Shifters Madness Hisa’s Journey
By
Cadence Michaels
Smashwords Edition
* * * * *
Shifters Madness Hisa’s Journey
Copyright © 2011 by Cadence Michaels
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Ménage M/M/M/M/F supernatural
Following the tragic death of her father, 13 year old Hisa thinks life can’t get any worse.
She was wrong…
After a strange hawk attack’s her, Hisa’s life is forever changed and due to an accidental biting so is her pregnant mother’s.
Years pass as she and her family now live in seclusion and after persistent pleading and begging her mother finally relents and lets her out for a chance at a normal life. However a normal life may now be beyond Hisa’s greater-than-normal grasp.
She should have stayed home…
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This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.
About the Author
Cadence Michaels was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri and has traveled all over the united states as well she was an exchange student in high school where she spent a few weeks in Germany and Austria learning about new cultures and making new friends. She has always had a love for writing stories which has spanned from elementary, Jr. High on through High school and present.
Cadence Michaels attended Hickey College to pursue a career in computer networking but found that her passions lay elsewhere. She enjoys writing stories on paranormal romance and science fiction amongst other genres where the hero and heroines aren’t the typical knights in shining armor, but so much more.
She now divides her time between taking care of her adorable two cats and finishing up her full length novel series Natures child Book One The Awakening, Natures Child Book Two The Gathering, and Natures Child: Book Three New Life, and Natures Child: Book Four Destiny along with many other titles.
Email: michaels.cadence@gmail.com
Blog: http://michaelscadence.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/CadenceMichaels
Chapter 1
Hisa looked out the window watching as the night traffic passed her by. She, her friend Jennifer and her father were returning from a concert that she and her mother were supposed to have attended together, but due to complications with her pregnancy she was on bed rest for the next 2 weeks, which left her stuck with her stick in the mud dad.
“I wish mom could have come.” She complained sighing heavily.
“I do to. She is more into music than I am but we couldn’t let you go alone, you’re only 13 Hisa.” He cut in quickly before she could say anything more.
Hisa had indeed begged her parents to let her attend the indie rock concert with her best friend Jennifer but her parents had nipped that in the bud quickly. She didn’t know what the big deal was. No one would want her. She wasn’t even pretty. She was tall, skinny and lanky with knock knees. She had wild curly hair that was uncontrollable. She wore thick plastic framed glasses, had bad acne from oily skin and hair products and wore mettle braces. She complained constantly about getting contacts but her parents refused, telling her it was just an awkward faze.
Whatever! This is just what happened to people when their mom was Japanese and father Mexican.
“Mr. Alvarez, do you think we can stop at the gas station on the way home? I want to grab an icy.” Jennifer asked from the back seat.
Hisa turned sharply in her seat looking at Jennifer who sat there bright eyed. “I thought you were asleep.” She could swear she heard her snoring.
“I was but not anymore, I’m actually starving.” She said rubbing her rounded stomach.
Jennifer was always hungry, though it was no wonder. She was short and round with thin blond hair, chocolate brown eyes and big ears. Jennifer was also one of the sweetest people she knew. They were both considered dorks in school, outcasts really. Because of their looks no one wanted to hang with or talk to them so all they had was each other.
Her father pulled into the gas station some twenty minutes later. “You girls go on ahead. I need to get gas anyway. Hisa here’s $20 dollars. Put $15 on pump 3 and you can use the rest to get you something to drink ok.” He told her placing the money in her hand.
She grabbed the money out of his hand and exited the car, waiting for Jennifer to follow. They both walked across the parking lot and into the store. She immediately went to the Nachos and cheese stand fixing her a heaping bowl and placing extra cheese and peppers on her tray then made her way over to the soda machine. Placing her nachos down on the counter she picked up the super cup and filled it to the top with lemon lime soda, placed the lid on then grabbed up her food and headed to the register, Jennifer already there paying for her icy and hamburger.
“Wow, get enough cheese?” she laughed looking at the overflowing tray in her hand.
Hisa looked down at her nachos, laughing quietly. Maybe she did go a little overboard. Noticing a glob of cheese sliding off the side she quickly licked it off before sitting it on the counter. She reached inside her pocket, pulled out the $20 her father gave her and placed it on the counter.
“Can I also get $15 on pump..pump.. Jennifer what pump did my dad say?” she glanced over at her, watching as she took a bite of her burger. She had completely forgotten the pump number.
“Pump three.” She said around a mouth full of hamburger.
“Pump three and also the soda and nachos on the same order.” She told the clerk who rolled his eyes at her.
“Duh and I can hear just fine.” He said waspishly.
She shrugged waiting for him to give her the change.
As they were crossing the parking lot Hisa’s glasses slid down her nose hindering her vision. She whipped her head back trying to bounce them back up her face but miscalculated and they flew over her head. Jennifer oblivious to the situation kept walking.
Hisa bent to the ground placing her soda and nachos next to her then started feeling around on the ground for her glasses. She was completely blind without them. She found her glasses quickly, gripping them tightly she pulled them on just as she heard someone shout out a warning. She stood and turned frozen to the spot as a car came speeding down the lot heading straight at her giving her no time to move even if she could.
She felt something push her out of the way sending her flying to the side, her head glancing off the bumper of someone’s car then blackness.
*****
Hanako lay on the bed with her feet propped up on pillows. Her ankles were so swollen. If she had known she would have gotten pregnant with triplets when she did in vitro then she would have had the doctor place only one egg implant instead of all three.
