When I knew she wasn't watching, I went over to the window and pushed it open. We were on the first floor, and there were hedges along the edge of the building. It was perfect.

I hid down between foliage and concrete as I stripped down to my morphing suit. I folded up my clothes and made sure they wouldn't be found in the next ten minutes.

Then I morphed.

I focused on the osprey inside me, and felt the changes start up. I morphed as quickly as I could manage. I felt the bird's instincts bubble up underneath my conscious mind. This was an easy morph. I had done it often enough that I didn't need to fight the instincts back to keep control.

I used my new, keen ears to listen to the inside of the library. I could hear the buzzing of the fluorescents as loudly as if they were a mack truck. What I didn't hear was "Where's Cassie?" or "What's she doing outside turning into animals?"

When I was sure it was safe, I hopped up onto the window sill and looked around. Everything looked different as an osprey. I could see the tiny hairs on Maria's arms. I could see every tiny wrinkle the librarian tried to hide with cold cream and foundation. I could even see the house fly buzzing about the room.

I quickly joined him. I let out a loud screech as I flapped just inches below the brilliantly bright lights. I hoped Maria took the hint!