Accidental Shifter

Music blared out of Jenna's I- pod. The earphones drowned out any other noise. She crossed the road and turned into an industrial estate. A part of town that was home to factories and warehouses, at that time of night it was void of any life. In the darkness, the grey tin buildings gave off an eerie feeling, barley illuminated by the random streetlights. But Jenna was unaffected. She was still on a high from her night out and hummed along with the tunes she was playing.

If her mother or father knew that she was still out at that hour, then she would be grounded until she left for college. That would be a long time as she had only just turned sweet sixteen.

However, it was date night, and she knew that her parents were at the movies and her sister was out with her so called new boyfriend. It had just gone past eleven P.M. She had an hour to get home before anyone was expected back.

She had plenty of time.

The party she had just exited was exactly what her best friend Donna said it would be. Amazing. The music was so loud it had made Jenna's skin tingle. Plus, she was pretty sure that the school's new hunk Josh was hitting on her. He was new to town. Why anyone would wish to move to Dem'Say Woods was beyond Jenna. She dreamed of getting out of the small town. It had a measly population of six thousand people and was located in the middle of nowhere. The next town was over twenty-five miles away. Everyone knew everyone else's business and gossiping was more of a hobby than sports.

Dem'Say Woods was surrounded by a large forest which made the town feel lost to the rest of the world.

However, she couldn't deny that Josh had made her heart flutter. He was one of them guys that drew people to him, but there was something about him. Jenna wasn't sure what. There was wisdom to his eyes. His smile had made her weak at the knees.

An invisible hand clasped over her mouth. A hypodermic of adrenaline pierced her heart, unloading in an instant. Her ribs heaved as if bound by ropes, straining to inflate her lungs. Jenna's head felt like a carousel of fears spinning out of control, each one pushing her mind into blackness. She tried to focus and survey her surroundings. The streets were deserted. She was alone with her unknown attacker.

Panic fueled her adrenaline which ran through her system. It is fight or die; her mind screamed at her.

Thrusting her head back and digging the heel of her boot into her attacker, Jenna wiggled free while a loud gasp and curse came from behind her. It was a sound only a man could make. Deep and hallow.

She was pulled backwards by her long red hair and dropped her I-pod in the process. Struggling, she pulled forward which sent an acute pain searing through her skull and her eyes momentarily flashed with lights as dizziness made her stagger forward.

Wasting no time, Jenna set off into a sprint, her head burned, and her heart raced. Don't look, don't look. She chanted to herself. The fear of not being able to outrun whoever it was began eating away at her already somersaulting stomach.

She looked behind her. A man, or what she thought looked like a man, wearing black clothes with a hood concealing his face was closing in.

He was tall with long legs which enabled him to cover more ground quicker. Bang. Jenna had run into a streetlight and fell to the ground with a thump. Scrambling to her feet she ran with every ounce of strength she had, pumping her body like she had never before.

Her heartbeat picked up its tempo and drummed hard against her chest.

The lab where Jenna's Dad worked came into sight and she picked up speed, rounding the corner and skidding to a stop on the tarmac. She had only just seen a small gap in the iron fence.

She dashed through the gap catching her jumper on a jagged piece of metal.

The man came around the corner. She knew the instant he spotted her, as he moved faster. With one hard yank Jenna's jumper ripped, freeing her from the tangled mess she had found herself in. The main door was locked. Why wouldn't it be it at this time? She pulled on the handle a second time, with no luck. In a panic she ran around the building until she noticed a pile of rocks stacked up on the ground.

Picking up a rock, she smashed the window. The glass shattered and littered the floor, reflecting the full moons light.

It was ironic really. Her grandmother had told her often, all bad things happen on a full moon. The moon gives power to those that hold darkness in their hearts, allowing the evil within them to shine through.

