CatalinaI tossed and turned all night. I kept dreaming about going into labor and everything under the sun going wrong. I woke up the next morning with a headache and couldn’t get back to sleep. I was so nervous about going into labor that I couldn’t focus on anything else. I got in the shower and tried to relax as much as possible.What did those witches do to me? Malcolm refused to talk about that day they had kidnapped me. He said that he had been so angry with them for what they did, he couldn’t even think about it. He’d rather leave it in the past. I understood his feelings on the subject, but I wanted answers. I couldn’t stop thinking about what they had done to me. I didn’t know if it was because of their magic or just a weird coincidence but I couldn’t help feeling like they were responsible for my current situation. I walked into the kitchen and poured myself a glass of orange juice. My stomach was still turning from everything that had happened, but I needed to eat somethi
Malcolm I came home to find Catalina nowhere in sight. Bex had called me and told me that she'd blacked out but insisted that she was fine, so I left campus early to check on her—we were still coming back from the kidnapping incident at this point, and our relationship was a little weird as a result. I was worried about her, but she wouldn’t let me help her. She said she didn’t need my help, but I knew better. I ran through the apartment calling her name, but there was no response. I checked every room and closet, but she wasn’t there. I went outside looking for her car, but it wasn’t there either. She had left without telling me where she was going and hadn’t taken her phone with her. It was like Catalina wanted to disappear. I went back inside and paced around the house, trying to figure out what to do next. Bex, Emily nor Roman had heard from her, so there was no one else I could call or text. I guess I had to use my old-trusty panther sense to find her. When I left the house it
CatalinaMy mind was buzzing and I heard faint voices in the distance. It was dark and unwelcoming where I lay, but every now and then a gust of air filled my lungs. Where was I? Why did my body feel weightless?I felt like I was floating in a sea of black ink. I couldn’t see anything, but I could feel things around me. There were other people but we were all trapped in our own little worlds and couldn’t talk to each other. I tried to call out but my voice was weak. It didn’t sound like me at all. The only thing I could do was float around and try to find someone who could help me.I felt a hand grab onto mine and I looked over to see Ella who had passed away months ago. She smiled at me and waved goodbye while she floated away into the darkness. What is this place? I felt myself being pulled down. Like I was sinking into the black ink and it was swallowing me whole. The last thing I remember was screaming as loud as I could, but no one heard me.I woke up in an unfamiliar place. It w
Catalina I wake up to the sound of my daughter's cries. The nurses had taken care of her and me for the past few days, but now it was time for me to take care of her. I couldn't believe she was here--I never thought this day would come. She was so tiny and fragile, but she had a will stronger than anything I'd ever seen. She looked like me, with her dark hair and eyes. But something about her reminded me of Malcolm: his smile, his laugh... It made me wonder if maybe she inherited those things from him as well. I tried not to think about him too much because it hurt too much when I did--but every once in a while something would trigger a memory of when we were together and it took over my whole mind again: how we met; how happy we were together. how much fun we had; how serious he was about our future together. It was hard for me to believe that it all ended so quickly and without warning.I felt so alone.All I wanted to do was cry. I had a lot of things on my mind, and crying did
Malcolm It was a fate worse than death. The mother of my child, the woman I loved more than life itself—doesn't even remember who I am anymore! I was half-tempted to pay those witches a visit in jail and make them pay for what they had done to my family. I would have, too, if it wasn't for the fact that I had a child to look after. My daughter needed me more than ever now and I couldn't let her down again. I was a good father, I knew that. But this was the first time in my life that I had been forced to grow up and accept responsibility for my actions. It wasn't easy—but it was something I would have to do until the day I died if it meant keeping my daughter safe and happy. I pulled up a chair and sat next to my daughter's incubator. She was asleep, swaddled up like a burrito. Zyria looked so peaceful—so innocent. I couldn't help but smile at how adorable she was when she slept like that. I reached out and gently ran my finger down her cheek. Zyria smiled in her sleep, obviously enjo
CatalinaWhoever said breastfeeding was easy and such a joyous experience was a liar. Breastfeeding was hard work, and it could be painful. It was not always easy to get the hang of it, especially if you’re not prepared for how much time and effort it took to breastfeed effectively. Especially since I couldn't have the bonding time required to produce the breast milk, a pump was not the same. I felt like a total failure as if I wasn't producing enough for our precious baby girl. I had been working with a breastfeeding consultant but I felt like I wasn't making any progress. I wanted to scream. I wanted my baby to be able to nurse like a normal baby. I wanted her to be content and satisfied, not crying because she was hungry.I felt like a failure as a mother and that was very difficult for me. I was depressed and anxious, but I didn’t want to admit it. It took some time before I realized that my feelings were normal. I was not a failure as a mother. I was doing the best I could and th
