The Animal Inside

Chapter Six: Training

Lock had suggested that I get into some clothes appropriate for training. Apparently, skinny jeans and a t-shirt are not the type of clothes to train in. Who knew? I changed into a pair of yoga pants and singlet in my dorm, and then headed back to the same gym that physical training was. I stood there, waiting for my teacher to turn up.

After about five minutes of waiting, a guy turned up. He looked like he was in his very early twenties, maybe twenty-one, twenty-two? His hair was light brown, and his eyes were a similar colour. He wore a loose blue singlet, which showed off his muscular arms, and black shorts.

“Hi. My name is Diego. You are Kefira?” He had a faint accent. It was definitely European. Spanish maybe?

“Yep, that’s me.” I replied.

“Great. So Kefira, I hear you have a very special gift.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“I have heard of people of your abilities. It is a truly magnificent Power.”

“Thanks you. What is your Power?”

“I am an animal shape shifter. I can change myself into different animals. An ability I believe you may possess.” Diego said.

“What do you mean?” I answered, confused.

“Your eyes. They look like cats eyes.”

I sighed. Not again.

“Hold on, I’ll change them back,” I said.

“Why? What is wrong with them?”

‘Yes, what’s wrong with them?’

‘Oh, great. You’re back’ I thought.

‘I never left. I was just observing.’

“They’re not natural.” I said aloud, both to Diego and to myself.

“They are. They are part of who you are, who you are becoming. Soon the change will be permanent. I suggest not fighting it.”

“Permanent?” What? I didn’t know that.

‘Yes, soon, your eyes will remain in this cat-like state. I suggest you start getting used to it.’

“Get out of my head,” I groaned. Diego looked at me strangely. Oh crap. I said that out loud.

“You have a second voice?” Diego asked.

“What’s a second voice?”

“A second voice is the voice of your animal side. It will provide assistance and a voice for your instincts,” Diego explained.

“Oh,” was all I said. There was a moment of silence.

“Well, I suggest we start your training. As I said earlier, I’ve heard of others with your Power. There are a range of abilities that could surface. I ask that you tell me anything that surfaces. Any new abilities, I want to be the first to know. Got it?”

“Got it.”

“Let’s get into it then.”

First, Diego asked me what I could already do. I told him about the heightened senses. That was all that had come to light.

“Ok. We can work with that. Follow me.”

Diego led me out of the gym, and into the large group of trees that surrounded the Academia. We reached a clearing and then we stopped.

“I want you to close your eyes.”

I did.

“Now listen.”