Big shards perturbed from the window ledge and Jenna repeatedly hit them with another rock making a gap big enough for her to climb through. The noise would have defiantly alerted her attacker, so she moved quickly. Squeezing herself through the window. The glass sliced her leg, and the pain rendered her breathless as it assaulted her skin. There was no time to assess any injures. She moved further into the building and was swallowed by the darkness. Running her hands along the wall, she let her sense of touch guide her. "Remember child, you have more than one sense. Learn to use, touch, and smell one day they may come in handy. You never know what the future holds." Her grandmother's soft voice echoed inside her mind. Her once cryptic and strange words had now become her savior in her time of need.

Cold metal let her know she had reached a door, the smooth surface against her palm shot a bolt of triumph through her.

She twisted the handle slowly and gently pushed the door open, which let out a high-pitched groan, she entered, turning the lock on the inside.

Leaning against the locked door she took in deep breaths. The glass in the door was cool against her cheek. The glass, she had to move away. In the darkness, Jenna took slow steps, moving out of sight from the glass panel. Even though it was dark she didn't want to take any chances.

Heavy footsteps drew closer. She froze.

The handle on the door rattled and made her jump backwards, knocking over some jars that crashed to the floor. Liquid soaked her clothes and seeped into her skin. Searing hot pains ran down her body and she clenched her jaw together, to stop herself from crying out. Her breathe came in small gasps and the pain intensified.

Jenna's legs began to feel weak, and she started to wobble slightly.

Sinking to the ground she grabbed a container. The only thing she could reach.

It wasn't the best weapon, but it would have to do. Her head spun. The torture her body was going through was too much. Jenna could feel herself sinking into the darkness. Numbness began to take the place of pain.

A bang rocketed through the door and Jenna heard the wood splintering. The sound brought life back to her fading mind. It won't be long now. The thought brought on a new wave of fear as the door finally gave way and crashed open.

A shadow moved slowly. It stopped then turned in her direction. A slime line of light from the moon lit up the broken glass and she watched as the shadow inched closer, trying to keep her breathes even. Jenna's heart was beating loud. It echoed in her ears, and she was afraid that he could hear it too.

He was just a few feet away.

A few more steps and he would stand on her.

There would be no escape. Jenna watched and waited.

As soon as he lifted his foot, she latched onto his ankle and pulled with the little strength she had left. He must have not seen it coming as he stumbled and fell. She rolled to the side and only just missed his body landing on hers. Thrusting the container in his face, Jenna jumped up. He let out a feral scream, one that didn't sound human but more animal. The shadow of the man thrashed around, grunting, and screaming before he became still. The sound of her breathing became louder as she backed to the door. Almost panting.

***

The heavy drum of a heartbeat woke him up. It was strong and fast. His limbs were as stiff and cold as a corpse.

He picked up the sweet smell of its owner and licked his dry cracked lips. Smell had become his primary sense even that was dwindling day by day. The hunger had been burning his throat for too long. He needed food. Fresh food, he licked his lips again and then bit down drawing his own blood. His desire brought excitement to his stomach that danced with anticipation.

The animal inside him began to stir. He wouldn't normally take an innocent life. But he needed to save his family and sacrifices had to be made. His throat burned and his stomach rumbled.

Jax tugged on the metal binds and chains. His body was weak from starvation, and beatings.

No matter what they did to him, he would fight. He would be strong.

He wasn't quite sure what these people wanted from him.

The questions they asked were strange.

They wanted to know about him. If they were others? What made them what they were? He didn't have the answers. They had pulled his fangs from his mouth and took blood after blood. Why they filled container after container of his blood. He didn't know.

He felt his new fangs grow. They pierced his gums and he let out a loud grunt. Jax's nails lengthened, and his claws became visible.

He used them to claw at the chains and stone walls.

The animal in him was close to the surface. Then he smelt it. A foul smell. The smell of a rotten soul. Humans they all had different smells.

The ones who were pure evil, smelt like rotten flesh. These days most humans smelt like gone off meat. Children and babies.

