Bullseye

Chapter 2

My foot hits the last step and pain shoots up my body, through my spine. I throw my head back and scream silently to the heavens as I crumple to the ground arching my back. I writhe on the floor for a minute or two before the immense pain slowly disintegrates in to a dull ache. I sit up gasping for air and clutching my heart, which is pounding loud in my ears, with my numb hand. The day dad carved worthless into me was the day I lost feeling in my fingertips; the oil fried my nerves.

I slouch against the nearest wall catching my breath. What on earth was that? I think to myself. I grunt, pushing myself off the wall I continue strolling down the hall to the kitchen.

I sigh, today is the last day. Today I can be free. Today I can be me.

I shuffle about finding a frozen pizza in the freezer; I turn on the oven and shove it in. I collect some place mats and set them down on the dining room table. I don't know why I bother, it's not like they ever eat in here anyway. I grumble to myself about a wasted effort when mum walks in

"Tania, dear, your father and I are going out for tea. Don't wait up we'll be back late. See you later." She tells me before kissing my cheek and walking out. Mum was always nice to me when dad wasn't around, I've always wondered why, I've just never asked. Too afraid I guess.

A pain erupts in my elbow; I fall to the floor whimpering. Tears spring to my eyes and cascade down my face. What's happening? I scream mentally to myself.

Once the pain subsides I get up slowly and remove all that I've set up on the table.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

"Ahh." I shout as I run in to the kitchen, no one wants to eat a burnt pizza. I open the oven and the room fills with smoke. Well this sucks, I think before I start coughing and waving my hand to clean the smoke.

"This is stupid." I say looking down at blackened pizza. "I have to leave on an empty stomach." I grumble to myself and walk out of the kitchen in a huff. The one thing I hate is having no food. I eat like a wolf. I would never survive as vegetarian, I eat way too much meat.

I stomp up the stairs to my 'bedroom', I slam the door and sulk on my bed. Well I did until I spotted my bag. I squeak in excitement, grabbing it, I sling it on to my back and leap back down the stairs. Thank the lord above that mum and dad went out tonight. I do a weird Irish jig as a happy dance, but fail and stumble over to the door.

I sigh and fling the front door open. The cold outside air comes at me like a slap in the face. I shiver and wrap my jumper around me tightly. I step outside, shutting the door behind me. I take a deep breath and start making my way down the street.

Our town is surrounded by a forest; we are literally in the middle of nowhere. What a bummer. I run in to the woods, climbing over roots, under branches, through the shrubbery. I was doing quite well, until the ache in my back intensified. I scream out in pain, but it comes out strangled and sounds more like a howl than a scream. I fall to the floor. It spreads from my back to my shoulders and hips, then continuing down to my knees and elbows. A low sound comes from deep in my chest, almost like a growl and I start whimpering. My skin begins to itch and my body starts to convulse. I feel and hear my arms snap and elongate I shout out for help but it comes out gurgled and a whisper. Tears spring in my eyes and roll down my face, hitting the dirt covered floor. My vision shifts, everything becomes clearer and more defined. I can see the dust particles dancing around one another. I grunt as I feel my face grow longer and wider. Why is this happening? What is happening? I whimper to myself. I feel my legs snap whilst my shoulders and ankles dislocate and reform. I hear my clothes rip and tear to accommodate my new found size. I feel my ears grow in to a point just before my skin erupts with a feeling of pins and needles of an enormous degree. Hair spews out of my skin, as soon as skin is replaced by hair the pain stops almost immediately. What is this? I whisper to myself.