Chapter 3

Isabell tramped down the stairs and headed towards the kitchen. She hadn't taken a change the other day to look at the details of the house. The walls were a cheery pale yellow with white countertops. The floors were a white tiling with a pale blue design running along the edges. The appliances looked new, and if it wasn't for them, the kitchen viewed to belong in a farmhouse. Isabell's parents were already sitting at the table. Each of them sipping at cups of steaming coffee while Mark was reading the morning's paper. Just as they always did every morning before work. If it wasn't for the new house and area, Isabell could almost make herself believe she was back home in Oklahoma.

"New house same habits," Isabell thought.

When Isabell passed into the kitchen, her mother peered up at her over her cup. Linda tried to give Isabell a gentle smile, only for Isabell to ignore her and move towards to fridge, to pull out a leftover sandwich from their trip. Linda had expected her daughter to sit at the table but was surprised when she opted to stand against the counter.

"Good morning," Linda said, around a gentle yawn.

"Morning, mom," Isabell said.

"How did you sleep," Mark asked.

Isabell shrugged her shoulders and avoided the question by taking a large bite of her sandwich. It would be difficult to explain to her parents the strange dream she had had, not to mention how real it felt. Most parents would brush it away as a dream, so no use explaining it. The small family sat in silence, as they mauled over the things there were going to accomplish for the day. After she had finished her sandwich, Isabell figured it would be best to start by getting the hardware supplies from the store. Quickly, Isabell washed her hands in the sink and hurried for the coat rack. Throwing on her coat, she headed for the garage door, which she discovered in the hallway outside the kitchen. Linda heard her daughter when Isabell opened the door and called from the kitchen.

"Where are you going."

"The the hardware store," Isabell yelled, before muttering to herself "That is if I can find it in this hell hole."

"Why," Linda questioned.

"I need some paint for my room," Isabell responded, choosing not to tell Linda about the locks.

"Well hold on a moment, and I'll take you."

A series of clatters came from the kitchen as she rushed to finish her coffee and deposit her cup in the sink. The sound of hurried footsteps accompanied the clattering and created a melody to announce Linda's approach. Determined to have some time alone after hours in the car with both of her parents Isabell wanted to make sure her mother stayed.

"No, I'll take my bike," Isabell called, grabbing the handle for the garage door, "There's still a lot of things to do here, and I'm sure you guys are going to want to take a peek at where you're going to be working."

Isabell made her exit before her mother could reply, blocking any chances for her mother to argue and stop her escape. Isabell stood in the dark garage and felt against the walls for the door to the outside room. It didn't take long to locate another doorknob and threw the door wide open. Light flooded the gloomy room and threw shadows against the walls. Making some of the shadows dance across the walls and each other. Using the light that entered from the newly opened door, she walked over to pull her bike out. Isabell led it beyond the threshold and turned to close the door. After making sure it was firmly closed, she hopped onto her bike and rode out the neighboorhood. When she found herself back in the busy city, it's streets were already clogged with cars and pedestrians alike. Isabell almost missed the hardware store from all the people. Lucky for Isabell there was a bike rack waiting outside the storefront. Easing her mind about have to lock her bike against a light pole or a stop sign. Dismounting her bike, Isabell pushed it in between the bars and wrapped the lock around the cold poles and spokes of her wheel, clicking the lock into place and placing the key around her neck on a chain. Usually, Isabell wouldn't fret securing it up, but this place was dangerous, and the thought of risking a walk home made her shudder as she approached the front door.

The first thing that greeted her when she opened the door was a small ding from a bell above the door, announcing her presence to everyone in the store. A blast of cold air conditioning followed the sound raising goosebumps on her arms and brushing through her hair. A smile came to her face at the feeling of the soft air. Isabell took a moment to get her bearings before swiftly heading towards the aisle labeled TOOLS. Isabell anticipated the aisle to be deserted this early in the morning. When she entered, Isabell was surprised to find there was already someone else there.

