Shift – Open Book

“How’s it a secret? Olivia can scan your memories.”

“True, but she doesn’t. Do you scan Karen’s every time you touch?”

“No, but I could.”

“True again, but you don’t. Why?”

“Never felt the need to.”

“Exactly.

“Secrets are hard to come by in our world, so finding a soulmate who trusts you is something special. And it would be a damn shame to lose it over a hidden bar.”

“So why hide it from her in the first place?”

“Being an open book leaves me feeling––let’s just say somewhat controlled. So tearing out a few pages evens things out for me mentally.”

“I get it.”

“I don’t think you do, but you will. Now let’s head back over to your house. Doc should have already called Karen to apologize for getting you drunk.

“Said you and him were even now.”

“How did he know I was drunk?”

“Sent him a text when I heard the beat to Stayin Alive. The walls are not soundproof you know.”

“We should probably look into that, don’t you think?”

Continued to scene fifty-seven

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 nine.

Shift – Hours Later

Continued from scene fifty-four

Hours later, I was shifting from body to body, dancing to the jukebox, and getting pretty good at it too. Having Olivia mentor me was paying off.

Without hesitation, I could do it in any position without collapsing to the floor. Although I’ll have to admit, I did miss the exhilaration of my first shift.

But whatever, I was scanning memories, learning new skills, gaining knowledge. And did I mention dancing? I was damn good at it.

“Got me a little blackmail photo now,” came a voice from behind as Jeff’s camera flashed, lighting up in the mirror between a row of unopened bottles.

Jumping down from the bar, I quickly shut off the music and returned to my original. “Funny,” I said.

“Not meant to be.”

“How did you know I was down here?”

“After fixing the mess, you made with Karen, Olivia got worried. She was expecting to find you outside when she arrived. And when you failed to show up hours later, they both got concerned and called me.

“So whatcha got to say for yourself, Travolta?”

“Sorry, Jeff, I’ll pay you for the liquor.”

“I’m not worried about the liquor. I’m worried your drunk ass is going to expose my hideaway.

“So tell me, where did you get the alcohol? And I do not want to hear Jeff’s secret bar.”

Continue to scene fifty-six

Shift is an online work of fiction.

The story centers around shapeshifting.

I’m currently working on chapter nine.

Shift – Deer In Headlights

Continued from scene fifty-three

Karen was standing in front of the mirror when I returned home later that night. And before I could say anything, she asked, “Can you see it?” holding up her shirt. “I’m getting fat.”

I thought long and hard before answering.

“You’re still looking good, babe. And that stomach of yours is as flat as ever,” I said cleverly.

I should have thought longer.

“So you think I’ll be ugly when it’s not flat?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Then what did you say?”

I was like a deer in headlights from that point on, not knowing what to do as she cried, yelled, and screamed before slamming the bathroom door.

As the picture next to it precariously hung from the wall, I pulled out my phone. “Olivia, this is Christian. Could you come over? I’ve got a little situation here.”

“Don’t worry, I will be there shortly,” she replied.

“Should I go over to the door and comfort her?”

“Sweetie, it’s best you step outside for a while.”

And so I did. All the way to the abandoned farmhouse, where I stuck an old rusty screw between two blocks, opening the bar’s door. After pouring a shot, I held the glass high. The old man wasn’t so crazy after all.

Continue to scene fifty-five

Shift is an online work of fiction.

The story centers around shapeshifting.

I’m currently working on chapter nine.

Shift – Love

Continued from scene fifty-two

Seeing Doc’s car by the front door had us scratching our heads.

“That bush has seen better days,” said Robert stepping up to the doorbell.

After a few rings with no answer, Donnie suggested we kick it in.

“Might want to try turning the knob first,” replied Jeff.

Which he did, leaving him a little red-faced.

“Doc! You in here,” yelled Robert as we let ourselves in.

“Donnie, you and Jeff check the rooms to the left. Christian, follow me.”

After an extensive room-to-room search, we finally found him in Kate’s cell, passed out among several liquor bottles.

“That’s an interesting look,” said Jeff. “And I don’t think Kate would approve of us all standing around looking at her birthday suit. Nor would my wife.”

As we lifted him into bed, I told the others of his Love for her, and they all promised to keep it to themselves.

“Linda.” radioed Robert. “Doc is sick and says he wants to be left alone.”

“Do you want me to send Nicky over?”

“No, he’s good.”

“Okay, we’ll just end the meeting early then. You guys are free to go home.”

Outside, I watched as Donnie drove Doc’s car off the bushes and thought, Love. It can make us happy or sad, yet we all long for it regardless of the outcome.

“Christian, Darrel wanted us to come by the barn after the meeting. Said something about needed some help sense we got one of his employees killed and all.”

“Alright, let’s go. We don’t want anything to happen to those cows.”

Continue to scene fifty-four,

Shift is an online work of fiction.

The story centers around shapeshifting.

I’m currently working on chapter nine.

Shift – No Answer

Continued from scene fifty-one

“No answer,” said Donnie as he reentered the room. “Do you want me to go over there?”

“Please,” replied Linda. “It’s unlike him to not call. Nicky, did you stop by your office this morning?”

“No, I had to drop some things off at main. So I came straight here. They’ve had their hands full, with Doc spending so much time away.

“I imagine so.”

