Changed

Blue. Blue veins, I trace them lightly with my finger and watch them glow underneath my skin. They’re so beautiful; I sit there enchanted and stare at their splendor. “Why am I like this?” I turn and look at my other half, James. He looks up from his notebook and looks at me with such emotion I am the one to look away. Scooting back from his stool he slowly walked over and kneeled next to me, at eye level and gently whispered,

“Because God made you like this. You are special, you are you.” With a soft kiss he then retreated back to his desk. Nodding at his response I stood and walked to the large glass mirror. I stood and stared some more at my body. My hair cascaded down my shoulders and curling around itself at the end, I eyed myself and watched the chips of ice follow my every move. Lifting my hand I brought it to my cheek and I felt a strange tug deep inside me. Inside my very soul. I dimly heard James open the solitary window, and I turned and watched the waning moon against the deep infinite sky. The light flowed in softly turning my skin a milky white, its contrast with my glowing veins only gave it a more holy appearance. “You truly are the most beautiful creature that God has created,” finding his gaze I smiled sadly. Taking me in his arms he held me delicately as if I’d snap. Looking back to the mirror I thought once more of everything that’d happened before him, before I realized my purpose. It was, and had always been my destiny it’d marked my life from the very beginning, and I knew oh too well there was never a chance of escaping it.

Set in the country, it was in the heat of summer, I was a mere child, and I ran freely among the leaves and trees. The harsh sunlight shone through the forest lighting the world beneath it with a feeling of love. Everything seemed better in the summer when it was bright, if felt like anything was possible. Lying down on the grass where the wild flowers grew I stared up at the leafy treetops. I must have been there for hours, the day had flown quickly until I realized my parents hadn’t come to get me. Wandering drowsily back, I felt the warmth of the earth for the last time before walking up the doorsteps. Opening the door I called for my Mother, but there was no answer. Closing the door behind me I called for my Father, but to no avail. Where were they? Supper should’ve been on the table, but there was not the slightest scent of a meal cooking. Looking around I assessed the room, everything was in place, I sat there at the dinner table for at least a couple of hours until I went running out the door I to my nearest neighbors down the street. Knocking on the door, I quickly explained, but by then I couldn’t hold back my tears of fear.

“Hush, hush child. Come and sit down for a while, we have a fire going, and there’s still food here.” Grateful for their hospitality, I took a seat by the fire and calmed myself. After my time there, the Mother offered to walk me home, since it was quite dark. Thankful I agreed, and together we strode out the door and down the street. Opening the door, I held my breath waiting for my parents to be outraged that I’d been missing. But even then, the house was vacant as it was hours before. Breaking down in tears I was scared and confused- where were they? Hugging me gently Mrs. Copper suggested I stayed with her family for the rest of the night, but I knew I’d already been enough of a burden. Reluctantly saying good bye she left, but not without making a large fire and telling me to run down if I changed my mind. Thanking her I shut the door and locked it, then went to sit by the fire.

I stared into it’s flaming pit and thought of my family. It was unlike them to just leave with no warning, I shivered with dread to where they could’ve gone. “Stop it! Just go to bed, and then they’ll probably be back in the morning.” Sliding under the covers I closed my eyes and tried to think of the forest, it’s tall trees, and soft glow. I slowly began to feel tired again, and I let myself drift off into the oblivion of sleep.

My eyes opened abruptly as a soft thud echoed downstairs. Mother, Father? I waited quietly, expecting to hear their calming voices, but I heard nothing more. Outside my door, I heard voices, unfamiliar and chilling. I couldn’t make out what they were hearing, but by then I was scared out of my wits. Hearing the door knob rattling I knew there was nowhere to hide, so I did what I could, I pretended to be deep asleep.

“She is here, alone? Did you send the parents away? Good.” Their boots were muffled against the floor, deep in my heart I was scared, but I was defenseless. The next thing I know, I feel a sharp prick of a needle on my soft flesh. I’m gone.

