Anishift

Prologue

Prologue

Russhell ran away from the girl that was following her, her red hair bouncing up and down. Her rich brown eyes darted around, looking for a place to shift. There, her instincts urged her. Russhell turned sharply to her left, losing the girl for a mere few seconds. Tripping on a root, she shifted into a fox and ran farther ahead, finally losing the human.

Cat slowed down and searched for the girl. She was unnaturally fast, and Cat was so sure she saw a tail from under the girls dress. Cat quickly scanned the trees around her and found one suitable for climbing. Kicking off her shoes, she climbed high enough to see over the trees.

Peering around her, she saw a flash of red ahead of her, heading towards a thundering sound. Cat raced down the tree and ignored her shoes completely as she ran through the forest. The girl must have started walking after she lost Cat.

Cat finally stopped and looked at a large waterfall. A path made of stones was leading up and around it. Cat suddenly heard walking and she ducked down. Looking up quickly, she saw a fox. It was going straight toward the waterfall. Crossing the stones, the fox walked behind the waterfall and disappeared from sight.

Cat stared at where the fox had vanished. Letting her curiosity lead her, she ran across the stones and up to the waterfall. Stepping carefully, she walked behind.

Colours flew past her in disorientated patterns, making her feel dizzy. A bright light washed over her and she closed her eyes.

Cat suddenly felt ground underneath herself and she tentatively opened her eyes. In front of her was the redhead girl. She was shaking her head. "Humans," The girl said in a defeated, flat tone. Cat looked up at the girl and stood to her feet unsteadily.

"Where am I?" Cat asked. The girls eyes narrowed and she studied her for a moment.

"Welcome to our world," She said in a sarcastic tone. Cat looked at her in confusion and the girl sighed again.

"I'm Cat." Cat said, trying to strike up a conversation.

"I'm Russhell." Russhell said. Her eyes looked Cat up and down.

"Do you have any idea where you ended up when you passed through the portal?" Russhell asked, and Cat's confusion returned.

"Portal?" Cat said uncertainly. Russhell looked at her in sudden pity and made a gesture for Cat to follow her.

Cat followed Russhell as they weaved through the forest. Russhell seemed to know where she was headed, and Cat was forced to trust in the girl. Russhell stopped in a sudden movement and Cat found herself in a small village.

A dark brown haired girl with a dark brown tail and squirrel ears on her head came towards Russhell. She wore a simple yet pretty brown plaid dress.

"Russhell! Your back!"

"I wasn't gone long," Russhell says in a humorous voice. The girl's eyes reach Cats and they searched hers.

"Russhell, um, who might this be?" The girl asks, her beautiful chocolate brown eyes fixed on Cat's green ones.

"A human," Russhell answers, her body tense. The girl's eyes narrow and she looks back to Russhell.

"Not against her will I hope," The girl replies in a warning voice. Russhell rolls her eyes before answering.

"She followed me,"

"That wasn't very smart," The girl says with a giggle. She turned back to Cat. "Hi, I'm Salali."

"I'm Cat." Cat answers shortly. Salali nods in acknowledgement before turning to Russhell again.

"She can't go back unless...,"

"I know, Salali. I should know after all." Russhell says, her eyes dark. Cat remained quiet until they looked at her.

"Cat, do you want to go home?" Salali asks, looking at her questionably.

"Eventually," Cat answered. The two girls seemed to hold their breath before Russhell broke the silence.

"Then you have to become one of us."

"What are you?" Cat asked curiously.

"An Anishifter."