Owen

We all froze, not daring to touch the door or cross the threshold. "N...Nate just appeared in the spell," Victor sputtered, "He's got on a uniform and looks like he's working at the local market. He hasn't interacted with anyone else really, just unloading boxes. The whole town is moving again." There was a moment of silence, "What the fuck happened?"

"He opened the cabin door and just vanished," I said, trying to suppress my fears.

"Uh, this may not mean anything, but um, did anyone notice that we are being pulled into the spell in the order we bonded with her?" Luke whispered into the walkie.

"Fuck," Gabe muttered. "Might be a good thing you're not here, Luke."

"It may not matter," Sean said, "If Reid and her father are pulling everyone in order, then they may be able to do it no matter what."

Gabe gave us a mischievous smirk, then said as he stepped toward the open door, "Then let's fuck up their plan."

Reaching out, I grabbed his shoulder, "You have no idea what will happen if you go in there. It doesn't seem like the others have any idea who they are anymore, Gabe. The more of us that fall, the less likely we are to find answers."

His hand came over mine, "I know you're scared, Owen, but I stand the best chance of remembering who I am. If I can get in the spell somehow and give you all intel, then maybe, just maybe, we can bring these asshats down. I've got to try. Besides, there's always the chance that nothing will happen at all. Nate may have triggered the only play the spell had."

We finally relented and watched him walk into the cabin. He made it several steps and remained as we let out a collective sigh of relief. Kota remained on the porch while Sean and I both entered. I began filming with my phone, sending the livestream back to Victor and the others.

The cabin's interior was simple: an open area with a large cushioned bed, small stove, sink, and clawfoot tub with a deteriorating curtain almost circling it. The glass in the windows was broken in places and some were completely missing. High rafters held bundles of herbs and overgrown plants. Sigils and runes littered the walls and floors - some carved into the wood, while others had been burned into it.

"These are protection wards," Sean said pointing to a collection of symbols near the windows and door we had entered. "Question is, are they a way of keeping something in or out?"

"My guess is out," I said as I showed them an open journal. There were sketches of hideous creatures, page after page. Kota peered inside as I turned the pages toward him as well. "Any ideas?"

"Not really, but I did find some small tracks out here. Didn't Gray mention having a cat?" he asked. We nodded, "I think it may still be here, or at least a cat of some kind."

"Only so many lives," I muttered.

"What?" Gabe asked a tattered book in his hand.

"Reid, he told her 'Only so many illusions, only some many lives until destiny will claim you.' What if the cat is tied to that somehow, like the old wives' tale of cats having nine lives." They all stared at me in disbelief. "Vic, how many lives has she had so far?"

We could hear papers rustling and Vic counting to himself. "Son of a bitch," he swore, his fist hitting the counter. "This new story makes nine, guys." As if the gods themselves heard him, the silence was shattered with a loud crash of lightning and a swift shadow dashed across the room making a low growling sound.

"Shit!" Kota yelled as an unseen force pushed him through the door, and then closed it behind him. He pounded on the wood as he tried to turn the knob but to no avail. When Sean and I tried to put our hands out the windows, it felt as if the glass were solid and impenetrable.

"Luke!" Victor yelled on the walkie, "He...he's gone!"

Our eyes quickly fell on Gabe who sat on the floor with a slender-looking cat. Her fur was silvery just like Gray's hair as she nuzzled against him. He gave us a knowing smile, then kissed her forehead. "It's okay, little one, I'm ready."

Then he too vanished, along with the cat.

Victor

I stared at the screen as tears streamed down my face. Luke and Gabe both appeared on the screen in a small cottage near where the widow lived. They held hands as they sat on the old porch watching out over the field. I sucked in a breath when I saw the silvery cat jump into Gabe's lap. He stroked her fur and grinned, then looked up as if he were staring straight at me and winked.

Author's Notes:  And the plot thickens...