Book 1: Tiger's Eye
Book 2: Concealment
Book 3: Ignited
Chapter 3
After meeting with all the kind workers at the shelter they agreed to keep me there as long as I attempted to find a job. Once I found a job and saved money they would help me find my own place to live. I failed to mention to them that I did not plan on finding a job. I have to many things to find out and I cannot waste time looking for a job. I kept myself busy during the day doing research, which also helped the ladies in charge of the shelter think I spend my days looking for a job. I walked from the shelter to a coffee shop to check my email and blog. I secret hoped my newest stalker sent me a new email because in order for my plan to work I need his help. As I suspected, he did send an email: I told you. Believe me now? Of all the things I needed to hear right now, and my stalker shows off. What kind of stalker is this anyway? I switched to chat and hoped he was online.
TigersEye: Why do they want me dead?
Unknown: They are on the enemy's side. They adopted you for a reason.
TigersEye: What other reason is there to adopt besides loving a child?
Unknown: They do not care as you think they do.
TigersEye: How do you know all this? Have I seen you before?
Unknown: I told you, I'm just like you. Except I know. I have seen you, but you have not seen me.
TigersEye: That makes no sense. What do I do? If you are so smart then surely you have an idea about what my next step should be.
Unknown: They want you dead, they will fight so you must train before doing anything else.
TigersEye: Train?
Unknown: Fight back and be ready.
TigersEye: Fight for what?
Unknown: Family, you're real family.
TigersEye: You know my real family?
Unknown: No, but I know where your abilities come from.
TigersEye: Then why can't I meet you so you can show me?
Unknown: It is not the right time yet.
TigersEye: When is the right time?
Unknown: I will let you know.
I clicked out of chat and switched to my blog. I can't handle talking to my stalker any longer. Maybe I'm better off by myself because he is far too annoying. I clicked into my blog and saw that my latest post got more reads than before. I scrolled through all the comments before looking at anything else:
"Your writing speaks to me!"
"I can totally relate!"
"Sounds bad. I'm sorry."
"Things get better."
I clicked new blog post and started typing:
Title: Freight Train
Body: The only thing worse than "the fall" is realizing how short it is before the next phase starts. It's like someone pushing you off a freight train, and the person pushing expecting you to live. It's someone punching you in the stomach with all their might and expecting you to breathe. Training can't prepare you for "the fall", but it can warn you when someone's ready to push. I can't tell you what's going on with my life, but I can tell you what it feels like to have lost everything. Everyone you love and everything you knew can suddenly be gone in a second. All you're left with is confusion and you're trying to figure out what's happening. You don't know where to go, but you know you can't give up. You have to keep fighting because that's all you seem to have left. I wander the world continuously searching for answers.
All my readers, the world is dangerous. Be careful.
It seemed that my stalker wasn't going to give up. As soon as I hit post I received a new email from him: You didn't lose everything. He's monitoring my blog now? He really is a stalker. I went back to chat to talk to him.
TigersEye: Yes I am. How did you find all my social media sights anyway?
Unknown: No you're not. You're never alone. It is not as difficult to find that information if you know what you are looking for.
TigersEye: Then who do I have?
Unknown: Me.
TigersEye: I don't even know who you are and you refuse to show yourself.
Unknown: As I said, now is not the right time. I do not have to be with you physically to support you.
TigersEye: What's that mean? Why can't you tell me who you are? Your email reveals absolutely nothing about you.
Unknown: It's not the right time. I will tell you more as I can.
TigersEye: Then what is?
Unknown: I'll let you know.
TigersEye: When? You said that a few minutes ago.
Unknown: I don't know. I wish I could tell.
TigersEye: What could possibly hold you back? I have nothing to go on.
Unknown: Me. I'm not ready. You don't trust me yet.
TigersEye: It's a little hard to trust someone I can't see.
Unknown: Seeing isn't believing.
TigersEye: I'm logging out now.
Unknown: Don't leave.
TigersEye: Why not? Leave me alone.
Unknown: Fine but I'll be back.
TigersEye: Whatever.
