Everything Will Change
Chapter 5

The bright lights of the outside world woke Karen up. It had been a few weeks since she got out of her cage. The wolf had disappeared for now, but she knew how to take care of herself. She saw two soldiers and Zark walking towards her. This was her moment to be free. As the soldiers were about to open the cage two shots were heard. Karen was horrified as she watched the two soldiers bleed out in front of her.

“How could you kill your soldiers?” Karen asked.

“It’s easy for me. I need their mutations for a super mutant soldier. I will get your mutations very soon.”

Zark slowly opened the cage. Karen lunged and transformed into a wolf. Now that she knew how to fight she had a chance to be victorious and go home. She latched onto Zark’s leg and thrashed. Zark simply used his other foot to kick her in the face. She yelped as she tumbled across the ground. Zark shot at her leg so she was immobilized. She held in her screams of pain and replaced them with growls and barks of hatred.

“I think it’s time for another enhancement for Karen. You show so much strength and intelligence. You will be the super soldier now. Imagine how great you shall become.” He smiled as he spoke to her.

Zark dragged her over to a corner in the outside world. He proceeded to torture her to activate new mutations. She was too weak to fight back, but the fire in her eyes only grew. By nightfall, she was beaten to a pulp and was unconscious. Many soldiers had seen the event and confronted Zark about it, but they only got shot.

In the light of the sun, Karen saw the silhouette of the wolf. He had a melancholy look in his eyes. Karen was barely awake but was not in pain. She looked at her arms and saw that her wounds had vanished. She looked at the wolf bewildered.

“You have yet another mutation. You can now regenerate.”

“Are you kidding me? I have to live forever now?”

“That I do not know. I have seen people who have used magic to rid others of their mutations.”

“That’s good to know.

“You must fight him. He will only kill more people if he lives.”

“What’s the point?”

“To survive.” A female voice said softly.

Karen whirled around and found her cat Zoey standing next to her. Karen’s gut twisted with guilt and sorrow started chipping her heart away. Her eyes began to tear up at the sight of Zoey.

“How are you here Sweet Pea?” Karen choked back tears.

“Karen, spirit animals are animals that have died.”

Karen shook her head with grief. The tears started flowing down her face as she faced a hard truth. Her best friend was now dead and she was not there to care for her. Karen hid her face with shame.

“I’m so sorry Zoey. I wish I didn’t leave you.”

“It was not your fault Karen. None of us had control over what happened. On the bright side, I will always be with you now.”

“So I don’t have to say goodbye?”

“Never.”

Karen felt a renewed strength in her heart. She stood up and transformed into a cat.

“Wrong form Karen.” Wolf chuckled.

“I’m getting used to this.” she chuckled.

Karen changed into a wolf on the second try. She took a deep breath and began to run. Her spirit animals were quick to follow, ready to protect her from any danger that was sure to come.