The Next Alpha

Part 14

*Anson- 22 years old*

~Taylor's POV~

I woke up to the sun hitting my face. I peeked open my eye and I was sitting in a pure white room. There were random pictures of Mary and Jesus all over the place. I then realized I was in the hospital. How did I get here? I don't remember falling asleep, let alone falling asleep in a hospital bed. I rolled out of bed and walked over to the bathroom. I was weak, but I was determined. I toted the rolling monitor with me to the bathroom and I washed my face off at the sink. I looked back at myself in the mirror. There was something off about me. My hair was raggedy, my complexion was clearer, there was no longer a scar across the bridge of my nose from when I was six and I fell off the edge of the pool and there was a soreness to my shoulder. I lowered the sleeves of my backless gown and saw nothing was there.

In a panic my eyes flickered back to my reflection. I looked deeply into my eyes. They were a brighter blue. But none of this was an explanation as to why I felt different. Out of nowhere a flash of neon purple ran across my eyes. I blinked and rubbed them like a toddler just waking up. My eyes were back to blue, but that bright transcendent blue instead of my original pale color. Well, that was new. I ran out the bathroom and jumped back into the bed. Why are my eyes different? It could just be pain killers or something. I had to be hallucinating. But that brought me back to my first thought.

Why am I in a hospital?

Then out of nowhere I smelt the strong scent of pancakes. Oh, how I love pancakes. I closed my eyes and raised my head hoping the scent got stronger. My appearance and sense of smell weren't the only thing to change, there was now this empty feeling inside of me. I wanted someone but I had no idea who. I also felt warmer. It was no longer spine-chilling cold in the room but a mild warm. I also had this weird craving to go for a run. What's going on with me? My heart rate began to rise, and my monitor began beeping off the charts.

A few minutes later, my mom, Carly, my cousin Anson, and a nurse came in. Mom was holding cafeteria pancakes. I knew I smelt pancakes!

"Hey Taylor." My mom greeted. Carly held on to Anson's leg and hid behind it. She peeked out every once in a while, she seemed to be afraid of me. My mom pulled over a table and placed the pancakes on it.

"Eat these I'm sure you're hungry." I was. I kept my eyes on Anson. I could hear everyone's heart beating and blood pulsing through their veins. It took everything in me not to rip out their throats. Anger bubbling inside of me. Too many emotions swirling in my brain. I didn't want them to think any differently of me, so I tried to act like I normally do. I tried to lower my heart rate and focus on my breathing. I placed a genuine smile on my face. I threw off the covers and opened my arms for Anson.

"ANSON!" I shouted, with him running into my embrace. His hold felt warm on my skin, but it also felt foreign. Guilt seeped through me. I smelt a delicious scent about to enter the room, I couldn't ignore it. The scent I wanted to smell every day for the rest of my life. I kept on holding on to Anson. I haven't seen him in 2 years. I missed the guy, but it was impossible to focus on what he was saying. The smell was growing stronger. I tried to pay attention to Anson, but I was failing miserably. Anson was 24, we were best friend's when we were younger. I mean it's 2 days until my 18th birthday. It's a miracle he made it out here. He made a promise to me when I was 6 that he would never miss my birthday. As the scent was drawing nearer, my eyes began to look around frantically. Desperate to find the source of the delicious scent. It was strawberries and musk with a dash of mint. My entire brain was on over drive. Everything inside of me calmed. No more uncertain emotions or murderous bursts of anger. The door opened and reveled a not so happy looking Kyle. He looked distracted and pissed. He seemed to be smelling the air. Once he walked in the scent got stronger. It intoxicated me. I let go of Anson and ran over to Kyle, I couldn't stop myself. I ran straight up to him and gave him a hug. He just smelt so good. His smell was more addicting than a drug, and his touch. It sent chills and sparks all over my body before, but now. It was like bombs going off. It shocked me at first. I pulled away inn curiosity. It felt like a shock coursed through me. Kyle pulled me back in and held me tighter. He whispered. "Don't say anything to them." I looked at him curiously. Did he know what was happening to me?