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  Dr. Neilson rolled his eyes.

  “You’re too soft. Just focus on getting these recruits back here and I’ll work on this problem. That’s the price of science: remember they signed our waivers and they knew what they were getting into,” he said.

  He gathered some evidence in a baggie for testing and exited the basement.

  Charlie looked at Mr. Piggy, who rested in a far corner of the cage.

  “I appreciate your concerns, Charlie, but we haven’t enough time to fully explore this issue. I want to bring in these new young military recruits and I’ve offered them a lot of money to start our program. Quit being so idealistic and give Johnson a hand,” Dr. Arno said as she left the basement to answer a call.

  Johnson and his security team entered his apartment, only to find it empty. Charlie gulped and swore under his breath. Hopefully Randall and Samantha are hiding nearby, may have seen Johnson’s van, Charlie thought.

  While Johnson searched his apartment, Charlie placed his twentieth call to Sydney. No answer and he was starting to worry. Maybe he could get these guys sidetracked.

  “Well now, we know you didn’t hide them here. But where are they? I don’t want to lose my job over this. Any ideas?”

  Charlie had an idea.

  “Let’s go to the Star Casino. Randall likes to gamble in more ways than one,” he said, surprised at the message he just received.

  Randall

  Now fully developed into the woman she wanted to be, Samantha begged Randall to take her out, specifically to the Star Casino. Randall at first objected, but then he knew he couldn’t hide forever. Plus, Samantha’s transformation was amazing, having become this tall woman with long copper-colored hair, almond-shaped light-green eyes and delicate features. She wrapped her lithe body around him and kissed him with her sensuous lips. For the first time, someone was in love with him and he desperately wanted to show the world this new beautiful creature.

  “It was so nice of Charlie to leave us some pills, and I think that’s what revived me. I’ve been trapped so long in this snake body and I’ve never looked so good in my life. It’s a miracle. But don’t we make such a great couple?” she exclaimed.

  Randall glanced at the striking couple reflected in the Meridian transporter: a short, muscular man, shaking his wild chestnut mane of hair with a woman who towered over him, yet they looked like they belonged together, attired in jeans and t-shirt— except that Samantha wore a suede Fedora that hid one of her eyes. As the doors opened, they entered the Star Casino with its flashing red, white, and blue Marquis lights and the sounds of slot machines and excited winners. Randall looked around cautiously; his senses were alert, but danger was not imminent.

  “Let’s get a drink and enjoy this moment,” Randall said, escorting Samantha to a secluded table in the back of the bar. No one flagged them down or even glanced their way; they blended in perfectly. He ordered two martinis and they sipped their drinks, quietly watching the gamblers and night life unfold.

  “Got cabin fever. Left your apartment and enjoying the Star Casino with Samantha. Wait until you see her.” Randall communicated to Charlie. He felt he owed him that. After all he had saved both his and Samantha’s lives. Not only had he provided a getaway and pills, Charlie gave them clothes and cash.

  Samantha kissed him, her long tongue entering his mouth, making him quiver. How could he resist? To think she was just a snake two days ago and now a dazzling beauty. Her skin glistened and her eyes sparkled in the darkness of the bar. He hated to say that Optimal had changed his life, but it had taken a turn for the better. But he realized his lion urges still existed; however, it made him an even stronger person.

  They locked eyes and held hands. Randall never felt this way about a woman before and he wanted to celebrate. When their waitress brought them a bottle of champagne and an order of steak tartar, he toasted, “To Samantha, my lovely lady, thank you for coming into my life!”

  Her cheeks blushed a deep amber and she sucked on his neck, causing him to growl softly. They both sighed and got up to dance as the country band started playing a ballad. A crowd gathered around them, but they were lost in each other, their arms wrapped tightly around themselves as they swayed to the music. Someone elbowed Samantha, nearly knocking her down.

  “Hey, I’m so sorry. So clumsy…” a large man with a thick black beard and crazy eyebrows said to Samantha. She turned to face him and almost fainted. Randall caught her before she fell to the ground.

