Chapter Text
Ben’s chest pounded like a bass drum played by a madman. His back and arms were slick with sweat and his breath came in ragged gasps. He raced up the stairs of his home.
It was coming, there was no stopping it now. Dammit. The treadmill hadn’t worked this time. Now he just had to run and hope he made it in time. He wasn't far, but it was going to happen any second now.
Trying to suppress it with exercise this time had been a mistake. He knew he was pressing his luck. But he had made it a whole week! Maybe controlling this thing wouldn't be so hard after all. His excitement at the prospect was counterproductive. He tried to suppress it too.
He raced down the second floor hallway past the door to his room, past the guest room, the bathroom, and the spare home office. God, this was too much house. If they lived in a smaller house this wouldn't be happening.
He finally reached his destination. A sign in the shape of a cat's head hung from the door. It read “Hannah” and then below that in neat, if faded, sharpie “please knock”.
Ignoring the sign's instruction he grasped the knob and pushed on the door. No luck, it was locked. Well, at least that meant she was in there. He knocked loudly.
“Hannah!” Ben shouted his sister's name desperately. “Hannah, it's happening! Hannah, please, open the door.”
The door clicked then opened. “What's happening? I'm in the middle of math homework.” She looked as annoyed as she sounded. Then she actually saw him and her expression changed to a strange mixture of anticipation and pity. “Oh, that. Well fuck, come in then."
As Hannah backed away to allow him in, Ben rushed past the door. Hannah closed and locked it behind him.
“So ah,” she said nervously, “it's a safe day for me. Do you want to…”
Ben spun around to stare at his sister. He tried to look her in the eye but she was gazing downward, cheeks red with embarrassment. She couldn't really be suggesting… no she definitely was. Instead of disgust he only felt a dark fascination tinged with curiosity.
“Um,” he replied, “you weren't able to fiiiaaaagh-”
The sudden pain dropped him to the ground. And yet, this time, he noted that it hurt less than it should. He remained conscious. Part of the magic maybe? Or was he just becoming accustomed to it?
His bones shifted and stretched as his muscles tore themselves apart only to reform and swell. Almost no part of his body was spared from the pain.
A singular thought occurred to him as he was doubled over, face planted to the floor. None of this would have happened if he had just done as the witch had asked.