Despite her deep sleep, Anna's dreams were disturbed. She couldn't make them out, and wouldn't remember anything in the morning, but they were still there. She couldn't describe them, they weren't bad, but she wouldn't call them good, either. She fumbled in her sleep, trying to get comfortable.
Half asleep and half awake, she felt a twinge in her hand. She lazily scratched it, then went back to an odd dream.
     It was like she was flying, but at the same time she wasn't. She felt like a flame, flickering, with little bits of hot light jumping into the sky, then separating, and floating off. Then, one of the bits landed on a dry patch of grass. It was instantly engulfed in flames, and suddenly, she was in them. But she was calm, and at the same time frantic. Something was happening, but before she knew what, she woke again.
     The itch was back, more persistent. She scratched it, only to have it return. It was like something under the skin, the kind of itch that would drive you crazy. She pushed her hand under her leg, hoping the pressure would relieve the annoyance, so as she could sleep again.
     She did, but only to wake soon after. Moaning defeat, she got up. Checking the clock, Anna saw it was only one, she hadn't slept long. Already Violet had spammed her phone, apparently some cute boy had just posted a photo of himself with his new girlfriend, and she was frantic. After sending some reassuring texts, Anna got back in bed. The itch had subsided, and she was tired. Of course, she had all intentions to sleep in this morning.
     She was once again woken, this time by her father.
     "What? School is out." She rolled over, pulling the covers over her head.
     "No, we're leaving." Her father answered.
     "Are we going somewhere?" Anna groggily answered, half awake.
     Her father sat down on the side of the bed. "No, and it would be nice if you were fully awake before I said goodbye."
     "Okay, I'm up." She said, rubbing her eyes.
     "Good." He smiled. "Now, I left a list in the kitchen-"
     "Dad," Anna sighed. "I know!"
     "Alright, alright." He put his hands up, admitting defeat. "Just so long as you look it over."
     "I will." She promised, trying not to roll her eyes.
     "Be good, little Jack." Her father gave her a kiss on the top of her head. Ever since she was little they had a joke going on that, since she was so energetic, she would be a Jack Russell when she shifted. Anna hated to disappoint him, but she knew that would probably never happen.
     "I will." She smiled, trying to look reassuring. She knew how much he worried, and that he would probably call every other hour to make sure she was alright. It sometimes annoyed her, but she knew it showed how much he loved her.
     She heard her parents locking up, then more-or-less quietly close the front door. Checking the clock, it wasn't even three. She slapped her head with her palm, guessing her father had either set his alarm wrong, or simply wanted a super early start.
     Despite how tired she had been, Anna was now fully awake. She lay down on her sheets again, only to pop up a few minutes later. There was no going back now. Sighing, she turned the tv back on, and grabbed more pizza. She quickly took her phone out and checked for Violet. She was still there, frantic as ever.
"It's not like the world has ended." Anna texted.
"It practically has!" Violet texted back with lightening speed. Anna stopped a second to think up a reply, and to watch a juicy part of her soap. But, a few seconds later, another message came in.
"Are you there??!!"
     "Yes! Settle down!" Anna shook her head. She could imagine Violet, in her bed, under the sheets, staring at her phone, and freaking out. "Since when did you start liking this guy anyways?!" The next reply didn't come as quickly.
"I don't, necessary, but I don't like the girl." Violet texted.
"Well, I can understand that." Anna texted back. They texted back and forth for over an hour, until her eyelids grew heavy. Saying goodnight, or, good morning, she clicked of the soap and pulled the blankets over her head.
     And she woke again.
     "Really?!" She said aloud, half asleep. She had wanted a good nights rest, but that didn't seem to be happening. This just isn't my night.