She and her husband Rodrigo always wanted a big family, but after she gave birth to Hisa who was born breach, it caused complications with her uterus making it almost impossible to get pregnant by normal means so they had opted for in vitro fertilization.
They had saved up for years and finally here they were about to add three new lives to their family. It had worked on their first try and low and behold 6 months later she was on bed rest suffering complications with triplets. The only good thing was she wasn’t planning on having anymore children. This was it. She was already 33 years old.
Hanako was laying in bed watching television wishing she could have gone to the concert with Hisa. They had been planning this for the past month but at the last minute she had started bleeding, scaring the hell out of everyone. The doctor told her she was overworked and needed complete bed rest.
Hanako was just dozing off when she felt a chill brush over her skin. Something was wrong. She wasn’t sure how she knew, she just did. She reached for the cordless phone and dialed Rodrigo’s number. No answer. She called Hisa’s cell phone. No answer. What the hell was going on? They always answered their phones, especially now with her being laid up.
She was just gearing up to call again when there was a knock at the door. She looked over at the clock. The time read 11:23pm. She wondered who that could be. She slowly made her way out of the bed, set in the chair with wheels that Rodrigo had placed specifically for her to be able to get around in and rolled her way out of the room, down the hall and around the corner to the front door pausing in front.
“Who is it?” she called.
“It’s the police, could you open up please? We need to speak with you.” One of the officers called.
She rolled the chair to the side and swung the door open wide looking at the two officers wide eyed. “What’s going on? What happened?” she asked but already knew something terrible had happened.
“First, I’m officer Tompkins and this is officer Ray.”
“I’m Hanako Alvarez. Please, tell me what’s going on?”
“There was an accident earlier at a gas station about a mile from your home involving your husband and daughter. I’m afraid your husband didn’t make it.” He said compassionately.
She was too shocked to feel anything, like something froze up inside of her encasing her heart. “And my daughter?” She whispered.
“She’s was taken in unconscious but stable. The other child, a Jennifer Sanders was fine and her parents have already collected her. They told us about your condition. We are here to escort you to the hospital.” The other officer told her.
Hanako nodded dazedly. “I just need to change my clothes.” She said distantly. She went into the bedroom, changed out of her nightgown and threw on a pair of sweats and a t-shirt then wheeled her way back out to the officers.
Officer Ray grabbed her up into his arms and carried her out to the waiting squad car, placed her gently in the back before closing the door and hopped into the front passenger seat.
Fifteen minutes later she found herself lying on the bed with her daughter who had a gauze bandage wrapped around her head. Her face was almost as pale as the sheet. She felt the numbness that was encasing her heart slowly start to dim and she gave way to her anguish and pain. Her husband was gone, the love of her life taken in a moment while saving the life of their daughter.
She remembered the first time they had met. They were both sixteen. She was working at her father’s laundry mat when he had come in wanting his silk shirt cleaned for his sister’s upcoming wedding. It had been love at first sight for both.
They had been inseparable after that. Her father had disowned her when she had become pregnant with Hisa at 19 and refused to give her up. Rodrigo had married her and they’d made a nice life together full of love and happiness.
“Mom, why are you crying? I can feel your tears on my face.” Hisa asked weakly.
Hanako felt a wave of relief wash over her when she heard her baby’s voice. She had been so worried when the doctor told her Hisa had suffered a serious concussion. They wanted to keep her a few days to monitor her condition.
“Oh baby. I’m just so happy you’re finally awake.” She said kissing her forehead.
“Where’s dad?” she asked squinting. Hanako reached across her to the table next to the bed, grabbed her glasses and placed them on her face.
“I need to tell you something sweetheart.” She took a deep breath trying to get her thoughts in order, but then realized there was no easy way to say it but to just put it out there and deal with it.
“Mom.” Hisa grabbed her shirt yanking it slightly to get her attention.
“Hisa tonight there was an accident. Your father was hit by a car.” She told her biting her lower lip, closing her eyes tightly. She didn’t want to cry in front of her. She wanted to be strong for the both of them.
Hisa shook her head in denial, her eyes tearing up. “No, no he’s not dead. Daddy. Daddy.” She called crying harder.
“I’m sorry baby. So sorry but daddy’s gone.”
“But how? I don’t understand. What happened to me? Why am I in the hospital?” she asked, confused.
The doctors had mentioned that she might not remember anything due to the concussion. She placed a hand on her cheek rubbing it gently. “You and your father went to a concert earlier this evening with Jennifer. When you were on your way home he stopped at a gas station. There was a drunk driver. When you were coming out of the station the driver was about to hit you with his car and your father pushed you out of the way. You hit your head when you fell but daddy, he didn’t make it.”
“So then it’s my fault?” she asked, her shoulders slumping in on themselves.
“No baby, why would you think that?”
“Because mom. If it wasn’t for me dad would still be alive. He died because of me.” she sobbed, her tiny frame shaking making the bed vibrate slightly, her heart rate picked up making the monitor go out of control.
“Hisa calm down.” Hanako was getting worried. Hisa’s was gasping, her breath coming out ragged. She was just about to call for a nurse when the door opened, a nurse coming in quickly followed by the doctor.
“What’s going on in here?” he asked reading the results from the heart rate sheet then taking in Hisa’s form on the bed. He went over to the nurse, whispered something to her which had her rushing from the room only to quickly return with a small bottle with clear liquid.
