De Facto Leader

    She did not know when exactly it started. She first noticed the pain in her head. A dull pain, but enough to draw her attention from the professor who continued on about some cognitive bias. She was no longer hearing the words he said. She had become uncomfortable. Shifting in her seat, she felt her face flush and her hands becoming clammy. A wave of heat hit her, causing her head to spin.      She could no longer stay here. Shaking her head in an attempt to clear the dizziness that suddenly overcame her, she began to silently pack her things away into her bag. Careful not to cause too much of a distraction, she slid past those seated next to her and hurried to exit the lecture hall.     The girl collapsed to the floor, head in her hands. She sent a silent thanks that the washroom had been empty. What was going on? She felt the edges of her consciousness being pulled. The pull was all too familiar, but this time it was different. It was too intense, too insistent. That silent being that stalked the shadows of her mind was fighting to come to the forefront, to take the light.      She pulled herself up and desperately clung to the sink. Staring at her own reflection she willed herself to be strong. As that proved to have no effect she headed for the door and staggered down the hall to the doors of the building.      Other students carried on about their days. Headed off to class, studying in the courtyard, or gathered in clusters enjoying each others' company. None of them noticed as the girl hastily made her way across the busy campus to the parking lot. Nor the now obvious discomfort that she was experiencing.     She collapsed against her car, her chest rising and falling rapidly as her head pounded with the effort she put forth to stay in control. An effort that was to be in vain for her silent companion was winning its struggle. She knew it was too late, too late to try and leave in her car. Her beast was coming now. It would do her no good to be stuck inside a vehicle when it happened. A low rumble began deep within her chest as the world swam in front of her. As the rumble broke and a snarling growl ripped from her, she bolted into the forest that lined the back of the lot.      Stumbling over fallen trees and other such debris, she pushed herself forward trying to put as much distance between herself and the campus as she could. Catching her foot on a rock, she fell hard onto the ground where she lay withering in the dirt and leaves. She rolled onto her back observing that above her was a beak in the canopy. Tears rolled down her cheeks streaking the dirt on her face. Cold panic spread through her. She watched as above the moon began to slide in front of the sun, the sky turning dark. It was too late. She slipped away as she lost her hold on the world. With their attention to the sky, no one heard the mournful howl coming from the woods.