Go talk to Abby

Nora decided she would try and catch Abby before the afternoon classes. She headed back to the dorms, the rush of the breeze outside reminding her that Flutterbell had taken all her panties. It was cold, embarrassing, and exhilarating. She did her best to not let it distract her. Sister Evelyn said to look for others, and whatever was up with Abby was the best lead she got.

Abby's room was less organized than her own. Books were still on shelves, but a lacrosse stick stood propped next to the door, and the corner of the closet held a pile of dirty clothes. Abby welcomed her inside, she continued to ruffle through her things, switching out books for afternoon classes.

"Abby, I need to ask you something,"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"You were injured today..."

"I just scraped myself up in practice."

"I know, but, none of your friends remember seeing you on the field last night. And," Nora took a deep breath before speaking. "Last night was strange, I went into the woods and... I got a little scraped up myself."

"In the woods." Abby said, her voice flat.

"Yeah," Nora saw the chance to tell Abby everything, to speak of the strange monster and the attack, but this break in the schedule was short, and Nora needed Abby to talk, so instead of opening up, she pressed. "So, what happened to you?"

Abby had stopped ruffling through her stuff and stood silent and serious.

"I don't think you'd understand. I'm not sure I understand myself."

"A creature." Nora said, "something unbelievable. A knotted mass..." she had started, but by that point, Abby had caught her breath and cut her off.

"You too?" Abby asked, and she held out her hand arm, extending a hand palm up in front of her. Suddenly, the fingers began to warp and move, elongating and hardening, growing long talons as Abby's arm became studded with spurs that appeared to be bone.

"What the fuck" Nora couldn't hold her surprise back.

Abby's arm transformed back to normal. She looked shocked and hurt.

"I'm sorry," Nora started "I'm trying to be less jumpy when things surprise me."

"I don't understand, what happened to you."

And so, Nora did start to tell her story. Abby listened, and as Nora described the strange creature made of knots and tendrils, she could see true concern in her friend's face, and she could see trust returning. Nora was just telling of the the fairy flying out and asking for panties when the bell rang.

Abby gave a regretful look, "We should get going."

"Okay, but Sister Evelyn said she might know more about what's going on. Come with me to her offices after classes, please. I told her about what happened to me and she asked me to see if anyone else was hurt."

"Sure, I guess"

Nora grinned, feeling accomplished with her success. Feeling less isolated knowing someone else had experienced something strange. But, what had happened to Abby, and how could turn her hands to claws?