Amora

It's been a week since I had attended school or had time to go outside of Constantine's place. I had taken the time to properly heal.

As for my bite mark, it had repaired itself … slower than usual. It normally would heal seconds after the initial contact, but I had become significantly less immortal and more mortal in my short time being here. I was running out of time, and the one person I wanted to be with was with someone else.

Constantine had informed me that although I healed externally, I obtained one-quarter venom from the Greater Beyond, what that meant for me was …

I'm in danger.

I wasn't sure what to make of all this, but I ultimately knew my own fate. I still felt the quarter beast clawing my insides, begging to come out and play.

*****

Before school, Constantine requested for us to meet him in his office. Walking into his office, I noticed I was the last one to gather here as Constantine was already hustling around the seemingly large office space. He had multiple rows of books in various sizes shelved from the floor to the ceiling, not an empty spot in sight.

Constantine pulled multiple books from his shelving, descending down the tall ladder, “While I have you all here, help me look for anything that correlates to the creature Amora turned into.”

I glanced at the book he had placed in my hand, taking a seat next to Perry and Fayette at a nearby table. I took a glance to see what kind of reading material they received, then back at mine noticing the difference in language, “Um, Constantine?”

He peered over his thin glasses from the desk he occupied, “Yes?”

I squinted at the foreign writing, “I can't read this.”

He simply flipped through his book without looking up, “Sure you can. All you have to do is search your mind for it. You're probably the only one here that can read it, seeing how that's written in the Greater Beyond’s language, it might be the only useful book I have on them.”

I didn't question him any further, he was much wiser than I was so I mentally prepared myself for what I was about to learn.

I closed my eyes as I focused, searching deep within my own mind. I searched the mental files that I had harbored over the years, coming across one that made my stomach turn.

I opened my eyes, looking down at the open book. I saw the words light up in a bright red glow as the symbols turned into legible words.

I gasped in disbelief, “Constantine! It worked!”

A smile tugged the corners of his mouth, “Just be careful not to allow anything else to pass.”

I nodded, “Find anything useful?” Perry whispered.

Scanning through the sentences, “Not yet but I don't think I'm going to like what's coming next.”

I flipped the page, sparking a feeling in the pit of my stomach as the images and words became violent and disturbing.

Fayette looked over my shoulder, gagging, “That's absolutely repulsive.”

“You think?”

I forced myself to read further in sight for the intel I needed. What I found out was, they didn't breed like normal civilians do, however, they genetically foster blood samples to fabricate a new hybrid species or a pre-existing species.

On the other hand, only certain types of species repopulate by sinking their teeth, obviously meant to puncture through most anything, releasing deadly venom into the victim—the venom that courses through the said individual causes the heart to immediately stop on contact. After the venom had reached the heart, fatality striking, your body begins to rapidly decay and shift into the origin of the said species.

I flipped to the next page, revealing one of the creatures I had witnessed that night.

This so-called fish-wolf-like creature was referred to as the furred Pterophyllum. They were ambushers from the Greater Beyond that prey on the weak and only hunt at night, due to their inability to see from day blindness. However, with the lack of vision in the daylight hours, their other senses were heightened so they can go about their day. They also only repopulate by biting their victims, which was what makes them rare species

I turned the page, Reading the description of the next creature. The Alpha: who’s commonly known as The Falconer (Hunter/Huntress), the hybrid creature were half bird and half wolf. They had wings, razor-sharp teeth and claws. Their feathers were replaced by the fur of a wolf. The creepiest part about The Falconer was they didn't had a snout or beak like I would have imagined, instead it was simply just two holes.

I couldn't handle it any more so I closed the book. Perry informed us that there wasn't a specific spell or medication for curing the venom of the Pterophyllum (Angelfish hybrid.) … which meant there was hope.

I stood along with my friends, “I think I've had enough reading for today. I’m going to head out for school.”

Constantine cleared his throat, “Just be sure to keep a watchful eye, if there is one thing I do know, the Greater Beyond can morph into … ” He looked up, searching for the right words, his eyes flickering back to us, “Let's say the bird you see in the sky or that 'cute' bunny you saw hop across the grass.”

I sighed, “So what you are telling us, we're basically screwed.”

“I don't want to give you false hope, but please be careful out there. I'll be sure to have a stronger ward on my place; I'm not even sure how they passed through the first one, unless one of you let them in?”

I thought about my dream last week and remembered how real it felt, surely it couldn’t have been me that led them here, could it? I hadn't the slightest inkling of how I got in that realm in the first place. Had they been watching over me before, taking advantage of my powers to manipulate where my dreams took me?

I didn't question it any further and decided that dwelling on the idea would drive me insane. Constantine excused us while he continued to work through the several stacks of books that accumulated around him.

Today at school, I didn't feel like talking to anyone in fear that I could potentially shift into the ugly creature residing deep within my soul. Sure a week’s worth of recovery did wonders, but there was still a disembodied voice that nagged in the back of my mind. I still wasn't sure about the extent of the beast itching to come out would do.

I pulled my hoodie over my head, stuffing my hands in my pockets. I laid my head on the table, “Amora?”

I kept my head down, ignoring her attempts to gain my attention, like I said; I didn't feel like talking to anyone.

I almost felt annoyed more than anything.

“Hello … you okay?”

I silently sighed, lifting my head, “I'm fine, McKenzie,” My voice sounding slightly irritated.

“Okay then.” She turned around in her seat.

I started to feel dizzy again and closed my eyes, allowing me to completely be submissive to my dream, taking me wherever it desired.

I dropped in the familiar wasteland I had been to that night I got turned. This place, to no surprise, was eerie mixed with the same toxic fumes I had encountered before. I trudged through the hazy desert, coming across a stairway that led down into the ground. My stomach started twisting, making it unbearable to focus on the situation.

