Deep in the Forest

"Thats a chance I am willing to take." Holly said seriously, without thinking.

"Alba, I know a lot, ok? I promise I won't let anything happen." Shadow said calmly.

"Id trust her if I was you." Holly said nodding, "But I aint you, so whatev...."

A shiver ran down Alba's spine. What if something went wrong. She took a deep breath and tugged at the sleeping Manticore inside her. As it woke, she felt the unbelievable strength issue from it. It knew she was afraid.
Alba Maticora morphed into her other half. The Manticore looked around and spotted a punch-bag. It launched its self at it, pipping it from the ceiling, shredding it into pieces on the cold floor. The sound of tipping echoed aroung the room as the Manticore finished. Then, it turned round, and spotted Shadow.

Shadow morphed into a wolf, looking at the Manticore. Shadow could sense its obvious power, and was glad that the door was shut and locked, leaving her alone with this creature. She stood tall on four legs, not challenging Alba, but not submitting.

Alba could see her friend through the Manticore's eyes. She sensed it's ambisions and frantically tried to morph back to her human self.
She watched, helpless, as the Manticore crouched to pounce.

Shadow growled low in her throat, warning the Manticore.

Natalie stayed well back from it.

Alba gave one final tug at the Manticore's mind, and morphed back in the middle of pouncing. She fell to the floor at her friend's feet (or rather paws)

Shadow morphed back and helped Alba to her feet.
"Ok... I see how we're going to have to do this."

Natalie stood next to Holly.

"Im sorry," said Alba, "I don't know what's happening to me. I used to be able to control it perfectly!"
She went to sit on a chair in the corner.
Maybe thats what killed my perents, she thought, a tear rolling down her cheek and her fingers wrapping round the locket around her neck. It held a photo of her parents and a poem that her mother had written, so many years ago.
Alba recited it in her head;
My love, my precious
My singing skylark
My dear, my darling
My angel in the dark

"It's normal." Shadow assured her friend.

Hayley bit her lip. "So...what are you going to do?" she asked Shadow quietly.

"BE QUIET HAYLEY!" Holly yelled, hitting her friend around the head with a cricket bat.

*ahem*.

Natalie stayed silent, looking from Shadow to Alba.

Shadow seemed to think for a few miutes, occasionally muttering to herself.

"Second sign of madness that." Holly commented, checking for hairs on the palm of her hand.

Shadow scowled a death scowl at Holly.

"Never mind...." Holly muttered quickly.

"Alba, I think I know how to help you..." Shadow said.

"She knows all." Holly said, without a hint of sarcasm.

"True..." said Natalie, smiling.

"Indeedio." Holly remarked.

"THree centuries does that to you Hol." Shadow said. "What do you think I did with my spare time? I read."