It would be useful

I pondered about it for a brief moment before nodding. I didn't have any reason to refuse. I needed a skin, and I also wanted access to the city hall. With the man Dahlia suggested, I could get both at the same time. Of course, my skinwalker side disliked the idea, but I did my best to ignore it.

"Tomorrow morning, we can try to get him. I still need to help Claire pack some stuff this evening. Does he have a car?"

"Yeah. We could use his car to facilitate things, it'd be far easier than with just my Mini. These cars are nice but not practical to carry a lot of stuff."

"Thanks again for your help." I said, smiling at her. "It's good to know that Claire is in good hands. This way, I can focus on my goals without worrying."

"She's a good girl, I'll make sure nothing bad happens to her." She grabbed the glass where I secreted the **** and examined it. "Mind if I keep it? We can test it out tomorrow to see how it works."

"Sure." I gave Dahlia a teasing smile. "Also, friends or not, you better not make Claire cry once you two start to date properly."

Dahlia giggled. "I won't, you don't have to worry about that. I'll treat her like a princess."

After Dahlia went to store the glass in the fridge, we spent some time playing games. I was really enjoying her company now, and she also seemed to like being with me. We kept playing until the evening came, when it was time for me to take my leave.

"There's something I've been wondering." I started, making her raise an eyebrow. "What kind of evolution do you have?"

She seemed surprised by my question, and looked away. "I... prefer not to talk about it. It's... a weird one..."

"Do you not trust me?"

Dahlia sighed. "I-I do, but... It's not something I'm ready to talk about just yet..."

"Okay, I won't pressure you. I was just curious." I simply replied. "Sorry if I made you uncomfortable."

"It's okay... It's on me... I need to learn how to fully trust the people I can be myself with."

I went to the door and smiled at Dahlia. "You know, I'm no psychologist, but if you have things bothering you, I'd be happy to lend an ear. We're friends after all, I'm not gonna judge you."

She smiled back at me. "Thank you, it means a lot to me. Have a good evening, Ed."

"You too, see you tomorrow." I replied as I left her apartment.

I shivered on my way to my flat. The cold was becoming almost unbearable at this point, but only one more day and I'd finally be able to temporarily stop it. Even though I found some use for my new abilities, I really disliked having to rely on other people's skins so much... but it was something I had to accept at some point...

When the time comes... How am I supposed to choose...?

I reached my flat a moment later and walked in, noticing Claire busy packing some of her games in a box.

"Hi Ed!" She said with a smile. "How was your day?"

"It was good. Dahlia and I planned to get myself a temporary skin tomorrow to help me feel better. A guy from her apartment complex that apparently works at the city hall."

Since I wanted to hide the truth about our strange experiments, Dahlia told Claire that she was teaching me about skinwalkers and that was the reason why I often went to see her. It was a good justification and I went along with it. It wasn't even inaccurate, since she did indeed teach me some things, like how skinwalkers were able to notice when someone's memories have been altered by another skinwalker. I had to keep it in mind, it was an important detail.

"Do you think I can come with you?" Claire asked a bit shyly.

"Huh, why?"

"I'd... like to see how your abilities work..." She sheepishly replied.

I scratched my head, wondering if it was a good idea to have Claire witness me skinning someone. The process was fairly uncanny, after all. But Claire was my sister and I already trusted her with all the rest.

"Okay..." I finally said. "But I'm warning you, it's not a pretty sight. There's no gore, but it's disturbing nonetheless."

She nodded. "I know. Dahlia told me how it worked. I just... want to see it for myself."

"Alright."

I helped her pack a few more things and went to start cooking when I noticed that we didn't have much left in the fridge.

"Hmm, I'll have to go shopping tomorrow. Want to go eat outside tonight, Claire?" I asked.

"Yeah, give me a bit." I heard her say from her room.

A few minutes later, we left the flat and went to one of our favourite spots: a fairly cheap but still good Italian restaurant a few blocks away. We sat and ordered something to eat. The waiter looked at me weirdly, most likely due to my sickly appearance. But I got used to it. And if Dahlia was right, I should get better next week after having worn a skin for a few days.

Currently, though, even the pasta with the curry sauce that I ordered weren't enough to make me forget the freezing cold.

"You alright?" Claire asked.

"Yeah... Just this damn cold, as always... You have no idea how awful it feels like..."

She gently caressed my hand. "Tomorrow, things will get better, right?"

"I hope so."

We finished eating and I went outside, waiting for Claire who had to use the restroom. The cold air really didn't help with my situation.

I looked at the night sky, observing the stars while wondering what my future held.