Natson Chapter 1

Every human being on the planet possesses something unimaginable. A Spirit Animal. Each person’s personality unique, therefore everyone has a different animal. Someone shy and tense may have a mouse as there animal, while another may be aggressive and unreasonable resulting in having a bear as theirs. 1

Each person has one, but somehow, I believe I’m different.2

Chapter One*******Brielle Natson*******3

“Brielle! Why don’t you ever say thank you when I compliment you?” Liam scolded me as I took my seat at the other end of our large dinning room table. His face showed some sense of genuine hurt, but with my father I could never tell. 4

I get complimented all the time by him, sometimes I will just walk by while he’s sitting on his chair thinking and he’ll mumble to himself, “Absolutely amazing.” I act as though I hear nothing though, because I’ve gotten tired of replying to each comment. I feel guilty afterwards however, because I know that Liam deserves much more than an apology. He’s the best father a woman like me deserves.5

“Father, you know I mean to say it. It’s just that… well; you say so many nice things to me that I haven’t felt the need to thank you anymore. I mean you no disrespect...” I explained, watching Liam eat the extravagant dinner I had prepared for him this evening. His long, shoulder length brown hair was beautiful, and his brown eyes looked crazed as always. This was my loving father’s signature look; I’ve never seen him any different. 6

“Well, Brielle you should really always reply with a thanks whenever complimented. That’s a bad habit- very rude,” Liam took a bite of his steak, not bothering to look at me, “So how was your day my pet?” 7

“Oh, well I cleaned the kitchen today and baked some banana bread for dessert.” I replied, putting my hands on my lap and sat up straight. I watched my father’s face for some sign of approval. I found nothing.8

“Hm, that’s very interesting. You are a wonderful creature, simply astonishing.” Liam said, this time looking me right in the eye. Remembering the lesson Liam had just taught me, I remembered to thank him.9

“Thank you father, that’s very kind of you to say.” I replied, nodding with a small smile. 10

Liam returned with a stiff nod and then went back to eating his dinner with no emotion one so ever.
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I’ve grown up near a laboratory my whole life; it’s something I visit daily. My father’s office, you may call it. It is connected to our rather large mansion and is a vital part of our income. 11

Liam is the only person I have ever met my entire life. He’s my only friend. I can depend on him, and I have depended on him sense birth. My fathers taught me everything I’ve ever known. He was the one who explained to me about Spirit Animals. Every person changes into a animal like me, he told me. Apparantly it’s just natural.12

When ever my skin touches the light of the moon, my body changes from what Liam calls a grotesque shape (a human), to my spirit animal form. 13

“Brielle, look what time it is?” Liam said to me, gesturing to the small window that appears at the ceiling every night. He had that added to his laboratory so that he could watch me change. So, really that window has been in there sense the day I was born. It’s the only window in the house, the only way I can have a look out to the outside world. You would think that because I’ve never left my home my whole life that I would be curious to explore the world. No, why would I want to get a taste of the cruel, wicked planet out there? I have everything a person could ever want in my sanctuary. 14

I saw a sliver of white light shine in through my small little window just like it did every night and hit my arm. I wasn’t amazed, nor surprised about my reaction to the light. It wasn’t a quick transformation; actually it felt as if the transition between human and animal seemed to take eternity. I could feel every single change from my hands changing into paws and my back curving. Suddenly I seemed to loose balance, and wasn’t able to stand up. Falling onto my hands and knees I felt my inside change drastically. What seemed like an eternity later, a surge of cold rushed through me and looked down onto my tan colored fur. 15

I loved being in my cougar form. It seemed that Liam was so proud of me when I changed; I always noticed that when I was a cougar his whole face seemed to light up. Truly, I do him proud. 16

“Brilliant! You never seem to fail me Brielle! Magnificent!” Liam jumped up and down, clapping all the while. I strolled over to him, sitting on all fours about five feet in front of him. 17

Perhaps the reason he is so fascinated by my change is because he is the only person in the world who has found a cure for it. Liam explained to me that he was different from the rest of the world that he simply he didn’t change into an animal, but everyone else did. He only explained that to me once, and his explanation left me with many questions unanswered. 18

“You may go now, thank you so very much!” Liam said, petting my head and gesturing me into my room that was connected to the laboratory. Really, it’s more like an animal cage. I can completely understand that though, because I only go in at night when I am in my cougar form. 19

