Chapter 1: The Change
I didn't want to ask for help. Mum was already upset about something she'd heard down the street. But my fear was raw, palpable, leaving me breathless and shaky. I didn't know what was going on or why pain spread through my body.
With my arms wrapped around my middle, sweat covering my body, and stabbing pains shooting through me, I staggered into the kitchen. The scent of bacon filled the room and my stomach growled in response when I inhaled the familiar greasy scent.
How was I hungry when I was hurting so much?
Am I dying?
Tears fell unbidden, dampening my cheeks. I quickly wiped them away.
"Mum." I coughed. She stood at the stove, her back to me.
She turned, tongs in her hand, and screamed.
I covered my ears; still, her scream drilled into my head, hurting me even more.
"Mum," I yelled. Even my own voice hit me like a sledgehammer to the brain.
Her screaming stopped. Wide-eyed before me, she gaped. "Leila? Your body..."
"Help me. It hurts." I collapsed to the ground on my hands and knees. "Please."
"No. No... Look at you - you're wrong." She sobbed, her hand covering her mouth in horror.
Another fierce wave of pain rushed through me. Crumpling to my stomach, I moaned. Slowly, I shifted my head sideways on the cool vinyl floor. I watched through watery eyes the skin on my arm and hand shimmer and shake, as it... changed.
What is happening to me?
Mum inhaled deeply, her voice low and calm, devoid of emotion. "You've always been different. I - You're not my daughter. No. I can't... You're bad. This... it proves it."
Icy terror rippled through me, cutting through my pain when I watched her own transformation - sad haunted eyes turned cold and hard.
From out of the corner of my eyes, as I lay helpless on the floor, she stood above me with the hot pan in her hand.
Dad yelled from somewhere for my mum to stop, his footfalls fast approaching. But it was too late.
The pan collided with my head.
I woke with Dad sitting on my bed next to me, patting my head, and all I could think was, Isn't that appropriate now?
I knew what I'd become, even before I'd passed - no, before I was knocked out.
Should I be in shock?
Should I be scared?
I wasn't.
I'd always suspected something was missing, that I wasn't quite whole, because I wouldn't have had the "eye problem" without a good reason. Finally, I knew and it left me... feeling complete.
"I'm sure you can understand me while you're like this," Dad said as he bent to rub his face against my cheek. "I want you to know I love you with all my heart, no matter which way you are. You'll always be my daughter, and one day I will come back for you. I-I need to take your mum away for a while. She can't cope right now, but she does love you, Leila." He paused and sighed. He knew I wouldn't believe what he'd just said. My mum had never loved me. Dad cleared this throat and added, "Don't worry, okay? Your Uncle Jack will be here for you. I'm so sorry I have to leave this way. It's for the best though... For your safety."
Wait, he's leaving? I struggled to sit up only I had no control over my new form.
"No. Don't move, sweetheart. One day, all of this will make sense, I promise, but now isn't the time. Your uncle doesn't know about this." He gestured to my whole body with his hand. "I'm leaving it up to you to tell him, if you want. He won't be by until tomorrow. You'll need to hunt soon, so I've left the back door open for you. When you can, go into the woods. Your instincts will take over."
He scrubbed at his face with one hand. "God, I wish I didn't have to leave. I understand you'll be upset, but... I have to do this." He nodded to himself. "Uncle Jack will keep you safe. I know you're strong, in mind and body, especially for a thirteen-year-old, and that you think you can take care of yourself. Still, I hope you'll let Jack help you. I do love you, sweetheart."
He gave my nose a peck, stood, and walked out of my room... out of my life.
Five Years Later
I was naive when I thought my first year at college would be different to what high school dealt me. It seemed people weren't willing to grow up when it came to me. Every day, taunts were thrown my way. I suppose what didn't help was the college was a small one, the only one in our tiny country town, and right next door to our old high school. It even effing resembled our old school; the classrooms were nothing like I'd seen in movies or brochures. They were set up as if we were still fifteen. What also didn't help was that it had so many of the same students who pissed me off in high school, who, of course, continued to piss me off still.
I needed to get through the three years of my computer science course, with a minor in history, and then I'd be out of there. My plan was to work in data analysis, either online or in a small business where I wouldn't have to see many people.
For the time being, however, I had to endure it and more specifically, history. Foolishly, I'd picked the subject for an easy ride. It was actually a subject I liked, but not so much anymore. If it wasn't for the dipshit up the front teaching it, I may have looked forward to the lectures.