MalcolmI admired Catalina's determination to breastfeed our daughter. That was one of the many things I loved about her. She was persistent, that was how she got me to fall for her in the first place. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, and she was mine. Or at least I hoped she was still mine.I knew that she was falling apart when I saw her crying with our daughter in her arms. I wanted to take her pain away, but I didn't know how. She wouldn't let me help her, and that hurt me more than anything else ever could have.I was worried that Catalina was going to give up on breastfeeding, and I didn't want that for her. I wanted to support her in any way that I could, but she wouldn't have it. She didn't want me there when she tried again. I felt like a failure as a boyfriend because of all of this. I felt like I didn't know how to be there for her, and that hurt. It was making me feel like my whole world was falling apart around me.Then she finally agreed to let me help h
My mind was fuzzy, but my body remembered how we used to make love—a rush of emotions came over me as Malcolm and I were entwined in passionate bliss. It was as if we were two magnets that had been pulled together by some unseen force. Even if I tried to resist his allure, his presence was too powerful for me to ignore. It was like a drug; I was hooked.I hadn't realized how much my body craved him until that moment when we were together again. It was like the missing piece of the puzzle had finally been found, and now everything made sense. This man was the beginning and the end of me. I wanted him to be the father of my children, I wanted him to be my everything. Malcolm was the king, and I was his queen.Our lovemaking was like a dance, one that we had perfected over time. There were no words needed as we moved together in perfect harmony. "I moaned, biting into Malcolm's shoulder to keep from screaming. I felt every single one of his movements, my body trembling with each thrust.
Catalina I gazed at my reflection, fingers trembling as I adjusted the delicate lace of my wedding dress. The mirror revealed a woman I barely recognized - poised, radiant, on the cusp of a new chapter. Yet beneath the surface, butterflies danced in my stomach."You've got this, Cat," I whispered, meeting my own eyes. "Remember how far you've come."Memories flooded back - late nights in the library, stolen glances across the lecture hall, that fateful day I'd mustered the courage to ask Professor Wright for an extension. Who could have imagined where that simple request would lead?I smoothed my hands over the silk bodice, tracing the intricate beadwork. Each tiny crystal felt like a milestone on our journey - first kiss, first shift, first "I love you." My chest tightened with a heady mix of excitement and nerves."Deep breaths," I reminded myself. "Malcolm is waiting."At the thought of him, a smile tugged at my lips. My brilliant, passionate Malcolm. The man who saw past my fumbl
MalcolmI adjusted my tie for the hundredth time, staring at my reflection in the full-length mirror. The man looking back at me was both familiar and foreign - the same dark eyes and strong jawline, but there was a softness there now, a vulnerability I'd never allowed myself before."You clean up nice, old man," I muttered, smoothing down my jacket.My fingers trembled slightly as I fiddled with my cufflinks. In just a few hours, I'd be marrying Catalina - the thought both thrilled and terrified me. How had I, Malcolm Wright, confirmed bachelor and reclusive academic, ended up here? Catalina's acceptance of my true nature was the first crack in the walls I'd built around myself."You know," I muse aloud, "I used to think laughter was a frivolous distraction from serious academic pursuits."My best man, Roman, raises an eyebrow. "And now?""Now," I chuckle, "I can't imagine a day without hearing Catalina's laugh. It's like... sunshine breaking through storm clouds."Roman grins. "Who
CatalinaThe sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the room in a warm, golden glow. It illuminated the diamond nestled delicately on my finger, causing it to shimmer and sparkle like a tiny star. As I shifted my hand, the light refracted, scattering soft, colorful rainbows across the wall, each glimmer more dazzling than the last. I found myself mesmerized, unable to tear my gaze away from this exquisite gem—a perfect embodiment of Malcolm's deep love and unwavering commitment to me. Each time I caught a glimpse of it, my heart would flutter with a mix of joy and warmth, a gentle reminder of the bond we shared and the promise that lay within that beautiful stone."I still can't believe it," I whispered to myself, twirling the ring around my finger. The weight of it was unfamiliar but comforting, like Malcolm's strong arms around me.I closed my eyes, allowing myself to sink into the cherished memory of his proposal. The warmth of that moment wrapped around me like a comforting
