Monsters

Training part 3 - the prep

I woke up in Rex’s room. We had spent the rest of the Sunday just talking. Not even about anything specific. He made jokes. We laughed. He avoided talking about the book I bought. I turn over to find him by the door staring at me.

“Good morning. How did you sleep?” he asks as he walks towards the bed.

“Very good. Thank you. How about you?” I answer. He sits on the bed and leans in for a kiss. I smile at him and lean in for the best good morning kiss ever.

“Good thank you. You slept a whole seven hours.” He states.

“What?” I ask very surprised. Is it possible that he has the ability to make me calm just be being around me? I wonder. In the past is used to be Amaya that could do that. She was my safe haven. Until I had to move. Have I found a new person that has the something I need to just be myself and to calm the monster inside me?

“Yes. After I got the last snacks from the stash in your room and the movie ended you fell asleep at around one this morning.” He explains rubbing my shoulder to try and keep me calm.

“That means it’s past eight. s**t! I’m late!” I rush to get up and get ready. I am never late. Uncle Tamar and Amir are going to kill me.

“Relax. I already talked with them. And I also already got the speech from them.” he says looking away from me.

I stop in my tracks and look at him. “What speech?” I ask. I notice he is turning red. I can’t help but smile to myself.

“You know the one about us. And things. And me having to take good care of you.” He answers shyly.

“You told them about us?” I ask not sure what to think yet.

“Yes. Your uncle just smiled. Amir was the one to give the big speech. I felt like a small boy. It was so stupid.” He tells me. I can’t help but smile openly now as I walk to him.

“How strange. And here I thought I was dating a man.” I tease him.

He snaps his head in my direction. “Dating?” he asks confused.

“Yes. We are dating are we not?” I ask also not sure anymore by his reaction. Had I jumped to a conclusion without really thinking about it? Did I just rune something that could have been?

“No, we are not. Not yet at least. But I’ll fix that soon.” He says as he kisses my forehead and gives me a hug. “Go get ready. I have some stuff to go do today. I’ll see you later.” He says as he heads down stairs.

I am even more confused.

In my room I get dressed in the norm. Black leggings. Pink t-shirt. Socks. Then I head down stairs.

Amir and Uncle Tamar are at the kitchen table. They have no food on the table but are deep in conversation.

“Good morning dear.” My uncle greets me when he notices me standing in the kitchen door, not wanting to interrupt them.

“Good morning. I am so sorry. About everything. Being late this morning. About Rex and me. Even though I don’t know what we are.” I say trailing off. My mind running in so many directions at once.

“There is no need for that my dear. We left you to sleep because I have noticed that you sleep very little if any at all the last four days. And you need every minute of sleep you can get. This week is going to be very hard on you and all of us for that matter. Go for your run. Run far and run fast. No less than three hours. When you get back eat. Then we talk.” My uncle says with a smile, but in his eyes, I can see the worry. My father went into isolation before he met my mother. And during this time, he taught himself to master all his animals. Alone. Where he could not hurt anyone except the animals he hunted for food.

In my case I will be the first pan-ware to every have the process of each transformation be witnessed and documented.

“Yes sir.” I say and salute him. He just shakes his head and smiles. The worry does not fade.

The run is amazing. Just forgetting everything and everyone. The stress about the next two weeks just melting away.

When I walk into the training hall where Tiala said Uncle Tamar and Amir is, they are in the far corner talking with Rex.

“I’ll take the night watches. It seems to help her sleep when I’m there.” I hear Rex say as I walk closer.

“We will be worked to the bone. This is not going to be easy for any of us. I need everyone to stay calm and keep a level head.” Uncle Tamar says and looks at me. I feel the weight of his worry. The other two notice him looking at me and turn to let me into their mini meeting circle.

“We could get more people from the castle if it would make you feel better uncle.” I say nodding a greeting at the others.

“I also thought about that. But, I don’t trust just anyone around you at this time my dear. We will be fine. Everyone just needs to do their part. And that includes you to.” He answers. “Let’s go to the site.” He states plainly and starts walking to the door.

We walk after him. This would be the first time that I get to see the runes they keep talking about.

When we got to the site I was so surprised. It is a normal two bedroom, one story house. Kitchen. Living room open plan dining room. Bathroom with a bath. Yay me. And here I was thinking it was going to be broken walls and no roof. There are no pictures or paintings on any of the walls. There are extra security bars on all the doors and windows. The only strange thing is they aren’t on the outside like normal ones. They are on the inside…. That kind of scares me. I start getting this strange feeling. My knees feel as if they are shaking, but when I glance down at them, they are fine.

From what I’ve learned about transformations. My mind will not be able to cope with the first transformation. The human brain was never very good at dealing with things that scare the person. That is why one of Uncle Tamar, Rex or Amir has to be with me at all times. Once I start to turn they will communicate with me through our animals to try and keep me as calm as possible. On the first turning the animal instincts are very strong. Like hunting and mating. Uncle Tamar would prefer that all three of them would be there when I start to turn. I really like that plan as well. While we wait for my transformation to begin I get to lay around and play games and read until then. I just hope that I don’t do something to stupid or crazy during my first time.

