TRANSFORMATION

I returned to the cafeteria when I had finished speaking with Mrs. Elizabeth. My presence in my seat with my friends was accompanied by a moment of silence. Henry was looking at me intently, trying to decipher the problem. Hannah was looking at Henry.

"What's happening?" I navigated my eyes from Hannah to Henry.

"We should be the ones asking that question," Henry countered. "Where did you go?"

"The school clinic," I answered.

"What did Mrs. Elizabeth say?" Hannah extended her hand over the table.

"She said I should stay away from trouble," I lied, nodding my head slightly.

"You're lying. I can tell," Henry said.

The school bell rang, signifying the end of lunchtime. I carried my bag and said, "See you both in class."

Henry shook his head and said, "You both are hiding something."

I emptied my tray in a waste bin and walked to my locker to retrieve some textbooks.

I felt a sharp pain in my ear and gave out a slight scream.

"What's wrong?" Henry, who was standing next to me, asked.

My eyes opened wide and could I overhear what the principal was saying in his office. "Honey, I told you I won't be available until dinner. I'm going to go pay my sick friend a visit in the next town," the principal said. I presumed he was on a call with his wife.

I was jolted back to reality when I felt Henry's tap on my shoulders. Fear washed over me, so I quickly packed my textbooks and ran to class.

"What in the world is wrong with this girl?" Henry questioned.

In English class, I overheard the students at the back talking.

"Did you see the way Emily yelled in the cafeteria? She was like a mad dog," Mary remarked.

"Seems she fought with her boyfriend," Jane retorted.

"I mean, she doesn't even rate that handsome fella. I would date him if he asked me to be his girlfriend."

"Who wouldn't? He is the school's best dancer and one of the most handsome guys in school. Emily doesn't know what she's missing," Jane hissed.

"She has always been the lucky one. Always getting good grades and now has the best boyfriend. I wish she could be run over by a bus, so I'll take her place."

Mary's conversation with Jane shocked me. I always thought I was invisible; I thought no one cared about my existence. Imagine glamorous girls wishing to be like me. And who even brought up the rumor that I'm dating Henry? Who would date such a dumbass?

My unconventional hearing skills didn't stop there. I kept hearing multiple conversations from all over the school. It created a cacophony in my head. I could barely write a word. I could heartbeats, footsteps from miles away, and even people forcing poop out of their butts in toilets. I was lost.

I felt a soft tap on my right shoulder and yelled, "Get away from me."

My English teacher, Mrs. Faith, looked at me curiously and asked, "Are you alright, Mrs. Noah?" I didn't realize she was the one who tapped me. I couldn't believe I shouted at my teacher.

"No, ma. I need a break," I requested.

"Take all the time you want," Mrs. Faith granted.

I stormed out of the class into the school's toilet. I opened the tap, poured water into my hand, and washed my face. When I was done, I looked at the mirror. I could see my eyeballs glowing red. In trepidation, I fell on my butt.

Hannah barged into the restroom and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

The sounds I was hearing didn't stop. My vision kept getting worse, and all I could see was blood. I felt a strong urge to throw myself on the ground but I exhibited control. I crawled to the wall and covered my ears.

"Make it stop. Make it all stop," I cried.

Hannah ran towards me and held me in her embrace. "What's wrong? What's wrong with you?" She questioned.

"Voices. I keep hearing voices. I can hear everything," I replied. "I can't see, Hannah. I can't."

"What do you mean you can't see?"

"It's all blood. All blood."

"We have to go to Mrs. Elizabeth right now."

"No!" I yelled. "I can't!"

"Why? She's the only person that can help you."

I held Hannah's left hand and cried softly, "Please help me."

I could hear Hannah's footsteps as she ran out of the restroom.

I folded myself on the ground, crying profusely. The sounds were just too much and my vision wasn't improving.

Hannah returned with Mrs. Elizabeth a few minutes later. "Can you tell what's wrong with her?" Hannah stammered.

"I don't know," Mrs. Elizabeth said, touching my right hand.

I stood up and tried to run, but I lost consciousness when I felt a needle pierce through my skin.

