Aster woke to the sound of Sammie screaming outside her door.
She ran to the door, dressed in only her nightshirt, and peeked though the crack in the door. Sammie stood there on her doorstep, trembling, "Aster! Let me in! They're after me!"
"Who is?"
"There's no time to say, just let me in!"
There came a howling noise from somewhere outside. Sammie banged on the door, "Hurry! They'll kill me if they catch me!"
Aster yanked the door open, "Come in Sammie! Quickly!"
Sammie ran into the house and Aster slammed the door behind him. She quickly slid the bolt across, locking the door. The sound of howls grew louder. "Do you have anything silver?"
"What?"
"Do you have anything silver Aster? It's important!"
"There's great-grandmother's serving platter! It's made of silver!"
"Grab it and follow me. Hopefully that will be enough to keep them away."
Aster dashed into the kitchen and dug though the cupboards, searching frantically for the platter.
"Hurry!" Sammie began to tear through the cupboards too, throwing pots and pans onto the floor.
Something heavy slammed into the door. Aster screamed in fright as the door creaked under the weight of the creature on the other side. She finally spotted the platter and yanked it out. A teacup fell on the floor and shattered.
The door cracked, then split down the middle. Aster screamed again as she caught a glimpse of a yellow glowing eye and teeth snapping though wood. Then Sammie grabbed her by the arm and dragged her out of the kitchen and down the hall to the cellar door. He yanked the door open and both of them fled down into the basement.
"Hold the platter in front of you Aster!" Sammie looked around the room and spotted a small nook in the wall, just big enough for two to fit in, "They can't touch you if you're holding the silver out!"
"What are they?"
Sammie looked at Aster, eyes wide with fright, "Werewolves."
There was the sound of laughter from above them, then the door leading downstairs was smashed off its hinges and it fell down the stairs. Sammie yanked Aster back and they crouched in the nook, shivering. Aster held the silver platter out in front of her, hands shaking.
Three hairy monsters came skidding down into the basement, claws tearing at the stairs and walls. They yipped and laughed amongst each other, but began to snarl once they spotted Aster holding the platter.
One of them stood up, swaying on its hind-legs. The snarling features began to shift and change, revealing a hobbit beneath the fur. Aster almost dropped her platter in shock at Meli glared at her. "Move Aster."
She shook her head, "I-I won't."
Another werewolf stood up, her features changing back and forth between wolf and Molly, "Just stand to the side. What we're doing doesn't concern you."
"If it concerns Sammie, then it concerns me."
The third wolf rose. It didn't shift, but Aster recognized the voice as belonging to Farry, "You'll regret it if you don't move Daisy."
"I'm not moving."
The three werewolves looked at each other. Something silent passed between them, because they suddenly dropped down and changed back into wolf form. Two of the wolves headed up the stairs, but the third sat and smiled at Daisy, "Just remember we warned you."
Then Molly too was gone, padding up the stairs. Aster stood as still as possible, trying to stop her hands from shaking. When Sammie touched her shoulder, she screamed and dropped the platter. He pulled her into a hug, rubbing her back, "It's okay. They're gone now."
A sob ripped its way out of Aster's throat before she could stop it, "I thought... I thought they were going to..."
"Don't worry. They won't be killing either of us tonight."
There was a creak from the top of the stairs, followed by Del's voice, "Sammie? Aster?"
"Down here."
Aster watched Del descended down the stairs from over Sammie's shoulder, "I thought they had you."
Sammie didn't turn his head to look at Del. He was still hugging Aster, his chin resting on her shoulder, "Aster here saved me with that silver platter."
"What a good girl." Del grinned. Aster shivered at Del's tone, which was more menacing than normal. "I'm so glad she was here to help you."
"I... I should start putting things away." Aster tried to step out of Sammie's arms. He tightened his grip, arms holding her tight like bands of iron.
Del walked closer, light playing over her face. Her eyes suddenly changed, glowing red like banked coals in the fireplace. She grinned, sharp teeth shining slick with saliva, "Such a good girl."
"Sammie?" Aster whimpered, "Del's face..."
"Oh, I know." He turned his head, pressing his lips to the side of Aster's neck, "Lovely, isn't it?"
Del laughed and Aster closed her eyes, afraid to see Sammie's face.
~