There was a boy examining screwdrivers lined against the walls. His hair was slightly flared up and looked as soft as sheep's hide. It was as dark as the night sky, and Isabell could almost imagine stars sprinkled throughout his hair. his eyes were darting back and forth across the items on the walls, a piercing silver like moonlight. His eyes looked like they could see into her very soul and see what kind of person she was, yet they held a soft gentleness to them. He appeared to be eighteen years old, only two years older than herself. Isabell couldn't quite place it but, there was just something friendly about him which made her more wary of him. In Isabell's past experiences that those who seem the most friendly are the ones that can cause a person the most harm. Isabell scanned along the wall looking for the hammers which so happened to be next to the screwdrivers and the strange boy. As Isabell approached the boy glanced up at her and gave a thousand-watt dazzling smile. His smile was so bright it looked like they would glow in the dark.

"Hi, I'm David," he said to Isabell, holding his hand out for a handshake.

"I guess he's not afraid of strangers," Isabell thought, before speaking to him "Isabell."

She stretched her hand out and grabbed his not being afraid to squeeze his hand to show him that he didn't scare her. David didn't seem at all surprised about her strength. On the contrary, David had been expecting the firm handshake from such a serious looking girl.

"You're new around here, aren't you," David asked.

"Yeah, how could you tell," Isabel asked, confused.

"I know everyone around here, but I don't recognize you, and you don't seem like someone I would forget easily," David said.

"I wish people would forget me," Isabell thought, before asking "So, you're apart of the in-crowd then."

"Yeah, you could say that," David said, "Are you going to be a freshman."

"Yeah, I suppose."

Looking back over toward the hammers, Isabell picked one up along with a pack of nails. Her stomach was curling around inside her, threatening to consume her. There was a feeling of urgency that was taking over her. Like an itch, she couldn't quite reach but constantly pestering at her. Feeling the importance of whatever this was getting greater, Isabell hurried away without saying goodbye to David.

"Guess I'll be seeing you around then," David called after Isabell.

Isabell didn't give him any sign of acknowledgment. What were the chances that she was going to see him again? After a quick stop at the paint aisle for a robin blue paint and a set of locks, Isabell quickly headed for the checkout. While waiting in line, Isabell couldn't help tapping her foot impatiently. The sense that she needed to be somewhere was only growing worse by the second and Isabell couldn't quite pin down why. Finally one of the clerks opened up, and she quickly stepped up to the register. As the young man scanned her items, Isabell tracked her purchases. Paying for the pieces, Isabell told the young boy to keep the change and hurried out the door.

"Why am I in such a hurry," Isabell thought to herself, "What am I forgetting to do, or maybe I need to be somewhere?"

Isabell tugged the key from her bike and threw her newly bought goods into her front basket. Isabell flew down the streets, finding herself winding through streets that she didn't recognize. Granted, Isabell hadn't spent enough time out to acknowledge anything in this bustling city. She was utterly lost but at the same time, wasn't. It was as if something was pulling her towards the unknown destination. In the end, she gave up trying to figure out where she was, or even where she was heading and surrendered herself to the ride. After fifteen minutes, the pulling stopped, and Isabell found herself in front of an unmarked building in the middle of a quiet part of the city. There was no sign indicating what the building got used for, or the company that owned it. It did hold an aura of importance, someplace that Isabell had to be. Isabell parked her bike against the side of the building and examined the front gate. At first glance, there were no ways to open the door, but on further inspection, Isabell noticed a small call button set into the wall. Hesitantly, she pressed the button, and a loud buzz sounded through the speaker installed next to it.

"Name," a monotone voice drawled.

"Um, Isabell Wenonah," she responded, unsure.

There was an audible click and another loud buzz before the doors swung open slowly. Isabell stood outside, unsure about entering before her eyes landed on the same man from her dreams, Jason. He wasn't alone, a woman stood next to him, and Isabell couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was. Her hair was long, and the blond color was so bright, it shined like the sun. Her eyes matched Jason's, bright, vibrant green, like the color of moss. It looked like she worked hard outside on a farm, or spent her days in the forest, with skin that seemed to be kissed by the sun with a beautiful tan. She wore a spaghetti strapped gown covered in flowers along with a bleach white cloak, also enveloped in flowers. Vines wrapped around her shoulders and down her arms ending at her wrist and looking closer, Isabell could pursue the route of the creepers under the woman's gown. Isabell could barely see the vines wrapping around the woman's middle in an almost loving manner. The woman was petting the plants as if she was betting an animal. Isabell stepped into the building, and Jason turned at the sound of her footsteps.

