Snow Island: Chronicles of a Wererabbit

Introduction

Why did I have to go to the fortune teller that day?

It really wasn’t like me. Dad was a scientist so I grew up in a house of science and facts. It had always kept me grounded. But on impulse I had gone, and suddenly, I was questioning whether or not fate, destiny and miracles did exist.

Now I was on my way to a mysterious island where I would experience dangers I couldn’t begin to imagine; where my thoughts, beliefs, and facts I’d come to rely on—my view of the world itself—would all be called into question.

And the fortune teller’s words still haunted me.

If I only knew how much of what she said would soon come to pass.

But would it have changed anything? Would I have done anything differently?

Prologue

Thin little twigs and branches whipped across my face and bare limbs and then I was out of the forest back onto open ground.

I heard a familiar roar, but this time it wasn’t the creature behind me. The sound was ahead of me.

Reeling, I skidded to a stop just before heading straight over the cliff. My arms pin-wheeled at my sides as I tried to keep my balance. Pebbles and dirt loosened and fell over instead. My gaze dropped and my heart—which was already hammering—seemed determined to burst out of my chest as I stared down at the huge waterfall that we had seen earlier. What was it called? Blood Falls!

At least two hundred feet! my mind screamed. It had to have been a two-hundred-foot drop. I could see and hear the water cascading down, through the rock face, crashing into the lake. I took a step back. I wasn’t afraid of the height but the water…

From behind came a rustling of branches, flittering of leaves; a surprised caw-caw! and a small flock of frightened birds emerged from the woods. There was an ominous cracking as the twigs that had merely scraped my skin were now broken and limbs torn from the tree trunks. I looked back over my shoulder and could see the efeet charge out of the woods and come galloping towards me.

I had to make a choice: take a leap into the falls and great lake or go back and face the beast. My whole body trembled. I thought vaguely my fear would squeeze the life from me before I had a chance to decide. Taking one last look down at the waves crashing below, I spun on my heels and ran straight at the beast.

It had stopped and was standing there, the edge of its mouth curled into a snarl, revealing three rows of razor sharp teeth, yellow drool dripping down its two long front fangs.

I was running right at it. Its terrible growl ceased momentarily—probably surprised at my choice which surely must have looked like a suicide run, as if I had decided to give up and serve myself up to it.

Halfway back, I shifted. My molecules exploding in a cloud.

A shift happens so quickly there really are only few sensations that virtually occur at the same time. The initial tingling, tiny vibrations of every cell in my body, followed instantly by a feeling of nothingness. My first thought as my neurons meshed and found each other again, is that this is what it must be like to have an out of body experience. The sights and sounds of the world come rushing in all at once as my eyes, ears and the rest of my body reassembles. Molecules snapping back together into my rabbit form.

I hadn’t stopped; I continued running and hopped right at the creature looming above me. It swiped at me with its claws. I did a quick side-hop and felt them grazing the tips of my fur.

First, I had to make it over its head, praying it wouldn’t have time to turn and snatch me out of the air. Then was its body. My paws barely touched the thick hard quills that ran across its back. Thankfully, they were lying flat, pointing away from its head.

It would have been quite a thing to face the beast and wind up impaled on its back.

Way to go, Snow. Please don’t let Dad and Edgar find me this way.

I didn’t want their last image of me as being skewered on its giant pin-cushion back.

I held my breath as the soft padding on my paws felt the smooth surface of the deadly quills. My paws found the ground again and my lungs began to let out a sweet sigh of relief.

I never saw the tail coming.

In a painful whump, the rest of the air was knocked out of me as it whacked my small body.

I flew through the air, landing a dozen feet to the right. My ribs sang with pain as they tried to refill my lungs. I laid flat on my side, my legs sprawled behind me, gasping. I closed my eyes and waited for the enormous beast to scoop me up in its mouth—waiting for its sharp teeth to plunge into me…

Wait a minute. I’m getting ahead of myself again. I must begin where I left off. Back to the time where mythical creatures and werewolves were disappearing.

PART I

FATE

"When you dance, I wish you

A wave o’ th’ sea that you might ever do

Nothing but that"

A Winter’s Tale

CHAPTER ONE

I’m Walking on Air

January 2014

It had been five months since our journey to Alaska to find the werewolves that had gone missing. We’d been successful in that we had destroyed the main building where Dad’s sister, Victoria, was creating the terrible serum to control a werewolf’s shift. The same serum that had been used on my boyfriend, Josh, during his capture. We’d found and freed many of the werewolves. But some were still missing.

