We made the hour-long drive to the tribes Southport Meeting Hall three days later, giving Karen plenty of time to go over her speech. She was all business and wasted no time getting started upon our arrival.
“May I have your attention, everyone. I’m sure you’re all aware of Jill’s mishaps by now, so I will get straight to the point and then introduce our new students.
“Last week, Jill Hanson was arrested after the body she was using triggered a facial recognition scanner. And this has become problematic due to the arrest of the real Becky White in Fairbanks, Alaska. In turn, Jill’s arrest video was leaked online, and similar instances are being posted to Youtube from around the world. Our cyber team has been uploading fake ones to discredit them and removing the real ones when possible.
“I have talked with all the tribal leaders, and we agreed to have everyone shift and stay in their originals until further notice unless your life is in danger. The only exceptions being those who have new verifiable identities, such as myself.
“So, If there are no questions, I would like to ask all of you to shift now.”
Seeing Karen in her leadership role was impressive. You could tell she had the full respect of every tribe member.
“Come on, Adam, I think you’ve been in your girly girl bod long enough. If you stay much longer, she’s going to trap you. Remember Kate? She’s still walking around Wilmington, talking to herself. Do you want to end up like that?”
“You sure know how to ruin a girl’s night,” he said, as red hair changed to brown.
“Everyone, if I can have your attention again, I would like to introduce our new students. First, we have Maggie Ried. Scott Bell is her teacher, and I believe most of you have already met with her.
“Maggie, do you want to come up and say a few words?”
Everyone watched as she confidently made her way on stage. “I just want to thank everyone for making me feel like family. I’ve never been happier than I am right now.
“We are family,” Karen interjected as others applauded.
And with that, Maggie stepped down from the podium, and Karen called me up. It felt like my heart was going to jump out of my body as I stood beside her. I hated being in front of a crowd.
“Many of you may also know of my own student, Christain Lore,” she said glowingly. “You may also know of our engagement. But I bet you didn’t know we are having a baby.”
“A Baby,” screamed Linda Wilson as the crowd broke out in cheers. “Our royal line continues. I’m so happy for you Karen.”
“Lets hear the lucky man say something,” yelled Keith Decker from the back.
Karen smiled and pulled me to the mic as three hundred and sixty eyes watched me fall to the floor.
“Baby, wake up. You fainted.”
“Place this wet cloth on his head,” came another voice as my eyes opened to those staring down at me.
Shift is an online work of fiction.
This is the first draft of my manuscript Shift – Don’t judge a book by its cover. I am writing it online in sections as I go. So feel free to comment, good or bad. If you see mistakes, point them out.
The story centers around shapeshifting.
I’m currently working on chapter Ten.
Timothy French 