Waking up, I’m in a dark room alone. My first thought, was that I was no longer in the country. My second thought, was that I was indeed kidnapped. I felt my arm where they’d shot me, and that’s when I noticed I was feeling different. My senses felt heightened oddly enough, I felt a strong strength coursing through me. Turning towards the sharp noise, the door swung open, and there stood silhouetted was a tall lean woman against the harsh light. She stood a moment longer and then beckoned for me, as if in a trance I stood, and half stumbled half crawled to the entrance. Smiling down at me she reached for my hand.

“I’m sorry,” she simply said. “Do not be afraid anymore little one, you are safe now, come.” Nodding, I knew I’d follow her anywhere. Holding me near her, as if I were her own I stared up at her. She was indeed beautiful; with her long black hair, with a silvery sheen, pale snowy skin, and dark brown eyes. Her full lips smiled down at me, but as lovely as she was, I knew in that moment that I couldn’t trust her. Leading me to an elegant door with gold carvings she swung it open, and gestured for me to go inside. Nodding I walked inside, I hesitated a little, but she insisted. “Welcome to your new home,” gawking at her I rigidly stopped where I was.

“Where am I? Where are my parents?” Looking at me patiently she walked me to a comfy looking chair. “I’m scared,” I blurted out.

“There is no reason to be afraid Kaytlin. Your parents left because they had no choice, they made the decision. They left on their own free will, believe that- if nothing else.” Thanking the maid for our cups of tea she sipped hers quietly while I only stared in outrage.

“Gone! Left? They would never abandon me, that’s not true!”

“I’m sorry Kaytlin, but this is your new home. Here you will be properly looked after. A young lady like you cannot live in a country like that where no one is there to guide you correctly.” Standing up, she smiled down sadly at me. This angered me- she had no right to feel any pity for me!

“Don’t look at me like that! You don’t even know me, I don’t need you to look after me! Just go away and send me back!”

“Who said I was looking after you?” Without another word, she picked up her cup and left. Closing the door behind herself softly I could only stare emptily while the tears poured down my face.

Getting up, I spied a large glass orb. Picking it up, I set out to destroy the beautiful room, holding it behind my head in rage I was about to smash it against whatever was in front of me, until I saw myself in a mirror across the room. I gasped, and dropped the ball; it shattered, and the glass flew everywhere. As if in a dream I floated to the mirror and could only stare. My once dark eyes now looked back at me as icy circles. Despite the change, I found them haunting and frightening. I blinked swiftly, once, twice, three times, they did the same. Touching the skin beneath my eyes I felt the skin beneath my fingertips. Tears welled in my eyes, my now pale blue eyes misted over in pain, fear, and confusion. Overcome with these insane feelings, I collapsed on the ground.

Waking up in satin sheets, I cocked my head to observe the painting overhead. I lay there in bed feeling refreshed, and healthy, but with that came all the thoughts of yesterday. The horror. Scrunching up in a ball I lay on my side, hours passed, and no one made any move to come and wake me. Knowing I was doing no good, I heaved a sigh and began to walk down the hall, and towards the mysterious voices. Hiding behind the wall I identified the strange beautiful woman’s voice. It sounded strained and worn, quite different from last night, I noted quietly.

“She’s just stressed I suppose, let’s give her that much.”

A new voice entered after that, “Sonya, she must learn to adapt, that is, if she is to survive.” Survive? “The transformation can be deadly, you know how many mistakes we’ve had. These specimens don’t come around every day. We spent a great deal of resources preparing others, but what do you know- they fail! We cannot afford anymore. Do you hear me?” The man’s footsteps approached quickly in my direction, darting away I held my breath. His echoing steps fell away, with the follow of a slamming door. Taking a deep breath I walked to where the so called Sonya stood alone. Looking up she glanced warily at me.

“Good morning Kaytlin. Did you sleep well?” Nodding I took a seat. “Well, good.” For the first time since I’d seen her she turned awkwardly away. The broad daylight seemed to take away her confidence and cool attitude. Now I saw her clearly, she was still pretty despite the new view, but her heir of power and pride seemed to vanish with the loss of night. “Your eyes are lovely Kaytlin,” smiling cunningly I knew never to be fooled by her again.

