Bear Shifters: Hunt Collection #2 (6 page)

CHAPTER 10

“It’s an honor to have you here, Mr. Woods,” Ken said, shaking Justin’s hand in greeting. “Honestly, we haven’t made much progress since we last talked due to the power outage that happened right after we talked.”

“That’s just fine. I mostly just wanted to see your lab in person. Did you have any problems with the power outage? Beyond not being able to work, of course.”

“No. It would have been nice to observe our test subjects’ brains at the time of the power outage, when the effects from the solar activity must have been at a peak. We would have been interested to see if the brain activity spiked as well.”

Justin almost mentioned that he hadn’t noticed a difference, but that would be premature at this point. Instead, he asked, “Have you started the scans on your human test subjects yet?”

“Yes, actually. We got a few done this morning. We haven’t found anything unusual at all yet, supporting our theory that something in the human brain blocks the electromagnetic effects. Gretchen is actually with a subject right now if you’d like to come and observe.”

When Justin agreed, Ken led him into another room filled with computer monitors and equipment that looked quite complicated. Gretchen was there, and through a large window, Justin could see a technician in the next room over. There was also a huge, round machine, in which another woman wearing scrubs was partially inserted, from her midsection to her head. Ken explained that they were in the middle of an MRI scan. They watched until Gretchen finished up and the woman was removed from the machine. The technician told the woman she was free to go change back into her street clothes and that she could expect a check in the mail.

As she left, Gretchen came over and shook Justin’s hand. After exchanging pleasantries, Justin said, “I have an unusual question for the two of you.”

The research team laughed. “We’re usually the ones asking unusual questions,” Gretchen commented. “Let’s hear it.”

“I was wondering if you are in need of another human test subject, and if so, would it be possible for me to volunteer?”

Gretchen and Ken looked surprised, exchanging glances with each other. Ken answered, “That would be fine. You would just have to sign the waivers. I assume you wouldn’t require any compensation. Since all that money comes straight out of your grant,” he said ironically.

With a chuckle, Justin declined compensation. They had him sign the paperwork, and then the technician took him into another room to change into some scrubs to ensure that he didn’t have any metal on him that might interfere with the MRI. Not long after, Justin was lying in the same position as the woman before him, holding as still as possible while the machine worked loudly around him.

The scan took about half an hour. When it was over, the machine spat him out and he looked through the window at Ken and Gretchen. They looked like they had seen a ghost, and the only thoughts going through their minds were variations of
How is this possible?
and
Unbelievable
.

Justin joined them in the observation room, still wearing the scrubs, anxious to hear what they had found. Gretchen and Ken were so involved in an intense conversation that they didn’t even notice when he walked in. He cleared his throat, and they stopped midsentence to gawk at him.

“Is something wrong?” Justin asked, even though he knew they must have seen something related to his shifting or mind-reading that had thoroughly shocked them.

“Your brain activity is … not what we would have expected,” Gretchen said, fumbling a bit for words. “There’s an area called the supramarginal gyrus, which is the part of the brain that is related to empathy. In your brain, the activity in that area is extremely high. Higher than anything we’ve ever seen.”

Justin was baffled. If it was related to empathy, that was the part of the brain he would have least expected to have unusually high activity. Kimber had basically strong-armed him into considering charity. He didn’t exactly worry much about how other people felt.

Ken interrupted his thoughts. “Have you experienced anything unusual in the past few days?”

“Yes,” Justin said. “I’d love to tell you all about it so you can help me figure this out, but I need to know that you can keep it a secret. I promise, you’re going to want to tell everyone you know. This is likely the most exciting discovery you’ll ever make. But you will not be allowed to share it with anyone. In return for your discretion, I’m willing to provide generous funds for every research project you ever want to pursue for the rest of your lives.”

Usually, he would require contracts and maybe issue threats in the event that they violated the terms, but he didn’t feel that was necessary when he could read their minds. He could feel their thirst for discovery, as well as their excitement at the idea of being funded as long as they lived. There wasn’t a malicious thought in their minds, and he sensed that he could trust them. It was merely a formality when they verbally gave their word.

“Gretchen, think of your favorite childhood memory.” He felt her wondering why, but the power of suggestion was strong enough to conjure up the image. “You’re with your mom at the beach. The tide is low, and there are puddles all around. You’re splashing in them together and finding hermit crabs in the tidal pools.”

Her jaw dropped. He didn’t give her a chance to respond before he said, “Ken, think of your first date.” His mind similarly began to play through the memory, and Justin narrated, “Wow, what a cute little red-headed girl. You’re drinking smoothies on the grass at a park. The sun is going down, and there’s no one around. The two of you are sliding down the slides and swinging and running through the sprinklers when they come on.”

Now Ken was equally astonished, but he was able to speak his mind. “You’re experiencing telepathy.”

Justin nodded. “I just have to focus on someone and I can hear their thoughts, see the images playing in their heads, and even feel their emotions.”

“How is that possible? Your scan looks similar to our animals’, but you’re clearly human. I don’t understand –“

Justin cut Gretchen off. “I’m not always human. I’m a shapeshifter. I can transform into a bear.”

