Alright! Here's chapter two! I don't know why, but I'm more nervous about this chapter than I was about chapter one.
---
Sherry had seen her friend turn around, and go into her room, so she waved at the tree Wynter had been staring at earlier that night.
Of course he had to pick a tree, so I’d look like a complete idiot waving at him. She thought as she rolled her eyes, tapping her foot on the ground impatiently.
The oak tree shuddered, and the squirrel that had taken up a temporary residence scampered out quickly, letting everyone know just how he felt about being tossed out of his sleeping place with his barking.
The knarled, twisted branches of the tree slowly withdrew into its trunk, leaving a pair of arms, and the leaves witdrew into the top of a head with shaggy brown hair. A pair of icy blue eyes appeared on it on the grinning face of it, until finally, a tall tennage boy in a pair of old jeans and a T-shirt stood in its place. He ran over to Sherry. “So, what did you think? Is she a shifter too?” He asked her excitedly, yet trying to keep his voice down at the same time.
Sherry nodded slowly. “Yes, Wynter’s a shifter, and it looks like she’ll find that out in the morning. What was with the car, Wade? I would swear she knew there wasn't a driver! Do you know what could have happened if she figured that out?” She gave him what she thought was her best intimidating glare, narrowing her eyes and frowing up at him as he towered over her.
Wade laughed. “Calm down, Sherry, she didn't notice, and besides, if she had of, she would know why there wasn't a driver soon enough. Come on, we need to get back.”
Sherry shrugged, and began to walk towards the mansion that she and Wynter had walked by earlier that day. “I hate lying to her. I wish I could tell her the truth before she shifts.” She said with a sigh, “She’s my best friend, and I’ve had to lie to her about my life.”
Wade looked down at Sherry, and gave her an encouraging lopsided smile. “Don’t worry about it. If she’s half of what you’ve told me about her, she’ll understand.”
“I hope you’re right.”
Sherry and Wade strolled into the mansion, and went to their rooms, both being tired, and both knowing what was coming the next day.
Sherry sighed as she flopped down onto her bed after taking a shower. I hope Wyn won’t hurt herself. She thought as she slowly fell asleep.
***
Wynter walked back downstairs after she finished reading yet another book, feeling hungry again. “Aunt Donna? Do we have any cereal left? I’m starving!”
Donna laughed. “Again? You just ate!”
“I know, but I’m really hungry again.” Wynter’s stomach growled loudly to affirm the statement.
“There’s some in the pantry.” Donna said.
“Thanks.”
Wynter helped herself to a heaping bowl of Frosted Flakes, and sat at the kitchen table. She read a nearby magazine
while she munched noisily on the cereal. She didn’t even hear the whispered conversation between her aunt and uncle.
“She’s definitely going to do it tonight, Donna.”
“Are you sure? Maybe she’s just going through a growth spurt.”
“I’m positive. Sherry told us so. Remember what it was like when you first shifted?”
“Of course. Everybody remembers their first shift. But still, I wish…” Donna’s already soft voice trailed off, and her
eyes became a little misty.
“Wish what? That she wouldn’t shift at all? Donna, we both know that is impossible. I wish she didn’t have to shift either, especially with her not knowing about it in the first place, but it’s going to happen. We’ve just got to be ready.” Greg replied, drawing his wife in, and hugging her affectionately. “It’s going to be fine, Donna. Wyn is a strong girl, just like her parents were.”
Donna simply nodded, and smiled at Wynter, whose face was hidden behind the magazine.
Wynter caught her aunt’s gaze over the top of the magazine. She set it down, and raised an eyebrow. “What? Is there
something on my face?”
Donna shook her head. “No, I was just thinking about how you were growing prettier every day.”
Wynter laughed and rolled her eyes. “Sure. Anyways, I’m wiped out. I’ll see you two in the morning.” She rinsed her bowl off in the sink, and walked over to give her aunt and uncle a hug before bed. “I love you guys.”
Greg smiled at her. “We love you too. Get some rest, so we can have fun tomorrow!”
“ I’ll try!” She called as she walked back up to her room. The bedroom felt like it was rocking back and forth, like a ship being tossed around in the sea. Ugh, I really don’t feel good.
Wynter managed to get her teeth brushed without falling over, but collapsed on the bed as soon as she got to it. She fell into a fitful sleep, plagued by odd dreams.
A little baby squealed in delight. She held her hands out to the huge black wolf, begging for another ride. The wolf made a deep, laughing sound in his throat, and knelt down to let the toddler crawl back on his back.
A smiling woman stood in the living room where the wolf and the baby played together. “Careful, we don’t want the neighbors seeing this, and calling it into the police.” She told it.
After the little girl had had enough rides, the wolf gently slid her off onto the couch. In the blink of an eye, a tall man with ebony hair stood in its place. “Don’t worry, they won’t have a clue.” He smiled at his wife. “Besides, the last time that happened, the police simply laughed, and let it go.”
“The last time it happened, she was playing with a tiger, and on top of that, it was a tiger with green eyes.” His wife replied with a little laugh. “A black wolf with brown eyes is different. It’s much more believable.” She picked the drowsy baby up off the couch and took her to put her to bed.
---
Flames rose up around the baby. Her mother held her tightly to her chest, protecting her from the wicked flames. They could hear fighting in the living room, from which they were separated by the fire. Suddenly, it became silent, and even the fire seemed to be still. Then, the worst happened. The body of a black wolf was flung through the flames, and was crumpled up in a lifeless heap at the woman’s feet.
