The Something.

2.

12 years ago. - age 5

"Florence!" My name bounced off the walls of out little wooden house, the small echo of my name just reaching my ears. "Florence!" My mother calls again, pulling me away from my dolls which sat happily around a plastic table, holding small tea-cups and tea-pots.  

I stood up, carrying my favourite toy rabbit- Sebastian- with me. I lightly skipped downstairs clutching the tiny toy tightly to my chest in case I dropped him. Though soon enough I was met with my mother's bright blue eyes at the bottom of the stairs, her grin growing as she caught me in her arms and spun me around.  Sebastian stayed in my grip as my mother carried me through the house, on into the kitchen. 

"Florence, do you remember what day it is?" She asked eagerly, sitting me on the kitchen bench, caressing my soft soft black hair. 

"Is it the day I sit and play with my dolls and Sebastian?" I asked cheekily, grinning idiotically with neither of my two front teeth.

"No Florence, remember what I told you the other day about that little class you have to go to...?" Her expression changed from happiness to a small frown as her hand moved down to my small pale cheeks.

"A-about the powers?" I stuttered as I remembered what my mother had told me earlier in the week about  this class. A class where I would learn to control my powers. How to deal with them at night when they would arise. 

"Yep, remember that? Well that's today." I nodded promptly and my mother smiled weakly and turned away to prepare my breakfast silently. 

"Mum?" I played with the frays at the end of my dress, tugging on them lightly so I wouldn't have to look at my mother. 

"Yes sweetie?" 

"What are my powers?"

She turned from where she stood, holding a small plate which held my toast. A look of sorrow filled her eyes as she passed me the plate. 

"You are a little special kind of girl, with a little special power." I slowly began to eat my toast as my mother stood in front of my silently, playing with the zipper of her camouflage jacket. "You have this power- this gift- where at night you turn into something. Though I won't tell you what that something is until you're old enough to understand- for the good of you. OK?" She spoke slowly and looked deeply into my eyes.

"Yes mother." I replied sharply, with a tinge of disappointment. Not knowing what I was- what I became- was hard for me to comprehend. I never fully understood through my youth why my mother never told me about my power. 

However, when I did find out... I wished I hadn't.

5 years ago. -age 12

"Whatever happens to me Florence, you know I love you?" Her bag was flung over her shoulder, a look of sadness filled her face as she was ready to leave. 

"Yes mum, I know. Don't make this any harder..." I whispered the last part, and pulled my gaze away from my mother. "But, I do love you. I'll miss you until the day you come back." I sniffled and rubbed my bloodshot eyes which were full of tears. 

"Yep... Remember I'll be back." She paused and rubbed a tear falling down her cheek. "Now, give me one last hug!" she pulled me into an embrace, stuffing a small piece of paper into my hand. She leaned closer into my ear and whispered: "Keep this safe, don't open it until you know I've gone and Gina comes round to make sure everything is OK. Promise?" She pulled away and caressed my hand until I nodded hesitantly.  

"Good, now goodbye my little pumpkin. I'll see you one day." More tears spilled from my eyes, as well as hers. "Gina will take care of you, until she comes stay in your room. I love you" Gina had been my mothers friend for years now. She trusted her with everything. Even me.