We step into the bustling central area, a hub of activity with a crowd of people. "So, what's the buzz all about here?" I inquire.
"Usually, they make us do a rock climb. I never understood why they do that," Wren says
"Yeah, no one could ever do it. I heard a rumor that they sabotage the wall so that people would fall," Jack says
"That sounds illegal," I say
"No, they put harnesses on everyone so that it's safer," Jack says
"Maybe I'll be the first to climb the wall," I say, my voice filled with resolute determination.
"Good luck with that. Everyone has tried and failed. It's impossible." Wren says
"Watch me," I say
After watching a bunch of people try to climb the wall and failing, they finally chose me to climb it. "good luck, dude," Jack says
"Yeah, hopefully you don't fall," Wren says
I walk up to the wall, and the leaders put a harness on me. "good luck, don't fall."
I start climbing the wall, and about halfway up, I feel the rocks become more slippery. "butter, that's how people were falling too bad. I can counter that," I think.
I grow tiny claws to get a better grip on the wall, and after a minute, I finally make it to the top. Everyone looks shocked, and when I climb down, one of the leaders stops me and asks, " How did you do that so effortlessly?"
"It was simple; I just climbed the wall. It wasn't that hard," I say
I go back to Jack and Wren. "Dude, you did it. That was awesome," Jack says
"There's something off about you. It's like you had a perfect grip the entire time. How is that possible?" Wren says
"I guess I'm good at climbing also; there was butter on the rocks, so that's how people were falling," I say
"I had a feeling those rumors were true," Jack says
"Well, we should head back to the cabin. I don't like having all the attention on me," I say
"Good idea," Jack says.
"Wren, meet us back at the cabin, me and Jack, to talk about a few things," I say
"Sure, I understand. See you guys soon," Wren says, leaving.
I take Jack to a deep part of the forest. "what did you want to talk to me about?" Jack says
"I found my dad isn't dead. He faked his death," I say
"Hold on, what are you being serious?" Jack says
"Yeah, my brother told me," I say
"Oh my god, if that's true, why would he do that?" Jack says
Phantom appears in front of us. "Because he knew you would find out the truth, so he faked his death so you couldn't do anything to him," Phantom says
"How did you even find us?" Jack says
"I'm always following you guys around," Phantom says
"So it's true your father is alive," Jack says
"It is also I found out why he did it," Phantom says
"Why did he do it?" I say
"Carl knew you would find out the truth about all this eventually. So he faked his death because he knew how powerful you were, so he suppressed your powers, but only recently have they started to come back to you, so he decided to fake his death so you couldn't hurt him after you found out the truth" Phantom says
"I don't believe this," I say
"Yeah, but there's more. Carl tried to take your powers, but he failed, so not only did he not care about you, he was power hungry. I'm sorry to dump this all on you, brother," Phantom says
After hearing all that, I got so angry that I couldn't contain it. I felt a surge of power, and before I knew it, I had transformed into a giant dragon, my rage and determination visible in my fiery eyes. "Once I find him again, I will make him suffer. He deserves it," I say, my voice echoing with a mix of fury and determination.
"Dude, calm down. Someone might see you," Jack says
"Brother, you need to relax. You can't get revenge with anger. You need to be of sound mind to do that," Phantom says
"Who's going to stop me?" I say, raising my voice
"I will stop you; I don't want to hurt you, brother," Phantom says
"James, please stop. You're not thinking straight," Jack says, stepping before me.
I snap back to reality. "wait, what am I doing?" I say
"Oh, thank god," Jack says
"You let your rage consume you," Phantom says
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that to happen," I say, my voice filled with regret and self-reproach.
"Wait, someone is watching us," Phantom says
We look at one of the bushes, and someone steps out. "I finally caught you, shapeshifter," the figure says, their voice dripping with menace and triumph, hinting at a dangerous confrontation to come.
YOU ARE READING
life as a shapeshifter Remastered (book 1)
FantastikJames Carter was a 15-year-old who became a shapeshifter after one of his father's experiments five years ago. He has to keep his powers a secret while having the death of his father loom over him his entire life. Can James keep his powers a secret...
