SWNOVELS Chapter Run Kitty Run
My breathing quickened as my body melted, my bones shortened, and my spine changed shape. Changing form was hard if you knew it had to be quick. If you had not done it for a while also made it hurt worse. My fingers curled and my palms bulged out to make my paw pads. My spine elongated to make my tail. My legs shrunk to the length that they needed to be a perfect runner. My ears changed shape. My skin stretched pulling my ears atop my head. My fine hairs that covered my body grew and darkened. My nose and mouth extended to give me the face of a predator. My vision enhanced itself a small amount. I could see really well during the day but during the night, it was as if it was just a normal day.
Soon, the pain faded away and I knew I was ready. My ears pricked up at the sound of running feet. They were the same feet which I had previously escaped from about an hour ago in town. My nose picked up the smell of a dog.
I heard a howl and I realised it was a wolf. The Royal Guard was tracking me. They only tracked criminals. I had not done anything wrong. I had not changed for over six months. If I did, it was only a few minutes in the woods to keep my muscles subtle. I got to my feet and I felt my tail swing from side to side. I knew I was just about faster than the wolf that smelt me out and I knew it was human. I started getting my speed up as I ran through the trees. I was not the fastest animal out there and the trees slowed me down but I could run fast enough for a wolf to stay away from me.
I heard another howl as he picked up my scent. My ears picked up the sound of his thumping paws on the wooded floor. We ran and ran and soon I knew I was out of the city. The trees started to get thinner as I ran as well. Just as I crashed out of the last trees, my ears picked up another crash. I looked behind me and I saw the wolf. I looked ahead of me and I saw more eyes that are glowing. One on the left getting me to go in the right direction in which they wanted me to. There was more making sure I did not veer off too much. I ran and then I decided to make a bolt for it. I knew there was a river up close and I knew I would be able to make it.
I looked towards the wolf on the side and the wolf behind me. I wanted to roll my eyes. Why a pack of wolves? The Royal Guard had many other creatures and helped to fight something like me. I am a friggin’ cat demon in shape of a black panther; they could have found something faster.
Without them knowing, I suddenly veered in the wrong direction and put all my strength into running. I smelt the water and I ran faster. Just as the bank underneath fell from my weight, I jumped. It was about 15 feet but it was far enough that the wolves would have to find a way around it. I landed lying down for a breather. The wolves were on the other side watching me; others were crawling out of the water. They were the ones who had attempted the jump. I smiled and I carried on running. I ran south away from the river. I soon came to a trot. I did not really know this part of the country. It was unknown territory to me.
I heard a branch snap and I looked in the direction it came from. I sniffed the air and I recognised the smell. I took off away from the smell. However, I could not escape it. The more I ran, the more I seemed to be getting closer to it. I rounded the corner to a new set of trees that I saw and I had to come to a halt. And fast. I looked up from my lower crouch. There stood six foot tall was the most handsome man in my life. He had a snide smile upon his face and looking down at me as if he had won.
I saw a glint of metal around his neck and I saw the Royal Guard crest upon it. Oh, shit. That will be why he is smiling.
“Katsi Torres, you are under arrest for the violation of Code 395. You must come with me,” he said in a manner of authority. “Oh, and do not run this time. You’re surrounded.” I looked around me and he was right. There was but twenty wolves around me. I knew I could have jumped them but I did not want to risk it. I sat back and for the second time that night, I transformed back into my human body. This time it hurt less even if I was under stress and had to execute a fast change. I knew the others would be staring. It was a fascinating thing to watch but it would be quite gruesome. When I finished, I arched my back and flicked my long black hair back.
“Well, Mister Guard I don’t know why I would have broken any codes. I’m a good little girl.” I said softly. I batted my eyelashes at him hoping it would sway him.
“You broke the most important code of all young lady.” He said. I just stared at him.
“Really?” I asked.
“We must ask you to come with us. Anything you say can be and will be used against you during the case, so if I were you young lady I would shut your little kitty trap.” The person said. I raised an eyebrow.
“You do know I’m better than you right? I could change and jump these guys and I’d be free,” I said. I only usually used a tone when I knew it would get them pissed off but it did not seem to faze him.
“Yet, you won’t. Do you want to know why? Because then you have another charge on you. If you come with us, you may get off easily.” He said looking down at me. I felt like he was taking every bit of me in.
“Take a picture, mate, it will last longer,” I told him.
“I will ask one more time Katsi, come with us, or suffer the consequences.” He was getting angry now. I knew they could not lose their cool but I could hear it in his voice.
“What would the consequences be?” I asked, curious.
“You don’t want to know, young lady,” his voice rang out. It had a small accent to it but I could not place it. “Now, are you coming? I mean-”
“Fine” I cut him off. He was getting on my nerves “I’ll come but don’t think I’ll be staying long. I have not done anything wrong.” The wolves around me closed in and started growling at me. I growled at them and walked forward. “Which way?” I asked.
“South East.” He told me and I stalked forward. I heard trotting around me and I heard the feet of the big bad guard. It almost made me chuckle. Wolves were softies at heart but they never showed it. The guard was made of the wolves because of this. They were mentally strong but caring at the same time. They had the greatest, most advanced way of keeping people out of the mind and it worked for them. I knew after a while though, if they kept it up, they lost all of their compassion. I glanced behind me at the leader. Had he lost his compassion, his way of loving?