CatalinaI was the luckiest woman on earth when, just a short time after we met, Malcolm proposed marriage to me. It seemed like such a dream—but every time I glanced down at the gorgeous ring on my finger and remembered that special moment it became real again. To say I was surprised would be an understatement.But a part of me has always wondered if it's because we already have one child—but the little things he does for me every day prove otherwise. The way he looked at me, his touch…it all filled in the gaps and made our love real again. I just needed to stop second-guessing our relationship; especially after everything that we had been through; he deserved at least that. Plus, Malcolm had put his life and career on the line for me time and time again. It wasn't just his love that made me realize how special he was; it was also the way he treated me. He made sure to take care of me, even when I didn't feel like it. And every time I felt like giving up, he was there to remind me wh
MalcolmToday was the day I would ask Catalina to marry me, and we'd been through hell together—so it seemed only fitting that she have everything within my power. She deserved nothing less. She deserved the world, and I would give it to her. I'd been planning this proposal for months, and even though I was nervous as hell, I couldn't wait to see her face when she realized what was happening. Our relationship had been rocky from the start, but I knew that deep down we were meant for each other—and this moment would prove it once and for all.Roman and Emily were in on the surprise. Catalina thought they were going out to dinner because the curse had been lifted over Emily and she wanted to celebrate and spend time with her like old times. She had no idea that she was about to be proposed to.Roman and Emily took Catalina to an Asian fusion restaurant downtown. The ambiance was perfect for a romantic evening out. Catalina loved it and couldn’t stop talking about how much she loved Asia
Malcolm My bones cracked and popped at a rate that my mind couldn't keep up with. Then I leaped out onto the porch and ripped into the first witch that caught my eye. But they keep coming and chanting, and the chanting got louder. So I had to kill them faster to stop the ringing in my ears. The more blood I tasted on my tongue, the deeper it drove me into insanity. When there was a clearing, Roman and Catalina dashed to the car, and I lost sight of them. Ms. Cleo was surrounded by witches. I fought my way to her, slashing through the witches with my heavy paws, feeling the power of rage inside me.The witches were no match for me; their blood spilled out as I growled with fury, and the thunderous of my voice echoed in the sky. The witches scrambled away in terror, and I reached Ms. Cleo. She was trying to extinguish the fire engulfing her home. but it was already too late.I watched helplessly as the flames engulfed her house until there was nothing left of it.Ms. Cleo collapsed to
"Do you hear that?" I asked her.She nodded. We both looked up at the ceiling of the tunnel, where the light from our flashlights began to bounce off something shiny above us—something wet and dripping down onto us like raindrops falling on leaves in summertime. "What is that?" I asked. "Blood," Bex said. We looked at each other and then back down the tunnel, where we could see the light from our flashlights reflected in several eyes staring back at us. There was nothing else to do but run. I don’t know if you have ever been chased by a coven of creepy witches, but it's not something I would recommend. The witches were angry, and they were fast. We ran through the tunnels as if we had been born with wings on our feet, but it was no use. The witches were gaining ground.The tunnel narrowed, and the walls were closing in around us. We ran faster, but it was no use. They had us cornered. There was nowhere else to go except back where we had come from. The witches were right behind us whe
CatalinaBex pointed at the tree again. "Is this where we need to be?" She asked again. The witch nodded, then walked away with a wave of her hand as if dismissing us. Bex and I looked at each other with wide eyes. Then we started walking toward the tree. We stood in front of it for a moment before Bex took my hand and pulled me behind her into a large hole in the ground.I looked around in awe. The tree roots were everywhere, and it was like we were standing inside a cave made of earth and trees. There were torches on the walls that lit up the space well enough for us to see where we were going. I had no idea where we were headed or what would happen when we got there, but at that moment, all I could think was how beautiful everything looked under the light of those flames. "Stay close to me," Bex whispered as held onto my hand.I nodded and followed her deeper into the cave. I didn't know how long we walked, but eventually, it opened up into a large room with what looked like painti
"We need to try," I said as my voice cracked. "There's no other choice." Ms. Cleo nodded and began to chant again. I stood there watching her, wondering if this would be our last chance at saving Emily.I looked at the table, trying to focus on it. My eyes seemed to be glued to it, and I couldn't look away. I could feel my heart racing as the minutes passed by. The room was silent except for Ms. Cleo's chanting, which had become louder and more intense. I looked at the table again and saw that it was beginning to move. At first, I thought it was just my imagination, but then I saw that the table itself was moving. It started to shake violently, like an earthquake had hit us. Ms. Cleo stopped chanting and stood up from her chair, looking around the room as if she were trying to figure out what was happening.The table continued to shake, and then, without warning, it flipped over, sending all of the items on top of it flying into the air. Ms. Cleo screamed as she tried to catch them bef