"Who paid for all this food?!" Tom asked, dropping into a chair with his second plate of pizza and wings piled high.

  "You're sitting in this castle and asking that question?" Macy shot back, already stealing a wing off his plate.

  Kim smiled as everyone dug in. "Do you think it's actually over?" she asked quietly.

  "I hope so," Shannon said. "Pizza and guns are awesome, but I need to get back to homework and worrying about clothes at some point."

  The afternoon rolled on like that - the former plastic kids mixing with Kim's crew, trading dumb jokes and half-laughs over cooling slices. No one mentioned the blood or the caves. They just ate.

  Early evening, the front door opened. Mary stepped in with Daniel right behind her.

  "Anyone know what Jill did on her little hospital breakout?" Mary asked, scanning the room.

  Sarah bolted over and threw her arms around her mom. "Mom! We killed another monster. It was gross, but we got Jill because we couldn't touch it, and then these other kids helped because... well, I'm not entirely sure!"

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  Mary pressed a finger to Sarah's lips. "Shhh, my love. Tell me your version later." She smiled, soft but tired.

  "Yeah... we weren't the best babysitters," Kim said, apologetic.

  "Evidently." Mary's eyes swept the group. "But everyone's alive. On both ends." She caught the quick flash of worry in Kim's face and squeezed her shoulder. "We're fine."

  Macy stared openly at Daniel. "Is that Daddy Wolf Daniel? As a human?" She grabbed Adam's arm. "Can you bite him?"

  Adam yanked his arm free. "Hey!"

  "Oh come on, it worked out for Kim!"

  Mary laughed - low, warm - and dropped onto the arm of Kim's chair. She draped an arm around the girl's shoulders and nuzzled the top of her head. "You've done very well, young one."

  "Werewolves are a cuddly bunch," Kim said, half-joking.

  "It grows on you," Mary answered with a small smile.

  A little over a week later, St. Joseph's was quiet for Sunday Communion. Thomas walked up the aisle, not being Catholic he received Father Jefferys blessing with a small nod, and stepped aside.

  Behind him came Jill.

  She moved slowly, still pale, still favoring her side, but upright. When she reached Father Jeffery, the old priest met her eyes - no surprise, no judgment, just the same steady calm he gave everyone.

  "The Body of Christ," he said softly, holding the host. "Broken for you."

  Jill opened her mouth. "Amen," she whispered.

  Next up is Enter the Dogman, which continues this story. As those chapters drop, I’ll also be cleaning up this one and fixing any lingering issues.

  Seriously, thank you to everyone who read, followed, and stayed. The story isn’t over — it’s just getting bigger!