5 Chapter 5: Intense

Chapter 5: Intense

BAAAANG.

Jesus. Mary. Lord. And Christ. Can I never just sleep without some noise?!

My eyes flick open and rage is burning in my gut. I sit up and jump to my feet ready to attack.

'Oh sorry! I didn't mean to wake you.' A soft voice from behind speaks.

Huh? Have I finally lost the plot or?

I turn my head tentatively and spot a girl. Images flash quickly through my mind of the entity and the fight.OOOOH shit. Now I remember. Water girl!

'Don't worry about it...' I retract my claws and walk towards the kitchen and pick up the bean can she dropped.

'I just wanted to thank you for bringing me with you without you I would have been taken.' The young girl looks about 13 and her long brown hair covers her eyes as she looks to the floor. She looks so sad.

'Like I said don't worry about it. Have they taken you before?' They don't need to be named as we both look like we've been running from them.

She looks at me with determination her dark brown eyes for the first time since I saw her use her powers.

'No, but they tried. They tried to pay my mum off but she refused. Next thing I know she screams for me to run while shoving a bag in my hand. That's the last I saw of her and it's been two years. Tears gather in her eyes and she looks to her left clearly embarrassed. I say nothing. One because she has given me a multitude of information in one load and Two Im envious that her mum would care that much. I feel so petty but damn I would have turned out so different if mine loved me.

I shake my head willing the thoughts to leave me. No time for wishful thinking right now.

'Want some tea?' I speak casually desperate to stop the emotional talk.

She smiles and nods. I turn and grab the tea bags as I run the water from the tap.

'You can go sit down; I will bring it'. 'Okay.

I don't know how to make a conversation it's been so long since I've seen anybody let alone anyone friendly…. Hmm, maybe I will ask about her powers that seems like a neutral topic.

I turn and carry chipped mugs over. I hand the pale one as I throw myself to the other side of the bed, caution to the wind about spilling the tea.

'So, what's your power?' I tilt my head as I watch her grimace at the cold tea.

'I am able to expend the water my body retains right now.' 'Wicked.' I nod as I taste the bitter liquid swirling around my gums.

The girl turns her body as she says 'What about you?' I down the rest of my tea and place the cup at my feet.

'I am able to bodily transform into Predatory animals' I smirk proudly as her eyes light up.

'OMG, that's awesome! What animals can you turn into?' She sits forward hands clasped together.

I relax the tension in my shoulders relieved she isn't terrified. 'So far fox is my main form however since I've been training I'm starting to manage hawk form'

'Awesome! What training did you do?' The girl crosses her legs on the bed fully engaged in the conversation.

'First I imagine a part of the hawks body. Then its wings. Then last but not least the head and feathers. But that's just the transformation part. The flying was super stressful as I had to try to lift off the ground first. Then find balance and avoid getting thrown by the wind. But it was also super tiring trying to fly as I've never had wings for a long time before.' I take a breath worn out by the number of words I've thrown out.

'Have you ever flown anywhere before? Can I watch you train? Are there any other animals you want to practice turning into?' The girls sit expectantly waiting for my answer.

Ha. I like this girl she easy to talk to and no judgment comes from her.

'Not yet. Sure, if you stay with me. Plus, yeah, my favorite animal is a tiger so that's my ultimate goal. Also, would be super fun to scare the crap out of idiots who irritate me on the street.' The girls laugh but know I'm probably not kidding.

'Sounds good. I wish I could stay here but I need to find my dad. I have no clue where he is but mum said if anything happens to her, I have to locate him.' The girl's smile vanishes.

I deflate a little not wanting to face the silence every day again. Hang on…I have an idea.

'Stay here until you find him then. I can help you plus you could always train with me so you don't pass out again in a fight?'

Heat rises in her cheeks at the mention of her fainting.

She looks back up at me from the ground and nods briskly.

'Okay but what about money? I don't have a lot but I'm sure I can help out a bit.' She looks worried bless her.

'Nah don't worry about that. Some douche tried to pay me for sex cause I'm a 'freak' so I scared the crap out of him then took cash from his wallet. I shrug my shoulders at the last part no guilt invading my brain.

Her head whips round' What! He really said that to you?!' She looks saddened by this fact and looks to the ceiling as if all the fight is leaving her.

She whispers 'why do they hate us.' Without my sensitive ears, I wouldn't have heard it, and I'm sure she isn't asking me the question but I answer anyway.

'They hate us because we are different. They don't see us as human only pawns to be disposed of. But they won't always hate us I don't think.'

Silence passes.

'Really?' I can sense the hope my words give her and I'm shocked at my cynical self for being so idealistic.

'Yea' I smile at her.

She chuckles. 'How did you scare the douche?'

I grin devilishly 'I turned into a giant fox and growled in his face…plus I threatened him that if he ever treated women or us 'freaks' that way again I would personally hunt him down.' I laugh in remembrance.

'Ha! that's amazing. Did he cry?' The girl starts to hold her belly as she laughs.

'No, but he did look like he would piss his pants!' I laugh harder.

The girl starts rocking back and forth at the image.'

'Your awesome!' She yells.

Cockiness comes over me. 'Well, I do try?' The girl rolls her eyes. Despite loving the relaxed atmosphere, I need to alert her to the living situation.

'Btw I do squat here by the way so it won't be the most stable of homes' I clasp my hands together trying to bury the anxiety-filled thoughts of being captured.

'I'm on the run anyway, what's the difference between sleeping under a bridge or in here? Either way, we have to hide.' She shrugs her shoulders.

I look at her then nod respecting her decision.

I stand up and stretch my arms above my head then turn to her.

'If your gonna stay here I'm probably gonna need your name.'

'She stands too stretching also. She turns to me. 'I'm Layla. You'

As she states her name drops of water form in the air to spell the letters. L.A.Y.L.A.

I chuckle and knock them away. 'I'm Erza.' As I say my name, I shoot claws out of my hand as a joke.

She laughs then proceeds to say 'Nice to be hiding with you Erza!'

I nod then comment 'Want some beans?'

Her eyes grow at the mention of food. 'YES!'

She clambers to the kitchen and hops on the side waiting eagerly.

'Jeez. Who's the animal me or you?'. I shake my head as I walk to the kitchen.

Maybe someone is looking out for me ...huh.