I get in while closing the door behind me. Meeting the principal is a thing that I would have prefer to avoid. I'm stressed enough like that. I already know, thanks to Shawn, that they will name me apprentice Granny. I don't understand why. As for the principal, she comes and tells me reproaches and insists on the fact that I miserably failed the exam. She's always aware of everything and her words chosen carefully have the gift to give me pain. I answer with assurance but, in reality, I'm not sure of myself. My repartee serves to defend myself. 

When they announced me that I was a fox, I was surprised then reassured. I never thought of being a fox. What is inside of me scares me. Sometimes, I fear that Shawn sees farther than the idealistic girl that he believes he's hanging out with every day. I'm not luminous like a star. I'm not cute like Mina. I'm just a teenager that we look from above who fights since forever to have her place close to him. 

Fox ? It's okay for me. It's not the best but it's acceptable. I was excepting worst. 

That's what I was telling myself back then. A sheep and a fox that frequent each other... It's strange but not forbidden. 

I sigh and turn to face the jury but, the room is dark, there's only giant screens in the back. They cover all the wall and go up to the ceiling like the screen of a movie theater. No image on it. Only snow and a sizzling noise. What is this ? 

"Surprise ?" asks a man's voice beside me. "You had the privilege of the encouraging words from your fan number one. The principal loves you ! No doubt."

The man comes toward me. I don't distinguish his aura. He doesn't have the aura of an animal ? Why can't I sent something ? I tighten my fists on the defensive. 

"Diane, little Diane ! The principal already told you that we planned to name you apprentice Granny. What do you think about it ?" 

"Who are you ?" 

I stare at him. Hair with red reflection, a growing beard and gold eyes. A grey suit anthracite and a black tie on a white shirt. How old is he ? Twenty-five maybe ? 

"I'm the juror Fox. Surprise ?" 
"Liar ! You don't have an aura !" 

He laughs. 

"So, I was right. You can see our souls ?" 

He steps toward me while nodding his head. 

"I'm a witch ! Don't you know my reputation ?" I announce as serene as possible, but it costs me. 

"In fact : yes ! I even came to see it with my own eyes. You gift is really rare, Diane. Rare and difficult to control. Do you have other gifts on the same type ?" 

"No. And it's not a gift. It's just..."
"Just ?" 

"No, nothing."

I was going to say a curse, but who can understand ? 

"But you don't perfectly control this asset. For example, you don't detect my aura right now, right ?" 
"How..." 
"How do I know ? Because I can hide my aura or even take one from someone." 

He steps back and something huge and cold invade the room. 

"A polar bear..." I whisper

Then, a feeling of freedom and lightness takes me. 

"A bird ?" 
"Perfect, Diane ! You can distinguish the auras that I project. It's a good start." 

"Who are you ?" 
"I'm the Recruiter. I spot the talents in your kind. And I like what you are. I'm the one ho suggest the candidates to the job of Granny ! Your potential makes you an excellent candidate. 
"So, it's your fault." 
"My fault ? You could be thankful !" 

"Of what ?" 

"Your exam is failed but if you still wish to travel the world, I allow you to get out of the village and have an important role. So ?" 

"But..." 

"You can rot in the Village all of your life, if you prefer. I don't force anyone. Refuse and you sign for staying here for the rest of your life. Accept and discover the world with me." 

He's lying... it's not logic. According to Shawn, the idea of naming me Granny is prior to the exam. However, I can't oppose him this argument because this would be admit that I knew and that Shawn and Mimi hacked the files of the village... I'm stuck.  And curious. 

"If I accept, can I bring Shawn ?" 

"Your hunter ? Pfff." He laughs and resumes. "What do you think of him ?" 

"Shawn is my friend and an excellent hunter !" 
"Really ? I judge him more uncontrollable and violent than what his image of sheep suggests. What do you see in him ? A sheep ? Really, Diane ? A simple sheep ?" 

"What are you trying to say ?" 

"And in you ?" 
"What do you mean, in me ?" 
"Fox, is it really your totem animal ?" 

This sentence makes a weird effect in me. His golden eyes that fold too. Ally or enemy, I can't decide what he really is. 

"What do the totem animals are used for ?" he asks
"To project our souls and express our deeps self." 

"That's what they teach you ? Yes, it is a possibility." he admits. "But, Diane, in the magic forest that surround us, the goal is that the forest accept us. By pretending to be animals, the forest tolerates us. Without it, we couldn't live in it. For the humans that pass close to us, they don,t realize that we are there. They will see an animal like a rabbit, a fox or a doe. That we, we are unnoticed by projecting our image of totem animal to the strangers." 
"I know that too !" 
"Really ? In that case, you can understand that meeting a fox in an European forest is frequent but a silver fox less. Why attribute you an animal that identifiable ? It's still risky, no ?"

"What's the point ?"

"Think ! While waiting, tell Shawn and his mouse to come meet us tomorrow at the airport of the neighboured town. They can come with the electric cub. I would like to talk to him." 

"But..." 

"Oh... and if they keep you from joining me, I supposed we'll banish them. But you don't have interest in refusing the only exit from the village I offer you. You're not idiot enough to stay stuck here your whole life." 

I feel like I'm trapped. Impossible to refuse and impossible to accept so easily ! 

"Where will we be going ?" I ask

"Where ? But Diane, we are going to see if the Grannys accept you in your in their rank. It is not won yet. We're going to meet them ! Besides, they are watching you from the cameras that you see here and there !"

With his finger, he points cameras in the angles of the room. My face is  suddenly displayed on the screens in the back of the room. My face is multiplied on each screen. 

"Oh, my name is Thomas, by the way !" he says while giving me a hand-kissing. "Nice to finally meet you, young apprentice." 

What should I do ? 

"For the other students, dear Diane, you will announce them that you are a riding hood. I don't want the noise to run about you possible nomination as a Granny !" 

He winks and shows me the exit. 

"By the way," he softly whispers in my ear, "I'm not a fox either and about Red..." 

I hold my breath at the mention of Red's name. 

"She frequents the Grannys really often, I guess that you will get to meet her sometimes and even entrust her a message, in order to have her as the riding hood that will serve you." 
"Red..." I whisper
"See you tomorrow at the airport !"

The door closes behind me. Where will this man bring me ?