“Yes,” I murmured. “They’re different,” staring into her dark brown eyes I searched them thoroughly. Even though I barely knew her, it felt like I was seeing deep into her very soul. I saw her willowy figure, and as I looked harder, I saw her big eyes filled with a nameless sorrow. But in them I also saw a strong will, and sharp wit. She was no dummy. Blinking she looked away, her posture shone with a hint of annoyance.

“Hmm, you’ve already begun to change, your sight is indeed enhanced,” looking up again she stared levelly at me. It was I this time who released my gaze. She was my superior, I realized with a sudden stab. “You will address me as Sonya, I am your mentor, but not your guardian. Your guardian as I’m guessing you may have seen stomp away is Mr. Hanzlick. He’s usually always in his office, so don’t get your hopes up of having a strong bond,” breaking off I detected a sense of humor in her bleak voice. Smiling cautiously I waited for her to go on. “You are to stay until you come of age, you will attend Lucifer Academy next week. I’ve already enrolled you in classes, so you don’t have to worry about it. To avoid any form of turmoil, your new legal name is Katya Marshall,.” Nodding, and straightening herself up she asked if I had any questions, but I had none at all. So my new life was to be planned out as this- a privileged upper class snob. Wonderful.

The years went by, changing me. My old life seemed so distant, and yet not a day went by when I didn’t long for the mystery to why it had ended so abruptly. Why my family, and life was torn apart so soon. I am sixteen now, and even my appearance has changed. My once tan skin from the country light was growing lighter, my complexion clearer and the veins more prominent. I was beginning to look a bit like Sonya. It was only a distinction between our eyes; pale ice against dark brown. My reflexes, thoughts and actions developed faster, I grew stronger, and yet my bonds with other people began to decrease. I found that I was in fact different from others my age. While girls around sixteen were interested in boys, I was interested in my future. How I would escape this “perfect life”. How I would take my revenge. I had few friends, but Sonya pushed me out in the world anyway. Guys called, I would only ignore them and head up to my room to practice and do my homework.

At seventeen, my relationship with Sonya was close. She’d been as a distant sister to me, she taught me, and told me things I wanted to know. We’d often spend afternoons by the lake together outside of the mansion. But we’d never delve into discussions about my previous life before Mr. Hanzlick. One day I asked the question that’d been on my mind lately, “Sonya, why am I changing? Why do I feel different from other people?”

“Katya, all adolescents feel like they’re different. As for changing? Well, everyone changers at this stage of life- it’s normal.” My gaze must have said something unspoken because she looked away guiltily.

“Sonya, I’m serious. You know something, don’t you? I’ve been here for seven years, and every passing year I notice changes in me that I know aren’t happening to others. Why have I grown so pale, when I used to have caramel colored skin? Why did my eyes turn blue when they used to be brown? Why is it that I excel in everything? Why do I feel so much more developed and quicker than everyone else? Why do I feel like I’m changing even now? Hmm? Tell me this, tell me!” I quivered with shock and knowing. I knew from the night I arrived here that I was never going to be the same little girl running through the trees in the sunlight. I didn’t know who I was anymore. I was a pale thin beautiful girl who’d replaced a carefree happy child, it’d felt like my childhood was ripped out from under me. Small tears slipped out and fell on the cold earth, wiping them pitifully I felt so many things at once, it hurt.

“Katya, you are a one of a kind,” I could see in her eyes she was trying to find the safe, and the “right” words to say.

“Stop Sonya! I want you tell me the truth- what am I, who am I, and why did I come here all those years ago?”

Breathing deeply she closed her eyes, she looked so serene I wanted to shake her till she felt what I was feeling. “Katya, you are special. There are only certain people that are like you. Do you want to know why you changed? It’s because you evolved, your blood holds something special, and we’ve tried to work with it before. You’re the only one whose gotten as far as you have.”

“There are others exactly like me?” Scrunching my eyes I tried to picture it.

