A Secret on Raven Block - Raven City Part Two

38

The drive back to the Patterson's house was filled with silence. Kendall expected Sarafina to start talking to her about everything that going to happen, but all the shapeshifter told her when they got into the van was that everything was going to be explained when they got back to the Patterson's house. They sat in the back of the van as the driver drove and played some music on the radio.

It was the longest twenty minutes of her life before they reached Kameron's house. The driver got out and opened the door for Sarafina and Kendall.

She slowly followed Sarafina out of the van and to Kameron's house. The door opened as they approached to reveal Mrs. Patterson standing on the other side.

Mrs. Patterson put a hand over her heart and looked as though she was about to pass out from relief. "Thank the Lord you're okay."

"She's fine," Sarafina said as they walked into the house. "She just needed some air."

Kendall felt slightly guilty about running away in the manner that she did, but then again, when someone's told they're suddenly now a supernatural being that the world didn't know existed until earlier in the year, then they're justified in wanting to get the hell out of there.

She didn't say anything to Mrs. Patterson as she followed Kendall into the living room where Kameron and the rest of his family were sitting at. She felt her face flush for some reason and couldn't look Kameron or anyone else in the eye so she looked down at her feet instead.

"So," Sarafina said and settled down in one of the chairs. Kendall was suddenly struck by how powerful and beautiful the woman was. A part of her envied the woman while the other part admired her. She forced the thoughts out of her head and focused on what Sarafina was saying. "Let's get to the chase. Kendall, what's happened to you is rare. It hasn't been done in over fifty years so it was a huge shock when I heard.

"All born shapeshifters are taught from birth how to control their inner animal and are used to living with two different beings on the inside. They start shifting usually around eleven or twelve and late bloomers shift around fifteen to sixteen years old. They take classes that teach them everything they need to know on how to live as a shapeshifter. You, you've been raised as a human for the past sixteen years. When you shapeshifted last night was like you were in a dream, wasn't it?"

Kendall nodded.

"That's because your body isn't used to shapeshifting and you're animal completely took over and it was as though you were in an out-of-body experience. You need to be trained on how to merge your human self and your animal self."

"How will I do that?" Kendall asked nervously, thinking back to the night before and wondering what would have happened if she - or her eagle (that was beyond weird to say) hadn't flown back to her bedroom window if she'd flown and woke up somewhere else. Just the thought caused anxiety to shoot through her.

"There's a program here in Raven City that will help you. It'll teach you how to control your shifting, how to balance your human and animal sides, the laws that shapeshifters have to abide by, basically, everything you'll need in order to know how to survive."

"Okay," Kendall said, starting to calm down. "So it's in Raven City? I won't have to move out of this city or anything?"

"Yes," Sarafina said tentatively and Kendall could tell she was getting ready to tell her something she really, really wasn't going to like.

"What is it?" she asked nervously.

"The program is basically like a boarding school, it's designed to help shapeshifters and when shapeshifters aren't in control of their powers, they need to be under constant supervision."

Yeah, she definitely did not like this. At all.

Her heart sunk and she asked, "I have to live there?"

"Just until you can manage your abilities -"

"But what about my parents? School? I can't just go and leave them!"

"I understand," Sarafina said gently. "Kendall, I promise, I will talk to your parents and let them understand the gravity of the situation and what needs to happen. And we have a school program there that will allow you to continue with your classes so you won't fall behind. Your parents will be allowed to visit you and you can make phone calls to them frequently as well as your friends."

"What if my parents say no?"

Sarafina's face grew grim. "Unfortunately, even if they say no, you still have to go. You're under supernatural law now and with your new being, you have the potential to put yourself and others in danger. The supernatural government will override your parents' decision and can even arrest them if they resist letting you go."

"What?!" Kendall nearly screeched and looked at Mrs. Patterson incredulously. "You can't be serious!"

"Kendall," Mrs. Patterson said gently. "You need to go and unfortunately, even though you've been a human for most of your life, your parents can't control this. You're under supernatural law, your parents are not, and supernatural law can override human laws in cases like this."

Kendall looked at Sarafina in livid disbelief. "So my parents have no say in this at all?"

Sarafina looked frustrated as well. "I know how you feel and I agree it's messed up. I'm a parent myself and I would feel just as furious as you and how you're parents are going to feel when they hear this. Unfortunately, this has to happen, or else the consequences, if you don't, will be bad."

Kendall could tell there was no getting out of this and through her anger, she realized Sarafina did have a point. It would be better for her to learn how to adapt to being a shapeshifter than to try to figure it out herself.

She ran her hand through her hair, feeling like her world would never stop turning upside down.

"I will talk with your parents and make sure they understand all of this," Sarafina said and stood up.

"Wait," Kendall said. "Can you do it tomorrow?"

Sarafina frowned. "It's better to do it sooner than later and to get you to the program."

"I know, but this is so much right now and I just need one more day to feel normal and for my parents to have one more normal day, too."

Sarafina hesitated then nodded. "Okay. I'll allow it given your circumstances but tomorrow we must. We can't afford to lose any more time."

"Okay."

"I will have members of my pack stand by to watch and make sure everything is okay." Sarafina pulled out a business card and handed it to Kendall. "This is my number if you need me and call me anytime regardless if it's night or day."

"Thanks."

To her surprise, Sarafina pulled her into a hug. "I know how hard this has to be for you but you'll have a strong support system to help you get through this. I know it doesn't seem like it, but you will be okay." Stunned, Kendall only nodded as she watched Sarafina leave.