“What’s that?” Hanako asked eyeing the nurse warily.
He placed a needle in the top of the bottle pulling out the medication with the syringe before glancing her way. “It’s a mild sedative. Just a little something that will help her relax.” He said pulling the needle out, adjusting the dosage then placed it in her I.V.
“She blames herself for the accident. What can I do?” she asked the doctor, feeling helpless.
“It’s called survivors guilt. She will need to speak with a counselor. We can set something up in the morning. If you would like we can set something up for you as well. I know this must come as a huge shock to you both.”
Hanako looked at Hisa who was already calming from the effects of the medication.
“I don’t need to speak with anyone, but I would like Hisa to meet with a grief counselor.”
The doctor eyed her for a moment, taking in her body language and face then gave a stiff nod. “Ok for Hisa then, but if you feel like you need to speak with someone know that we are here for you both.” He said before exiting the room.
Hanako pulled Hisa into a tight embrace, leaning her head into her frizzy hair breathing in her scent before dozing off.
Chapter 2
Hisa set in the backyard swinging in the tire her dad had made for her when she was 6. It had been two months since her father’s death. She missed him terribly, wishing that she could see him just once more and tell him how much she loved him.
“Hisa come inside.” Her mother called from the kitchen doorway.
Hisa glanced up at her mother who was sitting in the office chair with wheels and smiled to herself. She looked so silly with her huge belly protruding from her middle. Her mother was such a tiny little thing. She was already taller than her by a few inches.
“Can’t I stay out here a bit longer mom? Please.” She begged. Her mother had become very overprotective since her father’s death, hardly letting her out of her sight.
“No now. We need to start packing anyway. The movers will be here in a few days.”
Hisa got up from the swing, her head downcast. They were moving to the country, as if this house wasn’t already out farther away than others. Her mother was just afraid of living in the county and now wanted to be away from society all together it seemed.
This was crazy. She was 8 months pregnant and was making them move 50 miles to the middle of nowhere.
Hisa walked towards the back door but stopped when she heard something that sounded like a piercing cry lit the night sky. Looking up she saw a huge bird descending towards her, its claws outstretched, mouth open.
“Mom.” She screamed just as the hawks claws latched onto her arms slicing her skin. “Oww, Mom. Help me.” she screamed louder as the hawk’s beak punctured the skin on her hand.
Her mother came barreling out of the house with a gun in her hand. She quickly took in the scene before her, raised the butt of the gun and started whacking the bird on the head and back until it released Hisa and fell to the ground. When it made a move to latch on to her foot she turned the gun and released two shots into the birds back.
Hisa was in a state of shock, her ears ringing from the gunshot. She held her arms up, looking at the sliced torn skin on her hands and arms and found her vision was starting to dim. She looked up at her mother who seemed to be getting farther and farther away. “Wha…what.. hap..” she asked before darkness enclosed her.
*****
Hanako was in the kitchen fixing dinner when she heard her daughter screaming. She didn’t even think just grabbed the key chain off the wall, unlocked the drawer, opened it and pulled out the hand gun Rodrigo kept there for emergencies.
Hanako rushed out onto the back porch and froze in horror as she saw a huge bird attacking her daughter. She wanted to aim her gun and shoot it right then and there but decided against it, not wanting to accidently shoot her child. So instead raised the butt of the gun and started beating it on the head and back knocking it to the ground. When it went to make a move on her she turned the gun and pulled the trigger, blood and guts seeping onto the porch.
Hanako turned to look at Hisa who was standing there with her eyes opened wide staring at her arms before her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she pitched forward in a faint. She reached out and grabbed her before she hit the ground. She tapped her face a few times trying to get her to come around. When that didn’t work she grabbed her around the waist and dragged her into the kitchen laying her gently on the floor then walked over to the closet, opened the door and pulled out the first aid kit. She opened it peering inside making sure it contained all the necessities then quickly made her way back to her daughter.
Very gently she cleaned her wounds, looking at the deep scratches that had already stopped bleeding to her utter amazement. Maybe it wasn’t as bad as she had first thought. She quickly dressed the wounds then replaced the kit. Now the only thing left to do was to get rid of the bird, but first she had to check it to make sure it wasn’t rabid.
She went over to the cabinet, opened it and pulled out a pair of plastic gloves and quickly put them on then made her way out onto the back porch, bent down to her knees, carefully gripping her stomach for support as she bent over and dragged the bird towards her.
It was a huge hawk. Bigger than any she had ever seen before. Whoever was taking care of this beast did an awesome job. She wondered if they fed him growth supplements. It looked healthy as well.
Hanako reached over and grabbed its wings, turned it on its back peering at its face. It didn’t look rabid. There was no white stuff on the side of its mouth. She opened the mouth peering down its throat. It was fine. What made it attack her daughter she wondered?
Now that she was done checking it she needed to dispose of this thing. The only way she could think of was the small incinerator her husband had built a few years back to burn leaves and trash.
Hanako got slowly to her feet, lifted its wing and dragged it towards the back of the house and around the corner towards the incinerator. She stopped in front of it taking a deep breath’s while rubbing her aching back. Once the ache was somewhat relieved she threw in wood kindling, coal and lighter fluid and set it on fire.
Once that was done she pulled out the slider from inside and after 10 minutes of struggling with the bird she finally got it on top of the slide then paused as the bird began to shift in front of her.
