Convincing the hunters

I went back home safely, Aurora not following me. Claire was still awake when I arrived, playing a game while waiting for me.

"So, who were you talking to, Ed?" She asked.

"A client. She wanted to discuss something with me." I replied, trying to keep it vague.

"What's with the dirt on your pants? You didn't get into another fight, right?"

I glanced down, noticing that indeed my pants were quite dirty, from when I pushed Aurora onto the ground.

I gave her a reassuring smile. "Nah, don't worry. I just tripped and fell. Now go to bed, alright?"

"Okay, okay." She said as she switched off the console. "Goodnight, Ed."

"Goodnight."

I then went to my room, getting changed into my pajamas and laying on my bed. Despite the apparent confidence I displayed tonight, I was extremely nervous, I knew I could have died tonight had I not managed to convince Aurora to give me a chance. She seriously wanted to kill me. It was the first time in my life I ever came so close to ****...

I need to make sure she can trust me...

I hadn't slept much when I woke up the next morning, so I was feeling quite tired. Claire was getting ready for work and about to leave. I told her I had a nightmare to justify my lack of sleep while I was making myself some coffee. She hugged me and went to work, wishing me a good day.

Once I was done with breakfast, I took the time to rest a bit more, laying on the couch and closing my eyes while listening to music. It helped me relax a bit, and I felt slightly better once lunchtime arrived. I cooked something quick and went to buy some groceries afterwards.

As I walked outside, I had this feeling of being watched. I glanced around, not noticing anyone, but I knew... Aurora was somewhere close, keeping an eye on me like she said.

If she doesn't try anything, it doesn't matter. She can see I have nothing to hide.

It didn't take long for me to get what I needed and return home, and, since I still had a lot of time to kill before I had to get back to work, I decided to exercise more at the park, doing some pull-ups and jogging for a while. I could still feel someone observing me, but I tried to ignore it.

While exercising, I also wondered about Claire. The discussion with Aurora at the bar and the new goals I had made me more confident in revealing the truth to her. And she was my sister, my only family, the person I was the closest to. I had no reason not to trust her.

I'm sure she'll approve of me using these abilities for good...

I went back home one last time to take a shower, get changed, and rest a bit before going to work. I opened the bar and got ready to serve the customers when I saw Aurora walk in, alongside another woman, one with tan skin and braided hair.

"You kept your word, I see." Aurora said as she approached me. "I didn't really expect you to."

I smiled at her. "Good evening, Aurora. I told you I'd be here. Want me to serve you the usual?"

"Please."

The woman with her eyed me strangely before they went to sit at the counter, in front of me.

"Are you perhaps the friend she mentioned yesterday?" I asked the tan woman while preparing the cocktail.

"I am Yahana." She replied coldly before looking at Aurora. "It's really him?"

Aurora nodded. "Yeah, it's him."

"Would you like anything to drink or eat, Yahana?"

"No thanks." She simply said, still observing me carefully, always on her guard. She clearly didn't trust me.

I gave Aurora her drink and waited. It was a fairly calm opening, with only a handful of clients so far. I didn't expect a lot of clients since it was Monday night. It was mainly the regulars.

"You were turned recently, right?" Yahana asked in a low tone when I got back to them.

"Yeah, why?"

"You wore someone, haven't you? Newborn skinwalkers have pale, sickly skins, and the urge to wear a skin quickly growing stronger. Yet your skin tone is normal."

I looked away. "Y-yeah, I... wore someone briefly. I restored them quickly, though..."

She frowned. "Quickly, huh? Surprising."

"I couldn't just keep wearing them, it wouldn't have been right. And my sister needs me anyway, I won't abandon my life until I know for sure she can take care of herself. Like I told Aurora last night, I'll stay myself until my skin breaks."

"Hmm... Tell me, how did you get turned?" Yahana asked.

I thought about what to say for a brief moment, wondering if I should mention Dahlia. While I still overall disliked the situation she put me in, I couldn't say I hated her anymore, especially after realising what my powers could help me accomplish. And she didn't seem like a bad person, she truly cared about my well-being, I knew it.

I can't mention her, they'd definitely kill her...

I knew that I couldn't fully lie either. I wanted Aurora and Yahana to trust me. I had to keep it vague.

