chapter 11: always go straight home no branching

I woke up the next morning feeling a sense of lightness I hadn't known in a long time. The warmth of the sunlight streaming through the window seemed to reflect the happiness I felt inside. The strange weight on my heart from yesterday had lifted, and I couldn't help but smile as I stretched, basking in the quiet joy of simply being. Today, I was determined to embrace whatever came my way.

I made my way to the living room, my heart still fluttering from the excitement of yesterday, feeling like I hadn't lost my way—either figuratively or literally. My thoughts drifted to Taylor, and I couldn't help but smile again. But my daydreaming was interrupted by a familiar voice behind me.

"Good morning, Luna."

I turned around, startled to see Elijah standing there, his smile wide and bright, though the title he used still made me wince.

"Eli, hi. Please, just call me Gift," I said, trying to hide the awkwardness in my tone.

"Okay, Lu—sorry, Gift," Eli corrected himself with a quick chuckle as he walked past me.

I didn't pay much attention to him. My stomach rumbled loudly—loudly enough that even Eli looked back at me in surprise. I was *so* hungry, like an insatiable craving had taken over me. "What's for breakfast?" I asked eagerly, my thoughts preoccupied with food.

To my delight, there was a wolf-shaped cake on the table, though it didn't look the best—its shape was lopsided, the frosting a little too thick—but it didn't matter. When I took a bite, the taste was absolutely divine. I couldn't help but devour it, despite the odd look it had. It felt like a guilty pleasure, and I was too hungry to care about appearances.

After breakfast, I approached my mother, asking for permission to leave the house. I had plans, and nothing was going to stop me from exploring more of the world outside. She agreed but gave me one condition: Elijah would have to come with me.

"Take this," she said, handing me a small pouch with 5,000 wonnies. "Go, but be careful. And Elijah, keep an eye on her."

We both thanked her, and with that, we set off.

The walk to the market was long, but surprisingly enjoyable. The excitement bubbling in my chest made the distance feel shorter. My mind was still racing with thoughts of everything that had happened recently, but the vivid market sights pulled me away from my deep musings. There were so many things to see! Colorful stalls filled with all kinds of goods. Fresh fruits, vibrant fabrics, intricate trinkets, and strange-looking foods I had never seen before.

As we walked, I could feel the exhilaration growing. I screamed in excitement when I saw an array of handcrafted charms hanging from a stall, my voice echoing through the market. Elijah laughed softly at my enthusiasm. I didn't care. I was in my element.

I walked toward a pork stand, where the scent of sizzling meat teased my senses. The vendor, an older man with a grizzled face, saw me eyeing his goods and offered me a sample. I hesitated but accepted it, and when I took a bite, I couldn't believe how tender and flavorful it was. My stomach rumbled again, but I didn't admit how much I liked it—no, that would be too obvious. Instead, I smiled politely, nodded, and moved on.

The market was a labyrinth of delights, and I couldn't help but wander from stall to stall, tasting whatever was offered to me. The pork stand was revisited several times, each time with my taste buds more and more satisfied. But there was something else that caught my eye.

"Eli, I want that!" I exclaimed, pointing at a beautiful vampire-themed necklace, paired with matching earrings and a delicate hairpin that shimmered in the sunlight.

Eli raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure, Gift? It looks expensive."

I nodded eagerly. "I don't care! I need it."

Eli, ever the responsible one, approached the vendor. "Sir, how much for the necklace, earrings, and hairpin?" he asked politely.

"Just half 100 won," the man replied, his voice gruff but kind.

"Here you go, sir," Elijah said, handing over the money with a smile.

With my new treasures in hand, we continued our exploration of the market. We picked up some food, trinkets, and random items. But still, I hadn't found what I really wanted. Finally, we came across a dress shop, one that seemed to radiate a sense of elegance.

I walked inside, immediately drawn to the luxurious fabrics. I asked to see their best dresses, and the lady behind the counter showed me a collection of twenty. But there was one dress—a deep crimson gown with intricate embroidery—that stole my heart. It was everything I had imagined.

I turned to Eli, my excitement palpable. "How much is this one?"

The saleswoman's face remained polite, but her eyes sparkled with anticipation. "2,000 won."

I winced slightly. It was a lot, but I couldn't resist. "I'll take it."

Eli seemed a little shocked at my spending habits. "You sure? That's a lot of won."

He glanced at the pouch. "How much do we have left?"

"Ah, 2,500 won left," Elijah replied, shaking his head. "I've never seen anyone spend so much in one go."

I laughed nervously, brushing a lock of hair behind my ear. "Is that a lot of money?"

Eli looked at me incredulously, raising his hands in mock disbelief. "Yes, it's a *lot*—a *huge* amount of money." He gestured broadly with his hands to emphasize just how big of a sum it was.

I shrugged, my face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and joy. "You can keep the rest of the won. Let's just head back home."

We started making our way back, retracing the path we had walked earlier. But something strange happened. As we passed by a house on the outskirts of the market, something about it drew me in. The house was beautiful—like something out of a dream. It felt... alive, calling me. Without thinking, I excused myself from Elijah and made my way toward the house.

I knocked on the door, but no one answered. My curiosity gnawed at me, and before I knew it, I had pushed the door open and stepped inside. The interior was even more breathtaking—marbled floors, tall windows that let the light flood in, and an air of mystery that made my skin tingle.

"Hello?" I called out hesitantly, but no one replied.

I waited, growing more uneasy. The silence was suffocating. I turned to leave but was stopped by a sudden, sharp crack. My body convulsed, and I screamed in pain as my bones seemed to break and reshape themselves. The pain was unbearable, unlike anything I had ever felt. I stumbled back, clutching my chest, gasping for air.

"Help!" I cried out, but the house remained eerily silent. I was alone, in excruciating agony, with no one to help me.

Just as I thought I couldn't endure another second, I saw her. A woman appeared before me—she was ethereal, with long silver hair that shimmered in the dim light, her eyes ancient yet full of compassion.

"Hello, dear," she said, her voice a melodic whisper.

"Please... help me!" I cried, my voice cracking. "What's happening to me?!"

"You are changing, my dear," she explained softly, her eyes watching me with a kind but knowing gaze. "Wait just an hour, and it will pass."

"What? That's too long! I can't... I can't survive this!" I sobbed, the pain making my vision blur.

"You will, dear. For the first time, the change is always the hardest. But for you, I've made it easier. You will suffer for just one hour, and then the pain will stop. After this, you will never feel it again, not even when you transform into your white wolf. Just wait."

"Please... help... it hurts!" I gasped, writhing in agony.

"Two minutes remain," she said calmly.

"Two minutes?! I can't wait that long!" I screamed, but her gaze remained calm.

"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one... Done. Goodbye, dear."

And with that, she was gone, vanishing into thin air as though she had never been there at all.

I was left, still gasping, still trembling, but the pain had stopped. The transformation was complete, but I could hardly comprehend what had just happened. My body felt... different, stronger, but the overwhelming pain had left me weak.

"Elijah!!!" I screamed, my voice hoarse as I staggered out of the house. "Elijah, where are you?!"

I didn't wait for him to respond. I ran, stumbling through the streets, not caring about anything else but getting home.