“What the hell?” She said in a shocked whisper as the bird began to elongate, its wings turning into arms, its claws becoming long legs. Before it could finish changing she pushed it inside the incinerator, sealed it up tight then took a few steps back watching the fire immediately blaze to life consuming whatever that was inside.
“Mom, what’s going on?” Hisa asked standing a few feet away, a baffled look coloring her face.
She rushed across the distance throwing her arms around her daughter holding her tightly. What had she just seen? It couldn’t have been real. Her mind had to be playing tricks on her.
Hanako felt Hisa’s skin and frowned. It felt really warm. “Let’s go inside honey.” She told her worriedly ushering her inside the house.
*****
Hisa walked inside the house with her mother, her body was feeling extremely weak. She was feeling hot then cold. Her muscles were aching and her stomach was churning making her feel horrible.
“Hisa, what’s wrong honey?” her mother asked looking at her tight features, her jaw locking and unlocking as spasm’s of pain started to engulf her.
“I don’t feel so good.” She said right before she vomited all over the kitchen’s pristine floors.
After that she wasn’t too sure about what happened next. She was in and out of consciousness. She had flashes of memory where her mother was forcing medicine down her throat along with broth.
When she next awoke it was to the sound of something chattering. With her eyes closed she listened, trying to find the source and was shocked when she realized it was coming from her. As her senses came fully on line she opened her eyes, taking in her surroundings. She was sitting in the bathroom tub full of water and partially melted ice. She stood up quickly reaching for the towel hanging on the rack, stepped from the tub, dried off then wrapped another towel around her body and left the bathroom in search of her mom.
Hisa found her in the bedroom asleep, lying halfway across the bed with her clothes and shoes still on. It looked like she had set down and just collapsed.
“Mom.” She called, sitting on the bed next to her brushing a strand of hair away from her face. She glanced at the clock. It was six in the afternoon. Gosh it was late.
“Mmm.” Her mother murmured, opening her eyes slightly peering up at her before they shot wide open. “Baby, you ok? How are you feeling?” She said quickly, trying to sit up in bed.
Hisa helped her mother sit up then wrapped her arms around her giving her a tight hug. “I’m fine, but why was I in the tub?” she really had no idea why she woke in a tub full of ice water.
“You had a very high fever darling. I had no choice when your fever went up to 109.”
“Well why didn’t you take me to the hospital? I don’t understand.” She should be dead. People didn’t survive fevers that high. Why would her mother not send her to the hospital?
“Look at your arms and hand honey.”
Hisa looked at her arms and hand, running her fingers over the smooth uninjured skin. “Wha..t” she said looking at her mother, stunned. How long had she been sick?
Her mother interpreted the look nodding her head, reading her expressive face. “You were sick for two days with a very high fever. You could barely keep anything down. Your arms healed hours after being attacked by that bird. Have you noticed anything about yourself?” she asked frowning, giving her a once over.
Now that she mentioned it she did feel different. She looked at her body, her vision clearer than ever. Wait her vision. She reached up touching her eyes. Glasses, where were her glasses. She didn’t even need them, her vision picked up everything. Small movements out the window, dust motes, paper blowing on the desk from the overhead fan.
Hisa got up from the bed and rushed over to the mirror taking in her face. It was clear. No acne, no blemishes, just an even olive skin tone. Her eyes were a clear vibrant hazel. She looked at her hair. It was no longer a wild riot of curls but sleek loose waves falling down her back. Her muscles looked more toned. She opened her mouth looking at her teeth. They were straight, perfect. She didn’t need these stupid braces anymore.
Her mother come up behind her running her fingers through her hair. “You’re spectacular honey. Come and sit down so we can talk. I need to tell you something really important. “
Feeling nervous and unsure Hisa followed her mother back over to the bed where they both took a seat. She looked at her mother worriedly. She looked totally exhausted. There were dark circles under her eyes, her skin was drawn tight. Her iron straight hair was now sticking up in places.
“Mom, maybe you should rest. You look tired.” She suggested, worried about her mom’s condition. It wasn’t good for her to be stressed. She could go into labor at any moment now.
“No honey, we need to talk. It’s important. The other night when I was placing that bird into the incinerator it began to change.” She told her pausing, gauging her reaction. “I didn’t know what to make of it so I burned it all night. There is nothing left now but ashes. Honey I think that perhaps it was a shape shifter or something and I think it infected you. I’m not sure what’s going on but I watched you these past two days, watching the changes you were going through. That’s the only way I can explain it.” She told her biting her lower lip nervously.
Hisa wanted to laugh. This was outrageous. Shape shifters weren’t real, but then again how else could she explain the changes going on inside and outside of her. She felt different, more connected, her senses more attuned to her surroundings and environment.
“Mom, I don’t understand. How do you know any of this?”
“I did some online research after I got you settled. I was worried, still am worried. I think I am in a state of shock so everything hasn’t caught up to me yet or it could be that I worked some of the fear out of me by focusing on you these past few days.”
“If I am a werehawk or shape shifter or whatever then when do I sprout wings and fly?” This couldn’t be true. Maybe the fever wrought these changes in her. It was pretty high. She kept trying to find other reasons for the changes taking root but deep down she knew, she felt a beast lying dormant inside her waiting to emerge.