They were the ones that caused his mouth to water. It was sick and he knew it, yet it was a part of him. The animal inside him had made him who he was. It was all he had ever known.

A loud bang rocketed above him, and he tugged harder. He had to get out. He could smell fear. It was strong and sending his senses into overdrive. He wanted the chase. The kill. Jax could almost taste the blood trickling down his throat. His new canines tingled at the thought of tearing fresh flesh from the bone.

He looked around his prison. There was nothing he could use to help him. The chains were strong. He had no chance of breaking them. He was trapped, nothing but a prisoner left to rot in a cold damp cell.

***

Check to see if he is still breathing. Jenna ignored the thought. It would be suicide. Without looking back, she staggered through the door. All the while she was in an internal war with herself. Her heart wanted to check on the man, her head told her to run. Ignoring her heart, she continued searching for the broken window. When she finally found it after a tour of the building she crawled back out. Her body was shaken and exhausted.

Somehow, she had made it home. Her mind had gone blank. She didn't remember walking the streets. The last thing she did remember was climbing out of the window.

She stood staring at the front door. All the lights were off, and the driveway was empty.

Her parents and sister's car were still gone. She checked her phone and saw it had just gone past midnight. Where was everyone?

Digging in her back pocket she was surprised to find her keys. She thought she would have lost them for sure. With shaky hands she unlocked the door and stepped into the hallway, flicking the light on.

Silence greeted her. For the first time, she wished her family was home. That her sister was on the phone talking about nonsense with one of her girlfriends and her dad was watching a match while her mum pottered around in the kitchen. Instead, she was alone.

Jenna locked the front door and jumped as the phone began to screech. With slow steps and her heart racing she moved towards the sound. "Hello," she said in a voice just above a whisper.

"Jenna. The hands of fate have sealed your path. Destiny will guide your way,"

"Grandma Rose I am really tired, I will tell dad you called," without giving her chance to say anything more she hung up, checked the door was locked and ran up the stairs and into the bathroom. Once the door was closed, she slid down and held her head in her knees. She had no tears. Her body ached and her heart still danced with the terror of the night. Her adrenaline was just starting to wear off and she realized how much danger she was actually in.

To top the night off her gran had phoned with words that sent the fear escalating to an all-new level. The woman was crazy that much Jenna knew. Yet somehow her words still tormented her mind.

She was in a mental hospital in Scotland. How did she get hold of a phone?

Rose Jenson believed in the paranormal. She was as mad as a hatter.

Standing up she took a glance in the full-length mirror and was horrified. Her red hair was covered in green goo and her arms had deep scratches down them. Her forehead was sporting large lump and Jenna's clothes were ruined. Her jumper was ripped, and her jeans had holes in them. But what shocked her most were her blue eyes. They seemed to hold a glow. They were bright and a vivid blue like a tropical ocean, instead of their usual grey/blue like a winter's storm.

Perhaps that is what fear does to a person.

Peeling her clothes from her body she tossed them to one side. If her mum saw them, she would have a fit. Jenna looked at the sorry mess and made a note to toss them in the trash.

It was a shame as she had picked those clothes for the party as they were her finest.

Jenna switched the shower on and watched as the room filled up with steam. The pitter patter of the water hitting the base severed as the company she desperately needed in that moment.

Noise that is what she wanted, just to hear something other than the man's screams and groans that was on replay in her mind.

As she opened the shower door and took a step, she saw the cuts on her legs masked by the dried blood.

Sighing she stepped into the heat of the water and scrubbed at her body like it would erase the night from her mind.

***

"Jenna!" Jenna jumped up with a start. She was tangled in the sheets and crashed to the floor.

Her heart was in a state of panic, she let out a loud and painful scream. Jenna's bedroom door flung open. She was still fighting with her bedding when her dad crouched down to assist her.

Jenna was stuck in her nightmare.

The man was attacking her, but this time he had a firm hold on her. She lashed out more frantically. She could feel his fingertips dig into her skin.

