Shapeshifter *ON HOLD*

Chapter Twenty Four

Closer. Even closer. The bubbles swirling and clouding the flippers, those unfathomable dark goggles in which an eye lay behind, the blur of blue and green of the suit.

"What do we do? What do we do?" Devan squeezed his eyes shut.

Think Agnes think. Is there anything that could help? The Voice slurred.

If there is, I don't know of it. Now stop being so cryptic and tell me already! Agnes thought back bitterly.

Shapeshifting, quite obviously. 

Agnes brightened at that. "Quick! Karmen, which creature could alter someone's mind?"

"Oh," Devan rubbed his chin, "You mean like erase memory and mind control?"

Karmen thought for a moment. Agnes could see was trying hard, as her brow furrowed ever deeper. "There's a really rare creature that can, it's called the Garlimynus. It kind of resembles a silver cat-like animal, and has riveting pink eyes."

Agnes wasn't sure if it would work. What if it didn't work in humans? What if she didn't know how to erase the memory or how to control minds? 

Focus Agnes, Garlimynus.

She imagined herself prowling in the trees, silver fur glistening. Her soft pink eyes lucent and arresting, her claws glinting. Feeling the wonder of attracting others, of being able to alter minds, of being in control of so many things more than herself. 

"Agnes, why did you ask me that quest—GAH!" Karmen jumped as she sighted Agnes in her Garlimynus form. Agnes ignored her, instead launched herself out from the cave after inhaling deeply. The water pressed in around her, dulling her many senses. The diver was face to face with her now, and he scooted back, surprised.

Agnes drew her consciousness into a pinpoint, concentrating hard. She pictured invisible arms reaching into his head, rummaging in his memories. She swam toward him until she was at eye level, then shone her eyes at full intensity at him. A dim coral shine dyed the water surrounding them, and the diver was knocked into a trance.

Obey...me... Agnes thought the words, sending them through her eyes.

Ye—yes... The diver agreed, voice stilted.

Now, Agnes widened her eyes, forget about the cave. Forget you saw anyone. Forget you ever knew me...

Yes...I promise... The diver droned.

You didn't see anyone. This isn't happening. Nothing ever happened. Agnes repeated as she reached her invisible arms through his eyes to his mind. Rifling inside, she gently grasped the thread of the latest memories. Yanking it out firmly, she retreated out of his head, then crushed the strand of memory, watching it crumble to light-coloured dust.

While the diver was still in a trance, she paddled back to the cave, landing sputtering on the rock. The moist ground beneath her became more wet as tears streamed out from her eyes.

Karmen helped her up. "That was amazing Agnes. You saved us. Why are you crying? You should be proud!"

"I know I did," Agnes sniffled, "but look what I did to him. If I can just do that to anyone, how would I know...know if someone did that to me? Moreover, what could I do to...to everyone if I had power like this? I just feel so guilty. It's not right, altering someone's mind. Stealing their memories, invading their privacy, controlling them. Nothing about that is right, of all things."

Devan nodded gravely. "I know what you mean. But sometimes, we have to sacrifice our feelings for a greater cost."

"Ha!" Agnes snickered, "and what 'greater cost' is that?"

"The safety of Shapeshifters," Karmen explained, "We are all that is left."

Agnes sighed. "Fine. I'm going home." As she became blurred out by the teleporting blaze, she added, "Don't expect me to do something like that ever again."

*           *          *

Agnes was nearly knocked off her feet the moment she stepped into the house. 

"Sis, she's disappeared. Where IS she? AGNES YOU HAVE TO HELP ME!" Ethan wailed, face wrenched with franticness, as he barrelled into her.

"Mom is gone," Agnes replied softly. She felt tears squirming to come out, but she chained them back.

"Where?" Ethan's distraught little face was stained with salt marks.

Agnes's vision became bleary with water. "Somewhere. She's...she's somewhere where she can still be with us. Always."

"But how?! She can't just be gone! I wish she was here," Ethan's shoulders slumped, "I miss her loving face. I miss the way she would speak to me gently and hushed. I miss her even more than dad, even though he's working in China. I miss her arms around me, her brightening laugh. I wish she were here. I wish she would never leave."

"Me too," Agnes responded, wiping a tear, "but fate is fate." She pulled Ethan into an embrace as he buried his face in her shoulder. 

"Mom may be gone now, but she has left many things. She's left wonderful memories for us to treasure, her knowledge for us to learn from, and her love for us to cherish. She'll always be with us. We're family Ethan. She'll be like the stars, there but unseen." Agnes let herself sink into the whirlpool of memories, tears and laughter breaking from her face.

Sounds of mourning and heartache resounded in the arced ceiling, where a raven sat on the glamorous chandelier, listening. It preened its feathers, staring down at the crying children.

There was something almost familiar about them.

Another chapter done! :D I was kinda tearing in those part up there. Shapeshifter has climbed to #396! Thanks to everyone who supports me have a great day, even though it's almost over for me.