Uncle Tamar says that once I go through this a few time the other animals will be much easier. But my mind might still not take it well during the transformation. I will have to learn to control the animals inside me. Not like a separate mind but part of me. Piece of cake right.

Uncle Tamar walks us through the house. I will have the one room and whoever is babysitting me will use the other room. And who ever feels like just being around, the couch turns into a double bed as well.

Tiala will come and clean every third day. And she will cook and bring food. So what every food she brings will have to last for three days.

Uncle Tamar turns to me. “Please keep an open mind my dear.” He says looking very stressed and worried. He turns and walks down the hall to a closed door. He takes a key from his jean’s front right pocket and unlocks the door. He then walks in and turns on a light. The sent that fills my nose is so strong I take an unnoticed step back. The smell from that room can be explained in one word. Metal.

“Please Tatania.” I hear my Uncle from inside. Rex takes my left hand and ushers me towards the room. I grip his hand tight and walk in taking him with me. Just the feel of his hand in mine makes my heart rate slow. The room in front of is bare. No furniture. Only a mattress. There is also an open shower.

“If we are lucky and fast enough. I would like it if you could turn in here. The room is sound proof. Like most of the house. Also there are these.” He nods to the far wall. The whole wall is covered large chains. I could fit both my wrists in one shackle. I look up at him. Swallow. And just nod.

I don’t want to be difficult. I don’t want to be the cause of more stress on my uncle.

I feel like I might cry for days. I am so scared. I never thought I have to get tied up. We walked back home in silence and we all went to our rooms to start packing. Rex and I will leave for the site tomorrow morning after my run. Rex followed me to my room. He did not ask questions. He did not push. He helped remove my bag from the shelf. And asked if I want to take a bath. Him and Akemi ran me a bath while I packed. When I was done and went to go shower only then did rex leave me and Akemi alone.

We walk hand in hand to the front door. The house does not have the same feel to it. Yesterday it looked kind off homey, but today, it looks haunting.

“I will be with you most of the time. Please try and relax.” Rex says next to me. He is trying so hard to get me to smile.

Apparently, every ware animal will have to be restrained for the first three to four turns. Its more to protect the people around them then themselves. The person going through the change will kind off black out. And the animal instinct will make the decisions.

“I’ll be fine.” Was all I could answer him. It did put me at ease to have him there with me. The only thing that kept putting me off was the room at the end of the hall.

When I got back from my run, Rex had already taken all our stuff, snacks, movies and food over to the site. So, when I finished my shower, we ate something and started walking to the site.

“I put your bags in your room. Thought you might like to unpack yourself.” He said as we entered the living room. “I’ll go pack away the food and set up the gaming system. Call if you need anything.” He says giving me a kiss on the forehead.

As I head to the bedroom, I smell air freshener. He must have sprayed some when he was here to drop off the bags. He can be so thoughtful.  I put in my earphones and flip to a random playlist. I start unpacking. Soon I’m lost in the moment. The music serves as a wonderful distraction. I am basically done just putting away the last few things when a pair of warm arms wrap around me. His smell fills my noise and wraps me in a cocoon of warmth. I suddenly realized that since yesterday every time we touched; I was so distracted that I could not notice he shaved. I also did not feel the sparks and butterflies in my stomach.

It took me about an hour of just sorting through my stuff with some music to sort myself out again.

I turn in his arms and wrap my arms around his neck. He leans down and nuzzles his noise in my neck. It sends sparks flying. He starts purring softly. I press myself against him, wanting to get even closer to his warmth. He plays with my hair that is still slightly wet from my shower.

“Can I invite you to lunch?” He whispers.

“I can’t leave the site Rex.” I say sadly.

“We aren’t leave. Please.” He says while moving away from my neck to look at me.

“Okay. What have you got up your sleeve?” I ask giving him a big smile. Knowing it would set him at ease as well.

“You smiled.” He says with a sigh of relief.

“Only because of you.” I said shyly.

“So, about lunch?” He asked again.

“That would be very nice. Let me just change into something nicer. What should I wear?” I ask leaning my head on his shoulder.

He started blushing and had no idea what to say. I laughed. He coughed. The next morning, I woke up as his girlfriend. Officially. The afternoon turned into evening, and lunch turned into dinner. It was very romantic, and he was so sweet. We had steak and salad. For dessert we had chocolate covered strawberries. Tiala helped him. Then we watched a very girly romantic movie. And then he walked me to my room. Asked me to be his girlfriend a minute before twelve. And of course, I said yes. He gave me a goodnight kiss and then he went to his room. Such a gentlemen.

The only time that I am aloud to leave the site is when I go for my runs. I asked Rex to run with me. It feels unsafe to be alone. Like my instincts are just waiting to be let out.