  “What’s wrong? You’re shaking,” Randall said.

  “Hey, you look so familiar. Do I know you from somewhere? Maybe we worked together,” the bearded man said, his eyes washed over her slim figure. His date pulled him back toward their table.

  “Let’s sit down, I’m not feeling well, need some ice water,” said Samantha, her face gone pale as she stumbled toward their spot in the corner. Then tears flowed from her eyes.

  Randall guided her toward their table, holding her hand.

  “Did that guy upset you? What can I do for you?”

  He asked the waitress to bring her some water.

  “I want to leave, get away from him,” she whispered.

  Randall quickly paid the bill and ushered her out of the bar and outside to a balcony. He realized how one event could ruin an evening, but was determined to maintain that magic they shared earlier.

  The breeze kicked in and whipped through Samantha’s silky strands of hair. Randall gave her a tissue and rubbed her lower back.

  “Are you okay now?”

  “I’m not sure if I want to tell you about him... I mean my past. Then you won’t want to be with me,” Samantha said, her eyes diverted.

  Randall didn’t care about her past, only her safety.

  “I’m just worried, concerned if he once hurt you.”

  “They found me, beaten and half-dead because of him— Sergio, my pimp and drug dealer. Optimal found me in an alley and offered me a new life and I took it. Believed in their schemes, their lies. They experimented on me and I turned into that creature, a snake… maybe I deserved it.”

  Randall went to comfort her, caressing her hair and holding her hand.

  “I don’t know who’s worse, Sergio or Optimal. I’m so angry… I want to kill someone for this.”

  His claws grew and his teeth became sharper.

  “No, please, don’t do this. Let’s forget about him. I just want to have a romantic evening with you,” begged Samantha, grabbing his paw.

  His claws and teeth started to withdraw with Samantha’s calming tones and gestures. She pulled him away from the balcony toward the slot machines and roulette tables, their bright lights and engaging activity enticing them. Neither had experienced the thrill of the gambling experience when someone hit a jackpot or scored big in a card game.

  Samantha ordered drinks for them as they wandered about the casino, placing bets on slot machines, checking behind her to make sure Sergio wasn’t following her. His presence caused her skin to itch and her temperature to drop. She scratched the scales developing on her arm in fear. She needed some pills fast; she could feel herself turning.

  “I just received a message from Charlie; he’s nearby but those guards are with him. He says he’s going to ditch them and to wait at that roulette table over there. We’ll be fine,” said Randall.

  They gathered around the roulette wheel and Samantha placed a red chip on lucky red number 27 reluctantly. Everyone around the table seemed like big gamblers, placing multiple bets and chips. An older, distinguished gentleman with a thin moustache and dressed in a black tux put down one hundred chips.

  “Big spender. He’s been working this table all night,” said a guy in a plaid shirt and baseball cap.

  The dealer spun and everyone held their breath. Samantha crossed her fingers and looked into Randall’s eyes. The crowd roared as the tiny ball landed on number 27.

  “Hey, you beat him honey and he’s been winning all night,” said the plaid shirt to a stunned Samantha
. She clapped her hands and grinned at the crowd, who urged her to bet again. She bet her newly won chips, this time placing her chips on red, odd, and 3rd 12 spots, as advised by the plaid shirt. Samantha held her breath as the dealer announced that no more bets would be placed. The wheel spun and it seemed like forever to Samantha, who wished for her lucky number to win.

  “Number 27 red wins again,” declared the dealer. He presented the winnings to Samantha and the guy in the plaid shirt. She squealed and turned to kiss Randall, now facing Charlie, who had joined the crowd and was smiling at her. Samantha clutched Randall and buried her head in his shoulder.

  “Don’t worry, he’s our friend and he’ll help us,” whispered Randall to her.

  They removed themselves from the crowd, but the guy in the plaid shirt grabbed her arm.

  “Don’t leave now! You’re my lucky charm!” he said to Samantha.

  Charlie slipped a stash of green pills into Randall’s pocket.

