Life-Threatening Changes: Chapter two-Critical Changes

Critical Changes1

My arm scorched with pain, my stomach throbbed and I was unbelievably stiff – these were the three things I was first aware of. I next became aware of someone else being wherever the heck I was: I still hadn’t opened my eyes. Whoever was in the room moved stealthily, only the slight movement of the air alerted me to their presence. 2

“You might as well open your eyes, missy. I know damn well that you’re awake.” The voice was that of a woman, she had a smile in it’s words.3

I squinted; the room was bright with fluttering yellow curtains and a short, middle-aged woman with graying hair and a soft face. Her brown eyes were framed by long, thick lashes and her pale lips bared straight white teeth.4

“Who are you?” I asked, half whispering. I tried to sit up back she tisked me and gently pushed me back down.5

“Best not to sit just yet dear, just let those wounds of yours heal. Now, to answer your question; my name is Marla Grey. What’s yours?” She smiled at me then continued to fuss around with my wounds and blankets.6

“I’m – I’m… I don’t remember. Where am I?” I couldn’t remember where I was, or how I had gotten wherever that was. Why couldn’t I remember who I was?7

“I’m sure it will come back to you, my dear. You have been through quite the trauma – oh, and you’re at my home in Summerfield, Ontario. Which is mostly surrounded by land, trees and yet again more land.”8

“So you don’t know who I am?” I asked slowly. 9

“No,” she shook her head softly. “My son and my nephew found you in the forest in our backyard. How you got there, none of us are too sure about that. We had been hoping that you might be able to fill in the blanks for us. Then again, with your lack of remembrance, that might take some time. So, I am extending this invitation to you: you are free to stay here until you have your memory back – how is that?”10

Live with her? What, some random lady that could be the cause of my injuries? I think not! Then again… where was I supposed to go? It’s not exactly like I had an idea of where I lived. 11

“Um…just until I get my memory back – if that’s ok?” Awkward.12

“I wouldn’t be offering if it wasn’t. Now, catch up on your rest, dear and I’ll bring you lunch in about an hour.” I nodded, feeling strange and completely comfortable at the same time. A part of me didn’t want her to go, I felt very safe with her and I didn’t want to lose that feeling. I felt like I hadn’t felt safe in a very long time. 13

It didn’t take me long to fall asleep, however it was fitful and restless. I kept seeing flashes of sapphire coloured eyes and silver fur, then flashes of knives that turned into teeth, and trees passing me by and spinning.14

I awoke with a gasp, feeling terrified and uncomfortable. My wounds were searing and I felt too warm, and my skin itched as if it wasn’t sitting right.15

Knock, knock. I snapped my head in the direction of the door. 16

“Uh, come in, uh I guess.” I stammered, unsure and thirsty.17

“Hey,” the door pushed open to reveal a guy in his early twenties with thick black hair that looked like he had just rolled out of bed. His eyes were the same colour as the eyes in my dream. His skin was smooth and pale, seemingly perfect. His jaw was strong and clean, and his lips were full and pouty without being feminine. “I’m Skyler, Marla’s son.”18

“Uh, hi… I would introduce myself, but I don’t really know who I am.” I gave a nervous laugh and mentally slapped myself repeatedly. I was so smooth.19

“Oh, yeah, my mom told me. Thought of a name yet?”20

“Um, not yet, it’s still in deliberation. What’s that?” I pointed to the tray in his hand with an assortment of food that both looked and smelled delicious. 21

“Oh, it’s your lunch. We didn’t know what you would want – so, hence the intense amount of food piled on here.” He smiled and my heart thudded almost painfully.22

“Thanks, you can come and sit down, if you want.” He nodded and helped me sit up and placed the tray over my lap. 23

“So, do you remember anything at all?”24

I shook my head, stuffing my mouth full so I didn’t have to talk. I felt uncomfortable with that question and where it lead.25

We continued with small talk until it reached a lull and I blurted out, “Raelynn!”26

“Who?” he asked startled.27

“I think I’ll name myself Raelynn. What do you think?” for some reason that name jumped out at me from nowhere and I wanted it to be my name.28

“It’s pretty, I think it suits you.” He smiled delicately and I blushed.29

“Th-thanks.”30

“Skyler!” a woman’s voice shrieked up the stairs, panic and fear laced throughout her cries.31

Skyler bolted from the bed and ran from the room. Huh? I put aside the tray and painfully made my way down the hall and towards the stairs.32

I was on the second last step when I saw something insane. On the ground there was a gigantic brown-red wolf, surrounded by at least twelve people, whimpering as Skyler (who knelt by its side) pulled a knife from its belly.33

After Skyler tossed the blood drenched blade to the floor the wolf started to shake. The smell of blood was making me dizzy and so far no one had noticed me, or really cared at that point. The wolf seemed to vibrate and shift forms. I blinked and clung to the railing. What the hell…?34

In a matter of painstakingly slow moments a mocha coloured boy lay in the fetal position, bleeding and crying, in the place of the wolf. What in the hell just fucking happened? 35

“What the hell is going on here?” I demanded. Everyone turned to look at me, some fleeting looks, some of confusion and others of guilt or surprise. 36