I also growled at Rex the other morning when he tried to kiss me goodbye. It was Amir’s turn to babysit.

Rex looked a little hurt, so I sent him a text later and apologized. He came to run with me the next morning. Everything was fine again.

About two and a half weeks have passed and I keep getting more and more moody. The guys try to stay out of my way. I feel so guilty. But they just irritate me so much. I even irritate myself. I don’t sleep at all anymore. Uncle Tamar is very concerned. I was supposed to turn already. Nobody knows what is happening. It feels like they think something went wrong. I’m not even sure what to think anymore.

I walk downstairs and all three of them are there. The moment I round the last corner to the kitchen I get hit by the smell of meat. A low growl escapes my lips. The guys turn to look at me. Uncle Tamar holds up his hands to show me he means no harm. Rex tries to walk to me. As he gets closer to hug me, I jump and hiss at him.

“Rex. Slow. It is time.” I hear Uncle Tamar. I have no idea what he is talking about I just want the meat.

“Amir. Take some of the meat to the room. Rex give her some.” He instructs them. My brain can’t make sense of what he is saying.

Rex slowly leans toward the table, takes hold of a large steak and holds it out to me.

“I won’t hurt you. I’m just giving you the meat.” He says as he slowly walks towards me again. I grab the piece of steak not bothered with him.

I’m so consumed by the taste of the meat the I don’t notice Amir come up behind me. The meat has a strange lingering taste. I toss the piece over my shoulder and walk to the table to get another one. I hear the first piece of meat hit Amir. That sets of my alarms. Why was he there? Where was Rex? What is wrong with the meat? Why is there so much meat? I thought Tiala was supposed to cook still?

I turn to look at Amir to ask him what is going on. The sounds that come out of my mouth aren’t words at all. In my head I am thinking ‘what is going on?’ but what comes out of my mouth is hissing and sounds I never thought I’d make. Amir puts up his hands to set me at ease. Then I hear his answer.

“It is time Tatania. You started turning in your sleep. We noticed last night already but you woke up before we hade everything ready. We drugged you with a sleeping drug we put in the meat. But the thing is, its not working.”

“Will I be okay?” I hiss ask him. He takes two steps closer to me.

“Yes, my princess. I will make sure of it.” He says taking two more steps.

“Please help me Amir. I’m scared.” I hiss feeling the hot tears on my cheeks. He takes the last few steps so that he is standing right next to me.

“Give me your hand.” He says holding out his left hand for me to take. “We will all be there the whole time. And after you wake up, I’ll take you hunting when its safe. How does the sound?” He says with a smile. I just nod at him.

I take his hand. The moment that our skin touches he starts to show me his snake. The lower half of his arms that are not covered by his shirt’s sleeves start to turn into snake scales. His eyes turn. The moment I see him like this I start to feel a little better.

“Close your eyes. Breath. Deep and slow.” He instructs me.

I hiss at him, not wanting to take orders.

He pulls me to him so fast I never saw it coming. “Do it.” He commands. The amount of authority in his voice leaves me no choice.

I slow my breathing which I notice for the first time is very rugged and fast. Then I close my eyes.

He picks me up and starts walking to the room. The moment the smell of meat leaves me it gets replaced by the stench of metal. My heart starts to race. Amir stops the moment he noticed me tensing. “Dad! Bring me a piece of meat fast.” He yells over to his father.

Before I could open my eyes, Uncle Tamar has a piece of un drugged meat under my noise. I take the meat in my left hand and starts to eat it. The smell from the room fades a little.

“More.” I hiss. Not sure if he understands. But Amir translates for me.

I hear Uncle Tamar move and we start walking again.

Amir puts me down on the mattress. And I can hear chains move. For a moment I consider running, but where do I go? What do I do?

The mattress moves and I open my eyes. Rex is sitting next to me, holding out another piece of meat. I take it happily. The moment I bit into it I feel the need to protect my food. And Rex is the enemy.

Uncle Tamar just barley gets the door closed. I tried to run. The guys need all their strength to get me in the restraints. I hiss and pull at my restraints. The whole room is in chaos. The meat they brought in was put in the freezer that was specially ordered for this room. The mattress was moved to the far-left corner. I was chained to the wall, standing.

“Amir you work with her. The sooner she changes the better. I’m already concerned about her starting to turn this late.” Uncle Tamar says to him. Amir nods and walks over to me.

“Rex go get her a dress please. I hope she packed one.” Amir tells Rex. And he runs off. Uncle Tamar closes the door right behind him.

Goodbye sunlight.

Just as I finished that thought all other thought got swept out of my mind.

Amir had his hands on each side of my face. His sent and heat radiated from his hands and felt like they were burning my mind.

“Let me in, or it will burn.” He hissed at me.

I took a breath and opened myself to him. And the burning stop immediately. Then out of the blue I hear a lullaby.

Hi everyone

I am so sorry for the long wait.

but at long last here is chapter six

Please enjoy.

Princess kisses.