silence

Maisie and Ellie start fidgeting as you drive back to Holly's house. You don't know why you're going there. Though, to be fair, its a wonder you're able to drive straight at all with your mind in the jumbled mess it's in. Melanie's trading card sits on your dashboard as you drive.

"Melanie, transform to your normal self" You whisper occasionally despite knowing it's a lost cause.

The girls stay silent in the back as you pull into Holly's drive. One of them must have texted her because she's standing on the porch waiting. You turn off the car as Maisie and Ellie jump out and practically drag Holly inside. You follow shortly after.

As soon as you walk in, Holly speaks up, "What's the plan?"

Before you can answer, Maisie jumps in, "We've got to..."

"What the fuck happened?!" Ellie interrupted.

"Ladies" you say

"We have to figure..."

"This wasn't supposed..."

"Oh shi..."

"LADIES, CARD FORMS" You yell.

The chaotic scene goes silent in an instant as the trading card girls float to the floor. You pick them up and sprawl them out on the sofa and chair for when you bring them back. You pull Melanie's card out of your pocket and turn it over and chuckle.

"Domination, shibari bondage and 'sleep play'. I'll have to remember that if we can figure this the fuck out." you say to the empty room.

As you stare at the card you notice something you hadn't noticed on any of the others. At first you think it's a smudge but it doesn't rub off. You squint hard trying to see but finally take a picture of it and zoom in. You drop her card and run to grab Maisie's and do the same thing. Sure enough, in the bottom right corner in almost microscopic text it reads:

"You ARE the rightful owner"

You run back to Melanie's card and take another picture just to be sure:

"WARNING: You are NOT the rightful owner. Return immediately to Bill DeLuca at 425 S Montaray Ave"

"Ladies, revert to normal" You say with a little more excitement than you intended.

In an instant they are back in human form.

Before they have a chance to start talking you hold up your hand to quiet them and say "I have a plan".

You show the girls what you found, using Ellie as the example.

"How does that help us?" Holly asks cautiously.

"Well," you start, "for one, if that address is right, we know where the actual owner lives."

"The homeless guy? Doesn't that defeat the term 'homeless'?" Maisie asks in an innocent but nervous tone.

"That's what we're going to find out but first, we have some preparations to make if it is him. I'll need all of your help. Is anyone here good with photoshop?".

All 3 of them look at each other then shake their heads.

"Ok, we're going to need some commands here then. Do you trust me?" you ask, gauging their reactions.

Ellie speaks up, "At this point, yes. I'll volunteer. What do you need?"

"Ellie, you are a master at photoshop and have the skills of someone who has used it professionally your whole life. Now, I need you to make another card identical to the ones for you girls. The only difference is it needs to be of someone completely random. A young woman between 18-20 that's sexy as all hell." You take a breath.

"I don't follow. How does this help us?" Holly asks nervously.

"We have to trade Melanie back. I'm not willing to lose one of you so you're just going to have to trust me."

"I'll need a reference to get it right" Ellie jumps in.

"I can take a photo of yours" you offer.

"No, pictures mess with the colors" She says matter of factly, "I need an actual card."

"Maisie, you mind? I need to pick Holly's brain" you explain.

"Whatever it takes, just do it" Maisie replies.

"Maisie, card form"

Ellie catches Maisie's card and runs off calling back "I'll text you when it's ready" and slams the door behind her.

"Holly, we're going to take a drive." you say, not realizing you worded it as a command.

"Brad...ummm, I think that was an accidental command, but I'm coming anyway" she replies.

"Shit, sorry, but thank you." you reply as you get in the car.

"So, where are we going?"

"We need to scout out the address and see what's actually going on."

Holly simply nods and pulls up the address on her phone as the car roars to life. As you get close to the address, you slow down.

"Keep your eyes out. It should be coming up." Holly says quietly. "Right about here"

She looks at you as you mumble "410, 415, 420".

You pass under a bridge.

"Four...thirty?" you says confused. "Did we pass it?"

"I didn't see it, turn around" Holly answers and you do.

"435, 430...420." You say out loud as you turn around again.

As you pass under the bridge Holly springs to life, "Brad stop!".

You slam on the brakes and look around to see what's going on.

"Sorry. didn't mean to scare you but the guy's homeless right? who's to say it's not the bridge?" She asks proudly.

"I think you're right. I see a camp over behind the pillar. Now we know where to go." you put the car back in drive and turn around the block.

As you drive towards Ellie's house, you and Holly start talking.

"So" you start, "I know the situation is more than a little fucked up but how are you feeling so far? Not about Melanie, we're working on that but with the rest of it"

Holly takes a deep breath, "Honestly? I'm scared. You've been amazing but there will always be a part of me that fears you will 'drop the act' so to speak and turn into the monster the curse intended."

"That's fair." you reply, "I know I'll never be able to relieve you of that fear. But I have some ideas on how to help that once this mess is fixed."

The two of you sit in silence the rest of the drive. As you turn off the car and go to get out Holly grabs your arm.

"Brad?" she practically whispers.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you"

She gets out and the two of you walk into the house.

"Alright ladies, it's late. Here's the plan. I'm going to crash in my car while you get some sleep here. Tomorrow, we are going to sort out exactly how we're going to get Melanie back. Any questions?" you try to sound confident.

Elli speaks up, "Um yeah. I've got one. Do you really think we're going to let you sleep in your car? Take the couch. We'll take the bed."

"All three of us?" Maisie interjects, earning a quick jab from Ellie in the process.

"Yes. All three of us." She replies.

You think about it for a moment and realize you're too tired to argue.

"Alright, that sounds good."

You sit on the couch and prepare mentally for the next day.