Shifted

Chapter 1

I ran through the woods as fast as I could, my feet pounding on the leaf littered ground. The cold, dry air burned my lungs, and I could feel my heart beating in my throat. The branches of trees snagged and tore at my clothes as I ran, and roots and stones snagged at my soggy sneakers. Beads of sweat formed on my forehead, and I knew I couldn't run like this for long.

A howl came from somewhere behind me, driving fear into my gut like a sickening wedge. It sounded like it was right behind me. I looked behind me as I ran, terrified that I might catch a glimpse of it.

As I turned back to look ahead of me, WHACK! A low hanging branch slapped me across the face, and I found myself lying flat on my back. I groaned as I felt a trickle of blood coming from my forehead. I gingerly rubbed my fingers across the skin of my brow, feeling a small cut just above my eyebrow.

Suddenly I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise. I felt its gaze before I saw it. Fear and exhaustion made my breath shaky in the cold night. I scanned the forest around me, looking for what I already knew was there. Then I saw it, and a chill ran down my spine. In the foggy darkness ahead I saw a pair of glowing golden eyes staring back at me.

I stumbled backwards, trying to get away, until I ran into a bush. Suddenly a large black raven burst out of the bush and flew over me.

<•> <•> <•> <•>

I sat bolt upright in bed. My heart was still pounding in my chest as I took in my surroundings, trying to remind myself that it was just a dream. Sunlight streamed through the window, filling the room with warm light. I shook my head, then looked at the clock.

"Sh*t I'm late!" I said in a panic. I jumped out of bed and ran to the bathroom to get ready. I could hear my mom downstairs, singing as she made breakfast. I dressed quickly in the clothes I had laid out the night before. I rushed through brushing my teeth, then dashed down the stairs and into the kitchen.

My mom gave me a warm smile, and held the pan of bacon she had on the stove. "Morning, sweetheart. I'm making breakfast."

I had to dig through a couple boxes that were piled up in the kitchen before I found my shoes. I hopped around as I struggled to get them on. "Sorry, Mom. No time. I'm running late for school."

She gave me a stern look. "You can't be late for your first day. But you need to eat something."

I groaned and grabbed a granola bar from the counter. "Happy?"

She just gave me a smile and said, "Have a great day at school. Try to make some new friends."

With that, I bolted out the front door, grabbed my bike from the side of the house, and took off down the street. I was nervous for my first day. My mom and I had moved here when the hospital she worked at had to let her go due to budget cuts. My mom thought this would be a good time to go back to the town where I was born. We moved away from Oak Hills when my dad passed away. I was three so I don't really remember him. I have one memory of him and I playing with a large black dog, but whenever I ask my mom about it, she says he never had a dog.

The ride to the school only took about five minutes. I parked my bike, and took a deep breath to calm my nerves. There were kids milling about in front of the school and on the steps. I made my way through the people quietly. I figured it would be best to keep my head down. I noticed immediately that I was drawing attention as I walked in the front doors. It felt like everyone was staring.

A short girl with brown hair and thick black glasses stepped up to me and stuck out her hand before she started talking faster than I could keep up, "Hi. I'm Elizabeth. You can call me Liz. Or Lizzie. Or whatever. I work for the school paper. Would you mind if I asked you a few questions?"