“Auntie” Cal called.

“Auuuuuntieeee” Aron mimicked.

Oh gnome, they were so close. I held my breath and stayed still as could be in the dark corner. They had come so fast I hadn’t had time to find a good hiding spot. I had to hope their little eyes couldn’t see that well in darkness. Their soft footsteps sounded outside the room and a moment later, the door creaked open.

“Auntie?” Cal called quietly, peaking his head into the room. He looked over his shoulder to Aron, who was surely right behind him.

“Auntie dere?” Aron whispered.

“No Auntie.” Cal whispered back, his head disappearing back into the hall.

I heard their footsteps retreat further down the hall to the next room and let out a sigh of relief. I slid quietly from the wall and creeped over to the door, peaking out from it. Cal and Aron had just reached the other door and Cal was again peaking into it while Aron stood timidly behind him.

“Auntie?” Cal called again. After a moment, “No Auntie.”

I pushed the door open a bit more so I could slip through. It was now or never. Taking a deep breath and rushed into the hall, straight towards the twins.

“Roaaaaaar!” I yelled, coming up on them.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” They screamed in unison. Cal grabbed Aron’s hand and began to pull him away from me as fast as his little form could move.

“You cannot escape Monster Auntie!” I cried, stomping slowly behind them.

“Noooooo, don’t eat us Monsta Auntie!” Aron exclaimed, falling down.

“No eating?” I asked, bending over him with a smile on my face.

“No!” He giggled.

“But, Monster Auntie loves to eat little boys!” I exclaimed, reaching down to grab him. Cal toddled back and fell infront of his brother. I smiled and grabbed him instead.

“No! Brudda!” Aron cried.

“Oh noes, Imma get eated!” Cal yelled, wiggling in my grip.

I pulled him to my side and freed one of my hands, floating it right above Cal. Both boys were silent, eyeing my hand. I moved my hand towards him and Cal sucked in a deep breath, knowing what was about to happen. My free hand made contact with his stomach and I began tickling.

“Noooooo!” The twins wailed together, dissipating into giggles. Cal wiggled and wrapped his tiny hands around my own, giggling so much he couldn’t speak. Soon, my laughter wove its way into their own, all three filling the house.

After throughly tickling both boys we lay in the hall way, breathing hard from our laughter.

“Monsta Auntie full?” Cal asked. I nodded.

“Monster Auntie is full and exhausted. Chasing and eating little boys takes a lot of energy.” I replied.

“Who knew monsters could get tired, huh?” Maya said with a smile, coming up the stairs. The boys giggled.

“Potion time.” I said, sitting up.

“Yup, potion time.” Maya confirmed, handing bottles to both the boys.

They took them and began drinking eagerly. Maya sat next to me, watching me with a smile.

“How are you doing?” She asked.

“Good, just exhausted.” I replied, smiling back.

“Not with them. it’s been two months Logan and you have’t heard a word.” She said. I let the smile drop and looked away from her.

“I’m fine.” I said flatly.

“You’re fine?” Maya asked, sighing. “Lo, I heard you say you loved him. He’s still not back.”

“What do you want me to say?” I asked, getting frustrated. “I have to believe he’s okay, that he’s still alive. He…he told me it wasn’t goodbye.”

I looked up at Maya and noticed a glint in her pale eyes. Since coming here it was easy to forget she was blind since she could use her powers without fear of Weres sniffing them out. She smiled at me.

“Logan,” She said, standing up and heading towards my room. I stood up and followed her.

“What?” I asked.

“Christmas is Friday.” She stated.

“I know.” I replied, wondering why she was telling me this.

“Well, we were able to get your present early.” She said with a smile.

“What?” I asked, confused. I looked over to Maya to see her nod towards the window that overlooked the front yard. I flicked my eyes to look outside and froze. What I saw pulled a gasp from my lips.