This was not acceptable. Teenage angst and rebellion was a normal part of growing up and Sam had already started down that road a while ago but beating the ever living hell out of his father was a step too far even in these somewhat unusual circumstances. The damage was mounting up as well.

Constitution: 83%

Owain really couldn’t let this go on but his son was too fast and he couldn’t find a way to escape the pummelling he was receiving. He was kind of proud of Sam in a way. He’d never won any fights when he was a kid, relying on either his wit or simply avoiding his opponents but here was Sam, showing all the courage any father could hope to see in his son as the boy misguidedly fought to defend his sister.

Unfortunately the punches were hitting him faster than he could follow, especially as he found himself punch-drunk from the first few hits. Out of desperation he activated Bloodlust.

As soon as he did the fist flying into his face repeatedly went from nearly invisible to merely very fast. He felt invigorated and his right hand snapped up to grab his son under the armpit and break the hold on Owain’s neck. His left hand caught Sam’s fist before it could smash into his snout again. He fought to keep his claws sheathed in his fingertips and through sheer willpower managed to succeed.

“I know you aren’t happy about living out in the sticks, son, but this is not a healthy way to deal with your frustrations,” He snarled quietly. His lips pulling back and his fangs gleaming in the light from the doorway.

Every new instinct in Owain was screaming that this was not his son but an enemy that had attacked him and must be taught to fear the king of the jungle. He ruled supreme and he couldn’t tolerate any challenge to his authority. His mouth gaped open as an animalistic urge pushed him to rip this boy's throat out with his teeth. The gentle soul that was the core of Owain fought back. He screamed in his own mind as he resisted an atavistic impulse to end the threat and establish his dominance. He slowly closed his mouth and shoved Sam hard, throwing the boy away from him.

Sam stumbled backwards and fell, crying out as he landed on his side several metres away. Lindy pushed Claire out of the way roughly and levelled the gun once more at the thing masquerading as some sick parody of her husband. Owain watched the gun pivot to him almost in slow motion. His reactions and perception were so enhanced by Bloodlust that it seemed like the whole world had almost ground to a halt. He watched it come round and wrestled his new instincts in a different direction. Bravely running away.

He shot up from the ground just as the gun barked. His left leg took a glancing hit but nothing too bad as Bloodlust immediately began to patch him up. It still hurt like hell though. His claws caught and bit into the rafter above his head and he swivelled around to land on all fours and shot across the thin beam with feline grace despite his newest injury. He smashed into the shingling and burst out into the air outside, safe from further pellets. He tumbled as he flew but his tail flicked out and somehow his feet were under him as he landed. He took off towards the woods without breaking stride, leaving a trail of pellets that were expelled as his body healed itself.

***

“Mum! Stop trying to shoot Dad!” yelled Claire.

“Get back in the house Madam. Now.” Lindy said icily. She hurried forward and helped Sam stand.

“I’m fine Mum. I’m fine. Let’s get back inside.”

“Yes, both of you inside now. We need to have words,” The last part was said in a tone that all children know to dread.

They hurried back and Lindy locked and bolted the door behind her before rounding on her eldest children. “What the hell were you playing at Claire?”

“I’m sorry Mum. I wanted to get Ginny inside so she’d be safe.”

“So you climbed out of a window when you knew there was a monster outside and nearly got eaten. Claire, that was madness and so irresponsible! Whatever is really happening it’s clear this isn’t some fever dream. That thing is a wild animal and it’s far too dangerous to leave the house.” Lindy gave Claire a glare that could have melted steel.

“But he’s Dad! He spoke to me! He’s the same, he just looks different. Why can’t you see that?” the girl answered defiantly.

“Go to your room. No, wait. Go get Pete and go to my room, both of you. Sam, make sure they go and they stay there please? I’m going to try and secure the doors.”

“Mum, I think Claire might not be too far off from the truth,” said Sam slowly. “It could have eaten my face but it gave me a lecture and then pushed me away.”

“Enough Sam, do as I said and then come back and help me.”

As the two children headed upstairs reluctantly, she looked around the kitchen and began plotting what furniture to move where to secure the ground floor.

***

“He spoke to you. You know he’s him!” Claire accused quietly as Sam escorted her up to their parents bedroom.

“It sounded like him but I don’t know. Those teeth,” Sam shuddered remembering the moment the thing had drawn back its lips after catching his fist, the jaws mere inches from his face as he had stared at the fangs. “I’m pretty sure it nearly bit my head off. It could have done it for sure but I think it changed its mind.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“He. Not it. That’s Dad, Sam. And that’s why he didn’t chew your face off. Oh and you had just punched him in the face! A lot. You’re going to be in so much trouble! How did you move that fast anyway? You were like lightning!”

“My ability makes me better. Physically I mean and I can boost myself to be even better still. It’s- amazing if I'm honest,” the boy looked at his hands and turned them over, surprised at how his body felt and reacted now.

“So what, you’re like superman now?”

Sam rubbed his hip where it had bruised when he fell. “Nowhere close. Petey, come out mate, Mum wants you and Claire in her and Dad’s room.”