“I read online that the full moon will bring about the first change. There’s a full moon tonight honey. We will just have to wait and see what happens. Hopefully this is bullshit and I just imagined what I saw but then again my eyes are good and my brain is whole so there is no denying what I saw. No matter what happens you and I will always be together, I won’t let anything happen to you.” Her mother vowed passionately.
Hisa didn’t know if she could bear to listen to anymore of this. How could her mother be so calm about all of this? Well she did have a few days to get most of the worry out of her system and work through this but what the heck was she suppose to do? This was surreal. Things like this just didn’t happen in real life and this was the real world dang it. She was only 13. Her life was awkward enough without this crap.
Hisa left the room, heading for her own. She needed to get dressed and out of this house for awhile. She put on a pair of sweat pants and sweatshirt, went downstairs, made herself a sandwich and washed it down with a cola then headed outside.
She walked around the backyard for awhile, her hearing and sight picking up everything, the bugs crawling under the dirt, a mouse running through some leaves 30 feet away. She lifted her head smelling the air. A storm was brewing towards the northeast. How did she know that? This was so weird. She needed to get out of here. Turning on her heel she walked through the backyard towards the gate, opened it and took off running, faster and faster until everything went by in a blur, houses, cars, trees. She heard someone gasp. Only then realizing that she was running faster than any normal person would and slowed her pace. She looked around seeing swings, slides and monkey bars and realized she was at the park across town. Glancing down at her watch she saw it had only taken her 10 minutes to get here. She wasn’t even out of breath.
Hisa walked over to one of the swings, plopped down heavily and kicked her feet back pushing herself on the swing. She set there for hours lost in thought. Wondering how her life was going to change. Would she be in danger from other shifters? What other beings were out there since apparently shape shifters were real? Did that mean vampires existed and witches to?
As Hisa set there contemplating her future she started to feel odd. Her skin began prickling and her stomach turned into knots making her groan in discomfort. She looked up at the sky and froze in horror. It was getting pretty dark and she noticed the moon rising higher in the night sky. Shoot, what was she going to do now? She felt an icy tingle of fear shoot down her spine. She heard a car screech to a halt somewhere to her left, looking in that direction she saw her mother with a flash light peering out of the window. When the light hit her she bought her hands up to her face covering her suddenly sensitive eyes.
“Hisa, my god.” She screamed getting slowly from the car making her way over to her.
“Mom what are you doing? You know you shouldn’t be out walking around. It’s dangerous.” She chided walking quickly towards her.
When she was in reaching distance her mother slapped her hard across the face making her gasp in shock. She looked at her with tears in her eyes. Her mother had never struck her before.
Her mother was gasping for breath, her own eyes watering with tears. “Don’t you ever do that to me again. I have been searching for you for hours Hisa. Hours! Why did you leave? I told you never to leave without telling me and you know not to stay out at night.” She cried grabbing her into a fierce hug, her body trembling from fright.
“Mom I’m sorry. I just needed to get out, get some space. I didn’t mean to worry you. I’m sorry.” She cried.
“I’m sorry to honey. I didn’t mean to hit you I was just so upset.”
Before Hisa could say anything more she felt a sharp pain in her stomach and gasped falling to her knees. “It hurts mommy.” She groaned falling to her side on the ground panting as the pain spread from her middle branching out to her chest, arms, and hands, down her legs and to her feet. She screamed when she felt her body trying to shift, her bones popping out of place, changing. The pain was indescribable.
“Hisa. Hisa.” Her mother cried reaching for her.
“Don’t touch me.” she screamed getting to her knees, her head thrown back, shrieking noises coming from her mouth.
“Don’t fight it honey. Just let go. Let go.” Her mother said smoothly.
Hisa looked at her mother, who looked so worried for her. Heck she was worried to. She closed her eyes trying to breathe through the pain. She stopped trying to hold herself to together, letting go. The pain eased some but didn’t leave completely. She felt her body shift and pop, and change until suddenly the pain was gone. She opened her eyes trying to look around but there was fabric obscuring her vision. She struggled using her claws and beak to untangle herself.
“Hisa.” She heard her mother calling her name.
She poked her head out first looking around taking in her surroundings. Her head cocked to the side as she peered up at her mother who was looking frightened. She picked up on the scent of fear right away and some predatory instinct to defend herself had her coming out of the clothes, spreading her wings wide flapping them to make herself seem bigger and before she knew what she was doing she was bearing down on her mother, her claws up ready to attack her.
“Hisa, it’s me. It’s mother baby. It’s ok. I’m not going to hurt you.” She said quickly, eyes wide with shock and love.
Stopping just short of striking her mother she fought against her instincts, forcing herself to back away from her. She began flapping her wings and pushing up off the ground. She took flight a few feet in the air then fell. She tried over and over again picturing flying birds in her mind until she found herself up up and away flapping her wings until she was soaring though the sky.
Such freedom, she thought. Like nothing could touch her. The air on her face, sliding through her feathers was one of the best sensations in world, like a smooth calming caress. She looked at the moon beckoning her. She flew through the cloud banks until she could see the moon clearly. It was beautiful, bright, almost like it was glowing, pulsing with power.
Hisa flew for hours until finally her wings began to tire. She slowly made her way back down to where her mother still set waiting for her when she saw a dog approaching her. She saw her mother look back and gasp in fear. The dogs ears flattened, its legs spread out bending slightly. It was about to attack. She swooped down letting out a shriek in warning just as the dog launched itself at her mother.
