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Changes We Make

Chapter Nine

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

1st October, 2021

All Rights Reserved.

What are you hiding from me... Nicole screamed at it.

You want to know little one? Oh, believe me, you really won't like it...now, shut up, or I'll make you shut up – permanently. Yes, I'm weakened at the moment, but I'm certain I can still take full control and be done with you...

*

Terrified, the youngest hunter kept trying to call the others, but he was met with static from his radio. He'd seen what happened to some of them, but his team leader was experienced and skilled and...radio silent. Was he alive? Had the Therian taken him? He didn't know. His eyes wide and fearful, his grip on the rifle tight, so his knuckles where white with stress – he kept spinning about expecting at any second, to feel the sharp teeth on his throat and the hot, fetid breath...

“Come in...anybody...” He whimpered, nearly overcome with stress and fear.

Nothing but static come from the earpiece.

“Anyone hear me!” He suddenly screamed, his fear overriding his training.

Without warning, he found himself kicked in the back and he went sprawling, the gun flying from his grasp and landing with a thud out of reach. Frantically, he gasped and tried to roll over, to see the Therian standing upright, glaring at him and then beginning to crouch, intending to leap on him.

“No, no, please!” He begged, his groin becoming wet as his bladder released.

As the Therian crawled closer, he scuttled backwards with his heels and hands, trying to keep his distance.

“I'm sorry...” He wailed like a child.

Fear and adrenaline filled him, as the Therian crawled closer, its nostrils flaring as it smelt the scent of the terrified human before it. Truly, it was almost intoxicating, it almost broke the Therian's control. Slowly, drawing it out, it crawled closer and closer, placing its paws on the humans booted feet and walking the blunt claws up his shins as it crawled even closer, locking its malevolent gaze on the hysterical human beneath it.

“I won't...” He squealed.

“No...no more tears, please – such a waste... You decided your fate young one, when you joined with them...”

Its paws crawled up his thighs, his hips, his stomach...

“Please...”

Placing a paw on his lips, the Therian placed a long foot on his belly and leaned forwards, pinning him to the ground as it's fetid breath washed over him and its nose was almost touching his.

“Be quiet...” It growled at him. “Now...”

He screamed as its head snapped to the side and he felt the powerful jaws clamp down between shoulder and neck. Teeth sheared through skin and flesh and the Therian began gulping the hot, coppery blood like a human would drink a cold glass of water on a hot summers day.

Convulsing and thrashing beneath it, the humans hands beat against the Therian's chest as the Therian growled and bit down harder – its salivary glands excreting copiously into the wound.

After a few moments, the human gasped and went limp, his eyes wide and face blanched white.

“You...”

As the Therian lifted its head and wiped its muzzle with its forearms, it stood up, placing both feet either side of the human who lay barely conscious beneath it.

“No...I will not kill you, however, you will live the rest of your short, painful existence in fear. Now you will know that which your kind brought upon my own, you will learn little one...what it is truly like, to live ones life in fear...”

Stepping off him, the Therian stepped back and turned away, before crawling a few paces away. It heard the sobbing cries of the human behind it, but it had no guilt, no remorse, it just felt apathetic...

A sudden click made the Therian freeze and its ears went flat instantly, before it suddenly convulsed at the muffled crack of the pistol.

Glancing over its shoulder, the Therian shook its head, both surprised and impressed, this weak, broken human had summoned the strength and courage to end his own life – rather than turn...

“Mayhaps I misjudged you...” Whispered the Therian, as it shook its head and began cautiously hopping away.

*

Jennifer hid in the cellar of the farmstead when she first heard the rifle shot, cowering like a frightened child in the darkest corner she could find. Her mind reeled with fear and apprehension. Was it just hunters out on a lark? It wasn't the first time she'd had them on her property...

Something, almost primitive, made her cower and slap her trembling fingers to her mouth as she heard a crash from upstairs. Dust sifted down from the rafters, as Jennifer stifled a frightened sob.

Another crash come, then the sound of breaking glass or something like that.

“No, no, no...” Jennifer's terrified whimper come from her lips.

A thud, thud, thud come from upstairs, and Jennifer's eyes widened.

That sounds...

An anguished guttural cry come from upstairs, breaking Jennifer's fear as the terror and pain she head in that cry compelled her. Making her way to the stairs, she ascended them on her hands and feet, until her fingers rattled against the cellar latch.

Don't be stupid – Jennifer's fearful thoughts flit through her mind.

Opening the trapdoor, Jennifer let is fall from her nerveless fingers, the heavy wood falling against the floor with a loud slap. Jennifer looked around, seeing the broken dishes that'd been knocked from the counter and lay broken and shattered on the floor. Here and there, were spots and even puddles of blood across the linoleum.

“Nicole?” Jennifer yelled, fear clutching at her.