The door swung open and Pete leaned out. “Is it gone?” he asked quietly.

“Yeah we scared it off but it’s still out there so don’t get any crazy ideas about running off and hiding in one of your dens.”

“I won’t. That thing was scary. I’m not going outside till it’s gone.” the little boy said firmly.

“That thing is Dad. He’s a he not an it! Why won’t anyone listen to me?”

“Ok smarty pants, so why is Dad now a massive tiger monster, hmm?” asked Pete with the cocksure certitude of every eight year old.

“I- I don’t know but he is. He didn’t hurt Ginny and he talked to me! That proves it!” She threw up her hands and let them fall in exasperation at her older siblings.

“The giant cat monster talked to you? Have you been stealing Mum's special tea?”

“No Pete, he really did. Why won’t any of you believe me?” Claire flounced through into her parents room and threw herself onto the bed in a rage. “Get lost Sam, we’re here now so you can run along and do as you're told ok?”

Sam bit back an angry reply. It wouldn’t change anything. He pulled the door shut behind him and went downstairs to help his Mum.

***

Owain fled well into the woods before he deactivated Bloodlust.

Reserves: 47/100

He needed some time to rest and recover. His injuries had all healed up and he got a feeling running out of reserves, whatever the hell they were, would be bad. He had moved just out of sight of the house before he stopped and he glanced around for somewhere decent to hide while he waited. His cat-like eyes fell on Pete’s tree house. They had built it together three years ago and it was starting to show its age. It would do. He approached the rope ladder hanging down and tested his weight on it. It snapped off half way up and fell down around him.

He looked at the ragged end of rope in his hand and cursed. Then he decided he needed something to hold his loincloth on properly anyway and so he improvised. He sliced off a length of rope with a claw, crushed the wooden steps in his fist to break them free and wound the knotted rope around his waist to help his nappy stay on next time he had to run away from his shotgun wielding wife.

He needed to find a way to reach Lindy. To make her see that it was still him even in this body. He scaled the tree with his claws digging divots into the trunk. He went up the tree almost as fast as he could run and sat down on the platform, back pressed against the tree. Ok. The problem was Lindy had freaked out after watching him transform into a mythical beast. It must be an Indian or a Chinese myth. Werewolves, werebears, even wererabbits he could kind of see being a thing. Weresheep? Nah that’s just silly but this was Wales so it might be possible?

Before today he wouldn't have thought of the myths as a real thing of course but after the morning he had just gone through he was willing to suspend a lot of disbelief. In fact he was pretty much at the point of total suspension of belief and disbelief. This morning was hitting him hard. A weretiger was definitely not a European idea. So why did he end up with such an exotic ability? He was Welsh through and through, his family had lived in the hills for generations. It was such a weird choice.

The System had said “such a gentle soul” like it was making a joke at his expense… Was the system just kind of a dick? It gave him this power because it went against his most basic beliefs and principles? He really hoped he was wrong about that. So, how to convince his wife that he was not in fact a ravenous monster out to eat her and their children?

Talking to her hadn’t helped thus far so what other options did he have? Not very many really. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Seeing as he was now a seven foot tall half man half tiger he felt that it was a bit late to worry about boarding the crazy train but he at least could try something a little bit different this time around. As he leant his back against the tree a plan began to come together in his mind.

***

Lindy had dragged the dresser over to block off most of the door when Sam came back down. She had to protect the children, this thought over rode everything else in her mind.

“Are they in my room?” she demanded.

“Yes Mum, Claire is really not happy. She's sure that the tiger is Dad.”

“No way is that thing your father! He attacked you! It might have been him once but now it’s just a beast!”

“Mum, what’s wrong? Why are you so sure? It didn’t hurt me and I know it could have killed me if it wanted to,” his confusion was clear in his voice.

“I- I can’t explain but trust me, I know I’m right. You’re strong now. Stronger than you were?”

“Yeah, a lot stronger. You can shape stone or so you said. Why aren’t you using your ability?”

Lindy paused for a moment. That was a very good question. Their house was an old barn that had been converted into a home. It had one foot thick stone walls that kept it cool in the summer and helped insulate it in the winter. She focused on the wall next to the window to her left and understood how to use her ability like she’d been born with it. Bars of stone an inch thick flowed out and formed a grid across the window.

“Right, you go block the back door off with some furniture. I’m going to start putting bars on all the windows.”

“But Mum…” Sam was absolutely sure there was not a hint of whine in his voice as he said it but he still felt like he was six years old again.

“Enough. It’s not your father. And even if it is, the kindest thing would be to put him out of that misery. Can you imagine being warped into an animal like that? Trapped in your own body, a danger to those you loved?”

“I don’t think he is a danger-”

“Go. Now. Do as you’re told Sam, please.”

Lindy ran from window to window growing stone bars across the gaps. She had to protect her children. Had to keep them safe. She heard Sam lugging the settee and wedging it against the back door. She had just finished the kitchen windows and was about to move on to the living room when the singing started.

“Don’t stop! Believing! Hold on to that feeelliiinnnnggnngg! Street light! People! ooohhhOOOhHHHoooHH!”