Shapeshifter *ON HOLD*

Chapter Eight

A twinge of ruddiness was fluttering at the horizon as the sun began to sink. The sounds of evening initiated after the light in the woods had turned murky. Guttering lamps at the far edge of the woods showered their luminosity into the darkness. The leaves grew gray with only a tinge of green. The aroma of musk and hazel with a splash of cedar clung to the fresh air. Before long the stars spied on Agnes through the gaps in the trees. 

Not long ago, she was in an argument with Karmen, and had stormed off in bitterness. She huffed as thought of snotty, arrogant Karmen.

~🔹a few minutes ago🔹~

"I was a Basilisk before, doesn't that mean I'm, well, quite good at Shapeshifting?" Agnes wondered aloud, chewing her cheek.

Karmen cleared her throat. "Beginners like you always think they're good at it, though, no offence, they really aren't, "she snorted, rolling her eyes.

S-A-S-S-Y, Agnes thought, geysers of disgust erupting in her head. "Well you did say before that I had outstanding control of Shapeshifting!"

"That was just a joke, can't you tell," Karmen sighed, flipping her hair extravagantly.

"What?! Wow, you are plain mean," Agnes spluttered, shaking her head.

"Well, I guess everyone seems mean to a naive girl like you. I mean, you can't really expect me to give you sincere compliments when you don't deserve any," Karmen countered while studying her nails.

Silence. Agnes couldn't suppress the rage within her then, as it boiled and toiled inside her. Though instead of exploding, she simply took a breath and came up with a smart comeback.

"I think I burned you there," Karmen wiggled her head like a sassy person would, causing her platinum amulet which she always wore gleam, "Actually, I think you get burned by everyone, with your messed up brain."

Agnes inhaled deeply. "You're brain is more tangled than mine!" an image of a spider web wounded and tossed, dewdrops grasping the silk, came to her head,"there's nothing right on the left, and there's nothing left on the right." Nodding curtly, she strode away, the tension breaking between them. 

~🔹back to reality🔹~

"You better have an explanation for this, Agnes!" 

"Mom...I...err...got carried away...? On my way back from school...?" Agnes bit her lip anxiously, dodging her mom's scrutinizing gaze.

"Yeah right, and you were still outside when THE FRICKIN MOON WAS IN THE SKY???!!!" her mom yelled. Agnes thought that all the  in the world.

"Umm...mom? Well the moon is always in the sky, even if it's on the other side of the world, it's still in the sky," Agnes pointed out.

"..." her mom didn't reply, but instead left the room.

Finally. Agnes thought. 

Extremely tired, she dragged herself up the stairs, flopped onto her bed, and fell asleep.

~🔹~

Agnes somehow found herself at the beach. It was midnight, and the sliver of the moon was a lucent chain. The glistening stars seemed like distant phosphorescent lights. The waves kissed her feet as she came to the water's edge, frigid and unwelcoming.

Why the hell am I here in the middle of the night?! Agnes asked herself. In reality, she was just trying to get away from her family, and get some fresh air. It was still the same night as the night she spoke with her mother about the moon.

That was when a strange glow sprouted from the waves, beckoning her. She caught a glitter of scales and a fish tail. The water rumpled before her, folding and wrinkling unnaturally. With a quiet splash, the creature appeared before her eyes.

Her hair was a waterfall of gold that shimmered in the dim light. Two piercing aquamarine eyes were on her face, as well as smooth pale skin. Red lips shined, and a flashy necklace sat around her neck. 

Agnes stumbled back for a moment. Never in her life had she witnessed such beauty. The creature was still staring at her, curious eyes trained on her. 

She swam closer. "Do not be afraid, my friend. Come closer and let me see you." her voice was hushed and gentle, musical.

Agnes tentatively approached the shoreline, the alarm fading from her thoughts. As she began to wade into the water, a shrill tore through the serene night.

"Agnes! Don't! They're dangerous! It's a Siren!" Agnes whirled to see Karmen facing her.

"Don't listen to her, remember what she said to you today..." the Siren almost sang behind her.

"Why would I listen to you?" Agnes laughed coldly, she felt entirely at peace, enchanted. A music was in her head mingled with voices of the Siren.

"Agnes! Look out!"

Agnes twisted just in time to see the snatching hands of the Siren fasten around her arm. She shook it desperately, and kicked the Siren square in the jaw. Screeches broke out in the night as more Sirens came crashing towards shore. One was headed straight for Agnes.

Moments before it could grab her, a boulder slammed into her.

Karmen.

Agnes could only watch in pain as Karmen was clawed at and shoved into the depths of the lake. 

All that was left of her was her platinum amulet.

Haha I loved the brain part LOL. The next chapter with be more about the voice so... stay tuned for more!