Morph.

Chapter 16.5

"You're pretty sure this time?".

"Yes, hundred percent.".

"Good. We don't have much time left. They'll soon realize it's not him and things will get messy after.".

"Understood, but like I said, a hundred and ten percent this time.".

"Then get to it.".

______________________________________________________________________________________

Chris's POV

The door swings open and in he comes again, this time with Kelly. She's in her default shape.

"So? Have you managed to gain her trust yet?", I ask Kelly, aware of their plans to gain Stephanie's trust and perhaps kidnap her.

Kelly shakes her head but says nothing.

"Oh, we don't have to worry about Chris gaining Stephanie's trust anymore. Our 'Chris' was just there to observe and make sure everything went according to plan.

"Huh? Wha-What?".

"Let's just say that we've had some outside assistance. Good news is, you're free to go.", he says as he hoists me out of my chair, Kelly wrapping a blindfold over my eyes.

"Wait! Stop! What do you mean? Where am I going?", I ask as I put up a mildly pathetic attempt at struggling.

"You're going back. We're letting you go, which part of that don't you get?", Kelly finally speaks.

"But...I'll go to the police about this!", I respond, confused.

"And what? Tell them you were kidnapped by a secret organization. That a girl shapeshifted into you and took your place while you were held here? That they were planning to kidnap a friend of yours who could also shapeshift into animals?", Kelly stated.

She was right. They'd probably lock me up and throw away the keys.

I keep quiet and before I know it, I'm led out of the building - still blindfolded.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Stephanie's POV

I get dressed and decide to play it out and come clean. Leaving my room and heading straight for my parents', I hear the doorbell. Lisa and her boyfriend would probably be still out and about, Mum and Dad are in their room. There can only be one person at the door right now. Tobias.

True enough, the door opens and he's standing there - in a new set of clothes and looking much more presentable than he was this morning. Expectedly, there's a bit of an awkward pause as I notice he's looking rather sombre and he's clutching my clothes. From last night. Oh God.

"Steph...", is all he manages before his mouth trembles as he tries to look for words.

"Yeah?".

"May I come in?". 

Before I had a chance to say so, he takes two steps in and stops at the doorway, his hands held in a stretch as he offers me my clothes. Just when things couldn't get worse, I hear footsteps coming from upstairs as my parents make their way down, immersed in their conversation.

They notice us in the doorway and immediately come over. I feel like morphing into an ant to just disappear from this.

"Hi Tobias! How was last night?", Dad asks.

As they got closer,  their smiles vanish as they see him holding out my clothes.

"What's happening?", Mum asks as she takes them out of Tobias' hands.

I look at Tobias, about to burst into tears. About.

"Nothing, Mrs. Chapman! Everything went great, sir! I was just here to drop by some clothes Stephanie left behind. She had to get changed after a little accident at the club yesterday. I was thinking of washing it but I realized I might damage it, so here I am!", Tobias responds, smiling and casual-sounding.

"Yeah! He's not very good at hand washing so I told him to just drop it off!", I do my best to keep up with the act.

"Well, what time did you get home last night, Steph? I don't think we heard the door.", Dad looks at me before shifting his gaze to Tobias.

"I'm sorry, Dad. It was pretty late, I'll admit. You were probably asleep when I got home.", I replied.

My parents give each other a glance before their vision settles on the both of us.

"Alright. We'll let you two go this time but only because it's the first time. Steph, we need to talk. Tobias, if it's not a problem, she has to be home latest by midnight next time. Got it?", Mum says.

We both nod in silence as Dad excuses himself to leave while Mum heads for the laundry, my clothes in tow.

"Thank you.", is all I can say right now and invite him in. Having conversations at the doorway is always awkward to me. 

"Steph. I.....you gotta' help me out here. I know I was pretty drunk last night, that I am aware of. But....", he trails off. 

I know where this is headed. The mysterious cat. The clothes left behind. I remain quiet.

"....what I saw this morning. Was weird. Where did you go exactly?".

This is it. No more hiding. I'm practically cornered and the odds are against me. He's caught me red-handed as a cat in his car. Maybe, just maybe I could still use logic.

"I...uhm...went for some air.", I respond.

"Without your clothes?".

It's not working. That makes Tobias the fifth person to become aware of the existence of shapeshifters after Mum, Dad, Lisa and Chris. I stand up, and try to grab his hand to lead him upstairs to my room to admit the truth. He recoils and I freeze for a moment. I think I can feel my eyes welling up now.

"Sorry. It's just that...I'm not sure what you're up to.", he says.

I bite my lip and try to stop that one annoying tear from falling as I walk upstairs, stopping and asking him to follow me up. "We'll talk upstairs.".