Jesus Christ. I banged my head against the table and silently screamed. Dr Geffen, the history professor, had just said that World War II started back in the 1600s. I was convinced he'd downloaded a fake PhD from the internet just to use the title. No one corrected him, and I was sick of doing it. Plus, I was sure he was sick of sending me out of the classroom for disrupting it. Sometimes though, I thought he looked forward to yelling at me in some way. Therefore, I stayed quiet. I'd review what I actually needed to learn at home.
At the start, I'd been surprised no one failed history, until I discovered he gave the test answers away for "special favours." I preferred not to imagine what.
"Can this go any slower?" I mumbled into the desk.
When the lecturer raised his voice higher than normal, signaling the end of the session, I quickly opened my eyes and jumped in my seat, fright filling my body. My hand covered my fast-beating heart. Great, I fell asleep in class. However, that part didn't bother me. It was the fact my head had been turned sideways and my eyes landed on Isaac Grey, who was a few tables over, and great, just my luck of course, I'd been drooling. I quickly wiped away the saliva and glanced to see that... hell, he'd been watching me.
Good God, had I snored?
Isaac was my most recent crush. Hell, my only crush. Though, I wasn't sure if they were honest feelings. It was more that he intrigued me. He'd actually caught a lot of attention from the opposite sex with his charcoal-coloured hair that hid his tantalizing green eyes. He wasn't a 'big jock' body type, more lean and tall with an always-tanned look to him.
He moved to our town about three weeks earlier. Arrived at the college and chose not to sit with or speak to anyone. Isaac liked to stalk around campus with his big, brooding attitude.
My type of guy.
Another reason he was my type of guy was... okay, as corny as it was, I felt a connection to him. As if, when he first walked into class, something inside of me reached out to him and grabbed hold.
Forget, it. You sound ridiculous. Leave it at the fact he's smokin' hot.
Many of our fellow students tried to talk to him; they all wanted to be the one to gain his attention and receive a word in return. Still, he never disappointed me in his responses to their attempts, which consisted of head nods or shakes, and my favourite one was when he walked away from them.
Me? I hadn't bothered trying to get his attention. Even when my body seemed to crave it. Stupid body. I kept to my side of the room and he kept to his, while I tried to ignore his wonderful, intoxicating scent, an aroma I was yet to figure out. Still, it stood out above the rest, even more than the others my nose didn't recognise. There were a few.
"What?" I grumbled at Isaac and quickly averted my gaze.
Okay, as first words went with such a hot dude, I could have done a little better. Then again, maybe not, especially after the drool issue.
Out the corner of my eye, I saw Isaac shake his head, rise from his seat, and walk out of the empty classroom.
Gathering up my things, I headed to the gym for the compulsory P.E. session. Normal colleges didn't subject their students to a physical education class. However, mine did, damn it. The dean thought it a brilliant idea to have us jump around like idiots to get our blood pumping so we'd stay awake for any afternoon sessions we may have. It was built into our enrolment contract. Apparently, I forgot to read the small print when I signed up and my uncle handed over the fees.
I loathed it with a passion.
College sucked just as much as high school did.
Three years, Leila. Three fucked-up years and I'll be able to leave these idiots behind me.
When I arrived, I went straight up to Coach Bacon. Not a student lived to see the next day if they even thought of ridiculing her for her last name. I didn't even know if she was a real coach, but she insisted we call her it.
"Coach B., I can't do gym today." I smiled while holding my stomach.
Her dark blue eyes met mine before I looked to the ground. She was one of the people who didn't flinch away from my stare. As staff went, she wasn't too bad.
She placed her hand on her slim hip. "Let me guess. Is it because you have a headache? Or could it be you feel too sick? Or wait, my personal favourite, you hurt yourself on the way here? You do know that one day you're going to have to participate in physical education, Leila."
"And I look forward to that day. But I can't today because I have cramps. Really, really bad cramps. You know, that time of the month cramps."
She quickly wiped at her smile with the back of her hand before she tucked her short blonde hair behind her ear. "I know it's no use arguing the importance of P.E. with you, Leila." She glanced down at her clipboard and muttered, "Go and sit down somewhere."
I began to walk off until I heard her speak, "Now what can I do for you, Isaac? No wait, let me guess. You have cramps as well."
Dear God, how long had he been behind me? Please, please, please tell me he didn't hear what I'd just said.
Isaac didn't respond; instead, Coach Bacon growled out her frustration and said, "Fine. Go and find a seat to the side." She turned her attention to the waiting students. "All right, everyone. Get into teams for dodge ball."
Humming my way over to the far right side of the gym, I sat down on the cold floor and crossed my legs. Hopefully, I was far enough away from all the flying dodge balls. Movement beside me let me know someone was there. I glanced to find Isaac had followed me and proceeded to sit down beside me.