Authors Note: The title of this chapter is a line from the song "Bodies" by Drowning Pool
Pulling into the parking spot reserved for council Reps; Lance shuts off the engine and looks at Eric and Frieda; “we’re here. Just a short walk to the main entrance; where you will have to hand over your summons for entry.”
“What about Lila,” Frieda doing her best to steady her nerves; “will she be barred from entry?”
“I volunteer here,” Lila speaking; “as such I have security clearance to be at the council building, but only when the council is in session.”
“And what exactly do you do here,” Eric asking.
Lance and Lila just grin and chuckle lightly. Lance speaking; “let’s go.”
As they get out of Lance’s Prius and begin walking to the entrance; another car pulls up to the building. Not being a council rep the vehicle was made to park in the public parking spot. As soon as Eric and Frieda approach the entrance a shrill scream could be heard from public parking spot.
“YOU TWO! I’M GOING TO SCRATCH YOUR EYES OUT THIS TIME!”
Eric turns his head to see Julie breaking free of her escort and making a mad dash to him and Frieda. Growling as Julie approaches; Eric explodes into his white were-panther fursona. While the clothes he wore survived his transformation because it all came from Awareness; his shoes and socks however did not survive. His feline tail puffed up and his ears pinned back, snarling and hissing; with his retractable claws out and fangs barred; Eric places himself in front of Frieda as Julie rushes over.
Julie nearly bowls over as she sees Eric’s fursona in the flesh for the first time. Like in her dream, she sees those intense green eyes of Eric’s just as menacing in her first nightmare. Noticing Frieda also snarling as she too shifted into her grey were-panther fursona the russet highlights in stark contrast to her green eyes also flashing. Frieda’s claws out and fangs barred; she was not afraid to strike if the situation warranted.
Knowing full well this could end badly; Daisuke and Yamoto rush to get between the two snarling were-panthers and a wer-mer who clearly has a death wish. With Daisuke unsheathing his family’s katana and Yamoto revealing a couple of Kunai hidden in his suit; neither wished to use their deadly weapons on children, but would if either tried to get past them.
“Don’t do anything foolish,” Daisuke calmly speaking; “We will defend our charge if necessary.”
“Ha,” Julie looking amused; “you two can’t touch me.”
“Our threat includes you as well,” Daisuke placing the tip of his blade at Julie’s nose.
How dare you,” Melissa clearly upset; “how dare you point a blade at my child!”
Running up put herself between Daisuke and Julie; not caring about the fetus currently developing in her. Martin also mad as hell rushes over and without thinking punches Daisuke in the gut.
“Put your sword away,” Martin angry and holding back shifting into his stage two form; “I won’t hesitate to attack you if you don’t back down.”
“ENOUGH!” Lance Knight shouting; “as were-panther rep I order you both to sheathe your weapons! NOW!”
Daisuke and Yamoto stare at a very angry looking Knight; they reluctantly do as he ordered and bow respectfully.
“Escort Julie and her lawyer in,” Lance still staring at the two Skulk members; “take Julie and Ms Smithson to a waiting room; Tachibana No Akane will be with them shortly!” Lance staring at Martin and Melissa Stovall; “Martin I know you have matters to discuss with Andrew Curry regarding you taking over as wer-mer rep, but Melissa Stovall will have to wait out here. Do not argue with me about this.”
“But-,” Melissa is about to say before being interrupted.
“No summons,” Lance growling; “then no entry. No exceptions!”
“I contact you in a bit Melissa,” Martin looking at his distraught wife; “right now it’s best not to rile up an already angered council rep.”
“Fine,” Melissa looking upset; “give me the car keys so I can drive home.”
“Head to Frances Twist’s office instead,” Martin whispering in Melissa’s ear; “I’m sure a chat with her will do you some good.”
“Not a bad ideal Martin,” Melissa kissing Martin as she takes the keys and walks off.
“Inside now,” Lance looking at Eric and Frieda sharply; “You’re lucky the council building is tucked off in a wooded area. You two shifting in daylight out of pure anger violates a half dozen of the town’s rules as it is!”
“I’m sorry uncle,” Frieda apologizing; “but seeing Julie and sensing Eric’s rage, I just could help myself, i wanted to rip her throat out and watch her bleed out right then and there.”
“I couldn’t help it either,” Eric picking up his now destroyed shoes and socks yet the anger in him still clearly visible; “seeing Julie, just set something primal off in me. I couldn’t hold back, I'm still struggling to hold it back.”
“Uncle,” Frieda asking; "you said that without a summons, no one can gain entry to the council building. Will mother and father be barred from entering?”
“It is the rules,” Lance sighing; “the fact that your father should know as he was the were-panther rep before me, speaks volumes to him thinking he still is on the council. But I can swing it so your parents can have a quick visit to check on you. They just won’t be able to observe the proceedings.”
Meanwhile as the elder council parking lot encounter begins; Nate was pulling into the school parking lot as he hears Spencer starting to snarl even louder and her starting to twitch. Nate quickly locks the doors unsure of what to do.
“More apprehension?”
“Julie,” Spencer growling; “Julie is at the council building. Eric and Frieda want to rip out her throat. I want to join them.”
“Oh shit,” Nate grabbing his phone and furiously texting his parents; “look Spencer, you need to calm down. Don’t do anything rash as shifting in the day in a public space as this.”
“Eric and Frieda already shifted,” Spencer breathing hard; “you need to let me out Nate. I need to be with them!”
“Is something wrong?”
Nate looks out the driver’s side window to see principal Andrews speaking to him; taking a quick glance as Spencer starts to furiously try and open a door Nate has managed to hard lock; Spencer screaming “let me out! Let me out! LET ME OUT!”
Nate turns to look at the principal and nods his head furiously.