Shifted

Chapter 14

Jackson ran beside my bike as we made our way to the school.  He was clearly showing off, as he made a show of how easy it was for him to keep up with me.  I laughed as he began running backwards next to my bike, still keeping pace with me, and not even breaking a sweat.  It took all my willpower not to stare at his strong, muscular legs.  Instead I focused my attention on his face, but my heart skipped a beat when I caught sight of his gorgeous smile and huge dimples. 

We turned into the school's parking lot and I leaned my bike up agains one of the streetlights.  The joking mood of the ride over quickly evaporated as I looked at the dark edge of the woods in front of us.  Jackson seemed to be able to sense my nerves, and he reached over and took hold of my hand. 

We walked hand in hand into the woods, and began moving through the dark canopy of trees. There was a cold wind that whistled through the branches above us, sending a shiver down my spine. The only sound in the dark forest that could be heard was the sound of the wind and the crunching of the leaves beneath our feat. I couldn't help but notice that Jackson's footsteps were almost silent compared to mine, like some instinct inside him made him move with the silence of a wolf on the hunt.

After a minute of walking, Jackson stopped and shut his eyes. I watched as he took a deep breath in through his nose, and when he opened his eyes I saw they were glowing a soft yellow.  I watched in fascination rather than fear this time as fur grew on his face and arms. His face elongated slightly, the tips of his ears becoming pointed, and I could see long, sharp canine teeth as he let out a low snarl. Looking at his hands I saw sharp claws now protruding from the tips of his fingers.

When he had finished shifting, he turned those intense yellow eyes to gaze at me.  I looked into his eyes, and I felt my pulse pick up.  The rational part of my brain screamed at me to run away, but my heart told me that I was safe.  Without thinking, I took a step closer to the monstrous form in front of me.  Slowly, I reached my hand out, and placed it on the side of his face.  He closed his eyes and leaned into my touch.  I was standing so close that I could feel his breath on my face, feel the heat radiating from his body. 

After a long moment standing like that, there was the sound of a twig snapping, and Jackson's attention snapped in the direction of the noise.  He took a few steps away from me, placing himself between me and the source of the noise.  I could hear a low, rumbling growl in his throat, and fear began to creep into my veins like ice as I tried to see through the shadows.  After a long moment, a boy came stumbling out of the woods.

Jackson immediately lunged at him and tackled him to the ground.  I cried out in shock as the two began wrestling on the ground.  I didn't know what to do.  The two guys were rolling around, and I knew I wouldn't be any help if I were to step in.  I looked around and caught sight of a large tree branch.  I grabbed it and ran towards where Jackson and the other boy were now locked in a combat.  I didn't even take the time to aim.  I just swung the branch with all my might at the two of them.  There was a  loud THUNK as the branch collided with both of their heads, and the two guys collapsed to the ground. 

Jackson sat up rubbing his head, and the other guy just rolled on the ground groaning.  Jackson gave me a look and raised an eyebrow.  "Nice moves Caldwell.  But I had him."

"Like hell you did," the guy retorted, sitting up.  I noticed then that the guy was wearing the same soccer uniform that Jackson had.  "I was totally kicking your ass."

"Nick, you've never been able to beat me before, what makes you think that's any different now?"

"Wait hold up," I said in confusion.  "You two know each other?"

Jackson nodded, standing up and reaching out a hand to the boy to help him up.  "This is Nick."

"I'm his best friend," he said, extending his hand for a handshake.  "And you must be Casper."