Room for one more?

 

So you would think that was it, some big-ass daemon braining itself into you and that was the end of it; I would have liked to think so too… like ignorance, sleep was bliss. The next morning came and sunlight woke me early as it rose over the horizon. Those moments when your between waking and sleeping, that mental haze when your comfortably numb to everything is the best feeling to wake up to when your alone, but to shatter it is unpleasant to say the least.

Opening my eyes, I couldn’t help but smile… after all, why shouldn’t I? For all intents and purposes, I felt great; better than great but as the events of last night came flooding back like a burst dam, I launched myself out of bed as if it were on fire. I took a moment to survey the room; everything was where it was supposed to be. No arks on the floor, the bed back where it had begun… did I dream it all? If I had dreamt it all, it was one weird dream. I laughed to myself as something brushed my leg. I looked down as I chuckled, but it soon stopped as my eyes focused on the thing that twitched gently behind my knee.

Surprised? Well you would

be wouldn’t you?

Reaching down slowly, my fingers wrapped around the new fleshy appendage and it twitched involuntarily. With my free hand, I tentatively felt my way up its length until I came into contact with the small of my back… there was no mistaking that I had woken up with a tail.

When people panic, one of two things can happen… they can either flap and shout and generally be a pain in the ass, or they could reach a moment of complete clarity and be able to handle anything as long as the problem persists. I wasn’t far of hyperventilating, slumping down onto the bed, clutching at my tail with both hands as I stared off into the middle distance.

Even coming face to face

with something mythical,

people still find it hard to believe…

It’s hard to give yourself a pep talk when it’s coming from someone else.

“Good morning” that same familiar smug voice said “is there a problem?”

“Oh good morning to you” I said sarcastically “no, no problem, just me and my TAIL!” I snapped

There was a snigger “Then I’d avoid the mirror”

My heart froze and I felt my eyes go wide. Avoid a mirror? There must be a reason, but I wasn’t sure if I should listen or not, however, if I did either, I would regret it. I found my eyes being drawn to the mirror mounted on the back of my door, as if it were mocking me and I growled, though this was low and threatening, like some rabid animal, something I had never heard passing my lips before.

The morning had started well but had gone downhill quickly, and like a free-faller, I could see the ground coming up fast as I got to my feet, releasing my tail that swung and danced of its own accord as I stepped in front of the mirror. What stared back was me, but more so if that makes any sense. My skin was perfect, flawless and full of colour; my eyes seemed to have grown just a little in size and colour so that they seemed to radiate inquisitiveness. Opening my mouth to say something, I noticed my canines had changed, growing slightly longer and sharper, threatening to pass between my lips with every smile… At least I didn’t have horns, which would have been harder to explain. I was getting used to the new look as I turned in profile to look at myself from all angles… this was a mistake as yet another surprise presented itself.

A tail was one thing…

Just behind my shoulder blades, a pair of wings had sprouted… thin and fragile looking but were identical to those the daemon had but only smaller, clinging to my back as if for protection. I have to admit I was thankful that I didn’t have bone trying to escape from its fleshy shell.

“They will grow in time, becoming strong and powerful just as you will” the voice said softly, taking on a slightly feminine tone.

“well this will cause some problems when showering in the gym” it was stupid but all I could bring myself to say for a moment as I gathered my thoughts, reaching a hand around to stroke the tip of one of my wings. It twitched and a strange tingling sensation made me shiver.

“They are quite sensitive, but as they mature, they will become more robust” it explained to which I could only nod.

Words are never enough to explain

the emotions I was feeling, at least

the hyperventilating had stopped

A call from downstairs brought me out of my reflections, having completely forgotten that I still had a life and school to attend.

Now you would think my current predicament would take precedence over my education… For the average seventeen year old, sex and alcohol would take precedence over education, but I couldn’t risk anyone finding out, not even my family, they wouldn’t understand it even less than normal people.

That day passed quicker than anything I have ever experienced before, spending my time alone where I could; avoiding anyone and everyone at all given opportunities. I couldn’t concentrate on anything, worried people would find out if I slipped up even a little… I became so paranoid that I eventually strapped my tail to my leg, it hurt like hell but it was worth the peace of mind.

Smiling was out as well, or as much as could be avoided, though I think I may have scared one of the dinner staff when I thanked them for the meal… that or it was a sudden influx of food poisoning, but I can’t remember.

No memory is ever perfect.

I also found myself avoiding the school councillor as well. Every time I saw her I’d dip into the first door I came across, which wasn’t clever… winding up in both the head masters office and the girls changing room at one point, though the girls seemed more keen on me staying than leaving if I’m honest… can’t imagine why though.

Not much has changed since those days, I still look around seventeen and my looks haven’t changed a bit… well my reflection hasn’t, though my wings are full grown now and my tail has developed a slightly pointed tip, but nothing much else that my reflection can give away at least.

But what you see and what I see

are two different things.

Splashing water on my face to bring myself back to the ‘now’ rather than the ‘then’, I find myself coming to sit at the end of my bed, in my own home, gazing down at the sleeping form next to me… the body sleeps…

But the mind is always

active…

“this is true” I whisper softly. I always thought it would be difficult to find someone open minded enough to share the truth with, seeing as most people would freak out or pass out if they knew the truth…

Then I came and found you…