Somehow, through the shock, Ken found the humor in the situation. “You can change into a bear, and you thought
we
were crazy for believing in animal telepathy?” he asked, holding back laughter.

“I’ve been meaning to apologize for that,” Justin said sheepishly.

“Don’t apologize! This is the most amazing discovery we’ve ever made!” Gretchen exclaimed excitedly.

“This is the most amazing discovery anyone’s ever made,” Ken corrected.
I wonder if it would be inappropriate to ask him to transform for us,
he thought.

“You want to see?” Justin asked.

Ken looked slightly embarrassed. “I’m so sorry, I forgot that you could read my mind. Don’t feel obligated –”

“Are you attached to these scrubs?” Justin interrupted. Gretchen and Ken both shook their heads, trying to prepare themselves for what they were about to see.

Justin closed his eyes, focusing on his bear. When he opened his eyes again, the scrubs were in tatters at his feet. Ken and Gretchen looked like little kids at Christmas, but he could feel their jittery nerves too. He didn’t blame them. He would be a little nervous if there was a wild animal in his office too.

“I suppose it would have been wise for us to ask if you maintain human consciousness as a bear. You’re not going to attack us, are you?” Ken asked, trying to make light of the situation. But Justin shook his head. “You can understand us?” And Justin nodded.

“Incredible,” Gretchen whispered. “I wonder if we could do another scan with you in your bear form. Do you think the brain composition would be much different?” she asked Ken.

“I have no idea. I’ve never seen anything like this. Would you be willing?” he asked Justin. The bear nodded. “It might be wise if we do it later tonight, when all the other technicians have gone home for the evening. They might be a little on edge if they knew there’s a bear in the lab.”

The two scientists basically just stared for another couple of minutes until Gretchen considerately offered, “I’ll go grab your clothes for you. Then we’ll leave you to change back and dress in privacy.”

As she hurried off, Justin thought about how thoroughly he was enjoying their excitement, especially because when he had looked into their minds, he could tell that they were holding back. This was the exact opposite of his experience with his disgusted ex-girlfriend last night. Pretty soon, he was alone, beginning his transformation back to his human form and realizing he was quite pleased with his decision to approach this pair for help.

CHAPTER 11

When Justin returned to the office just after lunchtime, he was greeted by a feeling of irritation. He quickly honed in on Kimber as the source and went to lean on her desk. “Is something wrong?” he asked.

“What do you think?” she replied, keeping her eyes on her computer screen.

“Are you upset that I didn’t take you to the lab with me?”

“No.”

“Then what happened?” The image of Elle’s face flashed in his mind, and he knew he was in trouble.

“Somebody stopped by to see you. She seemed to think she had a lunch date with you.”

“Elle?” Kimber’s silence served as affirmation. “Kimber, I didn’t tell her to come here. If I was planning on going behind your back to have lunch with her, don’t you think I would have met her there while I was already out to avoid any trouble with you? She’s just having a hard time accepting that we’re done. She must have thought that by showing up here unannounced, she could guilt me into going to lunch with her and then talk me into getting back together.”

“And?” she asked, finally looking at him, anger in her eyes. “If you had been here, what would have happened?”

“I would have told her to get out.” As he told the lie, he was grateful he hadn’t been here. Otherwise, he probably would have had to go with Elle to keep her fooled, and he would be telling Kimber a different story.

“Justin,” Kimber said, lowering her voice so no one else in the office would hear, “I want to believe you. I really do. But you two have been together for years, and I just don’t understand why you’re suddenly interested in me. It doesn’t make sense to me.”

“I have always cared about you, Kimber,” Justin whispered. “That part wasn’t sudden at all. I do feel like an idiot for never realizing quite how much you really mean to me. I swear, I never cared about Elle as much as I cared about you, even when we were just friends. I’ve had a change of heart.”

Tears brimmed in Kimber’s eyes as she said, “I’m afraid it will change back.”

Justin shook his head. “Never. I can promise you that.”

“This is by far the strangest MRI scan I’ve ever done,” Gretchen commented. There was a black bear on the patient table, and it wasn’t sedated at all. It held perfectly still of its own volition.

Ken was in the room with Justin, but he could hear Gretchen through the intercom. “No kidding,” he remarked.

It was slightly harder for Justin to remain calm during his second MRI of the day, only because his bear mind wasn’t used to holding still for so long. He was glad that he’d had so much practice over the years, superimposing his human thoughts on the animal’s. Sometimes, he wondered what it would feel like to transform for the first time as an adult, with an adult bear’s instincts. He wasn’t entirely sure whether he could control his impulses in that type of situation.

When the scan was over, Justin ambled into the changing room, which felt quite small for a bear, transformed, and got dressed before meeting Gretchen and Ken in the observation room. They were comparing Justin’s two scans, one as a human, one as a bear. To Justin’s untrained eye, they looked remarkably similar.

