Fledgling (22 page)

Ana sat waiting for his story to start making sense.
What is he talking about?
She shook her head and frowned.

“I know you’ve noticed how observant I am of wildlife.” He cleared his throat. “I’m not sure how to tell you-maybe with the first time. When I turned sixteen.” He sighed and began mumbling in a low voice, “I was sitting out behind my house one day watching squirrels scavenge around the trees. I was staring at one…and then…my skin started tingling, and I saw this trippy blue light shining from it.” Ana’s mouth dropped open and he continued without stopping, “Think of a squirrel and imagine it wrapped in bright blue glowing threads. Minutes later, I found myself, well…standing inches off the ground and covered in fur. It was a hard year-no lie,” Chance laughed ironically to himself. “I kept it to myself, not knowing
what
was happening to me. Being able to change into animals was cool…but I felt like a freak-weird, ya know? That was around the time Grandfather moved in. When he discovered my secret, he helped me work through it. He knew about everything that was happening to me and told me about our ancestors-and how I was…
special
. He became my teacher. Even though
he
doesn’t have the power, he knows a lot about it. His father was a…
shapeshifter
too…so he knew all about the legends. I guess only males inherit the gene and not every male gets it.

“So, that’s my story, weird as it sounds. You can see why I haven’t told you. Or anyone. Like you, I was enjoying feeling normal, too. But I’m obviously far from it and don’t blame you if…if you don’t believe in…monsters. Or want to be around one.” Chance took a raspy breath and glanced over at her, waiting for a response.

Ana’s face was unreadable. The sound of her heart monitor was the only thing that exposed what she was feeling inside. It was beeping rapidly, causing the machine to alarm and just then he noticed a tear form at the edge of her eye and roll down her cheek.

Chance reached out to her, and touched the wet salty drop at her lips. He withdrew his hand letting it fall to his side and stared at the floor.

Ana sat in the midst of the repetitive beeping, listening raptly the entire time but then realized he had stopped talking. Her wet cheeks and lips surprised her and she stared at the machine that was making so much noise. Her mind was spinning. Was Chance lying to her? How could she believe such a fantastic story?

She turned to look at his agonized face. Pinched in anguish, he was staring at the pale cracked floor tiles. She considered the fact he seemed so miserable. He didn’t appear to be making it all up, so she allowed herself to consider his story. Her thoughts fell to the fox that wore his pendant and his animal-like senses. His fast movements and uncanny hearing and the fact his injury healed in a day.

It was not what she had expected to hear, and it caught her off guard, although she wasn’t sure what explanation wouldn’t be out of the ordinary.

Movement brought her back to the present. Chance stood up and turned to leave.

“Wait, where are you going?” Ana croaked, reaching out to him. She didn’t want him to go, it hurt seeing him turn away from her. She needed him by her side. It was where he belonged.

He paused, and closed his eyes. “It’s okay. I understand. Just a little too weird.”

“Chance, you
swear
you’re not messing with me?” Ana whispered.

With lightning fast movement, he turned, staring into her teary eyes.

He shook his head fervently, “No. How could I lie to you and make up stories while you’re recovering in the hospital? ”

“So, it’ll take me a while to work this out, but…” Ana said confused, trying to decide if she was still angry or hurt.

Then she met his cheerless hazel eyes and found what she needed. Relief flooded her. He was still the same person she had grown to love. Maybe a bit more
dynamic
than she originally thought. And definitely other-worldly.

She paused with all of her doubts, knowing he was telling the truth. The desperation in his face made it clear. But it would take time to sort out, and she wasn’t just going to take his word for it, she required proof. She shook her head and shrugged.

“You accepted me with all of my problems when I thought you wouldn’t-I could never walk away from you. Sooo, you may have a deeper animal side than, well,
anyone
…but it just hurts too much thinking about being without you
.
” Another tear rolled down her face, dropping to the blanket below. “Maybe I didn’t know you could turn into a
squirrel.
But I
do
know your heart. I don’t want to give you up, you mean too much to me.”

The stunned look on his face made Ana uneasy, and she continued with a shaky voice, “I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions…about you playing tricks on me, but…” He darted across the room silencing her, his swift movement too quick for her to see. His face hovered inches away, staring intently at her. He seemed to be holding his breath, like he was afraid the moment would end, having only been imagined.

She reached out and guided his hand to her heart. They sat gazing at each other until a car horn wafted in through the window, bringing them back to the moment. A serious expression crossed her face and she pulled back with a frown.

“Now, assuming you’re
not
kidding, can I see you…um…shapeshift?”

Chance blushed. “I promise I’ll show you but-this isn’t the place. When I phase I leave my clothes behind.”

“Okay. But soon-
right
?” she said a little more harshly than she meant it.

Chance smiled and nodded.

Ana glanced down at his arm and remembered something. “What was up with you healing so fast? You didn’t explain that.”

“Well, when I shape shift and phase back to my human form, I return to how I’m
meant
to be. Any injuries I have before are gone when I turn back. I don’t know-it’s just the way it works. I’ve never had a broken leg or anything, nothing serious to test it with, but it works for minor stuff.”

Ana traced the inside of his forearm where his scrape had once bled, and he shivered at her touch.

Her mind continued to whirl, “So, you’re the
fox
I took pictures of the other week?” she asked in mid thought.

He nodded and blushed, “Yeah.”

Ana reached out touching the pendant hanging around his neck, “Have there been
other
times you’ve visited me as an animal?” Her eyes glinted.

He traced the contour of her face. “I hope you don’t get mad, but I visit you almost every night.” He seemed embarrassed or ashamed, she couldn’t tell which.

Ana racked her brain trying to think of anything that stuck out in her memory. Then, chuckling she said, “
You’re
the clumsy owl!”

