Vanessa [A Poor Unfortunate Soul]

36. Someday I'll Be...

The glittering scales of Vanessa's red-violet tail reflected off the sides of the shallow bath. 

Isaac had helped her carry the bucket from the well outside and into the small bathroom. She appreciated him. He didn't have to do any of the things he was for her, but he did. And from the looks of things, didn't expect anything in return. A true friend.

A knock at the door took her attention. She shook as if there were a cold chill.

"Vanessa." Derek called from the other side. "We've got to leave soon."

"Okay." She said and exhaled hard. 

When she heard his loud boots tip-tap down the hallway, Vanessa pushed herself under the water and let her long hair cover her vision. Derek had sent Isaac in to help her out of the tub.

 Lifting her up by the arms, Isaac lowered her down onto a towel he layed out on the floor. Her fins hung over the side of the tub, and trickled water off the tips and into the tub.

Taking another towel he threw it over her tail and started rubbing the water off of her scales.

"Easy!" She exclaimed. "You'll cause me to bleed, and then what?"

"Well I don't see you helping." He said and laughed.

She tilted her head, raising her eyebrows. 

"Fair." Taking another towel from the stack she began drying her upper half. 

Isaac wouldn't touch her chest. He respected her too much for that. 

Before too long, the transformation began. A few scales shed off her tail and onto the tile floor below. Vanessa gritted her teeth as the once scaly flesh ripped and morphed into human flesh. After so many times turning forms, the sensation of having her own body pull itself apart seemed like nature just taking its course. It still hurt of course. But at least now Vanessa knew what to expect each time.

"I'll go get your clothes." Isaac said when the transformation was over and leaped over her newly human body.

Vanessa stood up, brushing a few dried scales off her legs and wrapped a towel around herself.

She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, except it wasn't herself at all. It was, but it wasn't. The very same eyes looked back at her, just as they always had while gazing in a reflective surface. The very same light almost white blonde hair, with newly added purple accents. Her simple lips. But that's just what was different. They curved up in the right corner.

Her left eyebrow raised of its own accord.

A new personality was taking over. The ocean-blue necklace that Jakob had given her, reflected the sunlight coming in through the window next to the bathtub. She held it close, squeezing it in the center of her chest. 

I'm still in here somewhere. She thought to herself. My soul is resting, in a deep slumber. One day, you'll come back and wake me up.

"About ready?" Isaac asked and popped his head into the room from behind the door.

Vanessa inhaled deeply and nodded.