Shift - 1,000 Words

.::Rule I | No Contact::.

“Grab her or she’ll get crushed!” A gruff voice tore through the spray of ash and dust and sunk into my ears.

There’s only time to shield my eyes from another explosion corroding the stoned walls around me before a set of hands attached to my waist and yanked me from the spot I was paralyzed in.

Pushed against still standing walls protected by steel overhead bars, the coolness of the cracked structure is the only sense of comfort amongst the blasts of heat whistling around me and scorching my backside. Suddenly, the shadow of a figure swallowed me up.

“Give her the shot, Esteban. Now!” The same smoky voice from earlier sliced clearly through the chaos. It’s accompanied by a gloved hand that pinned me down, keeping me from twisting around to face a possible enemy.

A more pencil thinned shade with a squeakier delivery joins him. “But Cree, surely you have other matters to consider! Like our defenses, if you do this it’ll leave us without-"

“Defenses? Listen to those screams! The Shakers are killing every last one of us trying to get their hands on her.”

“I understand that, but please. To stifle her abilities now is madness!”

Another shrill, ear-piercing whistle echoed over us and combusted with nearby chunks of rock.

“Dammit Esteban, if you won’t help me then get out of the way!”

Shuffling takes place behind me and out of the corner of my eye, the slenderer frame of a bearded man fell to the ground.

“If she stays hidden and remembers the rules, she’ll stay safe!” The harsh tone called out again.

Something pierced the back of my neck, stinging it seconds before it’s numbed all together. Finally released, I spun around to face my dusty-faced captures but it’s only for a moment when another blow from behind us sent me running in the opposite direction.

“Cree, we should go after her. If we let her go now, how are we supposed to find her when the time is ready?”

“Stop worrying, Esteban. We’ve been preparing for a day like this for years. Everyone knows what to do and as an Explorer, I’ll scour this planet and the next to find her again.”

Their words faded behind me as I focused on getting away from the terror-filled screams and jagged pieces of hurtled rubble flying towards me.

Too busy looking forward as I ran, I trip; landing hard on my elbows and knees. Cheeks tear-streaked and tending to my bruises, the ground began to shake violently...

::: ::: :::

A thunderous boom rocks the ground, startling me out of my accidental slumber and causing my hand to crush the pair of fresh eggs settled next to me.

“Aw, crap. That was breakfast!” Shaking my hand free of the goopy mess, I pout at my now smashed efforts at a treat from today’s typical routine. A second roaring crackle rings throughout the sky, snapping my eyes to the trail of thick black smoke hissing from a careening aircraft.

What the hell- Is that a plane?

The craft spirals downward before zipping sideways in a final landing dive towards a plethora of tall Evergreens. Also known as my backyard.

“You have got to be kidding me.”

Rule I: No Contact

-- Compromised due to some idiot with too much free time.

&::&::&

.::Rule II | No Connection::.

As I examine the burning wreckage and start wheezing from the wind directed smoke blowing directly in my face, this is no joke.

Shoot, I’ll have to move again. But, maybe I can salvage something first.

The nearest town is 20 minutes away by car, giving me enough time to grab what I need and escape before anyone sets their eyes on me.

Approaching the melting metal with caution, a family of deer have already conquered their fears and have begun chewing grass nearby.

“Jeez, come on guys. Show a little caution, would you?” I wave a hand to shoo them away from the smoldering crash site incase the fire suddenly decides to spread, but they barely move. “Guys, hey! Act like I have some authority, please.”

Stepping towards them, my foot suddenly snags an exposed tree root, and despite throwing my hands out to catch myself, I still smack face-first into the dirt where agonized moans escape me as I hold the side of my face and slowly sit up.

“Darn tree. You nearly killed me!” I shout at the limp log covered in jeans and a jacket. With sprouted arms and legs. And a groan.

“Wait a minute.”

Rule II: No Connection

-- Compromised due to the possibility of this not-so-dead person totally blowing my cover. And it's not my responsibility to keep them quiet. Which is just frickin’ great.

&::&::&

.::Rule III | No Changing::.

A bucket of cold river water sends the tied-up intruder into sputtered, gasping breathing; only calming himself once his eyes lock onto mine.

“June?” His breathless laugh piques my interest. “Look at those horns, of course it’s you! After so many years, I actually found you. Yes!”

I scan him from head to toe, stopping at his crooked smile. “How do you know my name? And who are you?”

“It’s me, Captain. Cree. Your Lead Shift Explorer.”

“Captain? Hang on- You’re my what?”

“Damn, do you still not remember?”

From a distance, a surrounding series of explosions go off one after another, forcing the ground to shake as much as it did earlier. “What the hell was that?”

“Damn that serum on your memories. Those are Shakers; a disgusting bunch. This is an all-out war and I have something with me that’ll help you.”

“Me?”

“Which in turn will help us.”

As another cascade of bombs rain down, I realize I don’t have much choice. Using a nearby fishing knife, I cut him free. “Help me what?”

He shoots towards his bag and digs around in it. Grinning like a mad man, he then presents a syringe. “Shapeshift.”

“What?”

Like lightning, he sticks the needle in my bicep. “Unleash your inner beast, Captain, and tear them to shreds.”

Rule III: No Changing

-- Compromised due to the breaking of Rules I and II.

Result: Total annihilation.

#Rosemandle #fantasy #flashfiction #adventure #action #1000words #unleashed #shifter #quickread