Upon awakening, I jolted and nestled deeper into my nest. I gazed long and intensely at the expanse of the floor before me. It was but a dream, I thought, nothing more.
I sighed, shook my head, and retracted a talon to smooth down the quivering feather tufts atop my head.

 The sound of claws clicking caught my attention, and as I looked up, a familiar white and black snout poked through the door. "Oh, Mango, just leave me be," I grumbled, tail wagging nonetheless. Yet, our family dog pushed the door open nevertheless and strolled in, sniffing around my neck and chin before locking eyes with me, his brown ones meeting my sea-blue gaze. 

I nudged him in the face, he whimpered slightly and wagged his tail before walking away and settling down on a large mattress in the center of the room.

 He plopped down with a huff, and I shook my head, tapping my talon on the hard wooden floor of my room before surveying the area

 It was dimly lit, but these eyes were meant to navigate dark surroundings; I could discern the heat signatures of Mango and a few objects, like my lamps - but nothing more.

With a sigh, I soon rested my head again, closed my eyes, and tried not to hear the sound of Mango's breath. It soon lulled me back to sleep, until a few hours later, I was awakened once more by shuffling outside my door and Mango's whining. 

I hissed, and he withdrew. Rising up on my claws and then on my hind legs, I pushed at the door, which was considerably taller than me, but I still enjoyed doing this on my hind legs. I caught sight of the man I regarded as my father pacing around the living room.

 He was partially dressed in a dark blue jacket from his workplace, hanging off his shoulders, and a light blue shirt underneath. I tilted my head towards him. "What are you doing, Father?" I grunted

. I saw fear flicker in his eyes, and I let faint stripes along my sides light up as he backed away. "Alba, don't startle me like that!" he whispered and exclaimed. I rolled my eyes.

 "What are you doing?" I hissed back. "And where is Mother?" Father sighed and shrugged. "I don't know if you're asleep, but it's not your turn to wake up yet. Why are you even awake?"

"I can't sleep," I hissed.

He sighed and approached me, patting me on the neck. "Don't worry, Darling, you'll soon rest. Now go, I have to head to work."

I rolled my cerulean eyes once more, turned on my heel, and pushed the door open wider for Mango to slip out. He did so, startling himself on the smooth wood as I stepped over him and nestled into my nest. There, I lay with the duvet wrapped around my hips and a small plush toy in the crook of my arm.

Soon, I succumbed to deep slumber, convinced that I wouldn't awaken again that night.

 ❀•❀•❀

Upon waking for the first time, it was my mother who roused me.

"Come on, it's time to wake up," she nudged, drawing the duvet away from me. I grumbled at her, buried my face, and nestled my pens in the plush duvet. "No," I grunted.

Mother tugged and patted my head before exhaling softly. "Come now, Alba, I don't want to repeat this routine. It's the same every morning. Come on. You'll have time to rest before heading to school."

I hissed and stiffened. "Mommy, I'm not human, and you can't force me!"

Mother rolled her eyes. "I don't care, you're still my offspring, and you must attend school regardless of your nature." With that, she exited the room, leaving me to lie there for a moment before Mango entered and licked my cheek. I pushed him away. "Stay back, I have no interest in your slobber."

"Let him greet you, my dear, he has missed you all night," mother chuckled from the bedroom, but I merely hissed.

I rose from my nest, causing Mango to squeak in excitement and lower his tail.

Following him, I fetched the water bowl to indicate to mother that it needed refilling. She turned to me, offering a smile as she tilted her head. I nudged my nose against her chest, to which she enveloped me in an embrace, planting a kiss on my cheek. "Good morning."

I responded with a grunt before wearily heading out to attend to my morning routine.

Later, I awoke to a rustling sound that caught my attention. I noticed a small feline rummaging through some trash near our garbage chute. "Shush!" I snapped, causing the cat to yowl and leap away, disappearing into the distance before I stumbled and collapsed, startling the entire neighborhood with a loud thud.

As cars whizzed by on the nearby roads, I flinched as one narrowly missed me, its horn blaring indignantly.

Shaking my head, I continued to pursue the cat until I abruptly halted as humans began to emerge from the building, some accompanied by dogs.

