I surprised her by parrying her dagger with them, and quickly grabbed her arms to immobilise her, pushing her to the ground. Her dagger fell further away.

"Stop! I don't want to hurt you! Give me a chance..."

"You're... a skinwalker..." Aurora muttered as she tried to break free.

I stared at her. "I didn't choose to become one, but yes. So what? I'm still myself. I could have stabbed you with these spines and end this fight when I grabbed you, but I didn't, because that's not who I am. Now please let's talk things out!"

My phone rang in my pockets, and Aurora took this opportunity to push me away with a kick and break free. Before she could try to attack me again, I took out my phone and answered, hoping that it would make her stop.

"Claire?" I said as I tried to catch my breath.

The kick Aurora gave me was surprisingly strong. My stomach hurt. Aurora, as I hoped, stayed still for now.

"Ed, when are you home? Are you alright?" Claire seemed worried.

"Y-yeah... Just... stayed a bit longer to speak with someone, don't worry sis. I'll be back soon. How many times have I told you not to stay up too late?"

"I know, Mom, but you can't blame me for being worried when you told me you had a fight with a customer yesterday."

"And you know I can take care of myself. Now go to sleep, okay?" I said with a slight smile.

"Okay, love you."

"Love you too, sis." I replied before hanging up and looking at Aurora. "Thank you for letting me take this call."

Aurora recovered her dagger while I was on the phone, but she took a step back. Learning that I was a skinwalker apparently didn't reassure her much.

"Aurora, please, give me a chance to prove to you that what I said is true. I am no monster, and will never become one. My sister would never forgive me if I did."

I spotted some scratches on her hand from when I pushed her earlier. It was superficial, but she was bleeding. Aurora kept eyeing me for a moment, not saying anything.

"I'm sorry for hurting you, Aurora. But I beg you, let's stop, I don't want to fight you. Why not work together? We both want to protect people, right? I don't have any experience with monsters, I didn't even know monsters existed before last week, but I'm sure I could be useful somehow."

She slowly grabbed her own phone and wrote something on it. A message, probably.

"How am I supposed to trust you, Edward?" She said, still on guard. "Especially now that I know you're a skinwalker. Your kind is probably the best there is when it comes to hiding in plain sight. If I let you go, who's to say you won't take the skin of an innocent soul and disappear?"

I looked her in the eyes. "I don't intend to do that, but I'm aware that I have no way of proving it to you. All I can tell you is that I have no intention of getting separated from my sister. I want to keep living with her, to keep helping her grow now that she broke free from my parents' clutch. I plan to keep living as myself until my skin breaks."

"And what about after?"

I sighed. "I don't really know. I thought of taking the skin of someone corrupt, someone irredeemable. There's plenty of people who could fit that criteria, and I wouldn't be hurting anyone innocent." I took a pack of wet wipes I kept in my bag and threw it at her. "You probably don't trust me enough to come near you, but here, use them on your injury. I'll be at the bar tomorrow, as usual, if you ever want to speak. I won't hide from you. I need to get back home before my sister starts worrying too much. I wish you a good night, Aurora."

On that, I started to walk away, but stayed cautious, in case Aurora were to attack me again.

"I contacted a friend of mine who's far more knowledgeable than me when it comes to skinwalkers, Edward." Aurora spoke from behind me. "She'll be the one deciding whether you're sincere or not. In the meantime, I'll keep an eye on you and your sister."

I smiled. "I see, thank you."

Aurora took out a wipe and started to clean her injury. I left her there and walked back home. She thankfully didn't follow me. Tonight has been scary, but I was relieved to see that it ended well. I couldn't deny that I was nervous about meeting Aurora's friend, though. I hoped she would believe me.