Strange Thoughts

Part Two-Chapter Four-Aubrey

I feel powerful. I feel amazing. I don't ever want to feel anything else. I don't want to crash from this power high. Aleya is with us now, and Brian's gone. I'm so glad I don't have to deal with the little creep anymore.

I've decided that love is for losers. I ask myself questions a lot. "Would you rather be hated or loved?" My answer used to be loved, but now it's hated. Being loved just doesn't work out for me. But hatred, hatred brings me power. Too much power, as some would say.

I am going to make a huge dent in this place. Nobody will ever forget me.

I grab a pretty dress from the stack of clothes that Lion had recently given me. It's a sunny yellow, with pretty ruffles down the sides I take a silver belt and tie is around my waist. This isn't the normal look I would choose, but today, I'm trying to catch people's attention. I swipe on some mascara, and a light coat of lip gloss.

I head down to the lunch hall, walking a pace most people would call fast. It's not fast for me, it's perfect.

A boy at about 16, whistles at me in the hall.

"I'll be seeing you later." he says, with a sly smile. I blow him a kiss, and then smile widely, showing off my fangs.

The boy scrambles backwards, grabs his friends hand, and starts walking in the other direction. "Another stunt like that, and you'll end up on your deathbed!" I yell after them.

I arrive at the lunch hall, and step up onto the stage at the front. There are two microphones set up for daily announcements. I look around at the huge room filled with people. They are all sitting, eating simple lunches of ham and cheese sandwiches, around metal tables. Most things around here are very plain.

"Ahem." I tap the microphone with my pointer finger. Everybody looks up, confused. "So who's in charge, of y'all." A couple people chuckle. I ignore them. They'll learn their lesson soon enough.

A man of about 20 steps up to the stage. He's wearing a blue tank top, showing off his rippling biceps as he moves. I laugh. This guy is probably full of himself, waiting for another chance to show off his strength.

"People call me Brute." I roll my eyes. A savagely violent person or animal. That name must be meant to strike fear in people. "I'm challenging you for your place. If I lose, well, I'll tell Lion to give you a promotion. Lion and I are tight." I say. Many whispers erupt from the crowd. "I would never turn down a fight like this. There is no risk at all." Brute taunts. I give Brute a playful smile, and touch him lightly on the shoulder. "Just you wait."

He walks towards me, body in a fighting stance. I let him get close enough to take a swipe at me, but I nimbly bounce away.

I decide that now is the time to break out my black panther. The best part of the show. I let out a yell, turning from a high pitched shriek to a low growl. I stand on all fours, my glossy black pelt glistening as I move.

Brute jumps back, eyes wide and scared. "Surrender," I growl. "And I won't hurt you." My words come out in human form, I have learned how to gain back a little of the human part of me when I've shifted.'

"You are going to wreck my reputation!" he hisses. This man is too much. He's focused on all the wrong things. "Well, I'm sorry." He gives me a confused look. He doesn't actually believe that a fifteen year old girl will hurt him, shapeshifter or not.

I lift up a paw, and show the audience the fierce, pointy claws sticking out of it. I cock my head and look at Brute. "Last chance." Brute shakes his head. "If my rep dies, I die with it." I guess this guy is all brawn, no brains.

I rake my claws lightly down the side of his cheek. Blood drips out of the small cut. He takes a knife out of his back pocket, trying to stab at my flank.