The woman knelt next to the wolf, sobbing uncontrollably.
Then the flames separating the living room from the bedroom parted, and a crimson dragon with black wings stepped through. “So, here is where you’re hiding her.” It said.
The woman sat the toddler down next to the wolf, and stood in front of them, facing the dragon. “You stay away from her.”
“But she’s the reason I came! Why else would I come but to rob you of your most prized possession.” The dragon circled the woman, keeping his golden eye on her. “Your husband put up a most entertaining fight, you know. He almost beat me, until I made him believe it was you he was attacking. He hesitated, and I killed him. Simple as that.”
The dragon was thrown back as he was rammed by a tiger. When he regained his balance, he laughed. “Maybe you’ll
do better than your husband!” He rose up onto his hind legs, and blew more flames at the tiger.
Time seemed to slow for the tiger. If she jumped out of the fire’s way, it would consume the baby that was crying behind her, if she didn’t... Then the flames were upon her, wrapping around her body. The tiger roared in pain as she was thrown back towards the child and the wolf. She tried to rise to go at the dragon again, but found that her legs would no longer support her.
The dragon strode forward and stood over the tiger. His body shuddered, and there stood a man with the same golden eyes and red hair stood there with a wicked sneer on his face. “You are weak, Teresa. You always have been. “He stopped as he heard the loud siren of a fire truck. He looked back down at the tiger. “Well, it looks like I must be going. I wanted to kill you all personally, but I’ll let the flames kill your child for me.” The man strode towards the flames blocking him from the back door, and once again, they parted for him, and he walked through unscathed, disappearing into the night as the flames closed behind him.
The tiger’s body shuddered, and then there lay the woman with the emerald green eyes, her body burned beyond repair. She took the baby in her charred arms once more, trying in one last attempt to keep her from being burned herself. “I’m so sorry, my darling.” She said to the baby, just before her eyes shut, never to open again.
Wynter jolted awake, breathing hard and sweating. It was just a dream. She looked at the clock, and reluctantly got out of bed. Still half asleep, she didn’t notice that her bedroom had seemed to have gotten bigger.
I am so glad school’s out, it leaves me more time for sleeping in. She thought as she headed down the hall to the bathroom. She went in, and stopped when something became clear to her. She couldn’t see the mirror. Oh my gosh, I have shrunk in my sleep! Wait, people don’t just shrink, do they?
She started to climb up onto the counter to look in the mirror. What the heck? She could swear those were…paws. White, spotted, paws. No, this can NOT be happening. I must be dreaming. But, letting curiosity get the better of her, she nonetheless crawled up onto the counter top. She looked reluctantly in the mirror, and staring back at her was a snow leopard with the same green eyes as her.
Wynter flipped off the counter in a heap, screaming. She shut her mouth quickly when she heard what was supposed to be a scream. A roar? No, this is a dream.
She climbed back up onto the counter, and looked the leopard in the eyes. She tilted her head to the left. So did the leopard. Just a coincidence. Let’s try something harder. She jumped up and down on the counter, and once again, the leopard mimicked her movements perfectly.
Wynter leaped off the counter, and made a terrified dash for the stairs. What is happening? How in the world is this possible? She skidded to a halt in front of a very bewildered looking Aunt and Uncle.
“Aunt Donna, Uncle Greg, look at me! What’s going-“Wynter stopped the volley of words when she heard herself. The words didn’t sound like her voice, they were some strange combination of yowls and growls. What the heck is wrong with me?!
Greg stood, and what Wynter saw just about made her pass out. One minute, her uncle was standing there, but the next, his arms and hand had turned into wings, and in his place sat a bald eagle.
The eagle screeched, and to Wynter’s amazement, she understood it.
“Wyn, you need to calm down.” It said.
“I-I can understand you! What is going on?!?” Wynter asked.
Donna stood this time, and once again, to Wynter’s astonishment, she also began to morph. By the time Donna was on all fours, Wynter was already asking questions.
“Aunt Donna, what is happening? Why are you suddenly a… A cat?”
“Wynter, you do need to calm down, before you hurt yourself.” Donna purred.
“Calm down? How am I supposed to do that? I woke up this morning, and this is what I saw in my mirror!” Wynter exclaimed.I've gone crazy! That must be it, I'm insane.
“To get out of that form, you must calm down. Force your heartbeat to slow down, and imagine yourself as a human again. Please do this, then we’ll talk.” Greg said.
Wynter closed her eyes, and took a few deep breaths. I can do this. Calm down, Wyn, you can do it.
When Wynter opened her eyes, she was on her hands and knees. Her human hands and knees.
Donna was already back in her human form, and helping Wynter to stand, and at the same time wrapping in a blanket. “Very good, Wyn. Now, sit down while we explain this.”
Wynter went and sat down on the oversized couch in their living room, and took some more shaky breaths. “Uncle Greg, Aunt Donna, what just happened?”
Greg and Donna took a seat next from Wynter. “Well Wyn, you just…” Donna’s voice trailed off.
“I just what? What did I just do?” She asked desperatley.
Greg cleared his throat, and answered, “Wynter, I’m going to be honest with you. You just shape shifted.”
Wynter’s eyes grew to about twice their size, and her jaw droped. “I just WHAT?”
“Wynter, have you ever heard of shape shifters?”
