The trio

"What do we do?" Luke asked.

Danny took off his jacket and covered Becky with it.

"We take her home," he said.

"Like this?"

Danny shrugged.

"This is all my fault," Luke muttered. "I should have never grabbed the book. Should have listened to Bex. Now here she is, and--" he trailed off.

"You couldn't have known. Neither of us could have."

"I should have."

"Can we not do this right now?" Danny dipped down and scooped Becky up in his arms.

They made their way out of the woods slowly, stopping every few minutes to check on Becky. As they reached the limits of the park, she stirred in Danny's arms.

Becky stretched and contorted a little, making it harder for him to carry her. Her body felt supple in a way Danny hadn't ever noticed.

Then Becky's dark blue eyes fluttered open lazily and focused on Danny with a placid look.

"Hey Danny, why are you carrying me," Becky slurred.

Luke started to stammer out and explanation, but Danny cut him off with a sharp look.

"What do you remember Bex?"

"Not much. Just being in the woods with you guys. Did it work?"

Danny shook his head.

"Nah, you passed out before we finished, you dope."

Danny looked carefully at Becky. Something was off about her. She seemed different in some subtle way. He would have expected her to be a wreck after what she had been through, but instead she seemed almost radiant.

Danny had never felt any attraction to Becky before, but now he had to admit she was pretty cute.

By the time they reached Becky's street, the girl was on her own two feet. She stumbled a little bit, but seemed alright for the most part.

Something needled the two boys. There was an aura that none of this was alright. Becky herself seemed off. After her ordeal, she should have been an emotional and physical wreck, but instead she seemed downright chipper.

Her amnesia seemed odd as well. Neither Luke or Danny could shake the feeling that Becky was hiding something from them.

Still, there was nothing to do now. They dropped Becky off at her house. She thanked them for being "such gentlemen" in taking care of her. She disappeared through the gate and into her home.

Neither of them noticed the droplets of fresh fluid leaking down Becky's legs. Neither of them could know the corruption that now lurked inside their best friend.