I hissed and swiftly turned, camouflaging myself in the hope that the cat would not spot me now!

Then my mother called from the hallway that my chores were done, and I turned around before sprinting back to her, becoming visible once more. "There you are, I told you not to do that!" she shouted and lightly slapped my shoulder as I brushed past her. "Breakfast is ready, waiting for you in your usual spot."

Humming, I ascended the stairs and discovered a bowl of freshly served red meat awaiting me, alongside a bowl of water. I swiftly gulped down the meat greedily, taking intermittent sips of water. I then turned in a circle and reclined in a regal manner, my tail curling elegantly over my foretalons. Mango approached, his tail wagging and tongue lolling, and I rolled my eyes before shifting so he could cuddle against my stomach.

He panted happily, and I smiled before licking his head and burying my nose into his fur, inhaling his sweet scent.

"Remember, you need to depart by 7:20," Mom reminded as she entered the enclosure. Mango and I were resisting, and I rolled my eyes before digging my claws into the ground. "I don't want to go to school, Mom. We have a dreaded math test," I expressed, to which she chuckled and offered me a snack. "Do not fret, my dear. You'll excel," she reassured. I glared at her. "Mom, I am an Indoraptor now. I can't even hold a pencil!"

She simply gave me a glance before walking into the house, likely to prepare some potent medicine or a similar remedy. I was feeling unwell too, and now, of course, she had to fall ill as well. I rolled my eyes; this recurring scenario truly exasperated me. First, I was discovered in discarded heaps of clothes, then I transformed into an Indoraptor, followed by a strange dream featuring my so-called sister recounting my time in the lab as if I were some scientific project. Now, I am unsure if I truly wish to reunite with my friends. They have never known me without the human element.

Soon, the clock ticked by, and I nearly succumbed to sleep before Mom approached, holding a satchel she had prepared for me to carry my supplies in. "Come now, dear, we don't want to miss the bus," she urged.

I glared at her before rising to my feet, my pet dog, Mango, whimpering softly as I gave him a gentle nudge towards the house. "I'll be home sooner than you think," I reassured, grabbing hold of my satchel and walking with Mom to the bus. It felt surreal, like a scene from a suspenseful film, with a human escorting a deadly character. Yet, this is my reality, and surprisingly, I do not wish to alter it.

I pondered how my friends would react, my tail swishing gently as I walked, the iridescence of my dark purple-blue scales capturing the sunlight and enveloping me in a comforting warmth.

We arrived at the bus stop, and as I sat down, I noticed that my head still towered over the others. I took out a small snack to enjoy, attracting curious glances from passersby. Amongst them, I spotted my friend Samira, her wide rainbow-hued eyes locking with mine. I offered a smile, despite likely resembling a creature from "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom."

She didn't purchase anything. When the bus arrived, my mother embraced me, burying my snout into her hair as I slipped off, disappearing into the bus. The driver stared, while Dad positioned himself by the window. I gazed at him before seating myself next to my mother, where the bicycles often stood in narrow spaces.

As the bus gradually started moving, I tapped my foot against the floor, feeling a sense of unease as I refrained from listening to music or singing. The absence of my beloved phone and headphones left a bitter taste, rendering my music equipment unusable in a fit of frustration. Clutching my bag to my chest, I lamented quietly, yearning for the solace of my music collection. Alighting at my stop, I strode out of the bus doors without concern for walking alongside or behind Samira, who showed no interest in joining me.

Approaching the school, I adjusted my shoes, slung my satchel across my chest, and drew out a sketching implement. Passing through the doorway, I made my way to the designated spot for my bag, as I did not require any books that day.

Surveying the room, I caught glimpses of familiar classmates, each emanating various fragrances from their perfumes. An aversion crept over me momentarily. Taking a seat beside Christiana and others, I was met with giggles and subtle shifts, hinting at their awareness of my peculiar nature.

Noticing Elijah's absence, I found it somewhat peculiar, considering he typically arrived early. The truth of this thought was swiftly rebutted by my mind, reminding me that he was not the last to arrive—that distinction belonged to Helene, Hamza, and Ali.

