Shapeshifter *ON HOLD*

Chapter Nineteen

Devan.

Why was he here?

Agnes's brow furrowed. He better not be here to kill her again. Tentatively, she ambled down the stairs, yawning. She creaked open the back door, sinking low to the ground. Wary to inhale a breath, she circled to the wall covered in moss on the far side of her yard.

Devan froze. His eyes squinted into the darkness, in the direction Agnes was, huddled against the wall.

"Agnes? Is that you?"

Agnes felt a flare of hatred. Repugnance plucked at her heartstrings, and she held back against the urge to pummel him to the ground.

"I'm really sorry. I just couldn't control myself at that moment. Maybe we Shapeshifters are really more animal than human," he gulped, "I couldn't take your hurt expression at that time, it wrenched my heart horribly. So that's why I fled. You couldn't imagine how guilty I felt. I hadn't wanted to hurt you at all, I promise you! Sorry. Kyle was right. I am an impulsive, selfish jerk." His voice hitched, as if he was going to cry.

Agnes thought for a moment. Should she forgive him? Or should she push him away? Or should she just ignore him and go back to sleep?

"Devan," she started, "I would most certainly agree with your last statement. You didn't even think when you flung your katana at me. Other than that your also the most conniving person  I've ever met."

"Wha—what do you mean?" Devan spluttered.

"Don't think I didn't hear when you told Kyle to back off. Don't think I didn't notice when you shot Kyle those threatening glares. Don't think I didn't know what an egocentric person you are!" A mask of rage was over her face.

"I...I liked you! Is that such a crime?"

"But you were going to harm someone," Agnes insisted, "Now go away. I never gave you permission to come into my garden."

"Please let me explain! Agnes!" Devan begged, eyes pleading.

"Out," Agnes answered icily, pointing a finger at him.

"No! I won't leave until I tell you!"

Agnes's eyes narrowed. "Looks like I'll have to do this the hard way." She felt shudder course through her body as she shifted. Oh, the thrill of Shapeshifting came back to her, like refreshing rain after a parching drought. A terrifying roar rained down on Devan as the backed up against the yard wall.

Agnes had shifted into a Chimera, one of the Great Seven. Her red eyes shimmered in the moonlight, reflecting the winking stars.

Devan scrambled out of her yard without another word.

Agnes let go of a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding. Twisting back to human form, she dragged herself back into her house.

Where her mom had been watching the whole thing.

"What. The. Heck." Her mother pinched herself to check if that was a dream. "OH MY GOD AGNES! YOU'RE A SHAPESHIFTER!"

"Mom please, don't be mad," Agnes pleaded anxiously.

"MAD?! I'm not mad at you! I'm ever so proud!"

"What do you mean?" Agnes was confused as ever.

"Never mind," her mom waved dismissively.

Never mind???!!! That's all?

Then she realized her mom was already gone.

*           *          *

"Mom explain to me. I need to know!" Agnes implored desperately the next morning.

Her mother deliberately ignored her. "Oh look! The clouds are moving."

Change of topic, Agnes thought, annoyed. "Seriously."

"Wow! The school bus is here! Go catch it!"

"It's a Sunday, please."

Agnes rolled her eyes and sauntered out the door, without telling her mom where she was headed, not that her mom was in a state to listen anyways. The autumn leaves had began to rot, their rich foul odour clouding the woods. The sunlight now leapt between the growing gaps of the branches, painting the dry grass golden. The chirrup of cicadas was endless, as was the tweeting of sparrows. 

A growl sounded behind her.

She whirled around. With a pearly white mane and tail, and towering wings that scintillated in the light, was a Pegasus. 

Agnes stood there gawping. Who was that? Devan? Kyle? Karmen?

Didn't matter, since the Pegasus was already charging towards her, hooves pelting the ground.

Agnes sprinted away, though she knew she couldn't outrun it. There was no way she could survive, since Pegasus was the most powerful.

Basilisk. Now. It was the voice.

There's no point. Agnes frantically said.

Don't let the shadows take over. Believe me, it will work.

Okay... 

Agnes closed her eyes, feeling a breeze ruffle her clothes. No time, she was a Basilisk.

As she glanced at the Pegasus, she felt a dizzying lurch. Then she felt at peace, enchanted. Then a faint vibrantion of sereness, overtaking her.

The magic of the Pegasus.

She forced the buzzing and calmness in her mind out, vigorously shaking her head.

She advanced on the Pegasus, baring her fangs. She whipped her tail across its chest, and felt the flower of tranquility bloom once again.

Let me take over. The voice boomed.

Agnes obliged, as there was no other choice. She instantly felt refreshed, uncoiling herself and biting at the Pegasus legs. One snap came in contact, and scarlet blood trickled out, tainting the ground.

The Pegasus eyes were tinted with traces of fear now, and since distracted, it tripped over a log, toppling with a whinny. Agnes was upon it a second, her massive hulking weight bearing down on it. Her eyes seemed to be saying "show yourself."

The Pegasus contorted, cobalt spangles weaving in and out of its body. After a while, its true form appeared.

Its true form, was someone Agnes couldn't have ever expected.

Cliffhanger lalalalala. Anyways I hope you enjoyed it. Heheheheheeh who do you think it is? Shapeshifter is back on #481! Keep those votes and comments coming, they mean a lot. Thanks to all!