The Power Within

Chapter Two

The morning came too quickly for my liking. I was up late last night mapping out the route I would take today, from my apartment, here in Chicago, all the way to Copper Harbor, Michigan. The drive alone was going to take about eight hours. I knew I would need to stop a few times though, for bathroom breaks and meals, so I was estimating about a ten-hour drive. I needed to get on the road soon. I glanced at my alarm clock next to my bed; the red numbers glared back at me. 

"Ugh," I groaned. "Six o'clock in the freaking morning." I muttered. I rubbed my eyes, and sat up. I turned on my phone, set it next to my alarm clock, and got out of bed. My long, wavy hair was a mess. I needed a shower. I walked to the bathroom and flipped the light switch. My tiny apartment had a tiny bathroom. I remember the realtor using the word 'cozy' to describe it. I just use the word 'tiny' to describe it. This little apartment is enough for me though. I dump my old shirt and pajama shorts on the floor, and step into the corner shower. My long hair is a pain to wash and condition. Maybe I should just chop it all off. I think to myself. 

    After washing my hair, I used my homemade body wash to clean off my body. The homemade body wash is a special body wash that has many different herbs to help cover up my unique shifter smell. My friend, Chrissy, the witch who is loyal to my old shifter pack, makes it for me. When I am done lathering the body wash all over my athletic frame, I start to shave my legs. The bad thing about this tiny shower is it can become difficult to balance and shave your legs at the same time. However, after four years living in this apartment, I have become a master at balancing and shaving at the same time. I get everything clean and shaved, and turn the water off.

    I grab my towel and dry off quickly. I stand in front of my sink and look at my face in the small mirror that doubles as a medicine cabinet above my sink. My silver eyes stare back at me. I need to remember to pack my contact stuff. I wear blue-colored contact lenses to keep my unique, silver eyes hidden. I get closer to the mirror to check the roots of my hair. I will have to dye my hair again soon. This month I have chosen a dark brown hair color. My natural hair color matches my silver eyes. I have been hiding myself ever since I shifted for the first time at the age of ten. 

    I remember that day like it was yesterday.

    "Daddy, can I go for a walk and feed the birds?" I asked him softly, since Mommy was still sleeping. 

    "Yes, Kiley-Ann, just don't walk too far away, and don't stay out too long, Mommy will be awake in a little bit, and she will want to take you shopping to get some more school supplies." Daddy replied, while putting his coffee cup in the sink. 

    I grabbed the bird seed, put my bright purple jacket on, slipped on my tennis shoes and headed outside. I loved our new house. We moved here just seven days ago. It was a small house, but I don't care about the size. I had my own room, which was right next to Mommy's and Daddy's room. The best part about the small house was it sat right in the middle of the woods. I loved the woods. With all of the different trees, and the small creek right next to our house, I was able to feed the birds and all the other animals who lived in woods. Animals have loved me ever since I can remember, and I loved them back. 

    I sat down to next my favorite tree. Daddy told me it was a great oak tree. I named him Sky, because the tree is so big and tall, he reaches all the way to the sky. I sat there quietly for a while, just leaning against Sky. His bark was hard against my back, but it does not bother me. I started throwing the bird seed onto the ground. I make a game of how hard I can throw it. The birds start flying and landing to eat the breakfast I had brought them. Soft giggles start to leave my mouth. I try to keep quiet, though, so I don't startle the birds.

     I wonder what it's like to be a bird? I ask myself. I close my eyes and start to imagine what it would be like to fly way up high and look at everything down below. I pretend I could feel the wind on my face and  blow through my soft feathers. I open my eyes when I feel a funny tingle in my belly. I look down at my belly and rub it. The tingle starts to go everywhere, on my legs and my arms. It doesn't really hurt me, so I don't cry for Daddy. It just feels funny. Before I can stand up to go back to the house to ask Daddy about the tingly feeling, I suddenly realize everything looks different. I look around, everything looks bigger, and all the colors look funny. The sky is no longer blue, more like a white, yellowish color. I look down at the grass, and see my legs. 

"Ah!" I screamed. Or I tried to scream, all the came out of my mouth was a weird chirping sound. My legs are no longer my legs, they are bird legs. I look at my arms. They are not my arms, they are feathers!  I flapped my arms, or my wings, around and started to scream. Except, all I heard was more chirping. 

I'm a bird? How am I a bird? I have to get Mommy and Daddy. 

    The shrill sound of my phone ringing jolts me back to the present.