The Shifters: Katrina
Part One - Ch.9: Twenty Years

The next day, I swore I was going to sleep until two o'clock in the afternoon until I ended up opening my eyes at eight in the morning when someone knocked on my door. In my disheveled clothing from the night before, my hair falling around my face in a large poof, I went to answer the door. Even before I could see who it was, I began to scowl. Kami grinned at me, taking one look at my clothes before rolling her eyes. That's when I noticed the bags in her hands. The guard shifter brushed past me, closing my door on her way by, and began unfilling her bag. It was all brand new things, hair products, general hygiene stuff, clothes, anything I could still need. She put them all away with surprising speed before laying out a familiar bodysuit on my bed. The shifter said nothing as she swept out of the room except for a quick, "you've got five minutes!"

That day, I got ready quicker than I ever had. The clothing fit my body like a glove, and the running shoes laying by the door for me were insanely comfortable. I dragged a new brush through my thick hair and located the hair elastics, using them to keep it all back in a tight ponytail. After brushing my teeth and quickly washing my face, efficiently waking me up, I stumbled out of the room. Kami, with the front locks of her light pink hair pinned back, looked much more elegant than I did as she lounged outside my door. The silence of the hallway shocked me for a moment before I remembered why I was alone, because I had no form. I sighed, shrugging off my bad mood. Kami offered me a warm smile, a genuinely warm one, and began to walk toward the stairs.

Guess I'm following, I thought, glaring daggers in the back of Kami's head. Really, these people could be a little more talkative.

But of course, so could I.

I swallowed my pride and fell in step next to Kami, lacing and unlacing my fingers.

"How long have you lived here?" I asked meekly, not even sure if it was loud enough for her to hear me.

Kami grinned to herself, as if she'd won a bet. "Since I was four."

I wanted to ask how old she was, but part of me thought it'd be rude.

But I was me, so I was less worried about coming off as inconsiderate.

"How old are you now?" I asked boldly, raising my eyes to look at her. We were stepping into the staircase, other people's footsteps echoing from below.

Kami giggled. "Twenty-four. I'm one of the oldest guards."

I raised my eyebrows. "You've been here for twenty years?"

The woman stopped on her step, halfway down the staircase. I did as well, turning to look up at her. Her hair fell like a curtain around her face, her eyes focused on the ground.

"Kami?"

"We're similar, Katrina. I was bad tempered too. When I was four, I got my form. I shifted and attacked three little bullies, other four year olds. I got lucky -- Molly and I lived in the same neighbourhood. Her mother was a shifter, and stopped me before I could kill the kids."

Kami met my eyes, her eyes wide as she thought about something far away. "I had no choice, coming here. I was too dangerous. So yes, I've been here for twenty years."

The air had a somber feel to it as Kami slowly stepped down until we were on the same step, shoulders touching.

"My goal is that no one else makes that mistake," Kami whispered to me, "and if you ever think I hate you, I don't. I just don't want you to do the same thing to the people in this compound. They're good people."

The shifter sighed, looking away again.

"Wait here. I think someone else should be in charge of you today," Kami said gently, her body melting away until all that was left was a large python slithering down the banister. My legs gave out and I plopped down on the stair, face in my hands. Part of me was guilty for bringing something that bad up for Kami, but I appreciated her honesty.

She doesn't hate me, I thought to myself. It was already doing me wonders, knowing someone in power here had my back. Her hostile nature was even amusing sometimes -- I knew that being around Kami would be good for me.

But if I hurt her, that would all disappear.

It wasn't long until I could hear the sound of someone's footsteps. They weren't the only one wandering around, but they were the only one that kept going. I heard various greetings from other people as whoever Kami had sent for me passed by, never verbally replying. My interest was piqued, and I was already on my feet when the boy rounded the corner.

He looked almost identical to Kami, with spiky pink hair that reached his ears and green eyes. While Kami's were almost a pastel green, his were vibrant like the grass.

"I'm Nathan, Kami's younger brother," he introduced himself, coming up to my step. Nathan was a good foot taller than I was, lean muscled and graceful on his feet. When he smiled, I could see a perfect row of teeth, except for his top canines. Those were slightly off in the row, and hung lower like actual fangs. I also noticed a tattoo peeking out from under his hair, but didn't comment on it.

"Katrina," I responded, glancing down the stairs. "Hey, I still don't know what I'm supposed to be doing today."

Nathan grinned, nudging me with his shoulder and nearly knocking me over as he began skipping down the steps. "We're gonna see what element you have!" He cheered, halfway down the stairs when the words finally processed in my brain. I let out a holler of excitement, pushing away any doubts I had, and glanced at the banister.

Gotta catch up somehow, I thought with a smirk, lining myself up. I laughed as I pushed off, sliding down the banister, zipping past Nathan. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ (F)indNƟvᴇl.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Off to go find my element.

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