Laserian

Like I would let her walk out alone, at this time of night? Why was she so reckless?

So yeah I have started worrying for her. And how can I not? She had nightmares which seeped the positive energy out of her, she worked two jobs and even after all this she smiled at people. How can one not worry for such a person?

First her nightmares made me curious, then I was rattled but now I was worried. What was that gave her so many nightmares, so painful that she even shed tears when in real life she was all smiles and comebacks.

She was talking about some project thing for her job and I wanted to help but I had no damn idea how. She might think I have personality disorder after I snapped at her last time. She even said they she will strangle me when she met me last time, atleast she told the dog me. The idea was as amusing at sounds.

It made complete sense that she didn't like me much and as much as I lied to Marc, that's what it was, a lie. It did matter that she didn't like me. And surprisingly it was like a pinch in my heart. But I couldn't explain why?

It didn't even made sense that I wanted to help her, in her project! I didn't even help Marc and that has nothing to do with the fact that he is a complete ass.

But the reason completely vanished from my head when she walked towards our concert hall. I knew what could do. There was a path near the concert arena that was lighted up by the moon. It was a natural occurrence, a miracle of God given for us Hoods. It was a path made for us in the maze like forest.

It's not like we needed it, but it was like a sacred trail and humans rarely saw it. It was more for human form of hood than the animal form. And it was also the place where Hoods shared blood bond under the moon-light, also known as marriage in human language.

The look of disappointment crossed her face when she saw nothing and...it was disconcerting. I wished ardently that the moon came up at right time.

And first time my luck shined and the moon shone brightly. The path was illuminated and so was her eyes. She started clicking pictures fervently.

Seeing her this happy, this relaxed and excited I made a split second decision to follow up on my imaginary plan.

I evolved into panther form from a bird form and stepped right in front of her.

I never knew I would feel nervous or have a bursting out of chest heart but right then I had all of it. I had no idea what my decision will cause or how she will react or maybe she will have some sense and run away from me.

"You." She whispered in awe and gratitude.

Two emotions I couldn't understand, it should have been fear and panic but no being Amber she had something different.

Taking all the courage and that is lot for a Hood warrior, I took a step forward. I wished she backed off, but wished that my wish is not fulfilled.

She stood her ground. In my panther form, I could hear her loud heartbeat, her deep breathes, the adrenaline surging through her and most painfully the pinkish colour on her skin that somehow even affected the panther me.

"You are the one." She said and as dumb as she was she stepped forward lessening the distance between us.

Was I scared? No, no, of course not.

I noticed something strange, water filled in her amazing hazel green eyes making the panther me growl. Was I making her cry?

The growl didn't affect her just like it didn't affect her ten years ago.

Instead she now got down her knees and extended her hands just like she did as a child. I moved ahead because unlike last time I was not here to kill her but to get to know her. For normal people the normal human interaction was sufficient but for Amber, she can be more comfortable with panther than a human!

She was definitely weird.

Her hand rested on my glabella and I remember the exact touch from the little girl.

"How have you been?" She said in an unbelieving tone.

I did the unexpected and rubbed my head against her palm as a sign of answering her. I should have regretted the action had it not been for her face that lit up with a smile.

"I think I saw you before, it has been you." She said happily.

Next thing I knew she circled her arms around my neck and hugged me. I choked on air, if that was possible and turned stone under her touch. Her gesture was so uncalled for. Who in their right minds would hug a freaking panther?

But Amber does it not only without any fear but filled with happiness. Does she know her actions are suicidal? I was kind of scared to think what would have happened had she hugged a real panther.

And if this was not weird enough, she sniffed me. Isn't the animal suppose to do the sniffing?

"You smell like I remember." She said with a grin.

Can panther roll eyes? Because I am sure I did it but no idea how it looked to her.

"Don't give me patronising looks!" She said sounding a little annoyed.

So the eye roll did came out right.

"I should be giving you hard time. Because of you I have been suffering." She said and then comfortably sat down on the cold grassed floor, crossing over her legs.

Suffering, because of me? How? I did get shot because of her.

I sat down, my face with level to her face now and I kept all the control in the world to stick to red eyes unlike last time.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket and I knew it before she did. She ignored it and this irked me. What if she is alone and I call her? Will she ignore it?

Laserian O'Fearghaile, why would you even call her or have her number?

Damn my stupid mind.

"Must be mom, She freaks out if I am not home at right time. Ah! How I wish I could take you home. But then I already have a pet and I like him, a lot." She said talking wishfully to herself or me I was not sure.

The girl talked to animal more than humans. Maybe it was side-effect of growing up as a vet's daughter.

"Ah, its peaceful with you here, like I am back in a safe secure place." She said sighing deeply.

Her words formed a curl in my stomach which I had no idea what it meant.

"When we met last time, you were hurt...mm..by-by my father." She faltered clearly feeling guilty.

Why was she, it was not her that shot me? She was hurt with the idea of my getting hurt and that melted another portion of my heart.

In a novice attempt to make her feel better, I placed my paws on her hand. I was kind of nervous when I did that but her reaction made my instantly calm. She didn't flinch or even froze when I touched her. Instead she looked pointedly at the point we were touching,

And her lips lifted in a innocence filled smile.