Hisa met him in mid air, latching onto him with her sharp talons; she dug into its neck clawing deeply while using her beak to peck him in the head, snout, eyes, anywhere she could get him. The dog fell to its side rolling over her knocking her off balance. Once it was free of her it went for her belly, the most vulnerable spot on her body. She threw her wing out just in time to protect her middle and let out a screech of pain when it bit through her feathers into her flesh.
Hisa stuck her talons into the skin under its neck ripping out junks of flesh. It howled in pain letting her go and turned away running into the woods. She lay there panting, waiting for the pain to go away when she felt something touch her injured wing and instinctually attacked, pecking and digging her claws in when she heard the person gasp in pain.
She released her talons when she realized it was her mother. Feeling remorse and shame for hurting her she tried to hop away but her mother grabbed her pulling her against her hugging her tightly.
“It’s ok Hisa. I know you didn’t mean it. Come on sweetheart, let’s get you home.”
Hisa looked at the bleeding scratches on her arm, bent down and licked them trying to stop the blood flow.
“No Hisa don’t.” her mother called out making her jump in alarm at the intensity of her voice.
She looked up at her mother who was now frowning worriedly at her, biting her lower lip nervously. She picked up the clothes off the ground, while keeping her wrapped securely in her arms then got up from the ground and headed towards the car all the while glancing anxiously at her arm.
Chapter 3
Hisa looked in the mirror for the one hundredth time. She wanted to look beautiful. Today was her first date with Daniel and she wanted everything to be perfect. She couldn’t believe her mother was letting her go out with him. Seriously, here she was 22 and still a virgin while everyone else she knew was married with children already or at least was on their 5th or 6th boyfriend, not that she knew that many people.
She had many online friends as well as Jennifer whom she had kept in contact with. She was now married with a child on the way. Jennifer kept her apprised of their old school mates lives at well.
It had been nine long years since that fateful night when her life had been changed. She was attacked by a werehawk and had unwittingly changed her mother as well. She had remembered being so frightened that her mother would die when she broke out in a fever. She had begged her mother to let her call an ambulance but her mother had been adamant that she not call anyone. She had set in that tub for three days burning with fever. She had been worried for the babies as well. But somehow with the medication, ice, water and food she had pulled through and a couple days later her mother had given birth to the triplets.
It was the oddest thing though. When they were born they had come out in a thick white membrane that had reminded her of an egg. It was utterly disgusting and she still dreamed about it even to this day. Shaking her head to dislodge the image she continued getting dressed.
Hisa pulled up her skinny leg black jeans showcasing her flared hips, smiling to herself as she smoothed her hands down her side. She was shaped like a spoon and had a small b-cup bust, tiny waist with a nice plump butte and wide hips. That was the Latino in her blood she supposed.
Leaving her room she walked into the kitchen pausing when she saw the triplets sitting at the table drawing. They were too cute. Little Himiko with her black shining hair falling in curls down her back, Aoi’s straight hair pulled up in a ponytail and Rodrigo jr sitting there with a pout on his face as he watched Aoi coloring in his favorite book.
“Hello my darling’s.” She called out to them.
They screeched excitedly hopping up from their chairs and rushing towards her throwing their arms around her giving her tight hugs. They were such affectionate children, always touching her and rubbing her face against her or laying next to her whenever she was in the same room with them.
“Sissy where are you going?” Aoi asked looking her up and down before pulling on her pants then frowning when they wouldn’t give.
“I have a date.” She told her bending and giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Sissy you don’t need to date anyone. You have me. If you want to go out I can take you.” Rodrigo told her haughtily, his chest puffed out.
She laughed at him. He was so possessive. He didn’t like any guys talking to her. Whenever they traveled into town he always kept a close eye on her and everyone around them.
Bending down to eye level with him she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “It’s ok baby boy. No one will take me away from you.” She told him hugging him closely. Especially if her mother had anything to do with it.
“How did you meet this person Sissy?” Himiko said pulling on her shirt to get her attention.
“When I went to the movies a couple weeks ago I met him. He goes to college here.” She told her yanking on a strand of her hair. “Where’s mom?” She asked looking around the house.
“She’s downstairs doing the laundry.” Aoi said walking back to the table and taking her seat once more. She picked up her crayons and continued to color.
Hisa walked across the room towards the door that would lead to the basement but stopped when her mother came through the doors holding a hamper of laundry.
“You needed me?” she asked.
Hisa tried not to laugh at how ridiculous her mother looked carrying a full hamper of clothing that was almost as big as she was.
She couldn’t get over how young her mother looked. She was 43 but looked like she was 25. Her body was as tight and fit as a 16 year old.
“Well, did you need something?” She asked sitting the basket on the table.
“I need some money.” She told her walking over to the table and taking a seat next to Aoi.
Her father had two insurance policies when he died both for half a million dollars. One to be split amongst us kids which they couldn’t touch until their twenty fifth birthday and one for mom. All were set up to incur interest. They weren’t broke by a long shot but her mother was such a penny pincher.
“How much do you need? Your date isn’t paying?” she asked raising an eyebrow.
“Well I suppose he is but I don’t want to just assume that he will so I need at least $30 dollars.”
“Wow your dates cheap. Mom why are you letting her go out with a human?” Rodrigo asked with a disgusted look on his face.
Hisa cut her eyes to the little snot, sending him daggers but he just stuck his tongue out at her. It had taken forever for her mom to relent and let her start dating. She was so overprotective it wasn’t even funny. She didn’t want her to go back to the way she was prior, keeping them sheltered and away from everyone as much as possible. She had never even kissed a guy.