A weak grunt come from the other room, then Jennifer saw the blood splattered Kangaroo crawl out and her heart leapt into her mouth as she seen the bloodied muzzle and the pure blood filled rage that spread like wildfire across the muzzle.

“No...” Jennifer whimpered. “No, you...”

With a mocking smile, the Therian's eyes narrowed as it slicked back its ears.

“Yes...me...”

Jennifer's eyes widened as she heard the barely legible words come from this... beast.

Leaving bloody paw-prints behind it, the Therian's lips curled back from its gums and it moved with intent and purpose towards Jennifer.

“Nicole, I know you're in there...somewhere!” Jennifer screamed, as she scrambled backwards. “Fight Nicole, please! Fight it...you're stronger than it is...”

With a feral snarl, the Therian suddenly leapt, its weight crashing down on Jennifer who screamed and gripped its throat in both hands, squeezing with everything she had.

“No, Nicole, please!” Jennifer screamed, as she struggled beneath the enraged Therian.

Snapping and salivating, the Therian's jaws struck out again and again, but fuelled by adrenaline, Jennifer squeezed even tighter, the Therian suddenly beginning to strangle.

“Don't...please - “ Jennifer wept, the tears sliding down her cheeks. “I don't want to kill you...”

Gagging, the Therian stopped trying to bite her, as it began pawing wildly at Jennifer's wrists, but it was unable to get a strong grip.

“Nicole, please...help me!” Jennifer yelled. “I know you're in there...”

Wheezing, the Therian's eyes bulged as it felt its throat being constricted and it couldn't breathe.

“I won't let go...”

With a violent twitch, the Therian convulsed and went limp, slumping in Jennifer's grasp. Hurriedly, Jennifer rolled it off her and scrambled away, tears running down her cheeks as she gasped and panted.

“No, no, no!” Jennifer wailed, as she ran straight back and dropped to her knees, cradling the kangaroo's head in her lap.

Unmindful of the blood, Jennifer slicked back the ears and leaned down – oblivious to the danger she put herself in, if it suddenly come back to consciousness. Her trembling fingers pressed deep against the other side of the kangaroo's neck, feeling a faint, thready pulse – then it drew a shuddering breath and went limp again.

“Oh Nicole...please, please come back...” Jennifer sobbed, cradling the Kangaroo's head as her tears slipped down her cheeks.

*

With a weak cry, Nicole twitched and gasped. Her stomach squeamish and feeling sick to the soles of her long feet, she felt herself laying on a bed, blankets pulled up to her shoulders.

“Hel...” Nicole gurgled.

Jennifer shrieked and dropped the bowl she was carrying, as she fled to the side of the bed and sat on it, taking Nicole's cold paw in her own.

“Nicole...is – are you...” Jennifer's words tumbled over each other.

Nicole began coughing and gagging, choking on something as Jennifer pushed her to the side and rolled her over. Nicole retched again and again, before she vomited up blood, saliva and something that Jennifer didn't want to think about. Patting Nicole on the back, she felt Nicole shudder and then Jennifer gently rolled her back over.

“Throa...” Nicole gasped.

Jennifer was still shocked, was, no, how was Nicole...sure, it was guttural, almost animal-like, but if she tried, she could understand something... Placing a wet cloth on Nicole's neck, she gently placed her hands on Nicole's paws and squeezed tenderly.

“I...I've cleaned your wounds, sterilised them as best I can with what I had in the van – bandaged them, but you've lost a lot of blood I imagine, how did you... how did it...”

Nicole tried to speak again, but Jennifer shook her head, then turned away.

“I...I got no idea how much...”

Turning back, Jennifer held an ampule and a needle wit ha fine needle.

“This is a tranquilliser and...how much do I give? You need to rest, you're so weak...”

Nicole shuddered and felt the sticky fur that'd soaked through with sweat, but there was little she could do.

“Me...” Nicole gurgled.

Jennifer frowned, then looked at Nicole, then at the ampule, before she held it where Nicole could see it. Weakly, Nicole frowned and with a quivering claw, she tapped the vial, about a quarter the way down.

“So much?” Jennifer groaned. “That's like...15 millilitres...”

With a shudder, Nicole nodded, before her eyes slid closed and she trembled.

“I hope you're right...” Jennifer whispered, as she quickly filled the syringe to the level indicated, then looked down at Nicole.

Taking her furred wrist, Jennifer twisted it over carefully then felt out the vein, before she slid the needle in and depressed the plunger.

*

When Nicole woke the next day, she was once again violently sick, but she managed to roll herself out of the bed, then promptly slumped to the floor as her injured leg screamed in agony.

Using her claws, Nicole dragged herself across the bedroom, before she lay and panted heavily. Her neck felt like someone had taken to it with a blowtorch and it contrasted violently with the unimagined pain from her injured leg.

Get up you useless doe... Come the Therian's angry snarl.

