Black Panther

They saw me...

 I opened my eyes, to find myself still lying down next to the door, everyone was looking at me, concerned, but thankful I was alive. 'That's rubbish. I don't know emotions, they're probably angry at me now for tricking them. They're probably scared of me. They probably hate me.' I thought. Not knowing what else to do, I shifted to a panther, stumbled to the door, and ran. I ignored the band calling after me, I ignored everything. I didn't know where I was going, or what I was going to do anymore, the only thing running through my mind was the one sentence; 'They saw me...' The only think I did know, was that I couldn't let them see me again. Ever.

 I started slowing down, but the band's shouts were getting closer. I didn't have the energy to speed up, but I kept going forwards anyway, the rain stinging my eyes as I tried to look. Soon I stumbled, tripped and landed beside a tree. It was only then that I realised that I was exhausted, I was too tired, I couldn't move, I couldn't shift. All I could do was wait for someone to find me. Be it a hunter or Mr. Madman I didn't care. All I wanted was for someone to end my misery for me.

 After God knows how long, I heard Andy and Ashley, calling my name through the trees. I growled back. It was all I could do. I couldn't run, I couldn't fight. All I could do was warn them not to come closer. That I didn't want them too, my life was over, and I just wanted to wallow in self misery and worthless pity. They didn't understand though. They came running over. Hugging me, telling me to never run off again. Andy, realising I couldn't walk anymore, cradled me in his arms, and started the long walk back to the bus in the rain, while Ashley called the rest of the search off. Without realising it, I had shifted back into my human form, and had buried my head in Andy's chest. I couldn't bear to look at him. I bet he was staring at me in disgust, just like everyone else does.

 Bringing me back inside, Andy sat down on the sofa, as I just stayed where I was. He noticed that I was avoiding his eyes, so he pulled my chin up, and to my surprise, he wasn't angry, or scared or hateful, he was genuinely... Concerned. No one has ever given a shit about me before, and then suddenly, this man, and this whole band, had set out purely to try and find me - a mutant shapeshifting freak - and make sure I was ok.

 Resting my hand on Andy's shoulder, I closed my eyes and rested my head on his chest, listening to his heart beat, gently lulling me into a deep sleep...

 I woke up hazily, opening my eyes to see Andy's stomach. Remembering what had happened before, I tensed. Now I could walk, the people who I thought were kind were going to kick me out to rot. But... Nothing happened. Everyone simply sat there. Andy played with my hair and the others sat around with water at the ready. (It was drinking water, not water to pour on me if I became dangerous) seeing I was awake, Andy let me sit up, and everyone jumped to engulf me in their arms. 'They're not hating me, they really are my frrrrr... Frieeee... Friends' I smiled.

"I'm sorry you had to find out like that." I said, breaking the silence. "It's not normally that bad, but I was getting a new animal to transform into. Normally it's without pain, but the first time it feels like you're on fire, then your bones break and resettle in different places."

"As long as you're ok." agreed the band. "Is this something to do with the scars and burns?"

 Nodding, I told them everything,  the robots, Mr.Madman, the vivisection, and what actually happened to the people in the alleyway. "So far I can become Brighton's black terror, a black wolf and that black cat you saw outside the tour bus Andy. The one with my eyes. And now I can become a red fox." Guess what colour. That's right! Black.

 I looked at Andy, who was murmuring about the cat, cheeks a fiery red.

"And I guess since you now know, I don't have to hide it from you anymore." I smiled...