I logged out of my email and slammed my laptop closed. I can't handle this anymore. I'm walking around with nowhere to go and my stalker angers me more. I guess I must continue my plan. I walked to the library next and went to their history section. There must be something here about the word Tigma. I took every book that could relate to it and scattered them out across a long table in the corner of the library. After checking indexes I put three books back and kept five books. I skimmed through two of them and had to put them back after realizing it only mentions the word Tigma without any kind of explanation as to what it means.
When I read the first one it gave me a basic explanation. I found out that the Tigmas are a race with special abilities. I looked down at my hand and revealed my claws. That explains a lot. I continued reading only to figure out that it did not mention much else. Apparently the race existed a long time, but most of them disappeared or died. I put it aside and opened the second one. The second book gave me more information about where they lived. When the Tigmas population reached its fullest they lived not far from here. Most of this used to be their land, but the humans took over when the Tigmas became a threat. The third book gave me the most information. The book dedicated a chapter to Tigma history, but after reading I had a feeling humans created the history themselves rather than relying on actual Tigma witnesses. According to the book Tigmas tried to kill humans so humans fought back, killed them, and took over their hand. Their theory is that the Tigmas are gone, but that cannot be true. If they killed the Tigmas I would not be here today. My stalker also mentioned my real family which means they are still alive. My plan relied on finding correct information about the Tigmas. I wanted to find everything I could about the Tigmas and hoped that information would lead me to someone that could help, but it is useless. Unless I find a Tigma, my plan is doomed.
I wandered the city most of the day hoping to create a new plan, but my stalker's word repeated in my head about fighting back. Dillon found me during lunch and offered to take me out. I had almost forgotten about my second stalker. There is still something weird about Dillon, but I pushed it aside. Other than my first stalker, Dillon is the only person I have to talk to. As my curfew got closure I found a gym and signed up for self-defense classes. I went back to the shelter for the night and returned in the morning for my first class. I felt confused during the first class. My parents never wanted me to learn this kind of exercising. They only required me to use their treadmill or elliptical. I usually pick things up quickly. I grew so frustrated I took two classes that day and another the next day. Each time Dillon magically showed up to take me out of eat. I tried to push it aside considering I have two people now who magically always knew what I was doing all the time. The second day I took a break to get water when I checked my email on my phone and saw another email from my stalker: I see you took me advice.
TigersEye: You did not exactly give me many choices. Besides, my plan fell apart.
Unknown: You are doing the right thing.
TigersEye: Is that all you wanted to tell me?
Unknown: Do you not want me around? I could leave if you would like, but I do known a lot more about Tigmas than you do.
TigersEye: You are the most annoying person I have ever communicated with. Care to share your information with the class?
Unknown: Don't trust the library books.
TigersEye: Are you always around or what?
Unknown: Basically. Don't trust internet information either.
TigersEye: Then how do I find out what I want to know?
Unknown: From me.
He messaged me again when I left the gym, but still failed to mention anything I wanted to know about the Tigmas. I dedicated myself to lifting weights the third day. When I walked into the gym I looked around but did not see anyone from the day before. I hoped I would notice someone from the days before. I am continuously hoping to make a connection to figure out who my stalker is. He has to be somewhere. He always knows where I am and when to send me a message. I want to see him. I need to know what he looks like. He may not tell me anything useful, but so far he is the only person I can trust. Trusting does not come easily to me so it is a big deal that I can trust him.
I stopped exercising after an hour. I tried to lift one of the bars only to find that the weight changed. Suddenly it felt like no weights were on it. I practically threw it on the ground in surprise. I noticed a few people looking at me so I played it off and went to the locker room. What happened?! After searching the locker room and finding out I was alone I tried lifting up the lockers. I could lift it without a problem. I have strength. I did not know I had more abilities coming. I need to tell him. Terrifyingly when I checked my phone he already sent a message. My stalker is obviously psychic. Maybe that's his ability. His message read: I waited for that one.
TigersEye: You better not be watching me right now.
Unknown: Calm down I knew why you entered the locker room.
TigersEye: Don't you have better things to do?
