Beyond Normality

Mentally exhausting. That is how I would sum up reality for us lot. Here in the village of nothingness in the city of nowhere everything is on repeat all day, every day. Get up and out the house as soon as possible (preferably dawn if you don't want to aggravate the matron), be at work within the hour, work till dusk, eat, sleep and then repeat. Nothing ever changes round here. Not even working with animals, which is my passion, can bring any sort of relief. Don't get me wrong I love the things but doing the same thing all day with no breaks till the evening gets down right tiring. I just want to be able to do something different. To do something entertaining. Nothing ever happens here in the middle of absolute nothingness. At least it didn't until I broke the one rule keeping us safe "Never leave the village". I mean it's not my fault if making the outside world seem foreboding is going to intrigue teenagers and young adults to go exploring when they are bored to death of the same old repetition that this village offers. Anyway, how was I supposed to know that going outside the village would be like entering a wilderness and trying to provoke a sleeping dragon hoping a twig would defeat it?

Yep, this idiot went out and got themselves lost past the barriers; the ones we aren't even supposed to know exist. Again, not my fault if the elders went over the top in their earnings and forgot to include key information that could save a person's life like "Oh Yeah, don't go beyond the barriers that border our village. It could cost you your very livelihood and that of everyone else here."

One might wonder how I got into this position. Well, as I said earlier, life has become exhausting with all the repetition. I wanted a change. Not too sure how I feel about the change I got but oh well. Beggars can't be choosers. Now I believe it is time to actually explain what I've gotten myself into. Growing up we are told stories of people capable of shifting into the form of an animal that resembles their spirit inside, representative of the soul and all that. Anyways, it was just an old wife's tale so no one ever really thought much of it. Wish I could say I still think that way myself. That's a little impossible after being abducted by a group of them however. Yeah, apparently beyond the barriers is the territory of these spirit-shifters. Anyone who dares to cross over becomes theirs so to speak; meaning that unless they decide to release me, I'm stuck here.

I haven't been with them long I don't believe. Fairly certain it has only been three days maximum. However, within those supposed three days a snow tiger, that I have yet to see the humane form of, seems to have grown fond of me and anytime I decide to move away or attempt to gain distance they growl at me. You can see why I've resorted to being as close as possible without making contact can't you?

The people who do shift between human and animal talk occasionally, only if I ask them a question though. According to them we are two days out from their 'pack house' as they call it. Which just means there is two more days travel with Tigerman trying to get close to me. I'm hopeful that upon returning he will either leave me alone or reveal what he looks like. Not too comfortable with a strange man being obsessed with me to the point of not letting me even sleep alone. The sole reason I know they're a he is because whenever one of the shifters talk of him those are the pronouns specified with emphasis upon them. Also the respect in their tone of voice leads me to think he is their leader... or whatever they would call it anyways. Let's just pray these two days pass quickly enough.

Ethereal. Only word I can think of to describe what's in front of me. The intricate design on this building is immaculate. The way the colours all mix together and flow almost in a similar pattern to that of the vines parallel to them. Whilst many would think the size is too big for a house, they have still managed to make it seem as though not one brick is out of place. The structure just screams "home" and makes you want to go inside and just cuddle up with a warm beverage and some chocolate, milk chocolate though because anything else is disgusting I swear to God on that one. Getting dragged in by my arm I look around at the landscape to see that wildlife is at its fullest here. You couldn't find a better place if you tried. Impatient tugging brings my attention back to Tigerman as he proceeds to use minimum force in order to guide me inside the previously mentioned house. I let out a low whistle as I realise the inside is just as good, if not better, than that of the outside. Unfortunately, I do not get adequate Time to observe the surroundings before once again being moved onwards until we reach what looks to be a type of apartment taking up the entire top floor. Tigerman nudges me in the direction of a couch before moving through an open doorway and kicking it closed behind him after he is inside.

Now that he is occupied elsewhere, I can take a moment to just enjoy the beauty around me and take this time of solitude to relax and think of nothing. Ideas of what's coming next can wait until Tigerman has returned. Gently, I lowered myself onto a plush couch and close my eyes for a bit. I let my mind wonder about what will happen to me. Why did Tigerman seem to like me so much?

"Cause you're mine."