16 September 2012
"Welcome to South Today News at ten. Today's top story: There have been numerous reports of kidnaps, murders and assaults in the south. All the victims were shape shifters and police believe that these crimes are connected. Today, they have launched a full inquiry into the crimes and two men have been arrested on suspicion of murder. Later in the programme we follow the story of..." I turn the TV off and sigh, looking over at my alarm clock. 10:04. I should be getting ready. Walking over to my wardrobe, being careful not to make too much noise and wake Emris, I pull out a old woollen cardigan and slip it on, along with a old pair of leather ankle boots. Dusky comes in through the open door and wraps himself around my legs, purring softly. Now is not the time to be begging for food. I let out a growl and he scurries off. My phone beeps gently, a text from Celyn flashing on it's tiny screen. 'Where are you? Hurry up! Cx' I sigh, pick up the phone, and bound down the narrow staircase, and out of the stage door. The cold night air floods my lungs, lifting me out of the sorrowful, groggy state I've been in ever since I saw the news footage. Tonight's going to be good.
There's always been a black market for us. We are traded for money, kept in dark cages and our powers are used for evil. But now, there are murders. Murders. I shudder, then continue down the muddy track into the forest, preparing myself. I've been to so many meetings before, but... I'm not really willing to talk about mass-murderers. My train of thought comes to an abrupt halt as Celyn rushes over to greet me. "Arwen! You made it! Excited?" "Yeah." I mumble, taking her outstretched hand and following her into the clearing. "Hey guys! Arwen's here!" Celyn's voice is met with a chorus of whoops and cheers. I look around the clearing. Most of our group are still in their human form, but some have already transformed, a small crowd of cats, ravens, wolves, horses, everything, is clustered round the fire. I recognise the silver tabby as Rhys, one of the actors from Hamlet. And there's no guessing who the corgi is. I take my seat round the bonfire, between Celyn and Florence. My mind drifts slightly as Lucas explains something about secrecy issues. Thank god Charlie's not one of us. I can't look at him in the eye anymore, not after yesterday. He's obviously taking an interest again, and to be honest, I wish he hadn't. I don't like him, but unfortunately, he can't seem to take a hint. I sigh, tuning back into the meeting. "And so, now that we know that, and everybody's aware, I guess I can let you go. Have fun!" Lucas concludes his speech and transforms, a graceful stag taking his place. He runs off, closely followed by some other deer, to join the herd that's kept on the other side of the forest. I stand up, shrugging off my Cardigan and hanging it on a tree branch. Celyn does the same, and we walk into the forest with Emlyn, Rhys, Florence and Katherine. As we walk, I will myself into wolf form, the transformation smooth and painless, not like at the theatre. I turn around to face two wolves- Celyn and Katherine, a corgi-Emlyn, a silver tabby- Rhys, and a rust coloured hare- Florence. I bark, bounding off into the trees. The wolf inside of me howls in excitement, and I join in too, followed by Celyn and Katherine, until eventually the whole forest is alive with howls, whinnies, barks, meows and screeches. I smile, adrenaline rushing as I run through the forest, darting around trees and leaping streams. This is what I am meant to do. This who I am. This is me. The gentle noises of the forest are interrupted by a scream. I stop dead, ears twitching like crazy. Who was that? The others catch up and join me, utterly terrified. Suddenly, Rhys whips around, staring in the direction of the noise. Footsteps. I whimper, the footsteps drawing closer with every breath I take. A shout echoes throughout the woods, a deep voice that chills me to the bone. "We know who you are, Arwen. And we will find you." Terrified, I do the first thing that comes to mind.
Run.
Midnight Part 6 • Opuss № I