"Shifters Apart" by J (Proudfoot) Taylor

Haunted.

Haunted by the visions…the dreams…the reality.  While my eyes focused on the overhead in front of me, my mind saw visions of the savannah.

Low to the ground I crawl in the grass, looking out at my prey.  Ever haunted.  Paws spreading loose dirt beneath, ears lowering and body flattening lower.

“And this…” These lessons haunted me.

Eyes focusing on the poor creature; easy prey.  Muscles tightening.

“Now if you…”

Dart!  Paws dig into dirt, grass flies loose.  The young hoofed creature running wildly.  Mine!

“Pages two-…”

Paws wrapped around its neck; teeth deep in the throat.  Its wind pipe collapsing in my jaws; blood seeping onto my tongue. Wheezing.

My eyes ran blind upon the text.

Ears folded carefully, paws tight around its neck.

“What?  The bell echoes.  Where did…?  Oh.  As always, everybody filed out before I even started putting my books away.  History.  “The worst class in the world,” I mumbled as I shoved the unnecessarily large book into my backpack along with my pen and notebook.  Walking into the hallway was an overwhelming amount of noise.  I felt my tail curl and slip close to my legs, as I made to ‘sprint’ through the crowds.  Into the courtyard.  My tail now hung loose, as I looked around for an open space, but I could see none.  The only thing worse than being interrupted by classes in the middle of a hunt was my territory being overrun by humans.  My ears pinned slightly as I tried to find an open space to sit and do homework.  Finally, I found an open space by the small sapling on the far side.  I sprinted in full and hopped onto the cement blocks that surrounded it.  I pulled my books out with my bottle of water.  I set my water bottle beside me, and my book and notebook in my lap.  Ignoring all that was around me, I got to work on my math homework.  The sun beat down with its strength-giving rays.

I lick my paws, removing the lovely blood that covered them.  Sweet fresh meat.  I have finished my fill of this hoofed delight.  I throw my head up…

Taking a sip of my water, I stared at the problem intently.  Numbers were useless.  We did not use…

yap!  Yes.  I yap loudly for those I know so they too may enjoy my kill.

numbers.  Jackals did not need these silly divisions.  Everybody ate their fill; we did not need to ‘divide’.

No, that was not right.  That was the formula I needed.  My name was called, but I gave no indication that I heard.  My ears slid back irritably as the footsteps approached.  Stop using me.  Just because I can help you does not mean you should abuse the privilege.

Automatically, I looked up to the girl when her footsteps stopped.  Forcing a smile, I greeted her, “Hi.”

“Hi.  Listen,” she began, at first a smile, and then to seriousness.  Her request for help with history; of all…

Greetings, I nuzzle against a familiar as he comes to feast.  Grinning I scamper off to rest under the shade of a tree with my full belly.

things.  I smiled pleasantly, as I answered, “Sure, I’ll help you.”  What was I getting myself…

Flicking my tail as a fly tries to land.  So hot; so hot out here.  But I am satisfied.

into?  I did not even like this girl.

“Thank you so much!” she exclaimed as she made a bounce of joy before sitting beside me.

Again, I felt my ears slide back in irritation.  I wanted to snap at her for sitting so close.  If only I was not human I would.  So help me, as she placed her history book in my lap.

Dozing…content…satisfaction.  Stretching out comfortably.