"Have any of you beheld this creature?" inquired Samira as she approached Suniva, who was engaged in a conversation on her phone.

Suniva nodded in agreement, "Indeed," I growled, prompting both girls to quickly distance themselves from me with stifled laughs. "Where could Gabriella be? I did not catch sight of her on the bus," remarked Samira. Suniva exclaimed, "She did not utter a word, did she?" Samira shook her head, "No, I received no communication from her. It is unlike her to remain absent without notice."

A twinge of guilt swept over me.

Why should you feel guilty? questioned my mind.

I typically inform them if I am unable to attend, and the teachers mark me absent, I rationalized.

Well, returning to school is no longer a viable option, I mused inwardly. You are no longer a mere eleven-year-old or a conventional human being; the endeavor seems futile. Exhaling audibly, I allowed my mind to meander momentarily, only to be interrupted by the arrival of my mathematics teacher, signaling our impending journey to the room where the peculiar girls congregated. It was a lesson centered around the topic of food and health, if memory serves me correctly.

Halting me in my tracks, my teacher elicited a growl from me. Stepping back, she apologetically stated, "I'm sorry, but you cannot enter there, my friend." Reacting impulsively, I swiped with my paw, narrowly missing Trygve's midsection. Asserting, "You are aware of my identity," I found myself met with incomprehension, as all that emanated from me were growls and hisses. My teacher, perplexed, shook her head and instructed, "Return to your class at once."

Observing the scene, Elias interjected, "I believe she wishes to join us." Startled, I turned to find the young, charismatic figure standing alongside Trygve and Oscar.

"Elias, do not deceive yourself. This is a perilous creature," cautioned Inger Elise, our educator. With a heavy heart, I contemplated, A perilous creature, that is the singular perception they hold of me. Why do my parents perceive me more as a human than these individuals do?

Do you not recall, interjected my cognition, that you are no longer human. You have undergone a transformation.

Exhaling wearily, I dragged my claws along the unyielding floor, and departed without a second thought. Inger Elise may well summon animal control, but my indifference was palpable. I should have remained within the confines of my dwelling, yet my mother, as usual, and my father, are both oblivious, I growled inwardly. Pausing just beyond the school grounds, I entertained the hope of surreptitiously rejoining my class.

After a time, Sveinugn emerged from one of my primary entrances, prompting me to stand upright and call out to him. However, the noise that emanated was not the exclamation of a youth but the roar of a beast. Startled, Sveinugn pivoted, his eyes enlarged behind his spectacles. "Halt right there!" he bellowed. With a low growl, I swiftly pivoted and fled from the educational institution towards the open expanse outside, heading towards the avenue. "Cease the animal!" a voice cried out from behind, as an alarm reverberated throughout the school. Unaware of the existence of a pest alarm or concerned about it, I sprinted and vaulted over the terrain towards the roadside; the cacophony of car horns and temporary halts did not deter me as I galloped further into the field.

Upon arriving at a farm nestled not too distant from the educational institution, yet secluded enough to shield me from harm, I paused. 

Observing several of the farm's security measures, assuming they existed, springing into action, I noticed the arrival of the law enforcement personnel, accompanied by blaring sirens and flashing lights. Emitting growls and snarls, I remained resolute in my forward trajectory, refraining from casting a glance over my shoulder. 

However, a fleeting moment of hesitancy gripped me upon catching a scent as redolent to me as the sweet fragrance of mangoes: the presence of my friends and Elias.

 Internally conflicted, a profound yearning welled within me to draw closer to Elias and capture his affections, despite the inevitable truth that he would never acknowledge Gabriella, the enchantress who had enraptured him amid prevailing circumstances, and who fervently pledged not to disrupt his existing relationship.

 Alas, I would forever remain an unattainable figure to him, unsuccessful in integrating into the societal milieu; even the affections of Erica's kinsfolk would elude my grasp.

 My painstakingly constructed facade crumbled into naught, all in vain. Indeed, all rendered futile due to my innate predatory nature, stemming from a bygone era, akin to a forgotten cinematic masterpiece. 

I epitomized peril, I personified demise, and I harbored an acute sense of solitude, unadorned and unequivocal.