He retorted, “Hey, it isn’t easy learning to fly when you’ve been walking on two legs your whole life! I’m a beginner. I prefer to be in the form of a mammal. They’re closest to our own chemistry. Walking on four legs is easier than flying. I only used the owl so I could fly here and home more quickly. After I met you I wanted to learn more about you. I almost fell out of the tree when you started singing to me.” He reached up to scratch his head. “Anyways, it’s easier to keep an eye on you in owl form. I’ve been…concerned.” He caressed her cheek with his warm hand, and she closed her eyes at his touch.

Breaking out of his serious mood he laughed to himself.

“What?”

“I just remembered-before I met you, Mom thought there was something seriously wrong, drugs or something.” He waved his hand. “I stopped hanging out with my friends after I…changed. Grandfather told her I was just going through a
phase
. Which was the truth-sort of. She was relieved when I started working at Kenny’s shop and for
her
sake I made an effort with my old friends,” he chuckled. “She was
so
happy when I met you. I think she was worried she’d never see grandchildren.”

Ana burst out giggling.

“What?”

“My mom was worried too. I didn’t date or hang out with friends. The first time I brought
you
home I thought to myself, my mom wouldn’t care if I brought the frog prince home. She was just happy I wasn’t alone anymore.” She lifted her brow coyly, “You can’t turn into a frog-can you?” She teased.

He laughed with her, and then paused in thought. “Will you kiss me, even if I don’t turn into a prince?” Chance leaned forward and she met him in a passionate kiss.

Groaning, Chance pulled back after hearing Ana’s elevated heartbeat. Then he grew serious, staring into her eyes.

She felt responsible for his sadness so she moved on to her next question, “So, umm…that reminds me. Was I carried by an animal after passing out?”

“Riiigght. Well, the fastest way I could get you back without hurting you was to shift into a…mustang.” Chance lifted his gaze in time to see Ana put her hand up to her mouth and he rushed ahead, “I’ve never shifted into one before. I’ve observed their energy mapping, but I’ve never been able to create that form. It’s a larger animal-takes more power. I guess I had the incentive when you turned purple.” Chance shuddered involuntarily and proceeded, “Grandfather lifted you over my back and I hauled home-ruined another pair of jeans though. Luckily I had a pair stashed behind the wood pile I threw on before getting mom.”

Ana’s puzzled expression made him laugh embarrassed.

Chance blushed and explained, “Like I said before, when I shift, my clothes don’t come with me. When I change form my clothes fall off…or get torn, depending on how large I become. I normally take them off
first
so they aren’t ruined and well, when I change back I’m in my birthday suit. That’s why I’ve stashed clothing around on the property-in case of emergencies.”

It all started falling into place for Ana, thinking back and her cheeks colored.

A light knock rose from Ana’s door. She looked in confusion toward the sound, forgetting where she was.

The door swung open to reveal Aiyana in her blue nurse’s uniform. Her flowing hair was pulled into a long braid, which came to the middle of her back.

When she saw Ana blinking back at her with Chance sitting on the bed, she folded her arms and grinned. “Hold on now. Aren’t you supposed to be
recovering
? Off the bed Mr. Morgan-give the patient some breathing space.”

Chance flushed and cleared his throat. He walked over and gave his mother a peck on the cheek then went to the door. “I know some people anxiously waiting for you to wake up. Let me go get your family. They left to grab some lunch down in the cafeteria.”

Ana frowned and Chance lingered in the doorway.

“Hurry back?” she asked sweetly.

“Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.”

“What were you thinking?!” Melissa questioned her daughter in exasperation, tears welling in her eyes.

A wave of guilt engulfed Ana. She felt terrible for causing her family anguish; her foolishness could have killed her.

“I’m so sorry, Mom. I thought Chance was in danger. I heard a cougar and rushed off…thinking he’d get hurt. Turns out he was fine. I’m
sooo
sorry. I won’t be so thoughtless again-I promise.” She reached out and hugged her mother, who held her so close, Ana wasn’t sure she was going to let go.

“Well, at least you’re okay now. I’ve been at my wits end. Thank goodness Aiyana’s a nurse-she kept your heart going until the ambulance arrived.” Melissa leaned back and tucked her hair behind her ear, “I’ve been sitting with Chance’s family in the waiting room. They’re very nice people. I want to have them over for dinner to properly thank them for-everything.” She held Ana’s face in the palms of her hands, while she fought back the tears again.

“Just, please. Take
care
of yourself. You don’t get a do-over, Ana. You don’t have nine lives.”

Regret submerged her. Ana couldn’t remember feeling so bad, not even when she broke the crystal vase that was Nana’s. Mere minutes earlier, she felt euphoric hearing the simple words,
I love you
.
What a day for highs and lows
, she thought as she stared at her hands clutching at the fuzzy blue blanket. Unable to meet her mother’s pleading face, she simply nodded her head and closed her eyes, fighting back apologetic tears as Melissa’s lips brushed against her forehead.

Chapter 29.

“Finally.”

Ana inhaled a welcoming breath of fresh air as she was wheeled out of Sandpoint Hospital.

Chance asked to push her out and the nurse relinquished her patient to hurry down the hallway when alarms sounded from a nearby room.

“You’re free,” Chance whispered in her ear.

His warm breath breezed by the hairs of her neck, raising goose bumps.

“And wiser too.
Now
I know I don’t need to worry about mountain lions.”

Ana extended her hand to his, as he growled in her ear, “That’s what
you
think.” Her eyes widened and then she smiled.

“Oh, look-there’s Mom.” Ana was stiff as she rose from the wheelchair. She gained her balance before walking to the curb, feeling Chance’s arm around her as she arrived at the car. The door was opened before she could reach out.