“Yes, but the transformation is hard on the body, and sometimes the It becomes confused, and tries to fight it off as if an infection, and in the end they destroy each other. We must’ve had at least five before you, they all perished,” pausing she gauged my expression, then continued. “When we heard about you, Hanzlick had to have you. It’s been his dream to create and fine this new race- he started with you.”

“So I’ve been just an experiment?” Shaking her head Sonya tried to grasp my shoulder in comfort, I shook her off, flinching, she drew away.

“No Katya, I’ve learned to love you as if you were my own, I’ve taught you, and told you all I could. But there are some things that you must find out about yourself. I’ve given you much in your second life. I just wish you could appreciate what you have now,” she gave me a broken smile, but I saw no remorse of regret in her eyes.

Standing up I looked down at her coldly, “Yes, you really did wonders for my life,” without saying another word I walked away back to the mansion, back to my prison.

“Katya, I’m sorry,” but by then I was too far to hear her utter these last words.

That night it was dead quiet, I lay there in bed, it was Friday, and the day tomorrow would bring what it had the last seven years. Lost in thought, I awoke when a loud bang sounded down the hall. Getting up slowly, I breathed in and out slowly until I felt my heartbeat slow to it’s normal rhythm. Focusing on my steady breaths I felt my ears open up to the sound of quiet wind, the flapping of birds outside my window, and when I opened my eyes I could detect the slightest bit of dust. With my body taut with tension, I crept toward the door with cautious steps. There was silence, but I could hear the ragged breath of a man. Thinking the worst I threw open the door. There stood a man clad in black, gun in hand, with the body of a murdered person at his feet. Looking at him I focused my energy on him, rushing him I caught him off guard. Knocking his gun away, I spun and kicked him hard in the chest. Grunting he staggered to his feet and pulled out a silver knife. However surprised he looked he kept his fight quiet, an assassin? We kept at it in the hall, not wanting to raise alert- I beat him down time and time again. Knocking him sideways in the head he crumpled to the floor unconscious.

Rushing to the fallen body I turned it over. Sonya. Her eyes closed, never to open again I scanned her body for the wound. A shot right through the heart, accurate and true I knew she died swiftly. “Find truth and true happiness wherever you go now my friend, I’m sorr-“ Breaking off I hissed in pain as I felt the knife connect with my back.

“You think you’re so tough?” His low cruel laugh echoed loudly in my ear even though it was just a mere whisper.

“I am,” I murmured. Feeling a thrill of energy, I heard him gasp, I to drew a sharp intake at the marvelous display; yet another transformation. My body now outlined every vein in a soft blue glow, it was breathtaking, yet frightening at the same time. Closing his gawking mouth he made his move to hit me again, but even in my own awe I broke away. Darting behind him, with inhuman speed I smiled sweetly and struck his neck with my elbow. Dropping to the floor his body lay next to Sonya’s. Closing my eyes once more I heard my heartbeat slow, and with it, my veins dimmed, and returned to normal.

Not bothering to hide the bodies I wandered back to my room where I sat at my dresser. I saw my face in the mirror, I stared myself in the face. Pale white skin, eyes bluer than the sky and colder than snow, hair the color of oak, I barely recognized myself. There wasn’t a trace of Kaytlin, I was Katya now.

Knowing I had nothing left here, I walked down the stairs to the front door. Looking around one last time, I realized the only thing I’d miss here, was Sonya- who was already gone. She was the only comfort I’d had in this dismal lonely place. Reaching for the knob I turned at the creak of another door.

“Where do you think you’re going Katya? You belong here now, you belong with us,” Mr. Hanzlick stood at the top of the stairs. He didn’t even notice Sonya laying there dead, or the assassin, he must’ve walked right on past.

“I’m leaving Hanzlick, I know I don’t belong here, with you or your dead Sonya.”

Laughing coldly he didn’t even flinch. “I know you and Sonya had a little heart to heart chat yesterday. She told you a bit more than I instructed her to. You still don’t understand do you? She was never close to you- never. She was merely a puppet, a puppet whose time had come to an end.” Staring down at me, he began his descent down the stairs. He was a couple yards away now. “You’re not leaving Katya, not yet.”

