Shapeshifter *ON HOLD*

Chapter Twenty Three

"Karmen! Devan!" Agnes yelled as the forlorn shapes of the turtles skipped away.

Devan was there in a flash. "What happened! Where's Carlie and Carlson?"

"They've Warped," Agnes sunk to the ground, beginning to sob. Waves of nausea and somber overcame her, and her mind was buzzing intensely. Her stomach knotted, and her muscles weakened. She swore that she was going to faint, as the edges of her vision turned groggy and blackness crept into the crevices of remaining slits of light.

"They...went to...to the...ri...river..." Agnes choked out. She then swooned, falling backwards. Luckily, Devan was there to catch her. 

She was now floating in abyssal gloom, the surroundings space without limit. The silence was deadly, gnawing at her head. That was when a mist even darker than dark sidled into her mind.

The Voice.

Pity, they all Warped. The Voice mused without a sliver of sympathy. I wonder why. Learn from their mistakes, you must be careful with your powers. Of course, I am nice enough to teach you about everything. 

Agnes collected her courage. Is it true that you're vile?

Oh dear Agnes. How could you? I have saved your life, saved your friends lives. Do you really think I'm vile?

No. Agnes admitted. But you could just be doing that for your own purposes.

The Voice sighed. Agnes, Agnes, Agnes. I thought you trusted me, after all I've done for you, I thought I was your friend, and friends are supposed to trust each other. I've shown the beauties of Shapeshifting, haven't I?

Yes. But you haven't told me of the dangers. You may have let me experience the thrill of being another creature, shifting with ease, and the power I have within me. But you haven't warned me of the time limits, the case of Warping, or the...or the curse of Shapeshifters.

The Voice paused for a moment. Curse? There was a curse?

You weren't aware of that? Agnes was surprised.

I certainly wasn't. It's quite clear that you don't have a curse though. 

Agnes frowned mentally. How?

Because you were born with your powers. All the others earned their powers, except for Kyle. He also was born with his powers just like you.

But how can someone earn a power when they haven't been endowed with it? Curiosity was tingling inside her head.

That is something you will find out when the time is right. 

No! Agnes frustratedly hung onto the dreamspace, wanting to know the answer.

Goodbye Agnes. See you...

A hurricane of luminous light and pinpoints of brightness brung her back to reality. The amber of the sun was seeping through her closed eyelids. Her eyelids unfurled, and she took in her surroundings. She was inside another cave, an orange glow washing the marble walls. A blanket was tucked underneath her head, and bookshelves lined the walls.

"Agnes, you're awake."

Agnes jumped up, nearly hitting her head on the wall. "Karmen! Oh I'm so glad you're here. They—Carlie a...and—Carlson, they...they War..Warped and—it was all...my fau..fault—" Agnes quavered, tears burning in her eyes.

"Shhh. It's not your fault," Karmen hushed as she stroked Agnes's back.

"But it is..." Agnes insisted, "I was too curious, I wanted to know...and when they tried to tell me they..."

Just then, a blaring alarm sounded, resonating through the halls.

Agnes raced to the main cave, where she found Devan pushing himself against a wall. He motioned for her to do the same.

"What's happening?" Agnes whispered, her breath fluttering at her mouth.

Devan had never looked so fearful. "It's scuba divers. They've found the cave and they're headed this way."

Karmen joined them, poking her head to the entrance. Sunrays danced in the rippling aquamarine water, bringing out the vibrancy of flamboyant corals. Kelp swayed in the currents, golden tendrils of grace. A scuba diver was peeking into nooks and crannies, scattering fish and sending an octopus fleeing.

"What do we do?" Agnes asked frantically.

"I don't know," Devan answered gravely, eyes downcast. 

Karmen silenced them. "It's already too late."

Agnes could only watch as the scuba diver aimed straight for the mouth of the cave. They would be discovered. She had to think of something. Killing wasn't exactly the option she had wanted, and kidnapping is equally awful. Distraction was a little too late, and escape wouldn't work.

But what would?

Yay! Shapeshifter is in #412! So elated! You readers are all awesome and if you would like me to check out your book, just ask. It's the best I can do for you after you have supported me all this way. Love you guys! :)