  “Take this and be careful. I left Johnson at security, but if you stay under the radar and in human form, you’ll be safe. By the way, Samantha looks gorgeous, better keep an eye on her or that guy will move in. Got to find Sydney,” he said to Randall as he winked at Samantha who placed a bet on 27 and red again.

  Randall put the pills in his backpack and slipped his arm around Samantha’s shoulders. As he turned to thank Charlie, he noticed he was gone. But a huge crowd gathered as Samantha’s winnings multiplied, the number twenty-seven coming up every time. Her fans jostled her and her excitement grew as she won time after time. Her eyes sparkled and her skin turned a deeper bronze. She’s never looked so beautiful and I’ve never been happier, thought Randall. Many bought them drinks, even the gentlemen in the tux. Because of her winnings, the management set them up for a complimentary night and drinks on the house. Randall basked in the attention and mingled with the lively crowd.

  He gazed around the room as the bearded man with oversized eyebrows rapidly walked toward them.

  “We need to go now. Don’t look, just follow me,” Randall whispered into her ear.

  Samantha cringed when she caught a view of the dark man from corner of her eye.

  But he caught up with them as they headed for their suite.

  “I know you princess. You can’t get away from me; you’re mine. Besides you owe me!” Sergio said, his foot blocked their exit.

  “Run, baby, I’ll take care of him,” said Randall, already morphing into his lion state.

  Samantha let out a squeal as Randall lunged for Sergio, his claws extended and sleek body in attack mode. He heard her take off and saw her step in the transporter, but focused on the huge man attacking him. They wrestled to the ground and Randall clawed his face and neck as he groaned for mercy. Then Randall’s acute hearing picked up a squeal of tires, a high-pitched scream and broken glass. He sensed his beloved Samantha was in danger and he let go of the bearded man. Randall dashed outside and hid in the bushes, returning to his human state, sobbing quietly at the scene before him.

  Her head lay in a pool of blood, her beautiful body destroyed— the car hit her head-on. A crowd gathered around her, including the guy in the plaid shirt who took her pulse.

  “No pulse, think she’s dead,” he said.

  The young driver stepped out of his battered black Fiat, his body shaking and shielding his face. He limped toward the still body on the ground, bent over to check it and started mumbling. “I didn’t mean it… didn’t see her… is she dead?”

  A blast of sirens and flashing lights from two patrol cars broke up the crowd. Two officers jumped out of their vehicles, alerted by some bystanders.

  “What happened and how did you hit her? Any witnesses here? Does anyone know who she is or what she was running away from?” asked an officer.

  “Came here after the accident, but I was a witness to a fight, involving the woman’s boyfriend and you wouldn’t believe it if I told you,” said the man in the plaid shirt. He wrapped his jacket around her. “But this bearded guy threatened her, and I saw her boyfriend turn into this huge lion, attack him, and then take off,” he added.

  Randall squirmed at hearing his story told; he needed to get out of there fast before he was discovered.

  The policeman stared at him in disbelief and then examined the victim, calling the coroner. One took down the driver’s statement and the other raced inside to find the bearded man.

  “Probably the shapeshifter, but call Animal Control to find the lion,” yelled an officer to the casino’s bellman.

  Three men appeared in black jeans and jackets and the leader addressed the guy in the plaid shirt.

  “Did you see what direction he went? We’re looking for him,” said Johnson, flanked by his two security guards.

  The man in the plaid shirt pointed toward the hills.

  “Not sure, but he may be wandering around or taken in toward those hills.”

  Enraged over the injustice of Samantha’s death and his cursed life, Randall set off for Optimal in kill mode.

  Sydney

  Sydney’s watch vibrated, noting that the message was urgent. Her interview with Justin B was streaming live and it was going so well that she knew she couldn’t take that call. The former kid rock star, now almost pushing thirty, focused intently on her questions, making her almost giddy. Of course, being up since 4 a.m. and drinking enough caffeine to keep her awake for the next two days fueled her, her energy levels pushed to the max. It also helped that Kim provided the questions; she had to just deliver the charm-- not hard with these tight jeans and tank top, designer sneakers, and perfect make-up to put on this charade.

