Page 28 of Polar Destiny
Time to practice my toilet-buildingskills.
* * *
The day passes quickly.I’ve walked for about a mile in each direction but there’s not been anything exciting. To the west I found a small stream which is currently covered in ice. For now, I’m melting snow to use as drinking and washing water, but it’s good to know that there’s an alternative not too far away. The sandwich Bertrand brought me is a lovely dinner. I’m surprised that all the physical exertion isn’t making me hungrier, but the opposite is true. I missed lunch but didn’t feel hungry at all. The only reason I’m eating the sandwich now is because it’s a habit to eat something in theevening.
The piece of paper is lying next to me, waiting to be filled with words. I don’t know what to write. If I want to write something at all. On one hand, I’ve got so many questions, but on the other hand, I just want to ignore it all and be by myself. Get away from the world for a bit. With the ‘world’ being four bear shifters inparticular.
I sigh and take the pen, drawing a random doodle into one corner. This is going to be one hell of a difficultletter.
Dear Arnold &Bertrand,
Thanks for the food. I’d prefer to stay here, I don’t want to see theguys.
Can you tell me what happened tome?
My symptomsare:
- Claws on my fingers andtoes
- Changed eye colour (blue instead of brown) and hair colour (blondehighlights)
- Increased speed andstrength
- Better eyesight andhearing
- Increased bodytemperature
- Noappetite
I wonder if I should include my anger, but that might just be because of the bears’ betrayal. Maybe I’m interpreting too much into the rage that is still bubbling inside me. It might go away soon. Hopefully. I’m not used to this anger. I don’t know how to let it out, how to get rid ofit.
I sigh, then I write down the question that’s been running through my head all day. And all night, to behonest.
Am I turning into abear?
Isla
That question sounds so silly that I want to erase it as soon as I’ve written it. No sane person would ask whether they’re turning into a bear… unless they’ve been living with bears. I know they were all born as bear shifters, but in the werewolf stories in books people can be turned into wolves, so who says the same isn’t true for bears? The claws and eye colour change are definitely not normal. The other things I could probably explain away somehow, but claws…nah.
I put the letter into the basket, add the empty thermos and place it outside for Bertrand in case he comes again in themorning.
It’ll be hard not to stay up all night to wait for him to arrive. And then it’ll be another day to wait for the answer to come. Maybe I should just go back to their house to ask my questions. Much faster. But no. The image of Torben steals itself back into my mind and my anger comes forward, hot and intense. He made me into this… abomination. I’m no longer human, and I hate him forit.
Ten
Just like yesterday,a knock on the door wakes me. This time, I don’t get up immediately but stay in bed. I want to make sure he’s gone before I open the door. I don’t want to see Bertrand or Arnold or any other bear. My dreams were filled with claws erupting from my hands, of fur covering my face. Once, I woke up screaming and ran to the bathroom to check in the mirror that I hadn’t indeed grown fur. Safe to say that I don’t want anything to do with bearstoday.
For once, I’m not feeling warm. I draw the blanket closer around me. The heat that’s been warming me for the past two days has gone. Maybe I’m becoming normal again? The human Isla I used tobe?
After ten minutes, I can’t stay in bed any longer. I need to know what I got brought today. I run to the door and rip it open. The same basket is waiting for me and I happily carry it back into the bedroom. I wrap the blanket around me as I explore my new gifts. A letter is lying on top again, and below is tea, another sandwich and a book.A History of Bear People in the Northern Hemisphere. It looks old and well read. In my head, I promise them that I will look after this book as if it was my own. Books are precious and this one looks particularly important. I can’t wait to start reading, but I unfold the notefirst.
DearIsla,
As you didn’t visit yesterday, I assume you want some time on your own. We accept that, but please note that our offer stands. Let me know if you need anything, whether it’s food, clothes or somethingelse.
I’m sending you a book that has been in my family for a long time. You might find chapter eleven particularlyinteresting.
Bestwishes,
