I accept

Claire took a few glances at Dahlia, blushing each time before going back to observing her hands. It was clear with how she acted that she did find Dahlia attractive. Not that I didn't understand her, Dahlia was a really beautiful girl.

I didn't want to leave Claire alone while I'd be away, and Dahlia could keep her company and watch over her. After having been with her for most of the day, I felt like she was genuine in wanting to help me and Claire.

"I… If you trust her, Ed, I… don't mind living with her. But I'd like to… know her better, first."

"Hmm, I'm fine with that. We can hang out for a few days to get to know each other better." was Dahlia's answer, reassuring Claire and me a little.

"If Claire agrees, then I have no objection. I only ask that you respect her personal space and don't make her uncomfortable."

Dahlia smiled. "No worries, Ed. I may be flirtatious but I can respect people's boundaries."

"Except when it comes to not turning people into skinwalkers randomly, apparently." I retorted with a smug smirk, before glaring at her more seriously. "Don't you dare turn her into a skinwalker like you did with me while I'm away."

She let out a cute amused giggle. "About that, even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to transform anyone else for a very long while. It took me eleven years before I finally felt like I could use this ability, and if what I've been told is true, it'll take at least another ten or eleven years before I can do it again. So don't worry, I won't have a second child anytime soon."

"A second child?" Claire asked, a bit confused.

Dahlia crossed her arms and smiled proudly. "Hmm~ Eddy is the first skinwalker I created since I myself became one. So he's like my first child, in a way."

"Does it mean you've been a skinwalker for eleven years then?" I asked, intrigued, as it wasn't something that crossed my mind before.

"Not too far off. Fifteen, actually. Which is still very young for a skinwalker. We can live far longer than humans."

I recalled her mentioning earlier than the skinwalker who turned her was born in the 18th century. Would it mean that I'd outlive Claire? That I wouldn't be able to have a normal relationship with someone due to them passing away before me? It was something else I had no idea how to deal with.

My phone rang, interrupting my thoughts and our conversation. It was a reminder to get ready for my shift. My last shift… I wanted to do it well, my boss having always been kind to me.

"Sorry, gotta prepare for my last day of work. Since I plan to leave early tomorrow morning, we'll probably only see each other again once I'm back."

Dahlia approached me and gave me a hug. "Remember to be careful, Ed. Never rush things, always analyze your surroundings before trying to skin someone. We may be masters of stealth, but in a fight, our powers don't help much unless you can find an opening to stab your opponent with the spines."

I smiled at her. "I know, I'll be careful."

I left Dahlia with Claire and went to my bedroom.

I grabbed a large backpack and took a spare pair of clothes, just in case, alongside a taser that I had for a while but never needed until now. I thought it might prove itself useful one way or another.

When I walked back into the living room, Dahlia already left and Claire was sitting on the couch, her cheeks red.

"Dahlia is… very interesting." she softly spoke. "When you told me about the monster you met, I imagined a monstrous and cruel person, but she seems really nice."

"Well, she was extremely scary when we first met."

After a brief moment, she looked at me, worried. "Will you really lose your skin like she said?"

I sighed. "Apparently. But I don't want to think about that for the time being. The idea of permanently having to steal and live someone else's life terrifies me."

Claire didn't say anything else, she just looked down. It was a lot to take in for her, she would need time to come to term with everything, and me as well.

I started walking towards the entrance when I heard her speak. "I will always love and support you. Even if you have to do something like this..."

I smiled weakly. She may be a bit lazy and too much into video games at times, but she was the best sister I could ever ask for.

"Thanks, Claire. Take care."

I left our flat and went on my way to the bar. I remembered the goth woman I observed last night, and wondered if she'd be present tonight as well. I kinda hoped she would. Maybe I had started to get a small crush on her; I always had a thing for gothic and punk girls, loving their styles of outfits. On the back of my mind, my skinwalker instincts were trying to encourage me to just skin her and wear her should she come back, but I did my best to shut down these thoughts. Despite how tempting it was, I decided that I wouldn't wear another woman and I would stick to it, and especially would not wear a girl I had a crush on.

Once I reached the bar, I met with my boss and told him about my wish to resign after today, saying that I had to take care of urgent family matters and didn't know when I'd be able to work again. He was understanding and supportive, wishing me good luck. I started working, greeting our regulars and newcomers alike and taking orders as I would usually. It was nice to have some semblance of normalcy after the crazy day I went through.