Cage

Chapter 17: Tiptoe

Chapter 17: Tiptoe

            I wiped the sweat off my brow as I scanned the darkened forest panned out before me. The silence was deafening as I clamped my lips shut to silence my harsh, yet vindicating breaths. I was working myself to the bone and loving every second of it.

            Just then, a branch snapped to my far left and before I could psych myself out, I sprinted toward the sound with the speed of a cracking whip. A furious growl ripped through my lips as I dodge the thick trees in my path. Winding through the maze-like forest I also reminded myself to stay completely focused on any incoming sightings.

            And because of my intent focus, I caught up to him before he had a chance to attack me. Taking a sharp, bone-twisting right turn, I then sunk my outstretched claws into the nearest tree trunk and whipped my light body high up into the air. The air stilled and my mind slowed down as I flew upward and gripped the nearest low-lying branch; an absolutely perfect vantage point.

A bead of sweat slipped down my lower back as I lifted myself fully onto the branch and into a crouched position.

            One breath… two… and…

            Two wolves ran straight beneath my branch in heavy pursuit. Taking my opportunity I snarled victoriously and leaped down while morphing in mid-air. Blonde, silvery fur spurted from my skin and through the tight black clothing hugging my limbs. The moment I hit the ground I pounced and caught one wolf mid-run, landing cleaning on top of it’s massive back. Even though the wolf outsized mine indefinitely, I widened my jaw and held its neck down, pressing it domineeringly against the dirt.

            “That was sick!” Riley stretched excited as she ran up behind me. I shook my head and forced my mind and body to recoil back into a calmer state. There was no in between for me in this form; it was either I was set to fight with everything I had or simply in a passive state. Sometimes that loss of control still frightened me but thankfully, Will, Seth, and Riley continue to assure me that a strong sense of confidence just takes time.

            A low warning growl caused me to immediately jump back and loosen my tense frame. If I could’ve in this form, I would’ve blushed as I realized I had been holding down Will for far too long. A little space away, Seth barked happily before craning his neck and slowly taking his time transforming back into his human state.

            “I’m impressed Cassidy. Pft, if I had taken up the rear over Will I would’ve been afraid that you’d slice my neck off,” Seth chuckled as he rubbed his muscular shoulders.

            I quickly began focusing on morphing back just as Will began to as well. Once we were all human, I sighed out loud and braced my hands on my knees.

            “Good job,” Will laughed breathlessly as he walked over and rubbed his hand across my heaving back. I smiled and pushed myself to stretch up despite my sore muscles.

            It’s been a week and a half now. A week or so of intense training each and every night and finally, tonight, it’s all beginning to pay off. Of course, I knew Rome wasn’t built in a day but I was tremendously happily with my uphill progress. Also, judging by the grinning, breathless faces before me, I wasn’t the only one optimistic.

            “You weren’t going easy on me?” I asked, still breathing shallowly.

            “Not at all. You deserved that one all on your own. You even caught me by surprise,” Will grinned, crossing his arms. “You’re making me look bad now,” he laughed as Riley swooped in beside me and looped her arm over my shoulders.