Shattered Lives

I reached the top of a small hill at the edge of the forest and looked down at the town, it wasn't exactly big, I could see the other side from here; but it would be full of people and I wanted to avoid them as much as possible. Maybe I could disguise myself, of course it would help a lot if had anything that could cover my face, hands and just about everything else or still had feet capable of wearing shoes. I was going to stand out a mile whatever I did and I didn't look enough like a tiger to pass as one of them either, though that would hardly make me inconspicuous, besides when was the last time you saw a tiger wearing jeans.

I shook my head and sighed, I all honesty I didn't want to go anywhere near humans, someone could get hurt and Erasers look all too human before they start trying to rip various limbs off and; well, after the White Coats I wasn't going to be trusting anyone anytime soon. Also, when did I start referring to humans in the third person? I dropped onto all fours and started walking towards the town, it didn't matter what I wanted to do, I needed directions beyond that of 'in America somewhere', and there wasn't a thing I could do about it.

I reached a garden wall at the edge of the town and leapt over, keeping to the shadows and shrubs at the bottom of someone's yard. I just wouldn't let anyone see me; it was the simplest way. I just had to find the town name and maybe state and work from there. I was under no illusions about asking anyone for help or even going to the police; the Erasers would tear through them like tissue paper, whoever I asked.

I squeezed under a fence. There really was no one I could turn to, it's funny but through out your life there is always someone who you at least think can solve all your problems. But now, there really was no one. I vaulted another wall and landed in about three foot high grass. Geese, whoever lived there had obviously never heard of a lawnmower, then again maybe the lawn had eaten it.

I heard a door slam and I whipped round dropping into the grass and looking intently at the house. Nothing moved; no one came out; so it was just the front door then. I relaxed slightly; I can't believe how jumpy I've gotten later, then again I've been dodging Erasers for a week so it might be justified.

An Eraser vaulted over the gate at the side of the house. I looked at him in shock for a half second and dropped flat into the grass, slinking backwards to hide in the shadows of a tree. He didn't appear to notice me, score one for stripes, and he turned to unlocked the gate letting two more Erasers into the garden. Something was wrong, if they'd known where I was they should have come in all guns blazing, or at least they should have learned to by now. The Erasers snuck along the wall of the house and one put his fist through the glass in the back door. They weren't even looking for me. Why? Unless, they weren't after me.

I crept forwards, keeping low, if the Erasers were interested in this place I was. The lead Eraser opened the door and gestured for the other two to follow him. Just as the last Eraser was about to go in I ran forwards, leapt lightly onto his back, put my hand over his mouth to smother his yell of surprise and hit him as hard as I could over the head. I leapt off and caught him as he collapsed unconscious, lowing him gently to the ground without a sound.

I pressed up against the wall listening for the other two Erasers, a door opened inside the house. Apparently they hadn't heard anything. That means either I'm getting better or the Erasers are getting dumber. I slipped through the door, dodging round the broken glass, no shoes remember, and froze as I heard raised voices.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" a voice yelled, which I recognised as the kid from earlier. Damn it! They must have followed him after all.

"As we said," an Eraser growled. "We want to talk about something you saw in the woods today." I crept closer and looked through an open door to see the kid facing down two Erasers along the length of the hall. Brave kid.

"And I told you I didn't see anything," he shot back. "Now why are you in my house?" I winced; there was no way this was going to end well.

"I think you did," the Eraser said threateningly, taking a few steps forward and towering over the kid who backed away. I slipped through the door and snuck up behind the second Eraser, completely silent on my pads.

"I think you saw some monster in the woods," the Eraser continued menacingly. "That's why we saw you fleeing like a scared little rabbit with your tail between your legs."

"I didn't see anything!" he roared, finally losing his temper. "Now get out of my house!" I took the opportunity to hit the other Eraser over the head while the first was distracted and lowered him slowly to the ground.

"Oh, I think you did," the Eraser said putting his face right up to the kids; I walked up silently behind him. "And it looked just like a monstrous kitty cat didn't it?" The kids eyes flickered and the Eraser grinned triumphantly.

"Excuse me," I said tapping him on the shoulder. He whirled and I hit him right in the jaw, watching as he dropped like a rock. "It's Kit."

"You," the kid said in surprise, then. "Weren't you shot?"

"I got better," I said briskly, I wasn't even going to try and explain that, even if I could. "You should get out of here. Is there anyone else in the house?"

A door opened behind me, conveniently answering my question, I heard footsteps and a little girl ask. "Michael, what's going on?"

I half turned and something crashed into my leg squealing, "Kitty," delightedly.

"Kit, "I said with a sigh. "Is this yours?" I asked the kid, Michael I guess, pointing at the young girl hugging my leg tightly.

"Sorry," he said apologetically, untangling her from my leg and lifting her into his arms. "Amy likes cats."

