I clenched my jaw and balled up my fists trying not to think about what had happened a school today. I glared at my fists then in an angry voice I stated "It's all your fault! If you weren't so eager to hit stuff this wouldn't have happened!" My voice echoed emptily off the cement around me and, feeling foolish, I stepped onto the tree sheltered path hoping no one had seen me yelling at my hands. Once in the dark, concealing forest I relaxed and gently fingered my collar-like necklace. I wasn't paying attention so when a large mountain lion slipped out of the trees on my left, I didn't see it until it had me pinned to the ground. "WHA-?" I hit the ground and stared in wonder at the graceful face and lanky body of the most amazing creature, then closed my eyes. I wasn't afraid as the cougar leaned in towards my throat but when the flashing teeth pinched my necklace and then pulled away from my face I opened my eyes again. The weight of the animal disappeared from my shoulders and he turned and loped into the forest. "Oh HELL NO!" There was no way that I was letting that animal eat my favorite jewelry. I took of after it slipping easily through the trees and leaping over the brush. I sped up as the forest lightened then skidded to a stop. A clear pond spread out in front of me, with the cougar facing me. He stepped forward and slowly started to talk. "You have been brought here because you have been chosen to become a shifter. Others will come and they will become your friends. You will go on a journey to find the evil one and defeat him. Just dive into the water here and you will start your journey." I was surprisingly clear-headed as I turned toward the creature. "I will, but first, can I have my necklace back?" I imagined that the mountain lion was laughing as he dipped his head and dropped my choker. "Thanks" I grabbed it strapped it back on and looked into the glistening liquid. I raised my arms and dove in. I hit the ground and looked up to see another girl in the dusty clearing. "Hey, are you here because of a talking animal?" I new I would sound insane to anyone else but the girl seemed to understand. Well at least she didn't run.