Candice's Past

Screams of pain filled the small room. Sweat poured down the woman's brow in a seemingly never ending stream. Her breathing was laboured as she prepared herself for something she had never bargained for. The doctor's voice was distant, but she got the gist of what he was saying. She had to work to get it out of her. She had not expected this. She was exhausted. She didn't want to keep pushing. But she continued working, until finally, it came out.

It made not a sound. Why wasn't it crying? Why wasn't the doctor proclaiming whether it was boy or girl? Doctor? Is there a problem? Is my baby okay? No response. Doctor?

Get this thing to a lab. the doctor ordered, handing the small form to a nurse.

No! Where are you taking my baby? Is it a boy or a girl? What's going on? The doctor turned to her, a sympathetic look in his eyes.

I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting a non human baby. I imagine you want it taken care of?

No! No, no, no! Give me my baby! I want to see my baby! I want to see both my babies! The nurse looked at the doctor, clearly confused, and then handed the baby over without waiting for the doctor's approval. The baby was not human, as the doctor had said. She now held a newborn tigress in her arms. The large, bright green eyes stared up at her. She's beautiful.

Wh- okay... What's her name?

Candice. Her name is Candice. The tigress pawed at her mother's face playfully. The mother looked up at the doctor, glaring. And she is NOT going to any lab.

--10 years later--

The tigress was crouched in the tall grass, watching her target carefully. The human boy walked around caring for the animals and such, completely unaware of her presence. She inched closer and closer, preparing for the attack.

She launched herself out of the air, her ferocious roar ringing through the afternoon air. The boy spun around, but it was too late. She landed on top of him, growling. The boy glared at the tigress, not fearful at all. But she had him. There was no escaping. His eyes moved from hers to her neck.

Well Cody, it seems that you're getting better at sneaking up on me. A smile slowly appeared on the tigress' face and she got off her brother. She shifted into human form, smirking.

So it seems. she replied. She tied her black and orange hair into a ponytail and her smirk transformed into a smile. I wish I could be that good at sneaking up when in human form.

Candice Devi! You get your arse over here this instant! her mother called. Cody jogged over to her mother right away, not interested in getting into trouble.

Yes mother?

What have I told you about snarling in the middle of the day? We don't want to attract unwanted attention. Not everyone around here likes shifters, you know. I want you to be safe. Now please, no more loud tiger noises, okay?

Okay. Sorry mom. Cody ran back to her brother. She found him looking at his mother with a sad look on his face. What's wrong, Jack?

Haven't you noticed? Mother's getting sick... and she doesn't seem to be getting better. Cody thought about it a minute. Come to think of it, mother had seemed a bit sickly as of late.

Do you think she'll be okay?

I don't know, Cody.... I don't know.