In the time since, there hadn’t been any new information about where the remaining werewolves had been taken. Nor had there been any news about what happened to the sand tigers and the other creatures who were missing. It was not for lack of trying. David and Edgar had exhausted their resources and spoken to everyone they knew. Josh still had nightmares now and then, but he hadn’t remembered anything new.

We hadn’t given up, but our chances of finding anything new seemed bleaker each day.

When the snow began to fall in New York, Edgar convinced Dad that we should take a vacation to Florida. It was not an easy task, given Dad’s dislike of travel and preference to stay home and work. But he had pointed out that a break was in order, and some sun and fresh air could clear our minds.

The beautiful Florida weather had inspired an impromptu visit to the beach. There had been a slight chill with only a few clouds challenging the sun for control of the sky. But it was enough of a reminder of the bitter weather we would be coming home to. All the more reason to pack up Dad’s SUV and drive for over an hour to get to the Boardwalk.

* * *

Josh and I were standing, holding hands, on the boardwalk, admiring the view. Ocean waves were gently lapping against the exquisite white sand of the beach. The boardwalk itself was a hubbub of activity with all of the shops, vendors, musicians, and people walking around.

Josh wanted to take a dip to test the temperature of the water. Are you sure that you don’t want to go?

I’m sure, I said, smiling. My answer was hardly a surprise to him; he knew that I didn’t like the water. But you go ahead—I don’t want you to miss out.

Okay, I will be right back. He reluctantly let go of my hand and trotted down the stairs that led to the beach. I watched him go feeling that little tug in my heart. We’d known each other for over a year. It had been six months since we first held hands and five since we first kissed.

He was wearing a blue t-shirt with Captain America’s shield and tan shorts that stopped just above his knees. Like my white halter top and blue capris, we were wearing transformwear, a special type of clothing that was able to shift with us, becoming a second layer of fur when we were in our animal forms. It was something werewolves had invented years ago to prevent the embarrassment of being naked when shifting from wolf back to human.

I closed my eyes and lifted my chin to the sky, feeling the warmth of the sun on my cheeks and eyelids. Sighing and smiling to myself, I caught up with Dad and Edgar who were walking further along the main boardwalk.

Dad was covered head-to-toe in white reflective clothing with a wide sun hat. He had a white strip across his nose and sunglasses on. Edgar, his long term partner and my second father, was wearing shorts over his bathing suit, a green t-shirt and a big smile. Even though he didn’t have Dad’s fair skin, I could smell enough suntan oil coming off of him for a commercial.

No one would know that they were vampires. Although they were a separate species, they were identical to humans on the outside. One would have to do an X-ray in order to see that they had a different digestive system, one stomach to process food and the other human blood.

There were dozens of different vendors selling baseball caps and t-shirts, shot glasses, postcards and other souvenirs. We passed a couple standing in front of one store, inspecting the different postcards on a front display. Two little girls giggling were looking at themselves in a mirror, each trying on different pairs of funny sunglasses taken from the racks on a turnstile in front of one of the stores.

The air was filled with the scents of hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn, peanuts and pretzels. Cotton candy was being wound around paper funnel sticks. Ice cream was being scooped into waffle cones given to eager hands of more children, their parents standing nearby passing cash from a wallet to the vendor.

As we passed by a large cart giving off a mouthwatering scent of roasted nuts, a man in a red and white shirt and Yankees baseball cap, piped up in a cheery voice, Would you like some popcorn?

Dad tipped his hat and said, No. Thank you. with a big smile.

It was so unusual, I asked, Are you okay, Dad?

Edgar says that I do not smile enough so I was just trying to prove him wrong.

Edgar gave me subtle wink, before taking his sunglasses off of his head and sticking them in his shirt. I knew what he meant. Anyone who knew Dad knew what he meant.

They convinced me to hang around by buying me a soft serve vanilla ice cream cone. So I joined their stroll down the boardwalk, licking ice cream from the cone and the dribbles that escaped down my hand.

* * *

A half-hour later, Josh came jogging back up the stairs, to rejoin me, leaving a trail of wet footprints along the way. Fresh from his dip in the ocean, he was soaked to the skin; dripping all over the boardwalk.

I wiped his bangs so they weren’t in his face. He wrung the end of his shirt, squeezing out a large puddle of water all around my sneakers.

Sorry! he mumbled.

I backed up from the wet patch and laughed. So, how is the water?

Cold! he said, grinning.

Some indistinguishable noises caused us to turn our attention to one of the nearby stores—a Gap. The door flung open and a cacophony of chattering, whispering and laughter preceded a group of teenagers strolling out. There were two girls and two boys, all dressed similarly, in the traditional preppie stylings of pink and blue pastels and two hundred dollar sneakers.

