Shapeshifter *ON HOLD*

Chapter Twenty Five

"CAW!" 

Ethan glanced up, startled. "Umm sis? There's an overgrown crow on the chandelier..."

"Don't worry about it Ethan. It won't hurt us. Also, it's called a raven," Agnes corrected.

"What is it doing? Spying on us?" 

"Something like that," Agnes answered uncomfortably, watching the raven's beady eyes roam.

They sat in silence for a second, then Ethan seemed to be murmuring under breath.

Ethan suddenly looked up, cocking his head questioningly. "Is it just me or do I feel a pang of familiarity, like I've known it forever?" 

Agnes pondered whether she should tell the truth or not. He was her brother, but she still felt a little insecure. "Ethan, what I'm about to tell you is something you have to promise to not speak of to anyone."

"I promise," Ethan assured her, a stern expression painted on his face.

"Ok then..." Agnes started, "You've read about Shapeshifters, have you not? Well when Shapeshifters lose control of their power, they are Warped. When Warped, they will turn into a completely different being."

"WHAT?!" Ethan shouted, "Mom is a SHAPESHIFTER? Are YOU one too? AM I ONE?"

"Err..." Agnes uneasily trailed off, "I actually am..."

*           *          *

A loud crash echoed as plates and bowls of all kinds smashed on the ground. Agnes was wrestling with her brother, her face written with effort.

"Ethan wait! What are you doing?! LET GO OF—" Agnes clamped her mouth shut as Ethan raised a kitchen knife to her throat.

"I won't stop until it's fair!" There was a hungry gleam in his eye, of one who wished to snarf power.

Agnes's brain was a jumble of confusion. "Fair?"

"Yes," Ethan's mouth twisted into a scowl, "You are all Shapeshifters, except for me. You all have powers, and it's NOT FAIR. I want power too! It's just not fair that you all have strength but I SOMEHOW DON'T!"

Ethan was never like this. There must be something wrong. "Ethan, you're not yourself, what's wrong?"

"Nothing is. NOTHING THAT YOU CAN CHANGE ANYWAYS," Ethan shot her a steely glower thick with...hatred.

"Ethan—"

"Don't try to stop me! I WILL be the best! YOU WILL REGRET IT, I'LL—" 

A deafening shrill broke out, and soon the frantic wails of Agnes joined the aftermath of the shrill.

*           *          *

Agnes gingerly wrapped Ethan's arm in white bandages, while grimly applying ointment on the cuts of his face. The evening sun was lambent, red and falling into the distant looming mountains. Chirrups of crickets began to orchestrate as birds nestled into their homes. The tulips in her backyard had wilted, the drooping petals sullen and dangling brown. 

She glimpse the raven flitting in the background, eyes trained on her. It's slick black feathers were no longer smooth but tattered, no longer midnight black but touched with red. 

What had happened minutes ago had truly rattled her.

~🔹minutes ago🔹~

"Ethan watch out!" Agnes cautioned as the raven swooped down, a fierce cry escaping its beak. Ethan glanced up in terror, but made no move to go anywhere. 

"ETHAN!"

The raven was upon him. It batted its wings at his face, forcing him to back away from Agnes. Talons outstretched, it leapt at the knife in his hand. Ethan didn't yield, instead jabbed the knife at the raven, opening a nasty cut along its side. The raven stumbled in flight, albeit it was still aiming at the knife. It scratched Ethan's hand and arm until he let go with gritted teeth. Lacerations of clear agony decorated him, making him seem all the more menacing.

The raven then cornered Ethan against a wall, cunning eyes glimmering. It leaned back slightly,  preparing to pierce with its sharp beak.

No.

No.

"NO!" Agnes screamed at the last minute. The raven paused for a second, and for a moment, Agnes understood. The raven was trying to protect her.

Protect her.

"Mom, forgive him. It wasn't him. It was something else," Agnes gulped, "I know you care about me, but I can't stand seeing Ethan getting hurt. I love you, mom." The tears sprinted out of her eyes, running down her face as if racing for the finish line. 

The raven cocked its head at her, studying her. Then it finally backed off and flew upstairs, somewhere. 

Ethan groaned feebly, and passed out.

~🔹back to reality🔹~

It didn't matter now though, because only one question was lingering in Agnes's head. Ethan wouldn't do that, something must have made him do it. And that look in his eyes was so greedy, so inhuman. 

What could have caused this?

Sorry, I couldn't update for a few days since I was busy with a competition. Shapeshifter dropped to #871, but let's get it back up! I won't be updating for the next three days since I'll be gone camping. Thank you to you all!

NOTICE: I WILL NOT BE UPDATING FOR JULY 1,2, AND 3.