Shifters

Chapter 14

            I opened my eyes what seemed like only seconds later, but apparently it was much later. Max was looking rather perturbed as he tried to navigate the New York streets and traffic, while Gabriel sat in back with an amused look on his face. I stretched my arms and said, "That was fast." Both Gabriel and Max looked at me with blank faces, "Getting to New York." I clarified, "Oh!" they said at the same time and laughed. I looked out the window. I had never been to New York before; I didn't know that so many people could be packed into one city. But I felt at home here. It was as if something inescapable was calling me her, drawing me closer, "You did sleep for the whole day. So even though we were stuck in traffic for a lot of the way, you wouldn't have even known." Max pointed out as he pulled off the main road into an ally. There were three other cars parked along the buildings of the ally, and I knew that they were the cars of the other people from the gang.

            Max pulled to a stop and I jumped out of the car. It was much darker here that it was on the main street so I could tell it was night. I looked up at the night sky and felt lonely without the familiar twinkle of the many stars there were out there. Something tapped my foot and I jumped. Someone chuckled and I looked down to see my duffle bag lying at my feet. I spun around and glared up at Gabriel who I knew was there. His white teeth sparkled in the dark as he smiled. I rolled my eyes and picked up the bag, "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the car seat." He observed quietly. I ignored him and followed Max into a door almost hidden in the brick of the building. Inside was dimly lit, but it was like an apartment, only a really big one. Rooms branched off from the main hallway, and there was a big common room/kitchen. The rest of the gang was gathered around the big table, eating dinner and talking about how good it was to be back in New York. One of the girls glanced over and saw us, she jumped up out of her chair and ran over to hug me. Her short blonde hair swished around her shoulders as she said, "Thank goodness you made it here ok! We were so worried that the police had gotten you!" Max chuckled, "The only thing that caught us was traffic Macy." Macy smiled and laughed, "Of course Max.

            I made a mental note to remember Macy's name, then a sudden puzzling question popped into my mind, "How do you know who is who? I mean, if everyone can shift, then it seems like it would be hard to know." Some of the people looked annoyed at my questions, so I looked up at Max. He smiled gently down at me and said, "Once you get to know everyone well enough, you can tell. You see when you shift you can look and sound like that person, but you still act like yourself. So it's easy." He turned to everyone else, "but until Evelyn gets to know you guys, there will be no prank playing on her ok?" He specifically was glaring at the boys at the table. They grinned sheepishly and nodded in agreement, "Hey, you can share a room with me!" Macy exclaimed and she grabbed my arm. Before I could say anything she had grabbed my arm and was practically dragging me down the hall until she abruptly stopped in front of one of the doors. She pulled it open and presented a surprisingly large room for a New York apartment. There were two twin beds, a dresser and a walk in closet. I dropped my duffle bag and collapsed onto the bed that seemed like it was empty. Macy sat down happily and smiled, "Do you like it here?" she asked, "Well from what I have seen of it so far yes."

"Well that's true, I mean you did live in a tiny town in Ohio, who wouldn't like New York after that?"

"Hey don't insult my home, I loved that place." I exclaimed, she looked shocked and she said, "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt your feelings honestly! I would never do that! Please forgive me!" I smiled, "I'm not mad at you, I just don't like people making fun of where I come from." She smiled, then changed the subject, "So when did you first shift?" I crossed my legs and replied, "A couple days ago when I got the letter from Max." "So you didn't know about it until you heard about it from Max?" She asked, surprise in her voice, "Well who would have told me about it? Certainly not my parents. When did you first shift?" Two years ago, Max found me shortly there after because someone called the police on me. they were afraid that I was a monster. But when you are eight feet tall and blood red in color, who can blame the people who thought I was a monster?" I laughed nervously, then as if on cue Max called, "Macy! Evelyn! You can come out now! We're all waiting for you!"

            I looked at her and shrugged then leapt up. Max was waiting by the door, coat on, "Where are we going?" I asked nervously, "I can't just bring another member into the gang without introducing her to the other gangs! It's a law in our world. You my friend are going to meet all the other gang leaders tonight, don't worry; it's not as scary as it sounds." Max smiled effortlessly while I looked around with a growing anticipation, "So everyone from our gang has to go?" "Of course not, just you, me and Gabriel." I frowned, "Oh yay, this is going to be great, just great." Max laughed again, "Cheer up, we're not that bad." He opened the door and disappeared out of it, "whatever you say." I said quietly, any no one heard.