My Family

Chapter 11

Kipo sat on the living room floor scratching Mandu's head and shoulders. She had recently gotten home from school. Her parents stood close by going through a checklist. Special for their date night.

"You gonna be okay alone?" Leo asked standing in front of the girl. Kipo smiled up at her father.

"I'll be fine," she said. Leo leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

"Don't forget to lock the door especially if you leave," he said then went over to grab aback.

"I love you, see you in a few hours," Song kissed Kipo's head too.

The couple held hands and left the house. Kipo waved them goodbye. As they got further away, Kipo's smile fell. She locked the door and pulled it closed. Then walked down the sidewalk with her hands shoved into her pockets. She needs to find a place where she can be completely alone. Her heart raced, beating against her lungs. Kipo couldn't pull her eyes off her feet. Something bumped into her side.

"I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention," a woman said forcing a smile.

"Oh, it's okay. I wasn't either," Kipo smiled. The woman cocked her head at Kipo.

"You look familiar... oh well. Sorry again," the woman smiled again then walked off.

Kipo chuckled and kept walking. Careful about others. She made it to a forest just to the north of the suburb. Her parents use to tell her to stay away from here. That she could get lost. But now, it's the only place she can find herself.
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Kipo went deep into the forest. The fear of getting lost left Kipo's mind a long time ago. If she didn't know the way home, the jaguar certainly did. Kipo sat on a log thinking. Her chin resting on her palms, legs crossed. Song said to focus on what's truly important to her. Without question, it's her friends and family. But is that enough?

She brought out the fur on her arms. Taking a deep breath, then turned it into paws. The excitement bubbled in Kipo's chest. Was she really about to go full out? Her ears popped on top of her head, and her tail stuck from her tailbone. The anxiety taking over.

"I'm okay, mom did it just fine... I'll be okay," Kipo talked herself down.

Then with a final lunge of her stomach, there stood a jaguar. Fur full-on pink, with brown rosettes. She jumped around the paws touching the ground, sending chills through her.

Kipo the jaguar wanted to run far off into the forest. So she did. Each leap sent thill into Kipo's heart. Adrenalin raging through her. Dodging and weaving through trees. Jumping over trunks, and playfully chasing other animals. Kipo had never felt freer in her entire life. Every day before it always felt as if something was missing as if something was locked up inside her. Without question, this is who she is. It's time She accepted every part of herself. It's time she shared herself. For better or for worse. She is finally free, like a bird from its cage.

An ear-piercing scream called out from the forest. A switch and Kipo was human once again. She ran towards the source ready to attack any threat. She tripped and fell onto her face.

"Kipo!?" Wolf's voice called out.

Kipo's head snapped to her with wide eyes. A wolf stalked out of the forest. Kipo's heart raced.

"Trust me, please," Kipo scurried to her knees in front of Wolf. Who desperately nodded.

Kipo shifted into the Jaguar and nudged the wolf's arm. The wolves snapped at them, and the girl climbed onto Kipo's back. Hugging onto the neck, Kipo rushed back home. The wolves followed. The wild wolves were quick, but Kipo was faster. Kipo carefully dodged and weaved through the trees, making sure Wolf was still on her back the entire time. She made it to the edge of the forest and became human again. Wolf sliding off Kipo's back.

"Follow me," Kipo said grabbing Wolf's hand and pulling her out of the forest.

They did not stop. For anything. The two girls ran and ran until they finally made it to Kipo's doorstep. The door is cracked open.

"Mom, Dad!" Kipo called out as she went inside.

Last she knew her parents went out on a date before she left. And she's pretty sure she shut and locked the door.

"Mandu!" She called out.

Looking through the living room. A gasp called out from behind her. Kipo snapped around finding wolf being held from behind, by a built man.

"Let...." Kipo was grabbed too.

Strong arms wrapped around her as a sour engulfed her nose. Everything started fading. Kipo tried to claw her way out, but no fur showed on her skin.

"Get them in the van!" A familiar voice called out with hate.

Kipo watched as Wolf's small body was thrown over someone's shoulder. Her heart thumped against her chest, as it all went black.
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Kipo lay on her bed starring at the ceiling. She always knew something was wrong with her. That she was different from the other kids. Kipo had always thought it was because she's smart for her age, or because she's carefree and friendly. Turns out there's just something wrong with her.

I mean a genetic experiment, how could that not be cool?... but it means they were right. She is different. She is not like everyone else. I MEAN COME ON... Kipo broke a sink in half. Tore one off the wall. And that was on accident. How strong could she be if she tried to do that?

She grabbed her arm. Caressing the bandage wrapped around her arm. At least It was just her that got hurt... if Kipo had hurt anyone... How would that be okay? Even if she didn't know. How would she ever forgive herself? What if she ends up hurting someone someday? What if she can't protect the people she loves? What if she is the reason her loved ones get hurt?
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These are the thoughts that ran through Kipo's head after she learned the truth. And these are the thoughts that once again ran through her head, as she sat tied up in a steel cage.