Sarah stumbled into her apartment in the early hours of the morning, her exhaustion evident in the heavy bags under her eyes and the weariness etched across her face.
She closed the door behind her, the sound echoing through the stillness of the space. As she made her way further into the room, she spotted Maggie sitting on the couch, a dim light casting a soft glow around her.
Sarah approached cautiously, her voice gentle. "Hello there," she said lightly, a glimmer of concern in her eyes.
Maggie looked up, her gaze meeting Sarah's. "Hello Sarah," she replied, her voice subdued yet welcoming.
"Why are you still awake?" Sarah asked
"I guess I just wasn't sleepy yet," Maggie admitted, her voice trailing off.
Sarah sighed, concern washing over her as she took in the scene before her. Luke and Leah were fast asleep, their bodies curled up on either side of Maggie, seeking comfort in her presence.
"Maggie, you should be resting too," Sarah said gently, stepping closer to the couch.
Maggie's gaze softened, her weariness becoming more apparent as the weight of the situation settled upon her. "I know," she whispered, her voice laced with fatigue. "I just... couldn't sleep."
Sarah sat down beside Maggie, their shoulders barely touching.
"Listen, I know you have been through a lot," she said softly. "Why don't we get some rest now? We can talk about everything in the morning when we're both refreshed."
Maggie glanced at Sarah, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Alright," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
With newfound resolve, Maggie gently scooped Leah into her arms, cradling her carefully.
Sarah mirrored her actions, scooping Luke into her own arms. Together, they made their way towards the guest bedroom, its pristine appearance almost suggesting that someone had prepared it for their arrival.
They entered the room, placing Luke and Leah onto the comfortable bed. As Maggie tucked Leah in, and Sarah gently laid Luke down.
Maggie turned to Sarah, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Thank you, Sarah," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "For everything."
Sarah returned the smile, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten.
"No need to thank me," she said, her voice warm and reassuring. "We're friends, Maggie. That's what we do for each other."
With that, they bid each other goodnight, closing the door to the room.
Maggie tossed and turned in the guest bedroom, her mind consumed by a whirlwind of worry and fear.
She couldn't shake off the nagging thoughts of what might be going through Raphael’s head at that very moment.
As the hours ticked by, the weight of her concerns seemed to grow heavier. Had he discovered where she lived? Had he followed her and the kids to Sarah's place? What were his intentions, especially when it came to Luke and Leah, their beloved children? The questions circled endlessly in Maggie's mind, refusing to relent.
Unable to find solace in sleep, Maggie sat on the edge of the bed, her hands trembling slightly. She glanced at the clock on the nightstand, its glowing numbers indicating the passing time.
The night had slipped away, the darkness giving way to the first hints of dawn.
She clasped her hands together tightly, as if seeking comfort from within.
Maggie pressed her trembling hands to her temples, trying to calm the storm of thoughts raging within her. She took slow, deep breaths, attempting to ground herself in the present moment. But the fear remained, stubborn and unyielding.
As the early morning light filtered through the window, casting a soft glow in the room, Maggie's exhaustion caught up with her. The restless night had taken its toll, and despite her best efforts, fatigue washed over her like a wave.
In the midst of her worrying thoughts, Maggie's eyelids grew heavy, and her head began to droop. Her mind, exhausted from the relentless cycle of anxiety, succumbed to sleep. She slumped back onto the bed.
As the morning light filled the apartment, casting a warm glow, Maggie woke up to the delightful scent of toast and eggs wafting through the air.
She stretched her limbs and yawned, feeling a glimmer of relief wash over her. The night's rest, although disrupted by her worries, had brought a measure of rejuvenation.
Stepping out of the guest bedroom, Maggie entered the common area and saw Sarah expertly manoeuvring around the kitchen, tending to the breakfast preparations. The sight brought a grateful smile to Maggie's lips. It was evident that Sarah had done this countless times.
Sarah raised her head and caught sight of Maggie approaching. A warm smile spread across her face.
“Good morning," she greeted cheerfully. "I hope the bed was comfortable for you and the kids."
Maggie returned the smile, her appreciation shining in her eyes.
"Good morning. It was perfect," she replied sincerely.
Sarah gestured towards the dining area, where a beautifully set table awaited them.
