Shifter's Journeys, Book One: the Scar, the Sword, and the Saga

The Power of Pies

...Malcolm stops chanting and the pain fades. The baby and I stop screaming. "There. It is done," he states.

"Did it have to be so painful?!" the mother asks, angry, "The poor child's trembling!" She cradles the baby in her arms, protectively.

"Is he okay?" the father asks, concerned.

The mother glares at him. "No thanks to you!"

"I'm sorry... This needed to be done..."

"Don't you ever, and I mean ever, do that to my baby without consulting me again!" she cries.

"I understand... I'm sorry I didn't have time to warn you... This whole thing took me by surprise."

Malcolm coughs, getting the father's attention. "Should I leave now? Do you two... need some time alone?" he asks, uncertainly. I watch him intently start picking his fingernails.

The father smiles, at least I think he does. Once again, it's very hard to see the scene properly. "Malcolm, why don't you join us for dessert? My wife made dessert... It's one of her specials..." the father trails off, saying the last word with a teasing tone.

Malcolm grins. "I would be very grateful, it has been a busy day and I am famished. Plus, I never could resist those pies." He rubs his stomach in anticipation. The mother laughs, now in a better mood, and puts the infant in a cradle.

She heads over to her oven and opens it. The same smell I found by the elderly lady wafts its way under my nose. The scene freezes. Everyone stays motionless. I wander around and even poke the father's face for a reaction. Nothing.

Suddenly, an invisible force pushes me towards the sleeping baby. I try to fight it, but end up being carried instead. It drops me right next to the child's rocker. The image clears. I feel like I recognize the baby, but from where I can't tell.

Something on the baby's left hand starts glowing. My skin prickles, uneasy. I am acutely aware of my surroundings as I inspect the baby's hand. Upon the baby's hand is a scar, gazing up at me. A fox-shaped scar... With haunting realization, I realize where I recognize the baby. The infant is me. We are the same person. The baby opens its eyes and looks up at me.

Then it smiles.

I flinch away, startled. The baby sits up and catches my gaze again. It's eyes look way too wise and ancient and evil for a baby. "Shifter..." it whispers. There is no way that's me. There's something wrong with this baby. Something that's not supposed to be here.

I desperately think of a way to escape. I spot the front door and bolt for it. No! Locked! I race over to a window, the gap is blocked by some force. Baby Me watches me with amusement, turning its head as I race past. "Shifter..." it whispers again.

"Leave me alone!" I scream. I manage to connect to my body for a millisecond, but that's all I need. The thing steps out of its cradle and starts waddling towards me. By brute force, I push myself back into my body.

...

The first thing I realize once I return is that I'm shaking. "Hello? Hello? Are you all right?" A hand waves in front of my face, bringing me back to Druidawn. "Wah?" I respond.

"Does that usually happen? You took a bite of pie and spaced out. Are you allergic to pies or something?"

"F-fine..." I answer, still shaky. I suddenly notice the remaining bit of pie in my hand. My mind unfocuses and I stare at it, wonderingly. In a daze, I finish the slice. "More?" I ask, hopefully. Why did I do that?! Snap out of it!