  “You’re such a natural, just a few minutes more and we’re on to the next stop—interview with the big O. Glad you perked up from this morning. Mr. Scott was so worried. But I reassured him,” whispered Kim’s voice into Sydney’s ear piece.

  Sydney kept smiling and promoting the advantages and how she won all her money at the Star Casino to Justin. He seemed almost flirtatious and might even ask her to hang out, now that she felt free from Charlie and away in another state. She quickly wrapped up her interview and gathered her things. Meeting him at his studio was a great idea and she longed to stay a little longer just to hear him sing.

  “Hey Syd, would love you to stay and hear me rap. It’s my new song; we can collaborate, then grab a beer. What do you say?” he said; his golden-brown eyes were fixated on her.

  She grabbed his mic and started to sing, remembering the good times when she sang in her high school choir. Sydney closed her eyes and belted out a tune, not caring about her next job or if Kim was listening.

  “Love it girl, keep it up. Maybe you can be one of my back-up singers,” she said; their voices blended in harmony. He picked up his guitar and they swayed to the song.

  “Quit playing around; tell him you’ve got another gig, but do it diplomatically. We have that meeting at 2 p.m. and you need to wear something a little more formal. I need a few minutes to coach you. Meet in the bathroom,” said an irritated Kim in her ear bud.

  Just when she was having fun, Sydney had to go. It didn’t matter that she had won all this money and didn’t need this job. But she did want to meet the famous O, a legendary icon. Sydney opened her eyes and stopped abruptly.

  “Got to run, but it’s been… so much fun,” she said to Justin. His sad eyes almost convinced her to stay. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek as she turned to exit his studio. She felt her face grow warm, hurrying to meet Kim.

  “Call you,” he said to her back.

  In the cab, Sydney checked her message on the way to O’s, glad to focus on something else. The tailored soft grey suit felt uncomfortable, but Mr. Scott insisted on this style and presentation.

  “Miss you. Looked for you, but they said you were traveling. Need you back for your 6-month evaluation at Optimal. Urgent, please call,” Charlie’s hologram said. His face looked worried and tired.

  The cab pulled up in front of O’s posh high-rise apar
tment; she insisted they needed more privacy, away from the studio noise and staff interruptions. Sydney’s hands shook as the doorman opened the doors. They took the transporter and she memorized her intro and several questions.

  The doors opened and several staff members greeted them. It was all a blur to Sydney as Kim introduced her to O and she sat down on the plush flowered couch next to her. But it was either Charlie’s message, O’s overwhelming presence, or being in a fancy apartment that distracted her. O tried to coax her to open up, but she gave only one-word answers.

  “It seems to me that you’re just a little tired, maybe you should come back another day. I expected more excitement from a woman who’s Star Casino’s biggest winner and now super-promoter. But maybe it’s because you’re very young,” said O. She looked slightly bored.

  Kim walked in from the back bedroom.

  “Excuse me, O, but Sydney’s a little off her game. Can I have a moment with her? Then I’m sure we can continue,” she said and pulled her into that same bedroom.

  Sydney felt like crying as Kim put her hands on her hips.

  “We can’t ruin this, now that we have the interview. Get your act together and suck up any negative feelings you have. This is extremely important to Mr. Scott.”

  “I need a minute,” Sydney said as she ran into the bathroom.

  She closed the door, took out a green pill from her purse and swallowed it. Then she wiped her eyes and applied fresh mascara and lip gloss. She breathed in and out slowly and glanced in the mirror, which seemed like hours. Opening her eyes and imaging that O was her best friend, she felt a calming, mysterious flow wash over her. It was as if a magic wand touched her soul. With wide eyes, a determined chin, and confident smile, she stepped out of the bathroom.

  “I’m ready now, let’s go,” said Sydney firmly and marched back to a perturbed O.