"Whatever." I guess I should start getting used to this 'Kitty' stuff but I was called that enough before I was turned into a tiger and it was just as annoying back then.

"Look," I said turning my attention back to Michael. "Just call the police and find a place to lay low for a while, if they think you know something about me they are not going to give up easily."

"I can stay with my uncle's," he offered and I nodded in agreement.

"Good, watch out though they're pretty persistent. Oh, and you also still have my backpack."

"Right," he said putting Amy down and rushing past me. "It's in the kitchen.

"A map would be useful too," I called after him. Amy snatched at my tail and I flicked her with it and followed after Michael.

"Where are your parents anyway?" I asked walking into the kitchen and dodged out of the way as he bustled past me flinging my rucksack at me which I caught with ease and slung over my shoulder.

"They're at work," he replied hurriedly, rushing upstairs.

"So why aren't you at school?" I yelled after him but I don't think he heard me.

"Because it's Saturday stilly," Amy said brightly, trying to get behind me to go for my tail again.

"Hey," I said defensively. "I've been hiding in the woods for a week, so don't get clever with me." She made another grab for my tail and I lifted it out of her reach. "And stop doing that!"

"Sorry Kitty," she said trying to look cute.

"Kit," I told her automatically and felt guilty for yelling at her. Michael came running down the stairs and shoved a map into my hands.

"There," he said hastily. "You should get out of here I'll be calling the police in a moment."

"Okay," I said, stuffing the map into my backpack. "Oh, and do you have any bottles of water?" What? It can take hours to find something to drink when you're in a forest.

"In the fridge," he said with a sigh. "But is that really the most…" I cut him off by opening the fridge wide and pulling out six bottles of water.

"Fine," he said resignedly. "Who are you anyway?"

"I said," I said as I started packing the bottles into my bag. "I'm Kit."

"Yeah but what are you? I mean, you look like something halfway between a human and a tiger. So what does that make you a were-cat?"

"Well it's really a matter of less you know the less it will hurt you" I said with a sigh. "But I guess I'm a human tiger hybrid now. I wasn't born like this so watch out for strangers with syringes and wolf men in the woods." I paused as I zipped up my bag and waited for another question which didn't come. "Also, you're not responding and I've just talked over any chance of me hearing anyone sneaking up on us."

I stood up, leaving my bag on the floor, and looked the Eraser with a gun to Michael's head and a hand over Amy's mouth right in the eyes.

"Smart kitty," he growled, glaring at me, the four pinpoints on his cheek which I'd made when I put my hand over his mouth oozing slightly.

"Not kitty. Kit," I said calmly, taking a step towards him.

"Don't move," he ordered and he cocked the gun. I froze, I might get away with being shot again, as long as it wasn't too serious but I wasn't going to let anyone else die for me.

"Just come along quietly," he continued his voice dead steady. "And I won't have to shoot the kid and the little girl." His eyes flickered slightly, uncertainty perhaps.

"And what will happen to them?" I asked darkly, guessing the answer.

"Oh, they'll be coming along too." Yep, just what I expected. I took another step forwards.

"I don't think you'll do it," I told him, ignoring the look of disbelief on Michaels face. He'd thank me if he ever found out just how bad the place they'd be taking him to was, hopefully he wouldn't.

"Oh, I'll do it," he said, tightening his grip on the pistol.

"No you won't. You won't kill them. People will get suspicious. And you can't just make them disappear. Two young kids, parents, friends, the whole state will be looking for them. So kidnap's out of the question as well." I carefully omitted that that was exactly they had done with me and Sophie.

I took another step forwards. The gun wavered in his grip as he went to point it at me then swung it back towards Michael. "Not one step," he growled, uncertainly, his eyes darting around the room.

I crouched down slightly, unsheathed my claws and sprung. He looked at me in horror as I leapt at him, tired to bring the gun round in time and failed miserably. I crashed into him swiping him across the face with a powerful paw, the gun roared and window shattered, Michael dragged Amy to the floor and I bore the Eraser to the ground where I dispatched him with a quick punch to the temple.

"What the hell where you thinking!" Michael yelled when the tickle of glass had faded away.

"I worked didn't it," I said, getting off the Eraser and getting to my feet.

"We could have been killed," he cried desperately.

"Welcome to my world," I muttered, walking over and slinging my backpack back over my shoulder. "I should get out of here; some considerate neighbour will have called the police about the gunshot."

"But, but, but," he stammered. "How do I explain that?" He pointed at the Eraser with four parallel gashes running across his face.

"Don't be here," I suggested shrugging. I heard the wailing of sirens in the distance. "I really need to be going. Right now," I added as he went to ask another question. I ran over to the door and paused then said, "Thanks by the way. For helping."

I leapt onto all fours and started running, springing over the garden wall and leaving Michael standing stunned at the door.