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(Steve)

Here I am sitting beside Ashley’s bed where Danni is unconscious. It has been over an hour now and she still didn’t wake up.

“I’m getting worried, Ashley. She has been unconscious for too long.”

“I think it was just the shock, Steve. She will wake up soon, I hope.”

“God I hope so. I’m so worried about her. I think that maybe we pushed things too fast and too far.”

“Maybe we did. But I don’t think there was any other way. I miss my best friend and it was so hard to see her suffering and not knowing why.”

“I still don’t know what happened 3 years ago. One day she was so happy and bubbly, having fun with us and the next day Dan was there and it was like some spark left his eyes. And it was like didn’t remember anything about Danni.”

“I know. It was terrible. When Dan forgot about Danni he never really smiled anymore.”

“You think Dan will ever be Danni again?”

“I think so. I think that according to the dreams Dan told us about Danni is screaming to get out. I just hope we didn’t mess up.”

“What could have happened to make such a drastic change in just one day?” I asked.

“I have no idea, but it was probably something really bad.” She said worriedly.

  

  

(Megan)

“Goddess, do you think there is any way to postpone her awakening?”

“Maybe if we get to her in time, but I don’t know if it would be wise.”

“Why not?”

“Because if we do that again and she finds out later she will probably hate us. Doing it the first time was bad enough. We can explain to her why we did it the first time, but there would be no real motive for us to do it again. She is awakening before we planned but maybe there is a reason for it.”

“What kind of reason?”

“I’m not sure yet. There are some things happening lately but I don’t know if it is related to what is happening to our daughter.”

“You know, you should have told me the truth about her being my daughter too. I don’t mean to disrespect you but I think I deserved the truth.”

“I’m sorry about that. When I used my magic to conceive her using our eggs I wasn’t the same person I am today.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Recently the way I look at things has been changing. We, the gods, for too long been apart from humanity, thinking we are better than humans because we are more powerful and immortal. Lately I met some people that is making me review those beliefs.”

“Is that why you look like that?”

“Not exactly, I choose this appearance because it would help me fit in with those people better and I thought it would be fun to be a teenager for a while, after all I never been one before.”

“Does it mean you assumed a human identity? Are you going to high school?”

“Yes to both questions. It is easier to interact with them better and protect them if the need arises.”
“Why are you telling me all this?”

“I’m not sure. Probably because I trust you and we do have a daughter together. I know you won’t tell anyone what we talked about. After all who would believe?”

“You have a point there. If I told anyone that I have a daughter with a goddess that looks like a teenager I would end up in the funny farm wearing a straightjacket in no time.”

“I would never allow that to happen, Megan. Danielle needs you.”

  

  

(Ashley)

I’m really getting worried now. It’s been two hours and Dan still didn’t wake up. ’What is going on inside her mind? Was the shock of seeing her reflection that big?’

“Steve, I’m getting worried. Maybe we should call her mother.”

“And tell her what? That we were dressing her son like a girl and he fainted when he saw his reflection?”

“I don’t think we have any choice.”

“We could dress her back into the clothes she was wearing when she came here.” He said.

“I don’t think it would be right. She needs to know what happened. We need to take responsibility.”

“But if we tell her the truth she will probably forbid Dan to see us again.” He said worriedly.

“And make Dan even more miserable? I don’t think so.”

“What about her father?”

“If he tries anything funny I will let you do whatever you want to him.”

“If he hurts her, he will wish he was never born.” He said with anger in his eyes.

“I’ll make the call.”

  

  

(Megan)

I was still talking to the goddess when my cell phone started to ring. I looked at her and she nodded, allowing me to answer the call.

“Hello.”

“Aunt Megan? This is Ashley. You need to come to my house quickly.”

“Ashley? What happened?”

“It’s Dan. He fainted over 2 hours ago and still didn’t wake up.”

“WHAT? I’ll be right there.” I said and turned off the phone.

“Goddess, something happened to Danni. She fainted 2 hours ago and still didn’t wake up.”

“WHAT? Where is she?”

“She is at her friend’s house. She is a neighbor and grew up together with Danni.”

“Then she probably knows about her.”

“I think so.”

“We better go there right now.”

“You think you should go?” I asked.

“No, I don’t think. I know I need to go.”

  

  

(Ashley)

Not long after I left the phone the doorbell rang. I opened the door and Dan’s mom was there together with a girl I never saw before.

“Where is sh... he?” Dan’s mom said.

Did I hear that right? Did she almost called Dan she?

“He is up in my bedroom. Come.” I said and we went hurriedly to my bedroom.

When we got there they saw Danni unconscious body and noticed how she was dressed.

“Why is she dressed like that?” Aunt Megan asked.

Before I could answer her I started to feel a light draft that soon became a wind. I looked at Danni and it felt like the air around her was moving, her hair was all over the place.

“What is happening?” I asked.

“She is awakening.” The girl said.

I looked at Danni again and it looked like she was starting to float a few inches over the mattress like the wind was lifting her. Steve had a shocked look on his face and I think I probably had the same look on mine.

“W…what is going on?” Steve asked.

“You caused her to awaken prematurely.” The girl cryptically said.

“Awaken?” I asked.

“Yes, she is awakening to her true nature, her heritage.”

I looked at Danni again and it looked like she was starting to change, not much, just subtle things. It seemed like she was developing right before our eyes.

“Oh my God. She is turning into a girl.” I exclaimed.

“No, she was always a girl. She is just maturing how she was supposed to.”

“Who the hell are you? How do you know these things?” Steve asked angrily.