"Why don't you wash up with the kids and come meet me here for breakfast before it goes cold, eh?" she suggested, her tone inviting and friendly.
Maggie nodded, feeling a sense of warmth enveloping her.
"Thanks," she replied, her voice filled with gratitude. She turned and headed back to the bedroom, knowing that she needed to get herself and the kids ready for the day.
In the bedroom, Maggie gently roused Luke and Leah from their slumber, their sleepy eyes blinking in the morning light. She smiled down at them, her heart overflowing with love.
"Good morning, my sweethearts," she greeted softly.
Luke rubbed his eyes and yawned, while Leah snuggled closer to her mother.
"Morning, Mommy," Luke mumbled, his voice still heavy with sleep.
Maggie gathered their clothes and helped them change, the morning routine bringing a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos of their circumstances. She guided them to the bathroom, ensuring they were clean and presentable for the day ahead.
As they finished getting ready, Maggie led Luke and Leah back to the common area, their small hands clutching hers tightly. The tantalizing aroma of breakfast grew stronger, enticing their senses.
They approached the table, where Sarah had arranged a delicious spread of eggs, toast, and fresh fruits. The inviting scene made Maggie's stomach rumble.
Sarah looked up from the stove as they approached, a warm smile gracing her lips.
"Good morning, sleepyheads," she greeted affectionately.
"Good morning, Sarah," Luke and Leah chimed in unison, their voices filled with excitement.
Maggie pulled out a chair for each of the children, helping them settle into their seats.
Sarah joined them at the table, pouring glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice for everyone.
With a smile, Maggie picked up her fork and began to eat.
While they were already halfway through their breakfast, Sarah asked Maggie.
“So what’s up” her eyes fixed on Maggie.
"You weren't quite yourself throughout the whole night." Sarah continued"I'm sorry about that," she replied, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "It's just..the kids' father is in town," Maggie repliedMaggie then took a deep breath“Raphael... Raphael is the father of the kids.”Sarah almost choking on her coffee, coughs “What?”“I know it's a shock”. Maggie replied nervously. I should have told you earlier, but I didn't know how to bring it up”.Sarah couldn't believe what she had just heard. The words echoed in her mind, refusing to sink in. “How did it happen?” Sarah's voice trembled as she posed the question, desperate for answers. The room fell into a heavy silence, as if time itself had frozen. Maggie took a deep breath, preparing herself to reveal a chapter of her life she had long kept hidden.For the next hour, Maggie poured out her heart to Sarah, recounting the life she once lived in the bustling streets of New York City before finding herself in the glitzy realm of
Maggie sat on a worn out couch just by the corner of Sarah’s sitting room sipping a cup of steaming tea. The living room was bathed in a warm, golden glow from the setting sun. The ticking of the clock on the wall echoed in the silence. It had been three long years since Raphael vanished from their lives, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions. No one had heard from him in all that time, and even the rumors that once swirled around their small town had died down to mere whispers.Maggie couldn't help but wonder if he had truly left, never to return.At times, she pondered whether she was finally free from him. Perhaps he had accepted the fact that she would never allow him to take their kids away, or maybe he simply couldn't find them. Whatever the reason, Maggie felt a newfound sense of safety and liberation.As she sat lost in her thoughts, the sound of the front door opening broke the silence. Maggie's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly realized it was only the wind. S
Maggie was shocked by Luke’s question. She didn’t expect that. Unknown to her, Luke had been listening to her conversations with Sarah.“Uhmm…. Why don’t you go unpack your things with your sister” Maggie said hurriedly gesturing Luke to his room, trying to avoid his question.Days went by so fast and six years had passed since Maggie, Luke, and Leah had settled back in their apartment. The passage of time had brought healing, growth, and a renewed sense of hope. Luke and Leah had wasted no time in resuming their education, and today marked another day of school in their lives.Leah burst through the front door, his excitement palpable in the air."Mum, Mum, my teacher told me to give this to you!" She exclaimed, waving a folded letter in his hand.Maggie, sitting on the couch, looked up from her book, curiosity piqued. She took the letter from Leah’s outstretched hand, her brows furrowing as she wondered what it could be. With a sense of anticipation, she carefully opened the envelo
