Spirit Animal Ficlets

fearful encounters

Shane liked Halloween. His uncle used to take him and his sister to their parents grave and placed bowls of sweets on them. Shane couldn't do that tonight. It was a full moon and he wasn't safe out on full moons. Yet he did it anyway.

Uncle Gar didn't approve of Shane going out at night. He had given her permission to go to the prince's winter ball that was two months away. Shane didn't want to wait two months to go do something. He waited until Gar and Drina fell asleep. Shane went out of the window in the back of his room and snuck off.

His cloak barely fit his shoulders and he riding bother putting on shoes. Shane grew bigger and bigger until he became the large crocodile beast.

Shane held a small bowl to his chest as he approached the grave yard. It had some treats in it. Whatever Shane could scavage from the market that day.

He didn't notice the other figure in the grave yard. Shane stood by the familiar graves. He smiled "Hi mom, hi dad. I'm sorry I couldn't bring a lot of sweets this year, uncle Gar wouldn't let me go out tonight," he said in a shush growl. He set the bowl down "I got better with my shifting, it doesn't hurt that much anymore now," he added.

The wind rustled the leaves on nearby trees. Shane softly hummed as he started sorting treats onto the graves evenly. Something touched him. Shane shot up and twisted around with a hiss. His tail knocked the bowl over.

A boy with blond hair and green eyes stared at Shane. Prince Conor. The crocodile reared back with fear in his veins. Conor approached "Wow, you look... Stunning. I've heard many stories of the beast but I've never gotten to see you up close," he said.

Shane couldn't think of what to say but stopped and let out a bellow of a roar. The Prince stared with widen shocked eyes. The beast rose to his full height "You listen closely, don't ever get near me or I'll slice you open like the little hunk of meat you are," he snapped.

Conor stared but didn't utter a word. Shane slipped past him and stalked away. He went home.

----------

Uncle Gar was awake and angry when Shane entered the house. He glared at his nephew "What do you think you were doing out there at this hour? Do you realize what could hapoen if somebody saw you in this form?" He scolded.

Shane felt embrassed "I just... I wanted to go give mom and dad something," he said.

Gar's face softened just a little "Shane, you know you cannot leave in your condition on night like tonight. Somebody would have seen you and probably kill you then what? Me and Drina would have another grave," he said. Shane stared at his feet but didn't utter a word. Gar sighed "Go to bed Shane, it's late. We can visit the graves tomorrow," he added.

Shane flopped onto his bed. He wasn't exactly the right size for it but it was better than nothing. Mom and Dad had nothing tonight because of him. Shane wished somebody would kill him. All he ever was is a burden with his stupid curse.