“Well because we haven’t met any other shifters honey and besides your sisters an adult now and knows how to control her beast don’t you honey.” Her mother asked folding her arms, giving her that look, the one that meant not to be trifled with.
She sighed heavily rolling her eyes. “Yes, I do mom. It’s going to be fine. I promise. And Rodrigo, there is nothing wrong with humans.”
“I’m not human, you’re not human. They’re beneath us.” he said getting back to his book.
“Young man, we were once human. Your father was human. They are not beneath us. I don’t want to ever hear you say something like that again.” Her mother told him stepping up beside his chair. She was a force to be reckoned with when angry. Don’t let the small stature fool you. She could have you laid out flat in a minute.
“Yes mom. Sorry.” he said hunching in on himself trying to get as far from her as possible.
“Mom when do we get to fly? I want to turn into a hawk like you and sissy.” Himiko complained.
“I’m not sure honey but it shouldn’t be long now.” Her mother said brushing her hair from her face.
“Well I was thirteen when I shifted for the first time guys. So I guess when you hit puberty you will shift for the first time as well.” Hisa told them just as a knock sounded at the door.
She rushed to the front door, peered out the peephole and smiled, her heart rate picking up. Daniel was here. She smoothed her hair and fixed her shirt before opening the door.
“Hi.” He said smoothly walking inside before she had asked him in.
She stepped to the side frowning slightly as he stepped past her taking in her frontroom. “Um hi.” She said awkwardly.
He bent and kissed her on the cheek sending goose bumps down her arms. “Shall we go?” He asked taking her by the arm and pulling her out the door.
Gosh he was forceful. “Wait I want to tell my mom bye.” she told him just as her mother came around the corner, followed closely by her sisters and brother who were all looking at Daniel with intent stares.
This was her mother’s first time meeting Daniel.
“Hello Mrs. Alvarez. Nice to meet you, wait! You’re Hisa’s mother. You look young enough to be her sister.” Daniel said wide eyed, clasping her hand, giving it a quick shake before releasing her and stepping back, his eyes darting from her back to her mother in surprise.
“Yes, I’m her mother. Thanks for the compliment. It’s every mothers dream to be told they look like their oldest child’s sibling. It’s nice to meet you to Daniel.” She said somewhat stiffly. “Where are you guys going tonight?”
His eyes were still wide with surprise as he spoke. “I thought we could skip the movies. My frat is having a party tonight and I thought it would be great to go there, perhaps introduce Hisa to a few people.”
Hisa didn’t know how she felt about that. For the past 9 years she and her family had basically kept to themselves away from everyone else. She didn’t know how she would do around a crowd of people.
“I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.” Her mother was saying but she quickly cut her off.
“It’s ok mom. I don’t mind.” She said turning towards Daniel and grabbed his arm. “Let’s go. I’ve never been to a party before.” She would have to learn how to interact with people other than her mom and sibling sooner or later.
Three things she would have to remember. One, keep her speed down, two, keep her strength in check and lastly control her squawk. Every time she got excited or upset with the kids or they with her it resulted in a squawk fest that had their mother coming in and laying down the law and all of them getting in trouble including her.
Hisa was so ready to break away from the nest and do her own thing. Have her own life, but her mother told her she had to wait until she was twenty five. She and her siblings each had a little over a million dollars in the bank from all these years of incurring interest, from bonds and a few stocks. Her mother had more than that. Then again, hers wasn’t split four ways. You would never know they were rich from the house they lived in. It was a four bedroom ranch style house with a full basement that also had a wash room, slash game room for the kids.
“Well we should be going. Mom I’ll see you later. Please don’t wait up.” She told her ushering Daniel from the room.
“Don’t be too late.” She warned.
*****
Hanako didn’t trust that boy but knew she had to let Hisa live and experience life. She couldn’t go on keeping her sheltered and closed up in this house or she would break away in the worst sort of way.
“Mom I don’t like him.” Rodrigo said, his arms around her waist looking up at her with a huge scowl.
“I know honey but your sisters an adult and thus have to be able to make her own decisions and mistakes.” She said rubbing his head, shuffling his curly hair.
“But.”
“No buts’ honey. Now go back into the kitchen and continue drawing while I put you guy’s clothes away.”
Hanako watched him run back into the kitchen. He was the spitting image of his father. She was so happy she had a son too pass on the Alvarez name. She walked slowly towards the kitchen peering inside at her babies. They were so beautiful. She had been so afraid she would lose them all those years ago but they had made it through fine and healthy.
Hisa and she had packed up a week after the triplet’s birth and moved here to this ranch style home in Abbott, Texas away from the hustle and bustle.
They hardly met anyone out here. The children were home schooled and she was just so happy that it was three of them so they wouldn’t feel alone. She often felt bad about Hisa who has always been alone. There weren’t any kids around her age to really play or hang with. Not that she would have let her. It took Hisa a very long time to control her hawk.
She did her a disservice but it was too late for that now. All she could do was let her spread her wings and hope for the best.
*****
Hisa glanced around the living room of the frat house she was standing in. It had taken them a half hour to get here. It was so crowed you could barely move and heavy with smoke. The temperature is this room was sweltering. Music was blaring and people were dancing and grooving closely to one another. How could anyone move in here she wondered, getting irritated when someone bumped into her and didn’t even say excuse me?