I walked on all fours into my room, turning around to watch him close the door behind me. 20

The day had been just like any other day, yet somehow different. I felt that Liam was keeping something from me, something my father had never done before. There was a nagging feeling from somewhere inside of me that told me that something was wrong… different. 21

*****Richard Tamon******22

“This is so fricking sweet Taylor!” I said into my iPhone, literally jumping up and down out of excitement. I know I looked gay, but at a time like this I could really care less. 23

Who would have ever thought that I, Rich Tamon, would get a job? Really, it’s like Gods sent the last pitiful angel down to help me! It’s not like it’s a crappy job either, in fact that Mr. Natson guys paying me top dollar!24

“Wow, I have to say man, I’m impressed.” Taylor responded. 25

“I know! I start tomorrow! I can’t believe that I get paid a thousand dollars a week just to run some errands for that man. I swear he’s crazy.” I stopped jumping and walked to the end of my new boss’s driveway and into my car. As I sat in the driver’s seat I just stared at the large mansion ahead. It had sort of a mad scientist feel to it, but maybe that was my imagination. I mean, it was about nine ‘o clock at night, but that wasn’t what gave it the eerie look. Oh well, who really gives a crap. 26

“Dude that seems a little weird. I mean, really, a thousand dollars for doing absolutely nothing? Don’t you think that-“27

“What? Taylor, who cares! As long as I get my money I’m cool with it. Well, unless the guy has me go burry dead bodies or something…” I replied sarcastically. At the moment though, that did seem plausible. I pulled out of the driveway and drove down the dirt road. I flinched as I heard each little pebble hit my car. Hopefully this road wouldn’t scratch up my paint, this baby is new!28

“Okay man, just looking out for you is all. I don’t want some creeper man getting you put in jail or anything.” A sympathetic voice joked.29

“Yeah, yeah I get it. I’ll be fine. It’s just me getting money. No questions asked.”
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This morning was so sucky. First of all, I got out of bed only to trip on my sheet and fall down face first. Next, my little sister, Tara, used up all the hot water in the shower, leaving me with ice. It gets worse. Then my mother forced me to take a few pictures for her scrap book (apparently my first day of work is something to be remembered). Then she picked out my outfit for the day. Wow. I haven’t had a parent do that since the first grade.30

“Screw it, screw it, screw it.” I mumbled to myself as I pulled back up the driveway just like I had the night before. I got out my mints I kept in my pocket and popped one in my mouth. A gush of cold air overpowered my mouth and I felt the need to breathe deeply. Man, that mint was cool. 31

Parking my car and putting my mints away I took a deep breath. This is my first official day of work. Ever. Rich Tamon, is taking his first steps into the business world. This may not seem like a big deal to most people, but to me… well, it’s like I just got handed a million bucks. Soon, I’ll have that much saved up too. 32

“Ah, my new employee.” A voice replied from behind me. I jumped out of surprise, and took a few steps back. There, right in front of me, was Liam Natson. This guy was a billionaire. He probably has a different house he goes to each month. No one really knows that much about him, besides the fact that he’d loaded. Poor man, he probably was the nerd in high school who was the chairman of the Glee Club and Chemistry Club and all that crap. He’s like our towns version of Bill Gates.33

Even though the guy was rich, you couldn’t tell at all just by looking at him. I mean, his hair was perfect, I will admit. It was straight, silky, and chocolate brown. The kind of hair that girls would jump off of a cliff for. It didn’t really suit him though. 34

His eyes were almost twitchy. It was like this man hadn’t slept in weeks. Wrinkles covered his pale face, and the clothes he wore could have been hobos. Tattered and probably not washed in weeks, the man showed no self pride. Maybe the price you had to pay to get money was to become a bum. Oh well, it’s worth it.35

“Oh, Mr. Natson. Sorry, you just scared me a little.” I said, catching my breath.36

“My boy, I should be the one apologizing,” he laughed, taking a step back towards me and putting a hand on my right shoulder, turning me back towards the mansion, “You are such a well mannered man.” 37

Ugh, wow. I don’t get that compliment often. 38

“Uhm… thank you, I guess…” I said, walking along side him up to his front steps. I felt almost uncomfortable this close to him. Like there was some weird force pulling us apart. Wait… that might just be the stench from his clothes.39

“You’re very welcome. Why, come in to my glorious home, or should I say, your new office!” All of the sudden the front doors magically open like in some horror flick, and the house is revealed. 40