Excerpt
from Chapter 1: The Girl from Two Worlds
Taking a breath, Jack’s daughter dove one final time into the refreshing liquid. Resurfacing at the water’s edge, she climbed onto the bank and returned to the bush where she’d stashed her belongings. After ringing out her wet hair, Irene proceeded to wash her dress with the same soap-root she’d used on her body, then slipped the garment back onto her drying flesh. The day was building into another humid scorcher so working in damp clothing would combat some of the imminent discomfort. Retrieving the remainder of her equipment Irene ignored the rearranged order of her items. Insects and small rodents often investigated foreign objects. Rustling in the underbrush didn’t bother her either since animals often lingered, becoming spooked when this strange girl suddenly separated from the water. Her humming even grew in volume as she began walking around the pond, assured that there was nothing abnormal to hear. Why shouldn’t she have been confident in her safety? Her father was a powerful leader and Tribe boundaries were rarely broken.
Only when the creature growled did Irene realize that she was in danger. Turning slowly, the girl saw a night-black panther crouched before her, teeth bared, claws extended, muscles tensed, eyes a brown so dark they appeared black. Clutching more tightly to the objects in her arms, Irene realised she was woefully unarmed and in no state to escape from a great cat! Taking a step back caused the panther to hiss and advanced toward her. Unwilling to surrender her life without a fight, Irene threw her heavy English dictionary at the cat’s massive head. Alarmed howling and spitting erupted from the creature as it bucked, the dictionary thrown into the forest. Tensing her legs, Irene prepared to take the opportunity to sprint for all she was worth but an odd phenomenon prevented her speedy getaway.
Before her the impressive panther began twitching, its limbs shrinking and contorting into Humanoid hands, feet, body and head. She knew she should run for cover, escape while the Creature was distracted, but curiosity held Irene hostage as the panther continued to metamorphose. Before her astonished eyes the big cat, which had been so menacing and powerful, became a young man of around eleven years whose dark hair and clothes were the same shade as the panther’s fur. The male’s complexion even recalled the subtle patterns in the feline’s coat. He was kneeling on the damp earth, both sets of fingers holding his nose as blood crept down his wrists. If Irene hadn’t been so shocked by the sudden transformation she might have found the scene amusing.
The panther male’s deep brown eyes flicked up to meet hers and Irene flushed, her brain comprehending, in the space of several seconds, that he was attractive and that her wet dress did nothing to cover her body. She might as well have been standing there naked! Pressing her belongings to her chest the girl tried to pry the damp fabric from her flesh, desperately attempting to retain some dignity. In a voice shaking with embarrassment and anger Irene demanded, “Who are you?”
© Katarina Claire E.R.
Taking a breath, Jack’s daughter dove one final time into the refreshing liquid. Resurfacing at the water’s edge, she climbed onto the bank and returned to the bush where she’d stashed her belongings. After ringing out her wet hair, Irene proceeded to wash her dress with the same soap-root she’d used on her body, then slipped the garment back onto her drying flesh. The day was building into another humid scorcher so working in damp clothing would combat some of the imminent discomfort. Retrieving the remainder of her equipment Irene ignored the rearranged order of her items. Insects and small rodents often investigated foreign objects. Rustling in the underbrush didn’t bother her either since animals often lingered, becoming spooked when this strange girl suddenly separated from the water. Her humming even grew in volume as she began walking around the pond, assured that there was nothing abnormal to hear. Why shouldn’t she have been confident in her safety? Her father was a powerful leader and Tribe boundaries were rarely broken.
Only when the creature growled did Irene realize that she was in danger. Turning slowly, the girl saw a night-black panther crouched before her, teeth bared, claws extended, muscles tensed, eyes a brown so dark they appeared black. Clutching more tightly to the objects in her arms, Irene realised she was woefully unarmed and in no state to escape from a great cat! Taking a step back caused the panther to hiss and advanced toward her. Unwilling to surrender her life without a fight, Irene threw her heavy English dictionary at the cat’s massive head. Alarmed howling and spitting erupted from the creature as it bucked, the dictionary thrown into the forest. Tensing her legs, Irene prepared to take the opportunity to sprint for all she was worth but an odd phenomenon prevented her speedy getaway.
Before her the impressive panther began twitching, its limbs shrinking and contorting into Humanoid hands, feet, body and head. She knew she should run for cover, escape while the Creature was distracted, but curiosity held Irene hostage as the panther continued to metamorphose. Before her astonished eyes the big cat, which had been so menacing and powerful, became a young man of around eleven years whose dark hair and clothes were the same shade as the panther’s fur. The male’s complexion even recalled the subtle patterns in the feline’s coat. He was kneeling on the damp earth, both sets of fingers holding his nose as blood crept down his wrists. If Irene hadn’t been so shocked by the sudden transformation she might have found the scene amusing.
The panther male’s deep brown eyes flicked up to meet hers and Irene flushed, her brain comprehending, in the space of several seconds, that he was attractive and that her wet dress did nothing to cover her body. She might as well have been standing there naked! Pressing her belongings to her chest the girl tried to pry the damp fabric from her flesh, desperately attempting to retain some dignity. In a voice shaking with embarrassment and anger Irene demanded, “Who are you?”
© Katarina Claire E.R.
