What is she?

Chapter 5 Meeting Pandi

I’m standing at a stream in the forest, in the middle of the night looking at what is supposed to be my reflection but it’s a wolf looking back at me. A huge white wolf whose fur almost glitters in the moonlight. The gold eyes of the wolf stare at me in confusion. I’m still dreaming that’s the only explanation, no way is it possible to have wandered into the forest and transformed into a wolf. How do I wake myself up from this dream? I was sure the pain I had felt earlier was real and had woken me from a dream. However the only explanation my mind could put together was I was still dreaming or I had completely lost my mind.

“It’s not a dream and you aren’t crazy.” Said a voice I had heard my first night on campus. The night something had chased me from the beach back to my dorm. I knew that voice had saved my life that night.

“Hello Eliza, I’m Pandi, your wolf counterpart. I know you're confused but please calm down so I can explain what I know.” As the voice spoke in my mind a calm washed over me. Taking a deep breath I sat down next to the stream. If this was a dream I would eventually wake up but if it wasn’t then maybe this Pandi could help me find a way to return to the human girl I was suppose to be.

“This really isn’t a dream?” I asked.

“No Eliza, it’s not a dream. You and I are both real. How you see yourself right now is my true form.” Pandi explained as if being a wolf was nothing to be concerned about.

“If this is your true form, what happened to my body? Will I stay like this forever?” Laughter erupted in my mind at my question. Slowly Pandi gathered her composure and said

“I’m sorry for laughing Eliza, but having you ask what happened to your body just got the best of me.” Personally I didn’t see how that was funny. I am suppose to start my college classes in a few day’s. I can’t attend classes as a wolf and not to mention how would my parents react if they saw me now.

“Our adopted parents are the reason I couldn’t allow us to celebrate our 18th birthday at home.” Pandi said with concern. So, this is why I had a horrible feeling about my birthday because I was going to change into a wolf.

“Eliza, you don’t have to stay in my form. You can return to your human form whenever you want to.” Her statement shocked me. I can return to my human form whenever I want? Then why am I still looking at a wolf in reflection of myself in the stream?

“We are two parts of the same being Eliza. You can use my wolf form whenever you want or need to, just like I can use your human form if I need to.” Pandi explained as if it was an everyday occurrence to change into a wolf.

“The only reason you don’t think it’s normal is because we weren’t raised in a pack. We were adopted by humans but we are a werewolf. I have been with you since birth just unable to emerge until we reached maturity. Now that we are 18 we can easily communicate and share each other’s forms.”

So much for the slightly odd ordinary girl I had thought I was. What Pandi was saying meant I was an extremely odd girl that could change into a wolf.

“We aren’t odd Eliza, we are special. You’re just new to the idea right now.” Pandi said. Huffing, I stood on four feet.

“I’m not sure this is something I can get use to. How do I change back into myself?” I asked.

“I can help you with that but first can we go for a run through the forest?” Pandi asked with excitement causing our tail to wag. Looking back at this new part of my body, I rolled my eyes. Yeah, so easy to get use to.

“Fine, we can run BUT then we have to figure out how to change back to human.” I said.

“Deal!” Pandi replied excitedly. Next thing I know I am pushed towards the back of my mind and no longer in control of my body. Taking off like a shot, Pandi raced through the forest at a speed that felt impossible. While I wasn’t in control I could still see and feel everything. Zigzagging to avoid colliding with trees and jumping over fallen ones, Pandi ran simply for the fun of it. Her excitement flooded through me and I found myself as thrilled about running through the forest as she was.

“It’s amazing isn’t it?” Pandi giggled. I couldn’t disagree with her, it was amazing. Breaking through the tree line we skidded to a stop on the beach. Pandi threw back her head and let out a long excited howl to the full moon. Then just like before, she took off like a shot back into the forest.

We had been running for hours. Simply enjoying the abilities of her wolf form. Pandi finally slowed and said

“We should be getting back. The sun will rise soon.” Looking ahead of us I could see the tree line opening up to the road.

“We can’t go back in your form. What if someone sees us.” I said concerned.

“Relax, we aren’t. All you need to do is think of your form and push my form to the back of your mind.” Pandi explained.

I did as she said and next thing I knew I felt my bones realigning. Looking down at myself I was back on two legs and fully clothed.

“That was easier then I had expected and way less painful.” I told Pandi.

“The first shift is always painful as our body was accustomed to being in human form and I hadn’t broken the barrier between us to help ease the pain. The next time won’t be painful.” Pandi reassured me.

“Good to know. Is that the road that takes us back to our dorm?” I asked slowly, starting to walk towards it.

“Yes, this is the trail that leads to the beach.” Pandi responded. Happy with her answer, I walked back to our dorm and went straight to bed completely exhausted.