Let's try to the evolution

I grit my teeth and clenched my fists, determined. "I want to try... I don't want to feel so helpless again..."

Dahlia clapped her hands. "Good! If you've recovered enough, we can start tomorrow. I will need some time and ingredients to prepare everything. Today, you'll do only one thing: rest."

I nodded and smiled weakly. "Alright. Thanks for helping me... despite how I've been acting. I know I was a jerk last night..."

She closed her eyes. "It would be hypocritical of me to judge you. I know how scary it can be to become a skinwalker. I know the dread of losing your identity... But that's why I want to help you accept your new nature. The sooner you'll accept it, the better you'll feel."

She looked back at me more seriously. "If you really want to keep your own life for longer, you need to wear a skin for a day or two from time to time. Otherwise, I give you three, maybe four months max before you end up like me, depending on how resilient you are."

"I'll... think about it once I'm healed... I'll have the opportunity to wear more skins once I find a new target..."

She smiled and turned on the TV, giving me the remote. "Indeed. I'll go buy some groceries, stay here and don't try to walk without anyone around. I gave Claire the spare keys you had so she'll be able to enter even if I'm not here."

"Okay, I won't move from the couch." I said.

Dahlia left the room and the apartment while I watched the TV. I switched to a national news channel. First thing I noticed was the beautiful female newscaster presenting the news, my skinwalker side waking up at the sight. She was a blonde woman who appeared to be in her mid-thirties, wearing a beige suit and a pencil skirt, her whole look so elegant and refined yet with a hint of sensuality. I felt this urge to become a woman again, stronger than ever before, but I still tried my best to resist. I wouldn't give in...

Most of the news were fairly mundane but a few caught my interest. The main one was about my father and the multiple scandals he was involved in. I started to laugh but stopped when my chest hurt. Still, it was such a cathartic feeling seeing him on the news, his reputation tarnished as everyone now knew about all his shady deals.

I smirked. "You're finished, asshole..."

The other news that I found interesting was about a famous politician suspected of sexual **** and corruption.

Not surprising...

It made me consider targeting a politician next. Maybe I could start with the city mayor, or a state senator, to see what kind of scandal I'd be able to dig up. I was bound to find something by snooping around politicians. Only a handful of them were honest.

Soon after, I heard the door open and saw Claire walk in. She approached me when she saw that I was awake, carrying one of my backpacks.

"Good morning, Ed. Are you feeling better?" She asked as she sat next to me.

She was examining me carefully.

I gave her a reassuring smile. "I am, yeah. It still hurts when I move but I'm in better shape than last night."

"That's good. You ate breakfast already?"

"I did, Dahlia made something for me when I woke up. She's out to buy some stuff, by the way."

"I see. I brought you a change of clothes, the ones you were wearing last night are... bloodied. I don't know... if we'll be able to clean them properly."

"It's just clothes, it doesn't matter too much." I said, grabbing the shirt and pair of gym shorts she handed me. "Thanks."

I was careful not to make any sudden movement and put on the shorts, with Claire helping me wearing the shirt. I was still very cold, the skinwalker curse never missing a chance to remind me of its existence, but it nonetheless felt better to wear something more than just my underwear.

I noticed while changing that my skin seemed paler than usual. I didn't pay attention to it before that, as I had other things to think about, but it was fairly visible. I took out my phone and observed my reflection. I looked like if I hadn't slept in days, with faintly bloodshot eyes and heavy bags underneath.

"Is this... another symptom?" I wondered out loud.

"Apparently, if what Dahlia told me is true..." Claire replied, her tone more somber. "We spoke more while you were asleep, I want to learn everything she knows about skinwalkers... I want to support you however I can..."

"You accepted me, there's nothing else I need." I said, hugging her.

I was truly glad to have her by my side. I wouldn't stand losing my sister. We stayed like this for some time, hugging each other, and then watched TV together while waiting for Dahlia to come back.

"Our father was on the news earlier. Everyone is talking about the scandal." I mentioned while searching on my phone for more articles, a proud and satisfied smile on my face. "It feels so rewarding..."

Claire smiled awkwardly. "I-I suppose."

"I already have a potential new target in mind for after my recovery. I was thinking of checking whether or not our mayor has things to hide."

She leaned closer and gently held my hand, but her face betrayed how worried she was. "You... You'll be careful, right...? Dahlia... could maybe help you? I don't want yesterday's events to happen again..."

"I'll be careful... I learned my lesson last night, I won't let my pride and confidence blind me again. And Dahlia will help me, yeah."

I didn't want to mention the training we had planned because I knew it wouldn't reassure Claire to learn that I would be ingesting poisons and **** to try to increase my resistance to their effects.

About an hour after she left, Dahlia came back with three full shopping bags. She and Claire went to the kitchen to store everything and start cooking something for lunch while I stayed on the couch, cursing my inability to help them.

Dahlia approached me alone while Claire was still busy in the kitchen. "You didn't tell her?"

I shook my head. "No, it's better if she doesn't know, at least for now. She's already worried enough."

"That's fair. I wonder why such an innocent girl decided to become a cop. I don't think she's fit for the job." Dahlia mused.

"Because she shares my values. Maybe it's because of me that she wanted to become one."

"Maybe. Anyway, I'll get back to cooking." She said while returning with Claire.

Afterwards, we all ate and spent the afternoon together, watching TV shows and playing games. I managed to convince Claire to return to our flat for the night, she didn't need to stay with me again now that I was feeling better, and she had to get ready for her work tomorrow anyway. Dahlia also took the time to apply her balm again on my injuries.

After dinner, Dahlia went to move some plant pots around while I rested more on the couch. It seemed tiring and I really wanted to help but I couldn't in my current state.

"You have a lot of plants, huh?" I commented as I observed her.

"I like plants, yeah. And it's always useful to have them around in case I need to prepare some medicine." Her expression softened. "Laura loves the balms I make with them, it helps her with her skateboarding injuries."

"I see. The balm you applied did ease the pain somewhat."

"Hmm. I'll give you another sleeping pill and we'll be able to start your training tomorrow morning. I'd say I hope you won't have another nightmare but I unfortunately know that you will, so be ready. Nightmares tend to become worse and worse as the withdrawal intensifies."

"Sounds fun..." I ironically replied, snickering.

Dahlia knelt in front of me and gave me a glass of water alongside the pill. "Here. I'll be going to sleep soon, but don't hesitate to call me if you need anything during the night." She flashed me a teasing yet warm smile. "I'll leave the door open, but I'm counting on you to not peep on me, hmm~?"

I chuckled. "I won't, don't worry. Have a good night."

Dahlia went to her room and I closed my eyes, quickly falling asleep, the pill being fairly potent. I was looking forward to tomorrow, I would hopefully feel good enough to move somewhat normally.