Insanity

3

I twisted my neck as I finally noticed the ache. I had been looking through the town newspaper for job offers but so far found none. I banged my head against the table in despair. Why? Oh why? I took a deep breath and lifted my head to continue working. I paused and tilted my head as I finally noticed a job offer in a bookstore that isn't far at all from my house. I had gone there often for books to read and I knew the lady that worked there needed help but she could never find any good help. She had offered me the job once but I had declined because it had been during school hours.

***

I entered the book shop and was immediately welcomed by the smell of paper, new and old. I went up to the front desk and saw the lady sitting with a book out and her glasses at the tip of her nose while she read. I had bought some non prescription glasses that matched my other ones because I didn't want anyone asking me how my eye sight got better. I always notice when someone is wearing contacts because you can see the clear edges of the contacts. I smiled at the lady as she looked up and she smiled back and stood up.

"What can I help you with missy?" she asked with a sweet voice. I loved how she always called me missy. I felt like I had a friend for some reason. I placed the cut out ad on the counter and asked her if the job was still open. She smiled and said "it’s always open for you, missy" she told me I could start on Monday and since it was Sunday, I would start tomorrow. She gave me a form to fill out which read:

NAME: Wednesday Hamilton

AGE: 13

DATE OF BIRTH: November 6, 2000

SCHOOL: Retsbew Middle none at the moment

FORMER EMPLOYMENTS: none

And there were other things but that’s not important anymore. I turned in the sheet and gave the lady her pen back.

"Thank you so much, I really appreciate this" I smiled at the lady and she chuckled and waved me off. I smiled once more to her and left the shop with a sigh. Well... that went well. I started walking back home but decided to take a stroll in the woods; I wanted to see if I could change at will now. I stumbled a couple times and scratched my hands a little but nothing too bad happened until I got to a small clearing. I sat down on the floor randomly and sat with my legs crossed Indian style. I stared at the sky for a few seconds as the clouds moved really slowly and the sun came out from them, making me shut my eyes. I looked down and rubbed my eyes. I looked around the clearing and stood up from my sitting position. I took of my dress and stood in my shorts and undershirt. I rubbed my arms as goose bumps rushed up them. I could feel my hairs prickling my fingertips as I rubbed them. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before I took off running and I leapt into the air and when I got down, I landed on four paws. I danced a little at my successful transformation but moved quickly into the trees. I felt a bit like I was thirsty so I ran to the pond and drank greedily as it soothed my burning throat. I swear the water tasted better. I don't know how, it just did. I stopped lapping up the water and curled up in the shade that I was in, water droplets that clung to my chin, dripping onto my paws. I heard a rustling in the bushes near me. I looked up and watched as the same kid from yesterday came falling out as he tried to detangle a piece of rope from around his ankle. Why it was there, I have no clue. I stood up and I guess this movement caused him to notice me because he froze before slowly looking up at me. I heard a weird whimper come from the back of his throat before a weird smell hit me. I realized it was fear.

                 I looked at his ankle that was still wrapped up in the rope before I slowly moved towards him. The kid was still frozen as I slowly grabbed the rope in my mouth and found a way to get it off him before I threw it into the bushes where he came from. I stuck my tongue out and panted for some reason before turning around and walking into the woods away from the kid. I heard him get up and follow me. I would have thought he left because, come on, let’s face it, I look like I could eat you and I most probably could eat him if I wanted to. But me being the, oh so nice person I am, I pretended not to notice him and walked to a spot near a tree. I curled up and closed my eyes, waiting for the dude to lose interest in the cool snake at the zoo who was asleep. In case someone didn’t get the metaphor, I’m the cool snake at the zoo. I heard the kid sit across from me as I popped an eye open before closing it again and ignoring him. I heard as he slid a little closer to me and reached out to touch me. I didn’t move as his hand made contact with my fur. I nearly purred at how well that felt as he rubbed my large back but I stayed silent. I was surprised at how courageous he was to touch me; either that or he was the biggest moron you will ever have the pleasure of reading about.

***

                I’m not sure when I fell asleep but when I woke up, the boy who had been petting me was on top of me. It didn’t bother me that he was on top of me but the sun was going down and the guy had to get home. I used my nose to shake him awake and I watched as his eyes crossed slightly as they opened. I made sure the kid got up and walked home, I followed him, the sun had already gone down and I knew there were things here that were much wilder that I was. The boy smiled and waved at me before disappearing into the house. I walked back home thinking about the kid who was with me and I decided I should watch over the people who come into my woods. I guess you can say I was now the guardian of these woods, but I think I liked that idea. I liked it a lot actually.