41 - 17/18 - Inexplicable

Four were down. I turned on my father. He reached for the Dracon holstered on his hip.
His hand was on it. His eyes were on me.

One leap and I'd have him. One leap, and I could take him out.

My dad.

He lifted the beam from his belt. Started to bring it up.

One leap . . .

Take down my father?

WHAM!

From behind! A brutal blow. My head exploded. My legs, crumpling beneath me. And my vision . . .
Red, then black.

(...)

Slowly, very slowly, unconsciousness gave way to the numb daze of waking up.

My limbs were heavy. Utter exhaustion made me happy to be lying down. Don't move. Don't even open your eyes. Back to sleep. Yeah . . . go back to sleep, Jake.

Then suddenly, I remembered. Panic knotted my stomach. I was back in human form!

How did I demorph?

Hideous red light reflected off a cool, smooth floor. It burned my eyes. Bare, seamless walls. A large room. And I was sprawled near the exit. A door frame with no door. I could go . . .

I staggered to my feet, scanned the hall outside for guards. No one. This was it. My lucky break. I rushed forward.