Wherever this stairwell led, surely couldn't be any good. Still being curious, I made my way down the flight of stairs that looked to be out of place for an eerie realm such as this wasteland.

Immediately coming into my view was a row of stacked objects which resembled mason jars along with clear tubes jumbled in sorting trays.

I scouted the shelving lined up with thin tubes placed inside of a rack full of miscellaneous liquid. Picking one up, it read, Donor M.

Placing the blue liquid tube carefully back in its place, I picked up a solid red one, reading Donor O.

Repeating the same motion as the first one, I couldn't help but think that this was a hospital of some sort. I needed to know more as my curiosity was getting the best of me, so I continued to amuse my thoughts as I walked around, examining the equipment.

I stopped in front of a chair that was covered with multiple thin tubes that dropped into clear buckets on the white tiled floor. I touched the straps that were located on the arm rest and pulled back immediately after receiving a small shock to the fingertip.

My eyes moved to the counter directly behind it, I noticed an enclosed compartment piquing my interest. I walked around the chair, avoiding the lines of tubes careful not to accidentally yank one out or trip on it, I opened the compartment and a cool breeze escaped. I shivered at the slight coolness, reaching my hand inside, I pulled the tray out. I reached out to grab the glowing tube, reading: Immortal blood DNA X

I examined the translucent liquid, “What are you creatures up to?”

Then I heard some hissing coming from the stairs, I quickly placed everything back into place then hurried over to the shelving. I tried to hide behind one of the shelves as I watched the bodies of the voices come around the corner.

“So you've turned her.”

“Yes sir, I injected more venom into her than I usually would with anyone else.”

I watched the familiar creatures talk amongst each other from in between the items stored on the shelf in front of me. My heart started racing when they headed in my direction.

“What a smart thinking Jasper. In that way, if she heals quickly, she'll remain one of us.”

What did they want with me anyway?

I slowly and as quietly as I could, crouched to the floor, trying to figure a way out without getting caught for snooping. I noticed that the shelving at the bottom had a large enough space that I could potentially fit my body under if I laid down.

“Wait.”

I froze.

“What?”

“Do you smell that?”

“It literally could be any of the blood down here, Jasper.”

He growled, “No, I sense her.”

I crawled under the shelving seeing how there was just enough space to fit my body. I did this quickly and quietly as possible slipping through each row of shelves. Through the last one, Jasper called out, “There she is, get her!”

I sprinted up the stairs skipping a few on my way up, that's when a giant black crow like figure swooped in front of me, landing a foot away. Its face was uglier in person than from what I saw in the book.

It lunged at me and I coward below my hands. I felt his claws around my neck as I tried defending myself.

“Amora, Wake up!”

I snapped my head up, gasping as I held my neck in search of oxygen. I started to panic as I couldn't maintain a reasonable breath; I fell out of my seat, gasping for air.

“Amora, breathe!”

I was finally able to draw in a long inhale, exhaling steadily.

I laid on the linoleum floor, staring up at Fayette and McKenzie, “What?”

McKenzie tilted her head, “Are you okay? You don't look so well, even your eyes are bloodshot.”

I coughed, “I'm fine.” Sitting up, I asked, “Help me up?”

McKenzie helped me to my feet; I went to take a step towards my desk to grab my belongings but ultimately failing to do so. I grabbed the desk to steady myself as I coughed repeatedly, covering my mouth, my hand started to tremble.

A loud ring pierced my ear, pressing my fingers to my temple, I spoke clenching my teeth, “Fayette?”

She touched my back, “Yes?”

The ringing got louder and I felt it unbearable as I endured the pain, “Take me home please?”

“Sure,” she grabbed my belongings, addressing McKenzie, “See you tomorrow, McKenzie.”

Walking out, McKenzie stopped us, “Wait, is she going to be okay?”

Fayette confirmed, “Yeah she'll be fine, I hope.”

McKenzie took my hand, placing a paper in my palm, “Here take my number, let me know if you're okay please.”

I nodded weakly, “Ok.”

I was sweating profusely, shivering as I felt the venom swimming through my veins, like a slithering snake.

I groaned in severe pain.

The random thought of being home again led me to think about why I had ever left in the first place. I should have never left Vudos, being here was far too dangerous for me, what was I thinking?

Fayette spoke, “Constantine, I think she's getting worse.”

I felt my bones twisting, cracking even, as I started shifting into the beast. I growled, “Fayette, you need to leave.”

She shook no, “I'm not leaving you.”

I heard jiggling of metal in the distance as I felt the final snap of a bone inside of me, groaning in pain as my teeth grew razor-sharp. I sat up quickly, snapping my head in Fayette's direction.

Fayette's voice drifted off, standing petrified as she watched me carefully, “Constantine,” She called.

My grin slowly turned into a sly one, standing my full height and then some due to the fact that I had shifted into the beast I was. I howled, lunging at Fayette but as quick as I was to leap, I was quickly restrained by cold metal wrapping around my neck. I clawed at the chain in pure agony, roaring as I fell to the ground.

“Fayette, I need you to find Perry.” Constantine said hurriedly, “Now!”

I growled as I yanked the chain down, fighting against the old man’s grip. He lost his balance for a short moment, pulling back the amount of chain I stole from him. I reached for all of my strength as I gripped the chain with both hands, the worried look on his face as I started pulling him towards me. The old man tried resisting my counter-attack, but to no avail, I was drawing him nearer with every yank.

He was almost in my reach as I clawed for him, growling as my awaiting mouth drooled. I heard some chanting, shortly after the chant stopped, I received an excruciating shock to my body. I endured much of the pain until my body couldn't handle anymore.

Mentally and physically drained, I curled up on the floor, shivering, “What happened?”

“It made its way into her heart.”