It was Sarah. "Maggie, it's Sarah," her warm voice greeted her. A genuine smile spread across Maggie's face. "Hey, Sarah”. Sarah's tone was lighthearted. " Hey there. I am just calling as usual to check on you and my favourite twins. How are you all doing?" Maggie's heart swelled with affection at the mention of the twins. "We're all good," she replied, her voice tinged with contentment. "The kids are growing up so fast. They've been keeping me on my toes, as always." Sarah let out a soft chuckle. "I can only imagine. They have quite the energy, don't they?" Maggie nodded, even though Sarah couldn't see her. "Oh, you have no idea. “How about you? How have you been faring” Maggie asked. “Pushing as always,” Sarah replied with a little laugh. There was a brief pause on the line before Sarah spoke again. "I miss you guys. And I'll definitely come visit soon. I need my twin fix." Maggie laughed. "We'll be waiting eagerly for you, Sarah. The twins will be thrilled to see their
Maggie, still in awe of Luke's abilities, couldn't help but be curious about what had just transpired. She approached the refrigerator cautiously, her eyes fixed on its metallic surface.She positioned herself in front of the fridge, took a deep breath, and extended her hand towards it.With a surge of effort, Maggie exerted all her strength, trying to mimic what Luke had done. But to her disappointment, the fridge remained firmly in place. She huffed and tried again, this time using both hands. A small groan escaped her lips as she strained, but the refrigerator barely budged, shifting only by an inch.Frustration washed over Maggie as she stepped back, puzzled and slightly deflated. "How did Luke do it?" she wondered aloud, her gaze fixed on the refrigerator.Feeling a mixture of awe and confusion, Maggie began to question the reality of what had just occurred. How could Luke, a fourteen-year-old boy, effortlessly raise the refrigerator with a single hand while she struggled with al
"I don't want you both to get scared or frightened," Maggie said, her eyes focused on them. "I promise, it's alright, and we are all safe."Maggie offered a reassuring smile. "You both are special," she said gently. "In fact, you have unusual abilities".We’re werewolves right? Luke interrupted with a smile. Maggie kept quiet for some seconds then nodded her head admittedly. Luke was definitely smart and seemed to get on board faster than Maggie expected.“When did you know you were a werewolf?" Maggie asked, looking at Luke.Luke gently sat beside Leah."Leah and I began experiencing some strange changes in our sense of smell. Everything became so intense."Maggie leaned forward, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Changes in your sense of smell? What do you mean?""It's hard to explain mum, but we could detect the faintest scents in the air. It was like our senses were heightened beyond what was normal. Luke saidMaggie looked at Leah who was continuously nodding her head in agreement
Jamie was a very popular figure in Luke’s and Leah’s school. Jamie’s family were rich and were one of the most influential people in their school. Leah had told Maggie about how Jamie gets in numerous fights and he gets to school late and hardly ever gets punished. It seemed as though he lived by a different set of rules compared to his peers. His actions often went unchecked, leaving a trail of frustration and resentment in their wake.He was one of those kids who got privileges because of who his father was. Of course it made perfect sense when he said he was a werewolf and no teacher or school authority paid attention as they feared repercussions or backlash from Jamie's influential family. They dare not investigate or report on Jamie to the institution that deals with teens with special abilities. Maggie dropped off Luke and Leah at their school, a sense of determination burning within her. The words of her daughter Leah echoed in her mind—Jamie, the tall and lanky kid with blond
Maggie couldn't wait for 4pm to arrive. The anticipation was agonising as she paced back and forth in her apartment, her eyes glued to the clock on the wall. As the morning turned into afternoon, Maggie's anxiety grew. Her anxiety intensified with every passing moment and the clock on the wall seemed to taunt her, its ticking growing louder and more persistent in her ears. It was nearly 4pm, the designated hour to call Jamie's father, and she couldn't wait any longer. She needed guidance, reassurance, and a plan to keep her children safe.She could hear Luke and Leah conversations in the late hours of the night and how they feel connected to the moon due. Leaning against the wall, Maggie would strain to catch fragments of their discussions. Their voices danced through the air, filled with wonder, excitement, and a yearning she could not fully comprehend. They spoke of the moon's pull, of feeling a deep connection to its presence. Their words mingled with a sense of restlessness, as