"It was after one of my shifts." I said. "A girl was being harassed by a group of drunks. I stepped in to save her, beating up the guys and escorting her back to her home. But once there, she revealed herself to be a skinwalker and turned me into one to 'thank' me."

"Is this skinwalker still around?" Yahana flatly asked, her eyes narrowing.

"I... don't think so..." I lied. "The girl they were wearing is back to normal, at least, and they haven't tried to contact me again."

Aurora seemed lost in thought. "It's not unheard of for skinwalkers to disappear after turning someone..."

I wasn't sure if Yahana truly bought it, but she didn't question me further. More clients arrived so I had to leave them alone for the time being. They spent the whole night observing me while I worked, sometimes whispering to each other. Even with my enhanced senses, I couldn't hear what they were saying, though, due to the constant ambient noise around.

At one point, one of the regular clients here, an older woman who was retired, mentioned to me that the 'hot punk lady' seemed very interested in me and vice-versa, making me chuckle and blush slightly. I couldn't deny that I still found Aurora extremely beautiful even after what happened last night, but I didn't have much hope of anything happening between us, considering our respective situations. Not trying to kill each other was already more than enough to satisfy me.

Shortly before my shift was about to end, I was surprised when a familiar face walked in.

"Claire? What are you doing here?" I asked as I saw her approach the counter, sitting two seats away from Aurora.

"I just wanted to check on you. You've been... worrying me a bit recently." She admitted.

"How so? I told you I was fine, though."

She sighed. "I don't know, I'm probably overthinking this."

I smiled and gave her some lemonade. "Well, I'm sorry for making you worry. Here, that's all I'll serve you since you're still not of age."

She giggled softly. "Thanks, Ed. How much is it?"

I feigned being offended. "As if I'd make my own sister pay. It's on me."

"Thank you."

She started to drink and I went back to work for a while longer. Aurora and Yahana kept a close eye on me when I spoke with Claire. Everyone else had left apart from Yahana, Aurora, Claire, and two wasted customers I called a cab for.

As it was time for the bar to close, I approached Aurora and Yahana, giving them a piece of paper with my number. "Sorry, we won't be able to talk freely after my shift, but I'm available tomorrow if you'd like to meet."

"Is your sister aware of your situation?" Aurora asked while glancing at Claire, who was reading something on her phone.

I shook my head. "No, I haven't told her yet. I needed some time to think of how to explain it to her."

"You believe she'll accept what you became?" Yahana wondered.

I paused for a brief instant before smiling. "Yeah, I do. We only have each other, and we share the same sense of justice. Once I explain what I intend to do with these abilities, I know she'll accept me."

Yahana took a pensive expression. "Aurora told me you want to play the hero? How so?"

"Well, I was thinking of infiltrating places of power and snoop around to find some dirty secrets. I know how most people with power are corrupt, my parents are the prime example of that. I just want to help those who are oppressed and unable to defend themselves. With great power comes great responsibilities, right?"

It made Yahana giggle softly. "You're a nerd alright."

"I can't deny that." I replied, chuckling. "Anyway, uhh, I just hope you'll give me a chance to prove myself."

Yahana looked back seriously at me. "My tribe has dealt with your kind for centuries, I know that the vast majority of you are natural-born liars and manipulators, in addition to being greedy and perverted. Curses often tend to unleash the worst in you. But I heard of a few cursed beings who retained their minds and worked with my ancestors to hunt down others who lost themselves. Because you spared Aurora, I am willing to give you a chance."

"I know I'll have to work hard to really earn your trust, but thank you."

"We'll talk more about what you can do to help us tomorrow." Aurora said as she slid the paper with my phone number inside her pocket. "Have a good evening."

She got up, followed by Yahana, and the two of them left the bar. I started to clean the bar and prepare everything for closing, with Claire giving me a hand.

She came closer, a curious look on her face. "What were you talking about with the two women?"

"Hmm, nothing much. Mainly small talk. The one with a gothic style already came a few times before, her name is Aurora."

Claire gave me a teasing smirk. "She's your type, right?"

I blushed slightly. "You know me. But I don't have much hope of things working between us. I'm just happy befriending her."

Claire caressed my shoulder. "Don't give up yet. You don't have to keep taking care of me, you're allowed to find another girl to be with."

"Hmm, there's a reason I don't think it'll work, to be honest. But I'll tell you when we get back home, alright?" I said in a more serious tone.

"Alright."