Goldie Lox And Her Trio Of Bears (Goldie Lox Prophecy Book 1), стр. 18

“I’ve been beaten up before.” His heart pounded against her as he conjured up the memory. “But I remember thinking that that time was it. I was gonna die.”

“How did you get away?” She let go and took a step back.

“It so happened that there was a full moon rising that night. I don’t know if I blacked out from getting kicked in the head or if it was the fear. The first time shifting is different for everyone, but… The animal kind of takes over if you don’t know how to control it.”

“Do you remember what happens or…”

“Now, I do. The bear and I sort of work together.” He shrugged. “But from that night, I only remember bits and pieces, and I had no control at all. I woke up to a bloody mess. I’m not even sure if I killed all of them or if someone got away.”

“And you were only thirteen?” Jillian shuddered. “I can’t even imagine.”

“I was so scared. I didn’t want to hurt anyone else, so I took off. I traveled all over the place, till I met this crazy old trucker who said he saw a bear the size of a bus when he was driving through Hemlock park. I figured the guy was probably nuts, but my gut told me to check it out. One thing led to another, and I met Vince and Finn. He’s the one who taught me how to fish and hunt. He knew how to live off the land. And when I realized that he was like me, he taught me how to turn without hurting anyone.”

“So, he was already living out here?” She looked back at the cabin. “How old is he?”

“He’s forty-two this October, I think.” Finn closed one eye as he thought about it. “I don't know if I buy into all his spiritual bullshit, but I owe him my life.”

“He’s your family.” She smiled.

“Well, he's the closest thing to family that I've ever had.” Finn let out a long breath and looked back at her. “Is that what you wanted; to learn about how I grew up?”

“I'd say it's a pretty good start.” She hooked her arm through his. “It’s no wonder you’re so fearless. You’ve been fending for yourself since you were little.”

“You’re braver than I could ever be.” He shook his head as they started to head back toward the firepit.

“Why is that?” She kicked a pinecone.

“I don’t do well with change.” He looked out into the woods as the crickets started to sing. “You seem like you’re hungry for it.”

The fog of a vision surrounded her, but this time she wasn't as afraid as before. Her eyes glazed over, and she suddenly clung to Finn to avoid falling over.

“What’s wrong?” He studied the blank expression in her eyes.

“I’m seeing something.” Safe in his arms, she used him as an anchor, grounding herself as images flashed through her mind.

A deer sifted through the leaves on the ground with her soft muzzle, looking for any green sprouts that might be growing under the carpet of autumn leaves. The sharp snap of a twig made it lift its head and freeze, eyes darting from shadow to shadow in search of what predator was lurking in the dark. The creature’s heart raced, and her legs trembled as she prepared to bolt into the underbrush. Too late… the flash of a gun barrel from a nearby tree-blind shattered the silence of the woods.

Jillian’s hand instinctively reached for the side of her neck as the pain gave way to a warm wet cough. Her legs went limp as her eyes filled with tears as she gasped. A murky coldness closed in all around her.

“Jillian!” Finn’s voice pulled her back from the darkness. “Are you okay? What the hell is going on?”

“He shot her.” Jillian locked eyes with Finn as soon as she was able to focus. “She died.”

“Who?” He shook her.

“The deer.” Jillian pointed off into the woods. A loud bang in the distance made them both jump. Finn’s eyes widened his logical mind questioning.

“I saw it.” Jillian walked toward the dark tree line. “I saw her get shot before it happened.”

“You see what I mean?” He put his hands on her shoulders and directed her back toward the house. “If this kind of crazy shit happened to me, I’d be running for the city as fast as my legs would carry me.”

“It wasn’t just seeing.” Jillian shivered, still reeling. “I felt everything. I felt her die. I don’t think I could run from this if I wanted to.” She pressed the heels of her hands against her eyes and crouched down.

“Or maybe running just isn’t in your blood.” Finn squatted next to her.

“I can’t go back yet, Finn.” She opened her eyes, shaking her head. “I have to figure this out.”

“If you want to stay.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Then stay. Just know that the deeper you go down this rabbit hole, the harder it’ll be for you to go back to whatever your version of normal was before this.”

He made a valid point, but it didn’t do a thing to help her make up her mind.

Something about this place is changing me. I don’t know if it’s in the air or if it’s a force running through the fabric of reality itself. For all I know, it has something to do with being near the three of them. Whatever it is, it feels like I’m waking up… Like I’ve seen the world through a smokescreen all my life, and for the first time, the world around me is filled with colors I never knew existed.