I stare at my box of gear. I had recently told my parents that I was a therian, and boy did they not like it. They forced me to take my gear and throw it out and then they are going to make sure I have nothing related to it. They seem to be doing anything to make me forget it. I hesitate at the trashcan then look out into the woods. I look back at the house to make sure no one was watching, then i dart into the woods. I keep walking with my gear until i reach a rocky overhang next to a fallen tree. I scan the woods for my shovel and spot the handle gleaming under some leaves. i grab the shovel and dig a shallow hole, then shove my box of gear in and burry it. I bite my lip, trying to think of a way to remember where it was. I pull out my phone and snap a photo, then edit it to say gear with an arrow pointing to where i buried it. I nod and run back into the house, looking at my feet. Mom looks up from the kitchen counter. She eyes my muddy shoes and pants. "Why are you so dirty?'' I swallow hard. "I... I fell." Mom frowns and says, "Well Clara, thankyou for throwing out that ridicules gear." I flinch at my birth name and nod quietly, walking to my room. I hated my birth name, I had a chosen name (Casey) for a reason. I was non-binary, and my Dad hated that too. My Mom wasn't a fan, but she let me get the pride flag for my room. Which my Dad ripped up and used as a rag when my little brother had an accident. I lay down on my bed and open my phone and text my best friend. 'Hey Raven.' i text. Raven: 'Hey Casey!' Me: 'My Mom made me throw out all my gear.' Raven; 'what! really?' me: 'Yeah, but i buried it in the woods in stead.' My Dad suddenly barged in and i quickly deleted the last message. He held out his hand and I sighed, handing him my phone. He clicked something and handed it back, and it showed Raven's number was deleted. Just then, I had a phantom shift. My phantom ears flattened as I looked at my father. "No talking to that therian girl." he said flatly before slamming the door. I sighed and looked at my phone, wishing I knew her number by heart. This would be a long summer.
