The Shifters: Katrina

White ceiling, light blue trim, a kind woman sitting at a desk. Medium-grade mattress, white sheets, a bundle of flowers beside the plain bed.

Either I was at the hospital, or something similar.

Other than a pounding headache, I felt fine. My body healed quickly, fortunately. Except I didn't know how much time passed and what happened. I remembered Xavier and Sonya escaping, and considering how bad my head hurt, I blamed one of them for my unconsciousness.

I sat up, holding one hand to my forehead and trying not to disturb the woman at the desk. I could still feel the lurking power of my dragon, and the elemental glow appeared when I thought about either of them. The others were nowhere to be seen, and the only window in the room was too far for me to properly see out of. I groaned, rubbing my head while I swung my legs out of bed. My feet hit the floor with a low thud, the woman at the desk whirling around.

Oh. It was Mrs. Halter, my history teacher. She got to her feet in a hurry, rushing to my side. Her gentle hand rested on my elbow as I straightened.

"How do you feel, Katrina? You've slept for a while."

"How long has it been, ma'am?"

She smiled. "A day and a half, Katrina. Monday afternoon was when the invasion happened. You were unconscious that evening. It's now Wednesday afternoon," she explained, speaking carefully so that I could comprehend. I worked it out in my mind in seconds before grumbling, blinking away the black dots in my vision. Nearly two days of rest had allowed my shapeshifter body plenty of time to heal, but the head injury after effects were inevitable.

"Where is everyone?"

Mrs. Halter cautiously pushed me back down to sitting on the edge of the bed. "Your school mates are safe, no one was killed. Coraline is taking extra precautions and making sure the traitors and hunters were run out of the compound," she told me, pressing one hand to my forehead, "the foreign shifters were requested home. They left Tuesday morning."

"They went home?!" I exclaimed, pushing against her to stand.

The woman tightened her grip, coaxing me to relax. "Their leaders needed to make sure they were alright. That, and they wanted early reports after the invasion. They'll be back soon."

I sighed sadly. Rubbing my eyes, I forced myself to wake up fully and stared at my teacher. "I'm fine. I need to see Coraline," I said, cracking my fingers. My teacher grimaced, finally backing away. Things were sore and functioning awkwardly as I got to my feet, making my way slowly to the door. I wasn't quite dizzy, but definitely a little off balance.

Xavier's parting gift was one I wished I could return.

Thankfully, Coraline's building was right next door. People had begun to recognize me over my month of being here, and a familiar guard came my way. She was one of the younger post-graduation trainees, the girl coming to my side and helping me up the stairs without a word. She left when we reached Coraline's office, excusing herself while I tried my best to straighten up in front of my leader.

"Katrina? Why are you here?" Coraline blurted, coming to my side. Her markings were as noticeable as ever, her hair tousled and messy. The colour of her eyes, a strange pink shade, struck me as she stared at me in worry.

"I needed a report of my own," I said firmly. "What happened, Coraline? Why... Why did Xavier..."

The cheetah shifter's face fell into despair. "He would've been the leader of Iluita if I hadn't had a better suited personality," she said thickly, "he blames me for what his life has become. He hates being only an elite, it's why he didn't take the time to do his job."

"And Sonya?"

"Some people can't accept their animal if it's not something impressive at first glance," she continued. "Those people seek whatever power they can get."

My own expression fell into something dark and somber. The betrayal still struck a chord within me.

"Xavier used his time on the outside during missions to contract an alliance with the local hunters. When he saw that Sonya wanted more, he used her as well. She didn't know he wanted me dead."

That's only so comforting, I thought grimly. "So he got the hunters to help him invade and take over so that he could kill you?"

She nodded. "I don't know what he planned to do with the hunters afterward. Maybe he promised to turn on the other compounds as well."

My breath caught. A rogue who wanted to destroy every compound? I couldn't even imagine that much hatred, and my power had been reacting to my hatred for years.

"When you and the others teamed up to stop them, you essentially put a stop to his plans. He wasn't expecting the students to step in, nor for you to fight him, Sonya and the hunters on your own," Coraline told me. A small, genuine smile graced her lips. "I'm proud, Katrina. You did your best."

"But..?" I prodded, fists curled at my sides.

"They still got away."

I bit down on my lip, hard. It was frustrating, and the entire thing hurt. Betrayal, anger, sadness, disappointment -- it was a swirling mixture.

"When are the foreign shifters getting back?"

The leader sighed, allowing the new topic to come forth. "They left Tuesday," she said, frowning as she thought, "and promised to be back in a week. So... Next Tuesday?"

My shoulders sagged forward. "Great..."

Coraline patted my shoulder. "Rest for now, Katrina. The guard trainees have been fixing things up, and they're taking care of the patrol. All you need to focus on is school and your apprenticeship."

I nodded. "Thanks, Coraline."

She grinned, stepping away. I turned to leave, the leader returning to her comfy chair that let her watch the compound from her office. At the doorway, I hesitated.

"Coraline?"

"Yes, Katrina?"

"When I said thanks... I mean for everything. I know I've been trouble," I told her, head down.

A soft breeze blew past my face, pushing my chin back up.

"Don't sweat it, dear. Now go see your friends. They're always worried sick about you."

I laughed. "How right you are."

With that, I hobbled back out of the building and stretched, glancing toward the school building and dormitories.

Time to get scolded.