Shift

Chapter 18

I stared at Alex and Steve from the bottom. The world looked so different from down here.

"Escape." Whispered Alex. "Go through the bars, they're big enough. And if you can, grab the key, the guards might not notice."

I moved up the wall and through the bars of the cell. The guard outside was exchanging the shift with another guard, and left the key on his chair for the next guard to take it. Perfect. He wasn't stupid to make it close enough that us inside could reach it, but since I left the cell, it's going to simple.

Swiftly, I moved up the leg of the chair. The key looked gigantic to me. It was silver and words were carved onto it.

'The Shudien Facility'

How am I supposed to unlock the cell? I have no arms! There is only one way.
I shapeshifted into myself, and grabbed the key. I was thankful that I got my powers back. Even though I don't know how.

I broke into a run right after the guards noticed. I fiddled with the keys rapidly looking behind me several times, each time the guards closer. I jammed the key into the lock and spun it. I looked behind me the guards were a few inches away. Oh no! I spun it in the wrong direction!

The guard pulled me backwards, and I shook his arm off and turned the key in the opposite direction right before he grabbed me again. Steve and Alex rushed out the cell, and I tossed them the key. Then I ran with them.

"Don't let them have it, or they'll trap us again." I panted.

We passed by a toilet in the hallway. I got an idea. "Quick, Alex, hand me the key!" I said.

She gave it to me, and I pushed the bathroom door open. The sink was on the left side of the toilet. I threw the key in the sinkhole, then ran out.

Alex, Steve, and the guards were ahead, at the front of the hallway. They're so stupid. They're chasing Steve and Alex and didn't notice that I'm missing? Maybe someone else would notice me walking in the hallway.

I pictured myself as an endermite and willed myself to become one. I guess I don't only transform into an enderman.
I moved silently down the hallway, dodging feet and being noticed. When the hallway ended, there was a gigantic room, which might be called a hall. It was circular, and lots of doors along the walls. There was even a desk with someone sitting on it. She had armor on, so all I could see that her eyes were blue.

I looked around for Alex and Steve. Their tall shapes were moving around the hall, looking for me. They probably wouldn't notice me, since I'm way down here. They were coming closer, but they didn't seem to be looking at the floor. I guess they didn't think that I might be in endermite form.

They came closer and closer. I came closer to them too, thinking they might notice. But Alex almost stepped on me. I dodge her feet, and Steve's feet too. There was only one way. I clung onto Steve's ankle, an he looked down at me.

"There you are." He said. He picked me up and closed his hands around me.

Even better, none would notice me that way. It was dark. And it felt hot. Suddenly, I heard voices. Steve moved so suddenly, that I turned in his hands. I felt nauseous. But who heard of a vomiting endermite? Definitely not me.

He moved again, and his hands opened. I flew out, going up.

I saw Alicia. She had a bow with her. She probably tried to shoot him. "Amy! Catch!" She yelled.

I landed in something. Something soft. I was in a net. Great! Just great! Now I can't go back to my form in a tiny net.
I shifted and turned several times to look around. Through the net, I saw Steve and Alex with swords, trying to kill Alicia. Then Alex broke away, then ran towards the girl who caught me, Amy.

She swung the blade at her, but Amy ran, the net clutched tightly in her hands. Damn. I hate being held by someone.
"Please! Don't!" Her voice rang out from above me. "I only wanted to-" she was cut off as she tried to block the slash from Alex.

Alex made another slash, and the net fell from Amy's hands. OW! My back throbbed. I won't trust anyone to carry me again.

I shapeshifted to my form. Alex tossed me a bow and several arrows. I hope my aim is good..

A few meters ahead of me, was a flaming mad Alicia, she had the tubes with her. "HOW IN MINECRAFT DID YOU GET YOUR POWERS BACK!!" She screamed. Amy looked at her feet. "I GAVE THEM TO AMY TO PUT THEM IN THE LAB!"

She turned to Amy. "WHAT!!" She screamed. "THE HECK DID YOU DAMN DO WITH THEM!! I'M GETTING THEM BACK!!"

I took the opportunity and notched an arrow. Easily, she blocked the shot with her blade. "Damn you.." She muttered, and ran towards me.

She tried to jam the tubes into my arm like last time, but I dodged it. I held my hand in front of me for defense, but something incredible happened. The room was filled with a blinding light, emitting from my hands. A purple ball shot out and hit Alicia. She flew backwards, slamming into the wall. She groaned. What did I just do?

I tried it again. Nothing came out of my hands, no luck. "Amy." Groaned Alicia. "Get her." Amy threw a potion at me, and it was like I was forced to shapeshift. I was immediately an endermite. Amy caught me in the net. What do I do now? I can't defend myself.. And Alex and Steve are defending themselves and can't help me..

"Amy.." Alicia groaned again,"Put her in the lab.." Alicia took out a healing potion from her pocket and drank it. She was still injured, and the injuries were too great for the healing potion to instantly take effect.

"No." Said Amy. "You know what? I'm quitting. I was only interested in the legend of the shapeshifters. And when I worked here, you made me a secretary and nothing more. I never wanted to study them like lab rats. I never wanted to capture them and trap them against their will. I only wanted to meet one, figure out what helps them gain this power kindly, not torture them. Alicia, I'm quitting." And with that, she cut the net open, and ran away. I shifted into myself.

Alicia was now getting up. The potion was taking effect. She held her sword an iron grip. She threw it at me, and it would've hit me in my chest if Alex hadn't come up behind me an caught it. She handed to me with a smile.

I ran towards Alicia and swung the blade at her. It hit her in the face. She fell backwards. Blood blossomed from the wound like an ugly flower.

"Cecilia.." She mumbled. "I'm so sorry.." The helmet rolled off her head. Her familiar black hair was like a fan around her head. I stood there in utter shock, my mouth dropping. Tears began to well up in my eyes, streaming down my face. I killed her. I killed her.

"Tace." I whispered.