Unknown: Trust me, this is the most important thing I have to do.
TigersEye: How many people have this ability?
Unknown: It took longer for yours to come in, but all Tigmas' strength far overcomes a human's strength.
TigersEye: Is that why you wanted me to train?
Unknown: No, but it helps. Can I ask something else of you?
TigersEye: What?
Unknown: Take gymnastics class. This gym offers it.
TigersEye: When will I ever need gymnastics?
Unknown: You need to trust me on this.
TigersEye: Fine, but you need to tell me more first.
Unknown: You will not always be hiding out in that shelter. When the times comes I will come and get you. I will take you to your real family, but it will not be easy. We cannot walk into your family's house because we have to find it first, but there are others searching for it too.
TigersEye: Thank you.
I entered the gymnastics class as soon as my conversation ended with my stalker. I got more information out of him today than all our conversations combined since we met. I found gymnastics to be more fun than I anticipated. My abilities came quickly and I picked it up as I do everything else. I seemed to impressed the coaches too because I convinced them I had taken previous classes. Dillon found me again and took me to dinner before walking me back to the shelter. He is kind I will give him that much credit, but he is creepier than my other stalker. My other stalker seems different and he understands more than Dillon ever will.
I continued taking classes regularly, but quit the self-defense and lifting weights considering my abilities made them useless. Gymnastics, however, I always learned from and I continued to improve every class I took. When Dillon met me after class he took me to lunch. He left to go to the bathroom and I received a new message from my stalker: Don't trust him.
TigersEye: If you know where I am all the time you would know I have hung out with him many times now. Why tell me this now?
Unknown: I do not like him.
TigersEye: What does that have to do with trusting him?
Unknown: He will never understand you.
TigersEye: I already know that. And?
Unknown: I cannot tell you the truth now, but do not tell him anything. Promise me?
I did not know what to say right away. He says so little, but I feel so much for him. It scared me that I immediately trusted him and wanted to promise. My stalker acts jealous, but at the same time refuses to tell me anything about himself. As Dillon approached I quickly sent: I promise.
My 16th birthday came around a few days later and Dillon invited me to the park that night. Sure I promised my stalker I would not trust Dillon, but Dillon is still the only other person I can talk to. Since my stalker does not want to see me I will hang out with Dillon. I did not like the idea of spending my birthday at the shelter. During dinner the other night Dillon mentioned he thought we were dating, but I am not sure. Showing up at random times to see me does not seem like dating to me. He does not seem to care about me at all. He rarely shows emotion and does not introduce me to his friends or family. Sometimes he even acts like I am an annoyance to him. I did not like the idea of dating Dillon. I cannot get myself to think of him like that.
"Why'd you bring me here?" I asked Dillon. "It seems strange to walk around the park in the dark? I can barely see anything."
"I wanted your birthday to end on a high note," he replied.
"Why are we walking off path? Aren't you afraid that we're going to get lost?" I asked. I was starting to feel strange. We've never walked off path before. I didn't recognize this part of the park. If he wanted this to be romantic then he was way off. He doesn't know what romantic is. Something is wrong.
"I wanted more privacy to tell you something."
"Okay. What do you want to tell me?" I asked. That's when I started getting a horrible gut feeling that something was wrong. This wasn't romantic, I was surrounded by trees. Something was off. This wasn't the night it seemed to be.
"Rolla, I love you," he said.
"You love me?" I asked surprised. It's only been a week or two since we met. How can he love me already? This wasn't right.
"Yes, I do. Do you love me?" he asked. It seemed like a strange question for him to ask. Why didn't he wait for an answer? He seemed to rush for an answer.
I opened my mouth to respond when someone appeared from behind a tree. It was the most gorgeous guy I have seen in my life. He stood slightly taller than Dillon. His hair was dark unlike Dillon's blonde hair. He was staring right at me. I looked at him in concentration and tried to figure out why this guy looked so familiar. I know I've never seen him before, but there was something about him. It was like Dillon wasn't even there anymore. It was me and this stranger. I could get lost in his eyes.