Both her parents were trying to calm her, using soft voices. After a few minutes she calmed down and her father cradled her in his arms.

Stroking her hair and making shhing noises. Something he hadn't done since she was a child.

As the realization hit her, she felt silly and childish.

Tears were streaming down her face, and she was letting out soft sobs. In her panic Jenna hadn't noticed she had been crying. She couldn't tell her parents what had happened. They would be angry. Plus, she was fairly sure that she had killed the man. She would go to jail. A murder. That is what she was.

Wiping her tears, she gave both her parents and her sister who was standing in the doorway with wide eyes and her mouth slightly open a small smile.

"Just a bad dream," she shrugged as she climbed off her dad's lap. So, this is it. What it feels like to be plagued with guilt.

Jenna took small steps to the doorway, where her sister Claire was still looking at her with big brown eyes.

Without a word, Jenna walked past her and into the bathroom.

Once behind the closed door she let her emotions run freely. She let her tears and loneliness surface as her body trembled. There was no one she could tell. No one could ever know her secrete. She had to be strong and hold it together.

After a good cry and shower, she dressed in black leggings and a dark blue t-shirt. Jenna took extra care with her hair. Making sure every strand was perfectly straight. Then she added more makeup than she usually did. Her eyes stood out more and her pale skin had more color. The makeup did wonders to hide the dark circles just beginning to form under her eyes. Yet it did nothing to hide the bruise on her forehead.

It was time to face her family.

Jenna was nervous. She knew there would be questions. But what could she tell them? That I snuck out last night and then murdered a man?

Shaking her head, she pulled her shoulders back and forced a smile onto her face. One deep breath then she entered the kitchen. Claire was sat at the breakfast bar taking bites out of her toast as she chatted on the phone. Her mum was busy making up her father's lunch for work, while her father read the newspaper.

Jenna felt her nerves settle down. She took a seat at the kitchen table and began to slowly eat her toast. She was almost done when her mum asked the one question she had been dreading.

"What was your dream about honey?"

Jenna could physically feel the color drain from her skin as she recalled her dream.

The man was faceless.

Just a black void where his face should have been. He dug his fingers into her arms and held her captive. She couldn't move. She couldn't breathe.

"Sweetheart?" Jenna's mum placed a hand on her shoulder and looked at her with worried eyes. Jenna swallowed and looked away.

"I can't remember now," Jenna was a bad liar. She kept her face hidden hoping no one would notice. She gulped and kept her gaze on the black and white tiles. They were like a checkerboard and her family was the pieces. Just players in the game of life. The question was, would she win the game or be knocked from the board? Only to rot with young offenders. Or worse go to jail. She wasn't mean, nor rough and ready for the world. Jenna knew if it came down to young offenders or prison, she wouldn't be able to hack it. The thought only sealed her lips more. Locking her secrete deep inside her.

"What happened to your head?" her mum asked.

"I walked into a streetlight," Jenna shrugged.

A car horn saved her from any more grilling questions, and she grabbed her bag and last slice of toast, mumbling a goodbye on her way out. She gave Donna a big grin as she sat in her fancy soft top. Her blonde hair slightly danced in the wind. Donna was completely opposite to Jenna. She was outgoing, fun to be around and never shied away from a challenge. She was on the cheerleading squad and was popular. Jenna on the other hand was quiet and reserved. She felt awkward with attention and preferred to blend in with the background. But Donna and she had been friends since kindergarten and Donna always involved Jenna in her social life. No matter how much Jenna protested.

"Hay," Jenna said as she tossed her bag into the back seat and climbed into the passenger side.

"Hay, So Josh was talking about you last night to the lads," she winked at Jenna.

"Really?" Jenna beamed.

"Yeah, you made quite the impression,"

Jenna blushed. She wasn't sure whether she was afraid of this new attention or excited. But something deep within her was stirring.