"Good, you made it here safely," Jason said with a bright smile.

"I don't understand," Isabell said, looking behind her at the sound of the doors slamming shut behind her, "Where am I."

"You were called here in response to the awakening you had last night with me," Jason said.

"But where is here, I don't understand."

"This place doesn't exist to the public, nor does our group. We have no name because we like to stay under the radar."

"So the weird dream that I had last night was real, and it brought me here. I didn't know where that pull was even dragging me to."

Isabell was trying desperately to grasp at any rational reason to explain why she was here. There was no way that an ordinary dream could have brought all of this about and lead her here to this nameless place. The woman had not said a word to contribute to the conversation thus far. The only thing she did was stare at Isabell with a look that could freeze.

"You didn't try to fight it either, now did you," Jason threw back at her.

Isabell was stunned into silence, not having a comeback for that. They held each other gaze, and both expected the other to have a comment to make. Isabell finally turned her focus back to the woman who had been glaring at her, uncomfortable with the silence.

"Who's that," Isabell asked, hoping to change the subject.

Jason was glad for the subject change and relaxed, but the woman was not. He was happy to have avoided any conflict, it made him nervous, but the woman didn't like the topic turned to her. The woman looked at him and gave him a warm smile, different than the glare she was giving Isabell moments ago. Isabell figured the two were longtime friends, perhaps even family. When the woman looked back at Isabell, it slipped back into a neutral glare, not quite hostile but no friendly either.

"Her name is Iris, she's my protector," Jason said, placing a hand on her shoulder in a friendly matter.

"What's a protector," Isabell asked.

Isabell remembered Jason mentioning something about a protector in her dream the night before. The idea of a protector piqued Isabell's curiosity. Who were they? What kind of things did they do and what made them so special? Iris was the one to start answering Isabell's mental inquiries.

"A protector is an accumulation of energy held in the spirit world of its partner. When a shifter completes their training, they enter the heart and pass into our world where they meet their protector. The two will then create a bond, and a sword will be forged to solidify it. Each one is unique to its shifter and protector, and no to have ever been the same."

"That didn't help much but okay, " Isabell said, slightly more confused than before.

"I'll break it down," Jason said, "A protector is a creature born from your very soul. Some appear humanoid while others are a creature os some sort. They, as their name portrays, protect us, the shifters. It is because of them that we don't ordinarily have to use our ability to shift. They're essentially utilized for reconnaissance but chiefly use them to track down other shifters, such as yourself."

"I see," Isabell said, understanding a bit better.

"Isabell, it's time for you to become one of us," Jason said seriously, advancing towards her.

"That's it though, I don't want to be like you, " Isabell said, flicking her eyes between Jason and Iris.

"You wouldn't have come here if you didn't," Jason bellowed, frustrated.

Isabell stared at Jason in stunned silence. It was at this moment that Isabell realized that he was right, and she sagged as the realization weighed down on her. Every morning, day after day, she would look into the mirror and see the same face every day. A tired girl that was frightened of every man around her, never changing, and she was exhausted from it. Feeling the same fear she had been living with for two years, and it was driving her insane. Isabell wanted to be more than this frightening shell she was. She didn't want to be afraid anymore; she wanted to be so much more. What was really in store for her? Isabell wanted to find out, no, she needed to find out. Jason's body relaxed, and he smiled before he turned towards the hallways behind him.

"Let me take you on a tour of the facility before we start your training," Jason said.

He started walking down the hallway with Iris close on his heels. Isabell took only a moment of hesitation before following him. It was time she saw what fate had in store for her. Jason led Isabell down various hallways and showed her many different rooms, explaining each one's significance and purpose. The entire way she kept a mental map in her mind keeping track of each room and hallway. They walked into a larger office where various people sat at work. Each one sat in front of a desk with a computer screen making their eyes glow. Some looked like they were typing out reports and creating files while others were pouring over maps riddled with red thumbtacks. Jason walked over to a hooded man who was pouring over one of those maps.

"Hey Silick, I've got Mrs. Wenanah," Jason said, "Will you cross her off your list."

"I got her listed down," Silick said, as he filled out some paperwork on the side," Will you be taking responsibility for her training as well."

"Yes, so please put down that I will be unavailable for missions for further notice," Jason requested.