"And people say panthers are dangerous." She said placing her other hand on my paw.

"After you left I have nightmares. I don't remember them, at all but I remember few voices in my dreams, of animals, blood curdling screams, howls, roars. I have them every night after meeting you.

But there is one thing in my dream that I could remember a pair of amber eyes." She said looking at me carefully.

I stiffened under her gaze keeping in control lest I made another mistake. Only thing she remembered from those dreams is amber eyes. Was it the one she saw on panther me ten years ago or was it the amber eyes my human form had?

"But those amber eyes.." She continued thoughtfully, "Those amber eyes gave me hope, they are like the only light in my haunting dreams. They –I- I think belong to someone who cares for me, a lot, because it emits that kind of look." She said sounding unsure and nervous about it.

Not my eyes then. I can't be a ray of hope and care for someone, not her. If Hoods know that she existed this close to them, they will force me to kill her. And I should, I shouldn't put the fate of whole tribe at risk.

But sitting with her, in my panther form and looking at her not hate even the animal me was making it harder by passing days to kill her.

She doesn't even remember the nightmares; it was no use keeping her alive. A thought surged through my mind, my human mind to just kill her, here and now.

But soon later surprise hit me; my animal and human were at peace, no double thought, no stress to keep in control. No fear that animal might overtake human side and go all killer. In her presence, the animal in me accepted the human and we can peacefully co-exist.

That was a surprise, I have noticed it before but never had I been so long in her presence. She had the power to make my animal and human co-exist. Will Hoods except this change in them? They have always been human over animal kind.

Her phone buzzed again, breaking my reverie and her silent thinking. She groaned lightly and this time took out her phone. With an eye roll she showed me the screen as if she knew I can read. It was indeed her mom calling.

"Mom, Don't worry. I am on my way back home. And- and I am with panther." She said giving me a mischievous look.

She was with panther, her dog and me are the same person if she only knew.

After she hung up, she chuckled softly making even the panther me unsettled at the melodic sound.

"I have to go but promise please that you are not leaving , you will not leave now. Please stay till I am sure that I am sane , till I can overcome the pain of night filled with nightmares." She pleaded, her eyes watering slightly.

As her tear was all that mattered, then I nodded a yes, a high and mighty haughty yes making her smile in relief. She blinked back earlier formed tears and got up dusting her hands on the side of her jeans.

"Umm.. Can I take a pic?" She said touching her camera but not lifting it.

I growled lowly as a no.

"Fine, fine, no pictures. I already have a fourth place for my article. Now all I had to do is come up with a fifth place and a little information on Vertians." She said mostly to herself.

On the name Vertians my head snapped towards her. How did she even know about this word? Another mystery when her nightmares still remain unsolved. And not only is that she going to find more about them.

Why was I assigned to kill the girl who will walk to her death by herself?

It is a good thing I gave her the bracelet or else she might have died a long time ago! This girl was so much work.

As she left, her hands lifted to wave at me. Who waves at a panther? Well apparently Amber Mikelson did lot of things no other girl did.

****

Her nightmares were more violent today. She was kicking and tossing in her sleep and truthfully it was painful as hell to see her like this. I had no idea what to do, as she gasped painfully in her sleep. But for the first time it felt like I was unnerved enough to pace.

Was it because of meeting the panther me that she was having even worse nightmares? It was no denying it, I was feeling guilty, soul crushing , guilty.

So this time I did the forbidden, well not forbidden in law or anything but forbidden in my head. I climbed on her bed and curled next to her in dog form. Left side of her waist was touching the fur on my body most probably electrically charged.

I was never the one to have dirty thoughts or even minor thoughts about girls but whenever she was this close to me, the scenario was different. Like I said before, my mind decided to take a nap.

But as soon as we formed contact and the heat of her skin penetrated through me, she relaxed. I knew immediately the nightmare was ending but I didn't leave my position. I stayed next to her trying to give her warmth and unsaid comfort she was so much in need of.

As she started breathing evenly, I looked at her very carefully for any sign of strain. Suddenly a bolt of shock crossed through me as she shot up to sit. My senses became hyper sensitive to her breathing, her hands that were pale, her face that was flushed was red and her eyes that were wide in terror.

She didn't react to the fact that I was on her bed next to her. Instead with eyes filled with utter shock she turned to look at me.

"Panther, I saw Laserian, I saw him in my dreams. He is the one with those caring amber eyes." She said breathing heavily.

She couldn't believe the words she was saying. Her hand clutched on her messy locks in frustration, while she worked on getting over the shock. And though I was even more shocked than her and I know this will have its repercussion, I edged closer for her reassurance.

Her hands came down on my back and she patted it lightly.

Did my true form brought out the true form of dream she saw?

"Now what will I do?" She whispered to herself.

No, no, no the question was what will I do? Was it my touch that made her remember her dream now? Or was it my panther form again?

*surprise* :)

So she did share her nightmare problem but with 'panther form' of Laserian! And can we take a moment to say aww..!

She remembers her dreams now..thoughts please? 

And Laserian did help her out..subtly for the project! :)

Please do vote and comment, means a lot!

Enjoy!