“I’ll go with you, Donnie,” said Jeff. “Christian, you in?”

Startled by the sound of my name, I quickly looked up. “What’s that?”

“Going over to Doc’s. You in?”

“Oh, sure. Linda, do you want me to notify Karen?”

“Not yet, It might be nothing, and she needs her rest.”

Continue to scene fifty-three

Shift is an online work of fiction.

The story centers around shapeshifting.

I’m currently working on chapter nine.

Shift – Age of Chaos

Continued from scene fifty

Doc never missed a meeting. If anything, he was early.

“Lets’ go ahead and start without him. Robert, can you fill us in on Echo’s departure while we wait?” asked Linda.

“Sure, no problem. As you all know, Echo and her beloved partner Borya were scheduled to board a plane last night in Atlanta, headed for Russia. And I am happy to say all went smoothly. My team reported no problems with airport security.

“Now, I know some disagreed with our decision to send her home. But Karen, Linda, and I believe it will give our voices more weight when we attend the Gathering of Chiefs in November. Where I have been told, in no short terms, the Ghosts tribe will be held accountable.”

I was stunned by Robert’s revelation. Karen had not informed me of this. How would they be held accountable? What happens if they are not? My eyes twitched as I thought of our baby and the chaos it would bring if things fell apart.

Continue to scene fifty-two

Shift is an online work of fiction.

The story centers around shapeshifting.

I’m currently working on chapter nine.

Shift – Stress

Continued from scene forty-nine

Chapter Nine

“Karen still in bed?” asked Olivia as she poured another cup of coffee.

“Still there,” replied Christian. “I think the last few days have been a bit much for her.”

“She’s had a lot to deal with, that’s for sure.”

“Let’s not forget she’s nine weeks pregnant,” said Nicky. “Linda, I think it would be a good idea for you to step in until the baby is born.”

“That’s not going to happen anytime soon.”

“Why? She knows the consequences of too much stress. The baby has to come first.”

“Don’t worry, I made her promise to step aside if she misses one doctor’s appointment. And Christian has promised me he will put his foot down if she refuses. Isn’t that right, Christian?”

I said yes with a bit of hesitancy, knowing Karen’s determination to defeat the Ghost tribe had consumed her.

“A little slow with your answer there, Christian,” said Robert. You want to borrow a pair of my pants when you stomp that foot.”

“Funny, says the man who says how high when she says, jump.”

Alright, boys, Linda interjected, “let’s get this meeting started. Donnie, if you will, step out of the room and call Doc again, it’s not like him to be late.”

“You want me to ride over there?” asked Jeff.

“Let’s see if Donnie can raise him first.”

Continue to scene fifty-one

Shift is an online work of fiction.

The story centers around shapeshifting.

I’m currently working on chapter nine.

Shift – You Go Ahead

Continued from scene forty-Eight

After a bit of silence, he continued. “Her eye’s sparkled before the drugs. She was funny, warm––caring. I couldn’t help but love her. You would have liked her, Christian.”

“I saw you standing alone in the rain as we pulled away from the funeral. That’s how I knew. Love does that to a man. Makes him stand in the rain––makes him do a lot of things he would never do for another.”

He looked up, eyes wet but not tearing; finding it hard to show emotion like most men.

“Ready to head out?” I said, giving him an out.

“Not yet. You go ahead.”

“You sure?”

“I just need some time to clear my head.”

“I’ll see myself out then.”

“Christian, you really would have liked her.”

I nodded and walked away.

Reaching the stairs, I pushed the up button, causing them to rise, their sound unable to silence the wailing from below.”

Continue to scene fifty

Shift is an online work of fiction.

The story centers around shapeshifting.

I’m currently working on chapter nine.

Shift – Writings On The Wall

Continued from scene forty Seven

“Karen, this is Linda. Jill is nowhere to be found.”

Startled by the radio traffic, we all jumped in unison.

“Security footage shows her leaving the tunnel for home right after we all met in my office. No one has seen her since. I had Donnie search the house, and he found clothes scattered across the bed and a small suitcase left in the hallway, causing me to believe she fled.”

Standing slowly, Karen turned to point at two words on the wall. “Dark Night, that’s why I brought you here; that’s why I wanted Jill to be here. To confront her. To make her squirm at the scratches of a trapped soul who tried to warn us. I think Jill used drugs to flip Kate’s loyalty toward the outliers, which led to her addiction. And she will pay for that If I ever find her. Elysians are family, and I don’t like traitors.”

“Karen, did you copy my last transmission?”

“Christian, tell her I’m going to my office and do not want to be disturbed.”

“Linda, this is Christian; she did. Thank you. She left for her office and does not want to be disturbed.”

“Okay, I’ll wait to hear from her.”

Doc looked at me for a moment, then said, “That’s why Karen came here last night with her camera.”

“She did tell me she was troubled by Jill’s answers during their interview yesterday, but still, she had no idea the plan was called dark night until this morning.

“Intuition, I guess. Kate and Jill became close friends after they started hanging out at a local bar. I went with them one night and hated it. She seemed distant after that, and our friendship fell apart. I tried to help her when I found out about the drugs but failed every time, just like I did in this room.”

“You loved her, didn’t you, Doc?” Kate, I mean.”

“Never had the guts to tell her.”

Continued to scene forty-nine