Survival

16

Monday came quicker than I wanted.

Monday meant school, which meant waking up early and sitting through boring classes while teachers lectured.

It also meant that Thompson could watch us without us noticing.

Never in my life had I been so aware of my surroundings. I was looking over my shoulder in nearly every lesson before entering and before leaving. I even looked over my shoulder when I walking between Hi and Shelton on the way to Biology.

I knew they weren't there, I knew I wasn't being watched and yet I couldn't help feeling something was wrong.

A headache formed between my brows, and I didn't know why. It throbbed with every heartbeat, causing me to grimace every once and a while. Not even the nurse could explain my sudden headache.

"I am going to personally beat up who ever invented headaches" I muttered on Hugo on our way back to Morris. Every bump the boat went over, the headache worsened. It only seemed to get worse the closer to home we got.

Blargh.

"Try flaring. It might clear it up a bit" Shelton suggested as we stepped onto the dock. Thinking of no better solution, I reached deep for my canine DNA.

SNAP

Pain ripped through my skull, stabbing the back of my eyes with immense pain as I held back tears. I cried out, bending in on myself as the pain continued. It shot down my spine, and my held felt close to exploding.

I heard more screaming, and I look up to see the boys were on their hands and knees, backs arching as fur began to steadily cover their bodies. What the hell was happening?!

I caved under the pressure blooming between my brows, and collapsed onto my hands and knees. Or what I thought was my hands and knees. I discovered it was four paws instead. I'd shifted into my wolf without a single pain in my bones or limbs.

My headache cleared as abruptly as it started, and I shook out my whole body to free myself of the pins and needles I was feeling. The boys did the same, swinging their heads from side to side as though bees were surrounding them.

What in God's name was that? You forced me to flare and shift Hi asked, looking at me with now glowing eyes.

I don't know, but my headache's gone I replied.

Why does this keep happening to us? Why can't we catch a break? Shelton complained, and I bumped him with my head on his shoulder.

Why not use this, and go for a quick run to the Lighthouse? Ben offered, already moving in that direction.

But you always win! Hi whined in my head, and I felt and heard Shelton and Ben laugh.

Come on, Hi. What's a little wolf pack run going to do? I asked, but then realised it wouldn't be complete without Coop. I flung my head back and howled, mentally calling for the mutt as well. Cooper! Here boy!

I got no reply. That's odd; he never misses the opportunity for a run. I howled again, but I still got no reply.

Maybe he's napping? Hi suggested, and I would have shrugged.

Let's go! Shelton was suddenly oozing with energy. Ben took the lead at first, leading us all in the right direction. Eventually the rest of us came level with him, me steadily getting ahead. It really wasn't the same without Coop, but he probably hadn't heard me, or he was just sleeping. Or, maybe he went to Loggerhead for the day with Kit this morning. Dad's gotten into the habit of taking Coop with him on Hugo so Coop could spent the day with Whisper, Polo and Buster.