“How strange,” Gretchen murmured. “Your brain as a bear is significantly smaller, which what I would have expected. Bear brains are just smaller than human brains. But the green color shows the activity in your supramarginal gyrus. As you can see, it doesn’t change much whether you’re a human or a bear. I’m not sure whether that’s just the same hyperactivity caused by the solar storm’s electromagnetic effects that we’re seeing in other animals, or if it’s more strongly connected to your shapeshifting.”

Ken stepped in and asked, “Can you read thoughts both as a human and as a bear.”

“Yes. Though I think the ability is stronger when I’m a bear. I don’t feel like I have to focus as hard as when I’m human.”

“If we’re right about humans having defense mechanisms that protect our brains from the effects of the solar storms, he could have some of the same defense mechanisms built into his human brain,” Ken reasoned.

But Gretchen was thinking of something else. “How exactly do you transform, Justin? What do you have to do to make it happen?”

He shrugged, “I mostly just focus on what I want to become.”

“Physically? Like you envision what you’ll look like?”

“Mmm…” Justin thought for a moment. “More like how it feels to be human or bear. I remember when I was little, we lived out in a cabin in the woods for the longest time. I couldn’t control the change yet, nor the bear itself, so my parents kept me hidden away. One day, I had changed into a bear, and I was out of control, worse than usual. My mother was there, talking to me in soothing tones, trying to help me calm down and change back. I hate to admit it, but I clawed at her. Her arm was bleeding and she was crying, and somehow, my bear mind imagined how she must be feeling, how hurt and scared she must be. I changed back immediately.”

He could feel the excitement building in Gretchen before she said a word. She sorted through her thoughts for a moment before she burst. “That fits perfectly! You felt empathy for your mom! Your supramarginal gyrus was active! How old were you, six or seven?”

“Yeah.”

“Children don’t display cognitive empathy until about that age. It all makes sense!”

“But I never think about other people now,” Justin argued, hating to dampen Gretchen’s mood.

“Don’t you see? As a bear, you developed empathy for your human self, and vice versa. Your two forms are different enough that you don’t have to think of other people at all!”

It seemed ironic to Justin. Over the past ten years, he had become more and more selfish, but he had never struggled to shift. It was because he only felt empathy, if you could call it that, for himself.

“I could stay here all night, finding more tests and scans to figure all this out,” Gretchen said, “but I know you’d probably like to get home. Would you mind if we just take some blood samples before you go? We’ll get them processed tomorrow and see what we can find out.”

Justin agreed, not failing to notice that Gretchen had exhibited empathy as easily as she breathed, much like Kimber. He couldn’t remember the last time he had independently bothered to think about how someone else felt, which made him feel terrible. When Ken poked him with the needle and started to draw blood, he couldn’t help feeling as if he deserved the pain.

When Justin left the lab, he had several text messages from Elle. “Can we go to dinner tonight?” “Where are you?” After that, it was more of the same but with progressively more cursing. He sighed. He had called her after lunch to do some damage control. During the phone call he had mentioned that he had a late work meeting, and yet his high-maintenance fake girlfriend still felt the need to verbally abuse him for being busy. Normally he would have blown her off and dealt with the consequences, but right now, he had to be extra careful, so he called her, diffused the bomb, and arranged to meet her for a late dinner.

Dreading his dinner date, he called Kimber to talk as he drove to the restaurant. “Hey!” she said warmly. “How was everything at the lab?”

“It was great.” He explained some of the research team’s findings, but he made sure to leave out how they arrived at them.

“You sound so excited. I’m glad that you decided to fund this research, and I think it’s great that you’re getting more involved in it.”

“Actually, I think I’m going to continue to work with Ken and Gretchen after this. They’re pretty fantastic, and they’re so passionate about their work, it’s contagious. It’s refreshing to branch out into a different industry.”

“Well, you’ve pretty much mastered the computer software industry. I bet it’s exciting to do something new.”

“Definitely. And I have you to thank for it.”

Kimber chuckled. “You’re thanking me for guilting you into philanthropy? I feel like I wasn’t very nice about it.”

“That was exactly what I needed. You know, this is why we work so well. You see my potential, and you’re not afraid to force me in that direction. Meanwhile, I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for you, so you’re the only one who can get away with it.”

“Yeah, I’ve left work several days wondering if I would still have a job in the morning.”

“You’re just lucky that you’re such a good assistant,” Justin teased.

Laughing, Kimber said, “I guess so. Hey, what are you up to now?”

Justin could tell by the slight hesitancy in her tone that asking the question made her nervous. She probably wanted to suggest that they get together. Justin would have liked nothing more, but instead, he had to let her down and lie to her. Their relationship was off to a great start, thanks to Elle.

“I’m actually heading home, but I didn’t get much done at work today with all the time I spent at the lab, so I’ll be working pretty late. Can we plan on spending time together tomorrow after work? I’d love to take you to dinner.”

“I would love that too. Well, I hope you’re not up too late.”

“Me too. But if I am, it will be your fault.”

“What? Why?”

“Because I’ll be distracted thinking about how I’d rather be with you.”

“Oh, you’re so sweet. A little cheesy, but sweet.”

“I do what I can,” Justin said, pulling up to the restaurant where he would meet Elle. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I can’t wait.”