Shifters - Animal

- 4 -

I got 'home' and of course, Claire was the first person I saw.

"You better have a good reason for being 2 hours late!" she yelled; I do! But I can't tell you! "I know you hate everything, but you could at least be responsible!"

"I don't hate everything." I mumbled quietly "I'm sorry"

"Claire, stop being so hard on him, I'm sure he has a good explanation." Mike tried to calm her down. "Jay, why don't you come with me?"

"Ok"

We entered his office and he gestured for me to sit down. "Why were you two hours late?"

"Um, I can't tell you," I said quietly

"Why not?" he questioned, "will it get you in trouble? Are you in trouble?"

"no"

"Then why can't you tell me?" he repeated. I honestly don't know, I guess instinct tells me not to?

"I just can't. It's not bad it's just kind of personal?" I explained.

"Mhm. Well, when you want to tell me I'm ready to listen. If you aren't in trouble or danger, and it doesn't happen again it's fine." he warned.

After that, I ran upstairs and locked myself in my room trying to process the entire day.

Ok, so I can 'shift'? into a wolf. But I'm not a werewolf, right? I wasn't bitten and it's not a full moon or anything. Ugh my brain hurts, I need a rest.

I fell asleep with these thoughts swirling around in my head.

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RIIIIING RIIIIING RIIIIING RIIIIING

I woke up to my alarm which was a lot louder than normal. I sat up and shook my head trying to wake up properly. Looking at the time I decided to take a quick shower before school. Ugh not school again, I don't think I can manage whatever is happening with me whilst focusing on school. I'm not going to learn anything whilst I'm distracted. I was suddenly hit with a wave of pain in my head. I lay down to recover but was hit by another wave of pain. I groaned in pain which of course Claire heard.

"What are you doing!? You should be getting ready we'll be late!" she yelled

"Claire I'll deal with him!" Mike interrupted, "You, ok?"

"I don't kn- argh" I groaned as another wave hit me, "I don't know"

"You ill? Or is it a headache?" he questioned

"Uh, I'm not sure but it feels worse than a normal headache," I explained

"Ok. Lie ba-" " If you're faking this, I'll be very mad!" Claire shouted over Mike.

"As I said lie back and I'll try to find something to make you feel better."

"Ok, thanks" I replied "argh"

"Claire, does he look like he's faking it to you!?" Mike exclaimed

"Well, he skipped school yesterday so I wouldn't put it past him!" she argued

I suddenly felt extremely dizzy and sick, along with the waves of pain and almost passed out.

"Mike, I don't feel good." I whisper-shouted, "Mike?"

"Jay? Woah buddy you don't look too good," he whispered. What's wrong with me?! This is not normal. Is it linked t- I fell into unconsciousness.

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I was running, running as fast as I could. I don't know where to or what from I only knew I had to run. I ran out of the dense woodland and saw a magical lake. I trotted up to the edge and investigated it. I was a wolf again. I was suddenly tackled to the ground and a sharp pain coursed through my left leg. I looked around and saw nothing 'I either imagined it twice or it's extremely fast,' I checked my leg and it looked fine. I once again started running but this time I looked back and saw my attacker a massive black dog. It ran after me again as I stumbled backwards frantically trying to get away. I was about to reach me... I woke up with heavy breathing trying to process the recurring dream.

"Jay you're awake how are you feeling?" Mike asked

"I'm-" I coughed, "I'm fine now, I think. How long was I out?"

"Not too long about an hour," he replied. I tried to get up, but he interrupted me. "Last time you tried to move around it didn't end well so stay put!"

I groaned out of frustration and flopped back onto my bed. What happened to me?! Was it linked to my 'shifting'? Should I call it shifting? There's probably a better word for it, oh well. I decided to put some music on as I had nothing else to do and relaxed going over everything that happened to me in my head.

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"Hungry?" mike asked as he entered my room with my school lunch box. "This was already made so if you are, have this."

"Okay." I replied, "hey Mike? can I go for a walk in the woods after?"

"Only if you're completely better."

"I am!"

"Okay then," he responded Great!

I ate my lunch as fast as humanly possible and rushed out the door excited to be in the woods again. Yes, my second home here I come! Well, kind of more like home than 'home' but oh well.

I went to my favourite spot and lay down slowing my breathing and focusing on the nature around me. It didn't take me that long this time before I was in my now familiar wolf form sniffing the air and listening to the tiniest of bugs. I decided to just run and be free this time with no time limit or anything to get in the way. I ran on the smaller paths of the woods, not wanting to get caught as a wolf, and embraced all the new smells, sounds and sights that were now available to me. I soon became thirsty and went to find a river which is surprisingly easy when you can smell it. I lapped up some water and carried on exploring.

I noticed it was getting dark meaning I had been out for a couple of hours, Mike's worrying, oops.

I thought back to when I had changed back the last 2 times and tried to replicate those situations. So, I fell asleep both times, meaning I was relaxed. Oh! When I tried to change back before I was really stressed because of school so I wasn't relaxed. Ok, focus on your breathing and relax.

My breathing slowed and became more even. I focused on the nature around me and started to feel increasingly relaxed. Soon I felt a warmth spreading across my entire body. After the warmth was gone, I opened my eyes and saw that I was human! Yes, let's go I did it!!! I knew I could do it! This is amazing I can shift into a wolf and back to a human! Phew, that's a relief now I can relax knowing if I get stuck, I know how to turn back!

I excited made the trip back 'home' expecting to be yelled at by Claire and to have to face a worried Mike. At least I have an escape...

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A/N

So! What do you think? Did you like Jay's newfound control over his shifts? What do you think is going to happen next?

Hope you liked it!

- J

1143 words