The Beast Within (Book One of the Changes Series)

-Porsha’s POV-

It was the soft chill that had lulled me to sleep and now caused the goosebumps that woke me. The sky was even blacker than I would’ve expected. I wiped the sleep out of my eyes, contemplating whether I wanted to go straight to bed or watch something on tv. Rustling in the faraway bushes interrupted my thoughts. Hearing more rustling, I grabbed the empty bottle, but I swore the noise was closer. Not that I would’ve been able to figure it out, but I paused to see if I could make out what it could be anyway.

This was silly.

I let out an exasperated breath as I lifted off the lounger. I might be a girl, but I refused to act like one running from squirrels and bunnies.

A low-pitched growl immobilized me, sending shivers running up my spine. That sounded big, too big to be anything I could deal with. Without a thought, I dropped the bottle and turned to run towards the safety of my home.

A strong gush of wind blew past me. There was no way the breeze could have picked up like that out of nowhere. Something was going on, and I didn’t want to find out what that something was. But my fear wouldn’t allow me to move. Maybe it was the wine or the lack of food. Please, God, let it be in my head.

The same mysterious air current reappeared, swiftly looping around me before disappearing altogether. My heart started beating hard enough to burst out of my chest. Too scared to stay, I ran for the sliding glass door while another snarl thundered.

The glass sounded as my hand banged into it. I yanked on the handle much harder than needed, slamming it behind me. Once it was locked, my eyes stayed glued to the darkness outside of the glass. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting. I feared, whatever it was, would smash through the glass to get inside.

I rushed around the house, checking all the locks. Why was I doing that? It was an animal, right? The memory of the conjured wind and earsplitting growl sent a fresh batch of chills down my back. It was better to be safe than sorry. I checked the windows too.

I couldn’t run fast enough up the stairs. Even with all the locks engaged, the enormous windows left me feeling vulnerable.

I felt as if something, or someone, was chasing me as I sprinted into my bedroom. I didn’t feel safe until the door was shut and locked. I kept my back firmly pressed against the door, close to hyperventilating. Taking deep breaths did little to calm my nerves. What the hell was that? It definitely wasn’t a coyote. I think the second growl was further away than the first had been. Maybe the wind scared it off. I tried to shake the idea out of my head before I freaked myself out more. One thing I knew for sure was that would be the last time I tempted fate with a bad joke.

***

I awakened to my usual sun-drenched bedroom. Finding myself on the end of the bed in the fetal position, I quickly looked towards the door, relieved to see it was still closed. The swift movement caused my head to pound as if it had a heartbeat of its own. My bones snapped into place as I stretched, making my way to the medicine cabinet. I caught my reflection in the mirror; the circles around my eyes emulated Danielle’s. Turning away from the mirror, I grabbed the bottle of Excedrin, popping two with sink water.

I let out a moan, hoping it would lessen the vice my head was in; it didn’t. My dad would say: “Nothing bears a stronger resemblance to a madman than a man when drunk.” I cracked a smile. God, what a pretentious prick he was. I was starting to feel really silly for my crazy notions the night before. I probably ran from a lost dog and imagined the rest. Maybe all I was in danger of was turning into an alcoholic. Moderation really was key… and the word of the day.

The fear from last night was gone, mostly.