Silick gave Jason a nod in acknowledgment before turning to Isabell. Isabell noticed Silick's voice had a slight hiss to it, but that was all that she could take note about him. His cloak had snakes running along the bottom of it. Before he had turned around, Isabell was able to catch a glance of a large nine on his back that had two rearing snakes on either side of it. With their tongues sticking out and fangs poised to strike. The hood had been sown on and was so deep it completely hid his face from view, even when he was staring dead at her. Isabell couldn't help but feel like she was staring into the dark mouth of a cave, but barely being able to make out the outline of his face.

"Is this Mrs. Wenonah," Silick asked.

"Yes, this is Isabell Wenonah," Jason introduced, "Isabell, this is Captain Angus Silick, he's the head of our interrogation core, squad nine."

Silick did nothing but stared at Isabell, and she stared back. Even though her body filled with fear, she would not allow this man to know how scared she was.

"Pleasure," Isabell said, as confidently as she could.

"Well then, let's continue on our way," Jason said, and Isabell nodded in agreement. Grateful to get away from the strange man before her.

"I'm sure I'll be seeing you around, Mrs.Wenonah," Silick hissed and turned back to the maps.

Jason and Isabell exited the room and resumed their tour. It wasn't until they reached a set of large double doors that their travel came to a close. The doors looked heavy, and Isabell expected Jason to have to through his weight against them to open. She was surprised when all Jason did was gently tap one of the doors, swinging them open, revealing the most spacious room they've come across.

"And this is our training grounds," Jason said, strolling inside.

Looking around, Isabell took notice of the obstacles lining the walls, ceiling, and floor. There were so many they took up much of the space the room had to offer. Despite that, there was still plenty of floor space left but littered in weapons and training dummies, with sparring rings marked out on the ground. On closer inspection the rings were laid out in a circle, leaving the very middle of the room clear of anything.

"I told them to clean up after themselves," Jason mumbled, before saying in a louder voice "This is almost the heart of our building."

Thinking back to her mental map, Isabell tracked the hallways until they lead back to this room. As far as she could tell, this was the heart of the agency. Was there something that she was missing somehow?

"If this isn't the heart, then where is it," Isabell asked curiously.

"I like inquisitiveness, but I can't tell you yet. Not until you've finished your training," Jason said.

"How will I know when I'm ready then," Isabell asked.

"When you're able to shift without going feral on me."

"And then."

"You will go to the heart and meet your protector and be assigned a squad."

"Squad," Isabell said, stating it as a question.

"When a warrior gets a protector you are assigned a squad based on the nature of your protector, or otherwise your soul," Jason said "For example, Iris's power in nature is plant-like. Meant for healing, calming, and soothing those who are otherwise distressed. I'm the captain of squad four, and I work closely with squad five, whose own powers are solely healing."

"Each squad is something different then," Isabell asked.

"Precisely."

"So what squads are what? How many are there?"

"There are a total of ten squads. The first squad specializes in fire and the second squad is earth. The third squad is water and we already clarified that squad's four and five are plants and healing. The sixth squad is light and seventh is air, while eight and nine lie in animals and darkness. The last, team ten, is ice and work very close to three."

"How do you decide who becomes a captain? Do you hold a tournament," Isabell asked jokingly.

"No, nothing like that," Jason said, with a smile "We rank from one to however many people are in the squad. The strongest of the members become lieutenants, and everyone has the opportunity to challenge each other for higher positions."

"Yeah I think the word for that is a tournament," Isabell smiled.

"Very funny," Jason laughed "May I continue?"

"Yes, I'm sorry, go on," Isabell giggled.

"Captains aren't challenged but chosen," Jason continued, "When the bond is forged sometimes your power is far greater than the average warrior. The world where your protector lives then mark you as a captain by changing your cloak white."

"Has there ever been two captains in the same squad at once," Isabell wondered out loud.

"No," Jason snorted, "When one captain leaves another takes their place, even if that person may already be in existence."

"So lieutenants are picked based on their strength and captains are chosen," Isabell clarified.

"Exactly," Jason said before his features shifted to look more mischievous, "Now do you want to spend your first-day asking questions and talking or do you want to get started?"

"Get started, please," Isabell said, giving Jason what she hoped was a determined look.

It's time to start this story.