As they went by one of the girls, a fair skinned blonde wearing a red bikini visible under her cover-up, pointed at Josh. Whatever she said elicited a series of giggles and nudging of one another.

Ever hear of a towel? The taller boy snickered.

I was never very good at standing up for myself but having someone make fun of Josh brought out my courage. My mind quickly scraped the bottom of my treasure chest of comebacks and clever quips but sadly, came up empty.

So, I did what Dad always did when he became frustrated with humans. I scowled and made a shooing motion with my hands, waving them in the air. Shoo! Shoo! Go on now. Go away!

Snickering became snorting, which escalated to even more irritating guffaws as they walked away.

Josh raised his eyebrows. ‘Shoo?’

My cheeks grew hot, but I grinned and pushed him playfully. Shut up!

He squeezed my hand. No, ‘shoo’ is good. Thank you. I don’t know what their problem was though.

I gave the teenagers’ backs one last healthy glare then turned to him and smiled. Oh, I guess it’s your clothes. Most people wear bathing suits when they go swimming.

I don’t have a transformable bathing suit.

I know that. Forget them, they are idiots. Besides, I think you look great all wet.

I took his hand and led him behind one of the tents. Reaching into the tote bag I had slung over my shoulder, I retrieved my bright yellow towel and wiped his face. It wasn’t helping. He was simply drenched. I flicked the towel in the air and laid it on the ground in front of him. I said, Okay, shift and shake.

His eyes lit up and he extended his finger in the air in an ‘I understand’ gesture.

Wait! I yelped before he shifted. I hopped a few steps back so I wouldn’t get splashed again.

He shifted to wolf and shook his fur. Water sprayed everywhere—and despite my precaution—the bottom of my slacks became sprinkled with little dots as if I had barely escaped a rogue lawn sprinkler.

He rolled on his back. His undercoat was brown and his top coat was golden, together making a brown-brindle on his back. With his legs in the air, his tail thumping against the boardwalk, I had to resist the urge to tickle the light tan fur on his belly. His tongue lolled out of his mouth as he looked up at me, I could tell he was chuckling even in his wolf form.

When he shifted back, his t-shirt and shorts were damp but they weren’t dripping anymore. Better? he said.

Grinning, I nodded and moved close to him again. I touched and toyed with the silver chain that was hanging around his neck. Two army dog tags emblazoned with our address hung above his chest. When he was human, it looked like any teenage fad or a gift from a relative. In wolf form, it served as camouflage by giving him the rough appearance of a dog. It afforded him the ability to go out in public with us and not worry if he had to shift.

As long as the shift itself wasn’t in front of anyone, of course. No one could know that he was a werewolf and I was a wererabbit. Besides Victoria, there were many hunters, scientists and others who would love to get their hands on us.

Wearing the tags was one of THE RULES. There were a number of new rules Dad had created for me. I guess it’s to be expected when my boyfriend is a werewolf who has been allowed to move in with us. Although, it wasn’t like we could sneak into each other’s bedroom or anything. He had an apartment across the yard, in the former penitentiary that Dad had converted to be our new home.

Josh funneled his right ear with the tip of my towel before handing it back to me. I let him have it, wrapping it around his shoulders.

Hey, thanks. He grinned, bounced on the balls of his feet and ran his fingertips along the side of my arm.

Why are you smiling? I asked.

It’s you. And this… It’s nice. You know, the last thing my brother said to me was that I don’t fit in anywhere.

You fit in with us. I completed his thought.

Yes.

With two vampire dads, a werewolf that can’t shift, a mouse, a family of rats, and of course, me.

A wererabbit! he said.

I leaned closer, lifted to the tip of my toes and kissed him. His lips tasted like salt water. I felt his arms slip around me.

Ever since Josh and I kissed for the first time, there have been days when it has been like my shoes were floating two inches above the ground, defying gravity. It was true what they say about being in love: the world seems more vibrant and effervescent. We hadn’t done any more than kiss but it was enough to keep me in a semi-perpetual state of giddiness.

It was enough for now. Josh felt the same. At least, he said that he did, and I believed him. He had been a wolf most of the fifteen years of his life and only began shifting five years ago. Any human contact was still relatively new. Pulling away from one of our past kisses, he had said, breathlessly, Whoa, sensory overload!

He was the first boy that I had ever liked so it was all new to me too. New and wonderful.

I heard an Ah-hem—and a cough from the sidewalk. Josh and I popped out, doing our best to pretend we hadn’t just been pawing each other. Dad was standing there looking serious as usual. Edgar, on the other hand, had his normal jubilant grin and spring to his step. Do you guys want to go water skiing? he asked.