“Hey Daniel, who’s your friend?” A tall good looking blond guy came over slapping him on the back leering down at her.
Daniel pulled her possessively against him. “This is Hisa Alvarez. Hisa this is Nathan Moore.” David said making the introductions.
Nathan sidled up to her brushing gently against her butt while wrapping his rightarm around her shoulder and reached out grabbing her hand, shaking it gently while letting his thumb rub the back of her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you Hisa. What say I get you a drink and we go somewhere privately to talk?”
She pulled his arm off her and pushed him lightly away from her. “I’m here with Daniel Nathan.” She said snuggling up to him. “Why don’t you find you someone else to get to know better?”
Hisa saw a look pass between the two but couldn’t decipher it. She felt a chill run up her spine. Her instincts were telling her something was off with these guys.
“Hisa, why don’t I get you something to drink? Here have a seat.” Daniel said ushering her to a couch where he set her down then walked off in search of their drinks.
She sat on the couch bobbing her head to the music watching people dance. Some of the girls were barely wearing anything, their bodies bumping and grinding against their partners. Why not just get a room she thought indignantly rolling her eyes.
Daniel came back handing her an open bottle of beer. She bought it to her lips then paused and sniffed the beer. There was something off with the smell, very slight but there. There was something in it. She flicked her eyes up at him.
“Where did you get this?” she asked placing the bottle on the floor next to her feet.
He moved from one foot to the other nervously. “The guy manning the bar gave it to me.” he said pointing behind him.
Hisa picked up her bottle, got to her feet and walked towards the guy giving out drinks. “Can I have another beer? There was something in mine.” She said handing him her drink. He shrugged, took it and grabbed another, opened it and handed it to her.
She sniffed it first, not smelling anything out of the ordinary and took a swallow wrinkling her nose at the taste. She’d been drinking beer and wine since she’d turned twenty one. The alcohol never got her drunk just comfortably buzzed for about 15 minutes before her high metabolism burnt it off. She placed the bottle to her lips and took a long swallow.
“What was wrong with the other drink?” Daniel asked taking a swill from his own drink.
“There was something in it.” She said rolling her eyes. She wondered if Daniel put something in her drink. She watched a lot of movies over the years so she understood about date rape drugs and frat parties and such.
“Really.” He said suddenly looking anywhere but at her.
Hisa narrowed her eyes at him taking another swallow of her drink. She didn’t want her evening ruined with arguing but she knew that this would be their last date together. She had no doubt that he was the one who put something in her drink. She didn’t want to date someone who could do something like that.
One of her favorite songs blasted through the speakers connected to a radio and she started moving her hips dancing in time with the beat.
“Want to dance?” Daniel asked her.
Hisa looked him over still feeling a little peeved at him but decided to have a good time while she was here and let him lead her to the middle of the floor. She felt his hand sliding up and down her back then down to her hips and finally cupping her ass. She felt his hard length against her stomach feeling a mild spark of arousal fluctuate from her core making her gut clench. She wrapped her arms around his neck closing her eyes letting herself go. She always loved to dance. She felt Daniel’s breath against her cheek, his hair brushing against the side of her face tickling her slightly and giggled.
When he started nuzzling her face she leaned her head to the side giving him better access to her face and neck, smiling when she felt his lips brush against her skin then moaning when he flicked his tongue against her overheated flesh nibbling lightly.
“You are so beautiful baby.” He breathed out against her skin pulling back and looking down at her face. “Your beautiful hazel eyes drew me in the first time I looked at you, your beautiful full sensual lips begged me to claim them.” He said bending and taking her bottom lip between his teeth nipping gently before sucking her lip in between his lips.
Hisa moaned wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss. His tongue dancing with hers, flicking, sucking, so caught up in his embrace that she almost missed the warning tingle shoot though her. Pulling away from him, she let her eyes wonder around the room settling on a man standing across from her leaning against the wall staring intently at her and Daniel, a smirk on his face.
Chapter 4
Horace watched the She-Hawk dance with the human male with a frown. She was beautiful, tall olive complexion, oval shaped face, high cheek bones, slanted hazel eyes and midnight black hair down to her waist. She was a goddess.
He felt his gut churn as he watched the male kiss and touch her delectable body. He wanted to go over and rip his arms off and shove them down his throat but that would cause problems among the humans.
Why was she here with him? He could sense she was young. Was she perhaps a student? What pack was she from? He needed to know, not that it really mattered. He meant to have her and no one would get in his way. Female shifters were hard to come by. Not many born. A joke Mother Nature played on the shifter race to keep the balance.
The last three women he tried to turn died from fever and now out of the blue a female hawk just seemed to fall into his lap. It was fate. He had a few she-hawk in his pack but they needed new blood introduced. He needed soldiers.
He saw her look at him finally, took her long enough to sense him. He pushed away from the wall and walked towards her slowly not wanting to spook her. He meant to take her tonight.
*****
Hisa saw the man approaching her. He was tall, at least 6ft, soft red hair with pale features. He had a hawkish look about him. His eyes were deep set and the color of rum, his nose long with flared nostrils and thin lips. He was striking in looks but something about him was sending warning shivers through her being. He was no good.
“Hi I’m Horace Hawkeye and you are?” He asked holding out his hand.
She bit her bottom lip glancing up at Daniel who was glaring at Horace. Horace ignored him, his eyes on her.