I was resuscitated some hours later. I caught sight of my sister, Mrs. Elizabeth, and Hannah when I woke up. I noticed I was draped in a blue hospital gown and my hands and legs were strapped to the hospital bed.

"Why am I tied?" I asked. "Hannah, who tied me?"

"Mrs. Elizabeth figured you could be aggressive, so she thought it was best to strap you. At least, for your safety and the safety of others," Hannah answered.

"How are you feeling?" Emma inquired.

"Calm, I think," I answered.

Mrs. Elizabeth used a penlight to check my eyes and asked, "Do you still hear sounds?"

I shook my head.

"That's an improvement," Mrs. Elizabeth turned to my sister. "Can I see you privately?

"Yeah, no problem," Emma consented. She walked with Mrs. Elizabeth outside the room.

"Where's Henry?" I asked.

Hannah sat on a chair near the hospital bed and said, "Waiting outside. He has been waiting for you since Mrs. Elizabeth took you in."

"Was I tranquilized?"

Hannah nodded her head and asked, "Is there something you're hiding from me, Emily? We've been best friends since childhood, keeping secrets makes no sense."

I sighed and looked at the roof.

I started hearing sounds again but this time, cooler. I overheard Mrs. Elizabeth's conversation with my sister.

"Doctor, don't you think we should admit her to a real hospital? At least, to find out what's going on," my sister stated.

"Your sister's blood got exposed to some unrecognizable organism. I don't know what it is exactly, but I can tell you for a fact, she's transforming," Mrs. Elizabeth explained.

"Transforming? What do you mean?"

"Emily is going to retain her form as a human but she'll develop some unusual skills. Some of which she's already seeing right now. Taking her to a higher medical center will impose risk on her and her family. Put it this way, she will taken in as a lab rat."

"These skills, are they good or terrible?"

"Depends on what she makes of it."

"But how do you think her blood git exposed?"

"I believe you should ask your uncle. She said she followed him to the woods to get some wood. I believe that's where it all started."

Emma understood my lie and asked, "What are we going to do then?"

"She needs all the support she can get right now. You and I will help her go through this tough phase."

"But doc, will she ever be normal?"

"That, I can't tell."

Hannah tapped my right shoulder and asked, "Did you even hear me?"

"Yeah, I did. I'm just trying to fathom what's happening right now.". Mrs. Elizabeth and my sister returned to the room and loosed me.

"I got you some clothes," my sister threw a bag at me. "Change quickly. Let's go home."

I entered the restroom and put on the blue shirt and black trousers my sister had gotten for me. I decided to pay Henry, who was outside, a visit.

Henry was sleeping in the waiting room when I came out. My presence aroused him from his slumber. He looked at me and shook his head. He looked pale, tired, and weak.

"How are you feeling?" Henry asked.

"Better," I sat close to him.

"Seems you aren't the only one hiding secrets. The doctor won't even let me in."

"I believe she did that because she felt I would need a change of raiment at some point."

Henry scoffed and inquired, "So, what is it? Hannah told me you were hearing sounds and had issues with your sight."

"Yeah, the injuries I sustained were infected. The infection brought a lot of you know, pain and trouble."

"Glad to know you're okay, though. The whole school is empty. I need to go home now. Don't wanna have a problem with my uncle."

"Yeah, I totally understand," I tapped my knees and stood to my feet.

Henry stood to his feet and took some steps forward.

"Henry, wait!" I called. I rushed and gave him a deep embrace. "Thank you so much," I expressed my gratitude and let him off my embrace.

"Bye," Henry smiled and took his leave.

I could overhear Mrs. Elizabeth giving my sister some prescriptions and tranquilizers in case I misbehaved again. Hannah met me in the waiting room.

"Is he gone?" Hannah asked.

"Yeah, he just left," I answered.

"Such a good kid. Probably the nicest guy I've ever met."

"Didn't your aunt come to pick you up?"

"She did. I told her, I'll come home later."

"My sister will drop you home. Don't worry," I hugged Hannah. "Thanks for being my b est friend, Han."

She reciprocated the hug and replied, "I'm hungry."

I chuckled.