-

     "Wow, what happened to you?" Violet blurted out, standing in Anna's doorway. Despite her being up all night as well, she looked much more alert.
     "Oh, put a lid on it and have some coffee." Anna dragged her into the house, loudly closing the door. She had barely rested all night, and had probably gotten more hours of tv in then sleep.
     "Coffee?" Violet smirked, sliding onto one of the stools at the counter. "That's a bit strong for you."
     "I need it." Anna said dryly, poring a large cup. She tried not to wince at its bitter taste as she drank it, not wanting Violet to comment. She, on the other hand, downed her first cup in less then a minute. Anna put her mug down.
     "I think I'll settle for a Coke." She said, opening the fridge door and grabbing a soda from her stock pile. It should have enough caffeine for her. She liked cold drinks better then hot ones, anyways.
     "If you like." Violet shrugged, stealing Anna's coffee. Anna had a feeling that was the last thing in the world Violet needed, but she was too worn out to stop her. Not that trying would do anything anyway.
     "So, what should we do today?!" Violet was bouncing around the house in a few minutes, looking like a five year old on their birthday. Perhaps one that had had too much caffeine.
     "I said I was planning on staying home." Anna answered. After two Cokes she was more alert, but nothing like Violet.
     "Aw, what fun is that?!" Her friend frowned exaggeratedly.
     "Well, we can watch tv and stalk people on social media." Anna suggested. She knew she had it right. That was one of Violet's favorite things to do. Her face lit up, more the usual, which was probably due to the extra energy. Soon they were sprawled out in front of the flatscreen, surrounded by a stockpile of junk food, and drinks with way too much caffeine in them.
     "Oh, I love that actor!" Violet stared at the screen, eyes wide.
     "He's okay," Anna shrugged, working on her third Coke. "But that girl definitely isn't for him."
     "Definitely." Violet agreed, raising her cup of joe. Despite her better judgment, Anna had aloud her to make another pot. At this point she wasn't sure how Violet was still able to sit still. They watched more tv, until Violet remembered she was needed at home.
"I really have to run..." She said an hour or so later, going to the door. Anna guessed that with all the caffeine she certainly would run.
"That's okay, I might go out anyways."
"Without me?" Violet asked.
"I'm just going to run Pepper." Anna rolled her eyes.
"Oh...okay!" Violet flounced out the door, already running. Anna shook her head. Violet's parents were in for a surprise.
     Anna ran down to the stable. The manager had fed Pepper, and he had been groomed well yesterday. She gave him a quick go over, then put a simple hackamore on. He seemed excited about that, and was ready to go as soon as she mounted. She didn't use a saddle, today was simply pleasure, for her and for Pepper.
     They started off at a nice, even trot, slowing to a walk as soon as they reached a hilly bit. They were going to the same pond as they had gone to yesterday with Violet, but to a different part of it, higher up on the hill. She relaxed on Peppers back, giving him his head for the most part. When he seemed concentrated enough, she reached for her bag. She had brought a good sized backpack with her, containing some snacks, a few books, and other random things, including her phone and a power-block. It was always good to be prepared.
     They reached their destination slowly, Anna not caring very much. It was just a lazy day, a day for fun. She had brought a halter and rope for Pepper, and secured him to a tree surrounded by sweet grass. He happily chomped away as Anna settled down in her own patch of grass.
     Sighing, she pulled the first book out of her bag.
     Shifting: The Science of Animal DNA and Humans.
     So much for fun.
     The problem was, deep down, Anna didn't know what she wanted. To shift, or not? Maybe these books would help, make her understand the process more?
You and Your Animal. Your Animal Family Tree; DNA Revisited. How To Master Shifting. How To Master Your Animals. Unlocking Your Hidden Animals. Anna had the whole collection of books.
     But, with these, came the regulation books. Keeping Track of Shifting; Government Standard Version, Shifters Incorporated. That one itself was as thick as her arm, and about as interesting as a pet rock. Shifting Time Tables; How To Manage Shifts. That one practically scared her.
Marked.
     That was simply the name of the other. It was more a pamphlet then a book, with less pages then a child's story book. It had no detail, no pictures, almost no point. All it had was information on marks, how to report them, and how important it was that you did. It had no facts or evidence, no books had any on marks. Anna had started to suspect even Shifters Inc. didn't have much on them.
     Sighing, she put the books back in her bag. She almost checked her phone, but decided not to. Violet had probably spammed her, and after looking at all of the depressing shifter books, she wasn't in the mood.
She flopped back into the soft grass. It flattened around her, fuzzy against her skin. It smelled sweet, like the air after a first haying, except better.
Yawning, she rolled onto her side. She stared at Pepper, who was still chomping at the grass, and realized how heavy her eyes were. The caffeine buzz had finally caught up to her, and now she felt like the grass was the most comfortable bed in the world.

-

She woke with slobbery-grass in her face. Pepper was staring down at her, ears tilted with interest. The grass definitely didn't seem as appealing now.
"Pepper!" She pushed his nose away, rolling out of range of his large hooves. She had thought he was tied far enough away, but it appeared he had broken out of his halter. She rolled her eyes. "Naughty boy."
Pepper seemed to ignore the comment, and pushed his nose into her side. She rolled over some more, laughing a bit. She knew she shouldn't let him get away with this behavior, but at the moment she didn't care. He looked at her expectantly, and Anna remembered the treats she had brought.
"Spoiled brat." She laughed, standing up. Pepper shook like an excited puppy as she grabbed a peppermint out of her pocket. Those were his favorite. Watching him to make sure his flicking mane didn't hit her, she absentmindedly unwrapped the candy. Rubbing his nose, she put the mint on her palm to give him. He grabbed it, covering her in slobber, then frisked off towards the pond. Anna narrowly avoided his tail, then followed to wash her grass-slobber covered hand.
While Pepper was enthusiastically drinking, Anna dunked her hands in. She smiled as she watched Pepper, shaking her head. He was nothing more then a big dog. That wasn't exactly a good thing in a horse, but it worked for them.
She pulled her hands out of the water, and was about to wipe them dry on her pants. But before she could, she noticed something on the palm of her right hand. She dunked it into the water again, and scrubbed it with the sand at the bottom. But when she brought it back up, it was only larger.
Anna sucked in her breath. This wasn't good.
This wasn't good at all.