“Steve, don’t talk to her like that. Show some respect.” Danni’s mom admonished me.

“Respect? I never saw her before and she seems to know what is going on with Danni. I want answers dammit.” He said with anger in his eyes.

“I can see you care deeply about her, Steve. The answers will come after she wakes up.”

  

  

(Danni)

*~As I said before I opened that fraking damned door that haunted my dreams for days. When I opened it at first I didn’t see anything so I slowly decided to step inside. I didn’t know what to expect but certainly it wasn’t what happened. As soon as I got inside the door closed and a bright light blinded me. I was overwhelmed by the memories flowing, at first came memories that I treasured so much and was forgotten. The ones that were among the most precious were the times I spent as Danielle with Ashley and Steve.

Steve. Oh Steve. I remember now. 3 years ago the best and the worst day of my life. The day we finally kissed. My very first kiss. We were hanging out in his place with Ashley, talking, playing games and having fun. I had such a crush on him. I think Ashley noticed that because she decided to give us some time alone saying she had something to do but wouldn’t take long. Such a lame excuse but it was exactly what I was hoping for. We were young I was 13 and Steve was just 14.

Ashley went upstairs leaving me and Steve alone in the living room. He looked so cute and was blushing furiously. I confess I was blushing too. We were just kids but our feelings for each other were growing. As I said before we grew up together and he was my best friend, well… he and Ashley of course. We stayed there a long time quiet, blushing and exchanging quick glances at each other. I didn’t think he would have any courage to say anything when Ashley came back and smacked him on the back of his head.

“You big dope! Kiss her already.” She said.

“What?”

“Kiss her you silly boy. Don’t you see she likes you?” At that point I was blushing from head to toes hoping a big hole appeared on the floor and swallow me in.

He turned to me and said. “Is it true?”

All I could do is blush even more and nod a bit.

“I like you too.” He said and I swear that when he said that my heart skipped a beat.

“Y…you do?”

“Y…yeah.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“Really really?” Gosh I probably sounded like a broken record by now.

“Yes.”

“Kiss her or she will keep saying really.” Ashley said giggling.

He looked at me and said. “Do you want to me to kiss you?” Again all I could do was nod.

He came closer to me and I closed my eyes, uncertain of exactly what to do. After what it seemed to be a long time I was about to open my eyes thinking he would never kiss me when I felt his lips touch mine. I swear I saw fireworks right then. No there was no tongue involved. Just lips to lips contact but it melt me.

Too soon the kiss ended and I opened my eyes to see his face so close to mine. He had a big smile on his face and I am sure I had a bigger one on mine. The rest of the day I felt like I was walking on air. I was so happy.

It was getting dark when I got out of Steve and Ashley’s house. My house is pretty close to theirs, just four houses away. I was almost reaching home when I felt someone grab me from behind and put something on my mouth. After that everything went black.

I think it was a long time before I woke up in a strange place. I wondered where I was when a man appeared.

“Well, well. It seems the little faggot decided to wake up.”

“W…where am I?”

“It doesn’t matter. You won’t live long enough.” He said. “But before I kill you I will have some fun with you.”

“W…what a…are you g…g…going to do w…with me?”

“What do you think I’m going to do you little freak? First I’m going to have some fun with you then I’m going to beat your faggot ass and after that I am going to kill you.”

He came closer to me with a knife and started to cut my clothes off. At that moment I felt something build inside of me. I just wanted for him to leave me alone. I didn’t do anything to him. I didn’t want to die. I wanted to be with Steve. The anger kept growing and growing and suddenly I released it. I don’t know what happened because suddenly it seemed I was in the center of a hurricane. I looked around and only saw destruction before I passed out.

I was sure I heard someone talk to me after that, lifting me up and carrying me away. I felt so safe and loved right then and I knew everything would be okay.

The next day Dan woke up. Unaware of what happened the day before and about all the good times as Danielle. He felt empty and sad but didn’t know why. For a while Steve and Ashley acted very strangely around me but over time things seemed to get better.~*

  

  

I felt like I was floating on air and I heard some voices far away, too far to understand what they are talking about.

I can feel him next to me. Steve, my Steve. I can smell him. I slowly open my eyes to see him right there, sitting next to the bed looking at me.

“Dan? Are you okay?” He asked me.

“Dan is no more. I remember now. I am Danielle.” I said looking at his gorgeous bluish green eyes.

“You remember? Everything?” He asked me.

“Yes, everything.” I said and gave him a peck on his lips.

He blushed furiously, just like that day. Then I heard some other voices. I looked around and saw Ashley, my mom and another girl were there looking at us.

“Mom? What are you doing here?” I asked her.

“You fainted, sweetie. We were worried about you.”

“Did you see what I just did?” I asked nervously.

“Yes I did. Do you like him?”

“I do, mom. Does it makes me gay?”

“Gay? Did you take a good look at yourself?” She asked me.

“Huh?”

“Come here sweetie. I will let you see. Just promise me you won’t faint this time.”

“I’ll try not to.” I told her.

Mom guided me to the mirror and I took a good look at my reflection. I looked a little older now. Before I looked like a 13 or 14 year old. Now I looked my age. I had curves and I had… breasts?

“Mom? What happened?” I asked her. “Am I a girl?”

“Yes, sweetie. You are a girl.”

“H…how?”

“You just awakened to your heritage, child.” The girl said.

“My heritage? Who are you?”

I saw her look at mom and for a second and then she came closer to me, looked deeply into my eyes and said. “I am Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and you are my daughter.”

What can I say? I fainted again right there at that moment.

  

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