Who did this fool think he was? I may not have been powerful seven years ago, but now I knew I was. “Tell me, what are you going to do if I refuse your pointless request Hanzlick?” Smiling sweetly at him I began to listen to my heartbeat again. I was leaving- and I’d destroy anyone who got in my way.

Pulling out a gun he cocked it and pointed it at my heart. “If you will not stay here, then I’m afraid I’ll have to kill you Katya. No matter though, I’ll find another like you.” Staring deep in his eyes I could sense his sense of confusion and slightest fear. There was no one like me, you are unique, there’s no one like you, Sonya had said. Hanzlick knew it to.

“What if I stay Hanzlick, what’ll happen then?” Smiling, he thought for a while. Hah, what an idiot. Letting him think he won, I took my hand off the knob of the door. His smile widened, and his posture relaxed. Perfect. “Well?”

Clearing his throat, he said loudly, “I have much to offer, I promise. We’ll discover your endless power and possibilities together, we’ll find others of your species, and we’ll be famous.” Fame, money and all that came with it, typical Mr. Hanzlick.

Walking up to him I stood a couple of feet away from him. My energy and power bubbled beneath my skin just simmering, just waiting to be unleashed upon this sad little man. “You know what Mr. Hanzlick? You know what I just realized a couple of minutes ago?” Shaking his head he only stared at me with expressionless eyes.

“No, what Katya,” stopping abruptly, he suddenly looked at me like my Father used to look at me. “You’ve grown so mature looking and beautiful, so much like Sonya.” That stopped me cold. I was a lot like Sonya. Shaking away my thoughts I stared deep in his eyes. In his mind I could see the twisted love he’d felt for Sonya, and the pain he’d felt when he’d hired the assassin to kill her for telling me too much. The thought filled me with a rage that was too hard to contain.

“You heartless bastard, you deserve to die!” Feeling my veins burst with the familiar harsh blue light his eyes widened at the sight.

“Stop! Wait!” And for some unknown reason I did. “You- you survived the transformation completely!” Duh.

Growing impatient I snarled, “You obviously have nothing else useful to tell me, I’ve outgrown you, I’m more powerful than you, and thanks to you, I’ll reap it upon all who destroyed my life as I’d known it.”

Doing the unexpected, his gaze remained calm, resolved. He knew he was going to die tonight, and he didn’t care. “My life has been dedicated to this, I am a mere vessel in the big picture Kaytlin,” flinching, my gaze hardened. “Yes, Kaytlin, however we both know Kaytlin is dead. Katya is who exists now. I’ve done all I can for this, for you, and the well being of the world.” Moving closer I felt deep in my soul he was telling the truth. And the truth was, that he was an evil man, he didn’t deserve to live, and I had to find my own truth; from myself. However much they meant well, that was the past, past mistakes, and now I must look to myself for the future.

“I believe you Hanzlick,” I said calmly. “But now you cannot escape your fate, you will be judged in the life after if you believe in such a thing, but now, I have a choice.”

Looking me in the eye he nodded formally. “Just get it over with Katya, find your way in the world, perhaps then you’ll find your purpose.” Nodding slightly I leapt high in the air, closing my eyes I brought down my hand. Falling to the ground, I stared and saw not a drop of blood was spilt, but his lifeless stiff form said it all. Walking back to the great door I looked around again, and knew I’d find what I was looking for, whatever it may be; justice, truth, or my own purpose. Perhaps I’ll find more like me, maybe Sonya was wrong… Opening the door, I look out with new eyes, and see the red dawn splashed with it’s colors. Turning away, I knew I had a long journey ahead of me, but I also knew I’d come a long way. I arrived as a scared child, lived as a prisoner, and left as a creature unknown to Man. It’s not the end, Hanzlick was only a small part of the key to our supposedly unknown and new species, I knew what I had to do. But it was all summed up to be revenge, letting out a heavy sigh I leapt the gate, and out into the changed world.