Humanimals

Chapter 5 (Part 1)

Night lifted her head as she looked around at her surroundings, white walls and a strange-smiling soft thing were in the room, and a small hole was in one of the walls, letting her see the sky. Night leaped onto the soft thing and looked out of the hole to see a forest. Night caught herself looking for prey, then laid down on the ledge next to the hole. A thought occurred to Night:

What if I jump through the hole and find my pups? I could howl to find Fox, to find my pups!

Night turned to leap into the trees below, then smashed her nose against something. Night sat back slightly, then shook her head before looking at the hole again. Now there was a mark in the air, floating like a feather in a spider web. Night turned her head to look at the new thing, then pushed a paw towards it. Her paw hit something like a rock, but it was smoother.

Window.

Night stared at the hole in surprise. What word had popped into her mind?

Window.

The word echoed through her mind again, and this time Night connected the word to the hole.

Window.

Night tilted her head as she stared at the new word and object.

Where did I learn that?

Night looked back at the soft thing and another word came.

Bed.

Night hopped back into the bed, then looked around the room.

Cell.

Night wagged her tail as all the new words began to appear in her mind. Suddenly another word appeared that didn't connect to an object.

Tylee.

Night blinked, then looked around the cell, trying to find what object had made that word come to her mind. Suddenly it appeared again when she looked at the window.

Tylee.

Night leaped onto the windowsill, then stared out the window to see if the object was out there.

Tylee.

The word repeated. Night looked at the window and saw her reflection.

Reflection.

Her mind repeated.

I already know that word.

Night thought to herself, disappointment bubbling up.

Reflection.

The word repeated. Night looked at her reflection again, hearing the word again.

Tylee.

Night blinked at her reflection.

Night.

Her mind echoed.

Night, Tylee.

Finally the word connected to something.

Me! I'm Tylee!

Suddenly memories of being in the lab and growing up with all of her friends and finally ending on the first hunt she had watched in the hill as the sun sank below the trees. Night felt her legs begin to tremble. Then Night's head began spinning, as the sudden realization of her being human turned wolf enveloped her. A clicking noise sounded down the hall, and Night pricked her ears. Soon the door lifted up, revealing Professor Sift and two large men in black suits. Tylee took a few paw steps back, and the professor smiled at her. He said something, but Tylee realized she couldn't remember how to speak, so his strange noises just unnerved Tylee further. The professor spoke more indistinct words, and one of the men pulled out a leather collar and leash. Tylee padded slowly toward the Professor who nodded approvingly. Night was still apprehensive, and her hackles were raised slightly. The Professor took a step back, allowing Tylee out, then walked ahead of her. The Professor looked over his shoulder and said something else, then patted his leg, calling her toward him. Tylee took a few tentative steps forward, then padded next to the Professor as he led her through the passageways. Soon, after many winding turns, the Professor stopped in front of a door. He made more strange noises, then pointed at the door. Tylee looked from the Professor to the door, then stepped slowly toward the door. Tylee pricked her ears when she saw there was a small doggy-door, then looked back at the Professor. The wiry-haired man made shooing motions toward the door, and Tylee slipped inside. As soon as her head poked through the door, and a light flicked on, Tylee felt her wolf instincts begin to kick in. Night scanned the room before giving the F-shaped room a cautious sniff. Night could smell human, yet also faint traces of wolf. Night lifted her hackles and growled, hoping to bring the other wolf out into the open. Instead, a woman with dirty blonde hair came out from around the corner, before smiling down at Night.