“No...” Nicole moaned, as she held her paws to her head. “I can't...”

Can't? Or won't?...

It exerted itself on Nicole, who instinctively fought back against its influence.

You're weak, pathetic...and cruel, more cruel than I ever was...

No, I'm not! Nicole sobbed. You murdered them, you...

_I did what I did, little one, because you could not! You have no idea of what we would have suffered! Think they'd kill us quickly? Really? Are you that naieve? Now... get up, or I'll make you, whether it hurts us or not, well – it'll definitely hurt you _!

Nicole struggled, dragging herself back to the bed, then clutching at it with her paws as she struggled back to her feet.

Finally, a small start, know someone else that's small...and you forgot about?

Nicole's eyes widened in sickened horror.

“No...”

Relax... Come the mocking laugh from the Therian. Your useless human must have found her whilst you were unconscious, I can smell her in the other room. Just as well for your sake...and hers. If I had to go out looking...well, you'd not like what I'd have to do to force this body to hop...

Nicole shuddered, clutching the bed as she half-dragged herself up.

“I'll...” Nicole panted, sweat soaking her exhausted, aching body. “Make a deal...”

I don't make deals with creatures like you... Come the growl.

“You lay a single claw on Jennifer, even a single hint of aggression or a scratch...”

You'll what? Cry like a orphaned Joey? Do you really think that'd sway me to your side?

“A single mark on her... you saw those syringes, you know what is inside them... You harm Jennifer, I'll kill your joey with one of those – then use the remainder to kill myself...”

Silence come from the Therian for several heartbeats, before its mental voice changed and Nicole heard true fear in it.

You wouldn't dare...

“Try me...” Nicole growled, as she pulled herself upright and panted heavily. “Why wouldn't I? You can't help that little joey, I can! I can raise her, care for her – with Jennifer's help, raise her and love her...you're what – a disembodied spirit of the dead Therian, trying to take me? I know what you are now, I know the power you had – because I gave it to you in my fear... I do not fear you anymore and with that, I take back every ounce of strength and control I unconsciously or consciously gave to you...”

No, please! Squealed the Therian.

“You promise? I mean it, look inside my heart, you know I'd rather the joey die, than live a life of fear and being hunted... She would die, and I would follow her...is that what you want? Answer me!”

No... Come the mournful thoughts of the Therian. I...submit, please don't hurt my joey...

“Promise me!” Nicole clenched her paws, gripping the bed sheets, as she forced her will onto the Therian.

I promise...

“Now...no more hiding, no more secrets...I demand you tell me everything about yourself, about, us – what we are, how can I talk...”

With an involuntary shudder that rippled down Nicole's back, the Therian's sulky voice come to her mind again.

First, we got problems – big problems... Those hunters? Think they were the only ones? When they don't call or go back... others will come, and others after them, do you understand? We can not stay here, we need to flee, hide, run – next time they won't send such easy pr...

It shuddered, trying to find the right words.

Next time, they won't send such weak Hunters, trust me, I know... They will kill you, my joey and that...I mean, Jennifer...please, you got to convince her, we must leave, sooner rather than later!

Nicole rested her upper body on the bed, struggling to climb back onto it.

“How can I - “ Nicole winced and clawed at the bed covers, trying to pull herself up.

You have the life of my joey in your paws – I give you my word, I'm not lying to you... please, you must tell her, we need to go!

Nicole shuddered and slumped back to the floor, weak, exhausted and panting.

“They'll hunt us...”

With a sigh the Therian tried to be patient, but its insistent voice kept at her.

They will, we will heal from these injuries, it will take longer, because it was silver... Yet we do not have the time, please...

“I will, but remember my warning...” Nicole shuddered, then began crawling towards the bedroom door.

Wait...please? Come the voice of the Therian within her.

Nicole paused, then sighed.

What? You just hounded me, saying we didn't have time, as others will surely come and hunt us...

Call the... Jennifer, I need her to witness this, so there is no misunderstandings or foolish mistakes – for her and you.

Placing a paw against her throat, Nicole shuddered and frowned, then stamped a foot against the floor, then when that didn't work, she grit her teeth and hopped out into the living room.

“Nicole, should you, I mean, in your condition, you should be resting!” Jennifer told her, as she fed the joey.

Crawling to the laptop, Nicole pecked at the keys, then tapped her claws on the table to get Jennifer's attention. Awkwardly, Nicole turned it around and pointed at the screen.

It, the Therian, it needs to show you something, I don't know what...

“I don't trust it!” Jennifer snorted.

I don't either, but what choice do we have? It's told me that others will be coming soon – when they don't...

Nicole suddenly gasped, as wracking pains seized her. She clutched at her stomach, feeling like it was being torn from her belly.

I'm sorry, but this will hurt worse than anything you've ever imagined, but its necessary – usually, our change takes longer, as we have little time, I must force it through...

To Be Continued...