"Who are you?!" Dillon demanded, but the guy wasn't paying attention. The guy was looking at me and would not look away.. My heart raced and pounded in my chest. I couldn't explain it, but I knew him.
"Please Rolla, don't tell him you love him," he finally spoke with his beautiful voice. He obviously knows me.
His eyes pleaded me to speak, but all that came out was: "Who are you?"
Dillon yelled in the background demanding me to explain, but I couldn't. My eyes locked on the gorgeous guy approaching me. I couldn't explain it to myself so there's no way I could form the words to explain it to Dillon. I don't even think I can look at Dillon right now. "I'll explain everything please, take my hand?" the guy asked. He held out his hand and I looked into his eyes. They were blue. It was almost like they were trying to tell me something. I should have stopped and talked to him, but I took his hand without hesitation.
When I did, everything changed. The wind blew around us. Dillon completely disappeared and this guy kissed me. He didn't hesitate. It was like he knew I was going to let him kiss me. He held me as tight as he could and my arms tightened around his neck. The longer we kissed, the more I knew him. I could see everything in his brain. I knew what he was thinking and I learned about his life. I looked into his soul. This was the stalker sending me all the emails. It all started making sense. He was jealous this whole time because he likes me. He couldn't stand to see me with Dillon. What was happening? This was beyond anything I've ever felt. It felt like magic. I couldn't control what I did or what I felt. My heart raced more than it's ever raced before, but I didn't want it to end. I wanted to tell you I heard his voice inside my head. This couldn't be happening.
But it is.
Wait, what was happening?
We are reading minds.
How is this possible?
It's only our kind.
Kind?
Tigmas, remember?
It's real? Tigma's can read each other's minds?
No, only soul mates.
We're soul mates?!
You don't believe me?
No, I believe you. I'll always believe you.
I love you, Rolla. I'll explain everything.
I love you too, Pilote. I love him. He's been emailing me to protect me and I've never seen him in person before this, but I still love him. I must be going crazy. Everything's happening so fast and my brain's still going crazy with confusion. We finally snapped out of it when Dillon pulled me away. "What the hell Rolla?!"
"Dillon, I..."
"You don't need to explain anything," Pilote interrupted.
"Yes she does!" Dillon started yelling.
"Rolla he's trying to kill you! He's an enemy! He never went to school with you," Pilote said.
"You're funny dude. She just met you," Dillon said.
"Dillon?" I struggled out.
"Yeah babe?" Dillon said.
"You're trying to kill me?!" I yelled. I didn't stop to think whether Pilote lied or not, but I knew this whole time that something was weird about Dillon. Pilote had to be telling the truth. While I went through this Pilote never lied to me; he proved himself the day my house blew up.
Dillon's laugh following my question was the answer. Dillon started transforming into some kind of serpent. Dillon's not human. This isn't possible. I thought the Tigmas were the only other race out there besides humans. I ran to Pilote and he wrapped his arms around me. My entire life changed right before my eyes. It was all a set up. I went back into Pilote's head for answers and he explained everything. That's why I didn't remember Dillion from school on the first day we met. Dillon wasn't from school. He was a total stranger. Pilote could hear everything I thought and knew how confused I was. I'm not sure I can get used to someone always being in my head. I don't have my own private thoughts anymore.
"Rolla, he's a descendant from a snake. They're called Silthra," Pilote said.
"Silthra?" I asked. There was so much that I haven't learned yet. You would think our ancestors would provide us with information so we don't get killed before knowing who we are.
"Remember when I said to fight back?" Pilote asked.
"Yeah?" I said.
"Do it now. Don't hold anything back. His only goal is to kill you and trust me he can," Pilote said which only made my confusion worse. I thought I couldn't die. I thought I've already proved that. Pilote and I stood ready to fight, but soon two more people joined us.
"I thought we killed you," I heard a familiar voice.
I turned to my left and saw my parents. They walked a couple steps towards me, but stayed behind Dillon. They planned this. They must be working with Dillon and he told them I'm still alive. They probably weren't my parents anymore. I should stop calling them that. They were standing hand in hand staring from me to Pilote. I had no idea how I would get out of this one.