Josh shook his head politely.

I said, No, thanks.

Oh, come on! Edgar spread his arms in the air; inhaled and then let out a sigh of appreciation. It’s a beautiful day! Perfect for water-skiing! He must have seen the expression on my face. Okay, I know you don’t want to, Snow. But, Josh, you have to go with me!

I don’t know how. Wolves learn to swim, not water-ski.

Edgar chuckled and put his arm around Josh’s shoulder and gave him a friendly shake. No worries! If I can teach Snow how to dance, I can show you how to water-ski! And I know that werewolves aren’t just good swimmers, you’re great! You can hold your breath for a long time, longer than a human, not as long as a vampire but still… Grinning, he shook Josh’s shoulder again.

Josh hesitated.

Edgar let him go and put his hands together as if praying, And I really could use someone to spot me and John won’t go. He jerked his thumb back at Dad and rolled his eyes. Still smiling, of course.

Josh turned to me with raised brows and gave me a helpless-what else can I do-look.

It’s okay. Go on, have fun! I said. I’ll see you after.

Good, Dad said, looking relieved. Now that that is settled, Snow, you can come with me and help me finish cataloging the different species of birds on the beach. He reached into the beach bag he was carrying and took out his notepad. I’m studying their migration habits.

Quick, Snow, think of something else—anything else.

My eyes quickly darted around, coming to rest on a big yellow sign, nailed to a post, outside the tent next to us:

Want to know your future? Step inside!

As tempting an offer as that is, Dad, I was planning on getting my fortune read.

Really? came the chorus of disbelief.

Yes, why not?

No, nothing.; No reason, replied the same chorus. Dad began to say something, but Edgar cut him off. Come on, John. Snow does enough of that at home, she needs to have some fun too.

Okay. Dad glanced over at the fortune teller’s tent. "If you think that is fun, by all means go."

Thanks, Dad. I gave him a kiss on the cheek and Edgar a grateful look.

Edgar slipped his arm under Dad’s and they headed toward the beach.

I’ll be right back, Josh said, lingering and lacing our fingers together.

You better be, I teased. He gave me one more kiss and then slowly moved away, still holding my hand. Our palms slid against each other until just our fingertips were touching. Giving me his adorable grin and a little wave, we let go and he jogged after them.

Floating several inches off the ground again, every inch of my body tingling, I smiled and waved.

My gaze fell on the big yellow sign again.

So, Snow, what do you want to know about your future?

Taking a deep breath, I pushed aside the tent flaps, strings of hanging beads and stepped inside.

CHAPTER TWO

Dire Prediction

Fifteen minutes later…

The woman across the table stared at me with an intense gaze that seemed intended to keep me pinned to the folding chair that I was sitting on. The tent grew dark, letting me know that the sun had slipped behind the clouds again. The woman’s face was illuminated by the candles flickering in front of her. The scent of burning cinnamon incense clung to the air around us. Several cloth celestial charts were pinned to the walls.

…and so Josh and I have this connection, you know? I continued. We have so much in common.

We are both shifters—I am a wererabbit and he is a werewolf, I thought. I couldn’t tell her everything. She was human.

We have had similar experiences.

I was born in lab and the first time I met him was as a prisoner in a different lab.

Of course, I haven’t met his family yet and that may be kind of awkward.

With him being a wolf and me a rabbit.

Our families are different but that should not matter, right? I mean we are like Romeo and Juliet, and they worked out, right?

The wrinkles on the woman’s chin tightened, and she clicked her teeth. Not really, no.

I squirmed in my seat. No, I guess not. But still… My dads are from— I made air quotes with my hands— opposite sides of the track. Dad was rich—vampire royalty—"and Edgar was…" —a peasant—"not rich."

Aren’t you a little young to be thinking about destiny?

I straightened up in my chair indignantly. I am seventeen!

She gave me a look.

I squirmed again. Fifteen. But I am very mature for my age.

The woman had been drumming her fingers on the table. Now she held up her hand, stopping me in mid-sentence. So, your question is?

Oh, sorry! I covered my mouth to mask a nervous giggle. I just wanted to give you a little background. My question is—are Josh and I destined to be together? It does sound like we are—doesn’t it?

The woman let out a sigh and shuffled the deck of tarot cards and put them in a stack in front of me. Here, cut the deck.

I took a small pile from the top and put it to the side. Twirling a strand of my long white hair around my finger, I chewed on my bottom lip, watching her. So, do we have a wonderful future together?

She picked up the new stack and started to spread them out. No.

No!?

No. She fanned her fingers over the cards, her voice lowered dramatically. "It is all white and very