twenty-seven

                                    

                                          
Wynn
                          
As I sped off, running towards the escape room with all the others, I heard something in the distance, a high-pitched scream. Of course, almost everyone around me was either crying or yelling, but this was different. No one else could hear it, except me. Making a quick decision, I bolted and turned around in the opposite direction towards the cafeteria. I knew who's scream that was.
                          
    It was August.
                          
    I didn't know her all that well, but that wasn't any normal scream that everyone else was making. It was a terrified shriek. I knew she must have been in trouble.
                          
    Bonk!
                          
    I bumped into someone and I collapsed backwards and onto the floor. I rubbed my head, I figured I must have hit my head pretty hard. I looked up, seeing a towering man above me, about seven feet tall. I shuffled, backpedaling towards someplace I didn't know.
                          
    "Where are ya goin', kid?" The man asked, looking down on my stumbled and frightened expression. "The destruction's that way." He pointed behind himself.
                          
    I bit my lip, scooting backwards even more. The man was not only extremely tall, but very burly and looked like he could even beat the strongest man in the world to a pulp. I gulped, struggling to put words out of my mouth. Say something! I mentally kicked myself.
                          
    "Uh-huh," I nodded, looking around for an escape route. There was no way I could take this guy on, even with my ability.
                          
    "Well, listen," He brushed back his hair super casually. "I've been sent over here to look for a kid named Destine Whiston. Have any idea where she might be?"
                          
    My lips tightened. Why did they want Des? I gulped, trying to put out a lie. If these people were after her, then she was in huge trouble. I had to throw them off track. "I-I don't kn-know anyone named D-Destine Whiston." I whispered, scotting back again. Most of the kids were gone by now and I couldn't see any other adults in sight. I probably had to take this guy on myself.
                          
    "I can tell yer lying," he crossed his arms, glaring at me, his brown eyes flashing. "Tell me the truth." He leaned down to get at eye level with me. "Where is Destine Whiston?"
                          
    I stood up, clenching my fists. "I won't tell you." I muttered. "I won't tell you anything. You'll have to get through me first."
                          
    He chuckled, throwing his head back and uncrossing his arms. "Yer funny, kid. And quite stupid, too. Do ya really think you can fight me?"
                          
    "No," I said, stepping back. "But she's my friend. And I'll do anything for her."
                          
    I needed to get enough space between him and me in order to transform. There was no way I could do it while fighting him. I needed to buy some time. But how?
                          
    He laughed again. "Ya sure are talkin' all high and mighty." He cracked his knuckles, looking as if he was about to punch me. "That's not smart." He suddenly swung near my face and I dodged, tumbling backwards and getting carpet burns on the palms of my hands. I shouldn't have to worry about that now. "Ya might not be able to keep yer promises!"
                          
    It might have been cowardly, but I ran off into another room in order to buy myself some time to transform. I just needed a minute.
                          
    "Runnin' away?" He shouted, stomping after me. "That's not very brave, kid!"
                          
    I didn't care what he said. I ran into one of the school classrooms, hiding in the storage closet. I gulped, crouching on the floor as I prepared myself for the transformation. I always closed my eyes, for it was always very painful. Ever since I was six years old, I've been able to shapeshift. But it was really complicated. I had to ingest the DNA of the thing I wanted to transform into first before I actually could. And even then it took about six to eight hours for me to fully digest it to shift.
                          
    "Come on out, kiddo!" The man yelled from outside the door. "Come out and play! There's no point in hidin' from me!"
                          
    I held my breath as my final transformation was complete. He sure would be surprised when he finds me. All I needed to do was for him to open the door, since I couldn't do it with my paws.
                          
    The creaking sound made me smile as the door slowly opened and light poured into the small confined space. I lunged out on all fours and he stifled in surprise.
                          
    "What the heck?" He stumbled backwards as I approached him, growling. "What is a panther doing in the closet? Where did the kid go?"
                          
    Too bad I couldn't speak in my animal form. But it was hilarious to see him so scared. I growled and marched up to him, baring my teeth. This would probably scare him off, hopefully.
                          
    "No matter," he straightened, taking a step back from me and grinned viciously. "I can still win this." He charged and I could barely comprehend what was happening as he punched me in the jaw.
                          
    I yelped and slid across the floor. That would leave some marks later. But I had to keep my head in the game. If I didn't focus, this guy could kill me. I steadily and shakily stood to my feet and watched for his next attack.
                          
    He laughed again. "You took damage from that? Come on! I was just warming up!" He charged again, and I was smart enough to dodge and slice him in the side. I wanted to bite down on one of his arms so he couldn't use them anymore, but I couldn't get in close enough. "That attack was so feeble. What're you tryin' ta do, scratch me to death like the little kitty ya are?" He grabbed me by the neck and I felt myself choking. I pawed back, trying to hit something, but I felt nothing grace my claws. "Lights out, kid."
                          
    He hit me on the side of the head and I felt a quick stinging pain and my world faded to black.