Shapeshifter's Academy (Chapter 1)

Author's Notes: I'm not sure if I am going to continue this. I definitely will if I get good feedback, but right now its uncertain. Please tell me if you think I have a good story line going or if I'm missing something. And all grammar/punctuation reviews are always appreciated.

Pronunciations: Kasmira (Kaz-meer-ah), Farin (Far-in), Hugo (Hew-go), Turzig (Ter-zig)

*

Kasmira stared out her bedroom window at the Wispy Moon Forest, its trees swaying in the strong wind. She sat on her bed, legs crossed, and hands in her lap. Nervousness and excitement danced around in the pit of her stomach as she thought about what was going to happen tomorrow. Tomorrow was her thirteenth birthday. But that wasn't what she was so anxious about.

Tomorrow she would receive a letter. A letter from a school called Shapeshifter's Academy, or better known as Turzig.

“Suppertime, Kasmira!” she heard her mother call from the kitchen.

Kasmira sighed, crawled off her bed, and left her room, shutting the door behind her. She walked down the spacious hallway, which led to the living room, then she entered the kitchen. Her younger brother, Farin, was already seated at the table. And her father had left for work the week before, and wasn't expected back for a month. His job as a prison Commander was very demanding, especially when someone escaped.

She sat down next to her brother and looked down at the chicken and rolls on her plate. Her stomach rumbled, but she didn't feel like eating. She looked up at her mom, who was already spooning food into her mouth.

“What's Turzig like, Mom?” Kasmira asked.

Her mom looked annoyed. “How many times are you going to ask that, dear?” she huffed. “I've already told you, and you'll get to experience it yourself very soon. Now hush up or you won't be going at all.”

Kasmira lowered her gaze back to her plate of food.

“Its not fair!” Farin whined suddenly, banging his fists on the white tablecloth. “If Kasmira can go, so can I!”

“Farin!” their mother roared. “You will not shout.”

The eleven year old boy glared fiercely at his mom, then began eating again.

Kasmira smiled down at her chicken.

*

After supper, Kasmira left the house, pulling on her jacket. The dirt street stretched both left and right, and on the other side was a row of houses. She crossed the dirt road and walked for about a minute before stopping at a house and knocking on the door.

Kasmira waited, listening to the calls and footsteps within the household. She stuffed her hands in her pocket and a moment later, the door opened, revealing a tall man with a mustache.

“Hello, Mr. Keith!” Kasmira greeted cheerfully.

The man smiled warmly down at her. “I assume you're looking for Hugo?”

“Yes, sir,” she replied.

Mr. Keith told her to wait a moment and disappeared, then returned with a boy of thirteen. He had messy brown hair, just like his father, and his eyes gleamed a bright blue.

“Are you ready?” Kasmira asked him.

Hugo nodded, saying good-bye to his dad, and shut the door as he left the house.

Kasmira and Hugo walked down the dirt street together, then entered the Wispy Moon Forest.

“So,” Kasmira started, admiring the red light that shone through the trees as the sun set, “you never told me exactly what your letter said.”

“You know I'm not suppose to tell you,” he said shortly. “Besides, you're getting yours tomorrow. Can't you wait one day?”

“I've waited for over twelve years!” she corrected him pleadingly. “Can't you just let one thing slip? Accidentally?”

Hugo gave her a hard stare, but she could have sworn she saw the ends of his mouth twitch. “No,” he told her.

Kasmira crossed her arms and snapped, “Fine.”

He grinned this time.

She let out a huff. “Well, what animal do you hope you'll be?”

He shrugged as if it didn't really matter. “Dunno, I want something big though. Maybe a bear.” He smiled to himself. “Yeah, a bear would be cool.”

“I want to be a tiger,” she fantasized. “They're so beautiful, yet so powerful at the same time. Did you know that no two tigers have the same markings? Its like people with their fingerprints.”

“Just like a zebra? Yeah, I knew that.”

Kasmira made a surprised noise. “I didn't know that you knew any about animals.” Her eyes gleamed playfully.

He played along and put an offended expression on his face. “What are you talking about?! I know everything about animals!”

She laughed and changed the subject. “What does your father turn into?”

“He actually has two Forms,” Hugo replied. “An eagle and a turtle. Not that great for fighting, but eagles are great for delivering important messages, and turtles... Are great for disguise?”

Kasmira giggled again. “My mom turns into a leopard. So maybe I'll get lucky and be able to become a tiger—because its similar.”

“Maybe,” he said. “But I've never heard that your parents' Forms have an effect on what you become.”

“Oh hush!” she spat, struggling to keep a grin off her face. “I have a good chance to be a tiger!”

“Of course you do,” he agreed dramatically.

Silence fell between them.

“Its getting late,” Huge said finally. “We should turn back.”

“Alright,” she said.