by S Bolanos
Ten feet away, a Labrador gave up barking and lowered his head in a threatening growl. He advanced slowly, head hung low, teeth flashing. Behind him emerged the people I’d been trying to avoid. The dog’s growl deepened. A part of my brain demanded me to growl back. I ignored the signal as my focus darted between the dangers.
“Buster, what is it?” a woman asked, then screamed as her gaze fell on me.
Immediately a man ran to her side. “What is it?”
“What is that!” she shrieked. Buster took another step closer.
My feet finally obeyed my desperate plea to move. I spun and bolted down the wide, empty street. Buster’s furious barks and the people’s screams chased me as I raced past house after house. The burning in my lungs returned as the bright light of day faded to dusk. Shadows stretched along the ground tripping my tired feet. Through the fog of exhaustion, I realized that silence dominated the world around me.
I stumbled to a jerky halt, dead on my feet. All around me lay close-cropped grass and expertly cultivated trees. Nose in the air, I walked in a slow circle. No sense of danger sprung to the forefront, but something crystal and pure did—water. Saliva flooded my mouth at the promise. Safe in the knowledge that I was alone, or at least not in any immediate danger, I took a step towards the source and found no purchase.
Paws skidded out in front of me as I went careening forward and down head over tail. Rocks smashed into my ribs, legs, and shoulders as I bounced down the incline. Each painful thump let loose a fresh shower of dirt and small stones that rained down on me when I finally landed in a splayed heap at the bottom.
Bruised and aching, I stumbled over to the pond, the only consolation to my relentless bad luck. Tendrils of mist curled off the placid water, my fuzzy reflection barely visible in the dim light. I hung my head and debris slipped free of my fur to land in hollow plinks that created tiny ripples in the otherwise smooth water. Before I could second guess myself, I plunged my head into the icy cold. The wet shock slithered past the protective layer of hair to freeze along my scalp. With a gasp, I yanked free in a spectacular spay of water.
Note to self: water in your ears bad in any reality.
I gave my head a thorough shake that spread down my spine and up my tail. The move took with it the last of the silt and the last of my energy. Beyond exhausted, I collapsed at the edge of the pool not even caring enough to seek shelter.
6
A Familiar Face
A persistent honking that would not be ignored threaded through my sleep. I cracked heavy lids to glare at my possessed alarm and instead found a gaggle of geese holding what appeared to be a morning meeting.
Oh, right. This.
Grumbling to myself, I shifted slightly and lapped at the water. The small movement effectively startled the group into alarmed chaos. A handful took flight in a flurry of gray feathers. The vast majority however, proceeded to honk in rapid stream as if they’d been personally insulted by my audacity to move.
I remained still, less than eager to give them a reason to attack. Gradually, they returned to their waddling and chatting, and a few brave ones even dared to swim within reach to investigate. Once they all seemed sufficiently satisfied that I intended no harm, I got up and glanced around.
The little pond stretched twenty feet across, surrounded by green grass that defied the season. Another thirty feet past that stood a ring of trees encircling the area on three sides. The last side, the one behind me, rose up in a steep incline.
I eyed the hill that had almost killed me the night before. Rather than dwell on the improbability of surviving the nearly sixty-degree incline virtually unscathed, I ventured out to explore the small clearing.
Far as I could tell, nothing about my predicament had changed. I was alone, lost, and—judging by the geese’s reactions—not dreaming.
The sun set while I contemplated what to do next. Despite the encroaching dark, however, sleep eluded me. As I lay there, my ears swiveled to catch each new sound. Small splashes of tiny things entering and exiting the pond. The slight rustle of dry leaves as a breeze stirred the distant canopy. A faint humming in the distance too indistinct to be of any real concern.
My ear twitched as the same breeze reached down to tickle it, then resumed its incessant swivel. I rested my head on my paws and stared out across the serene water. The geese had long since settled for the evening and the moon rose to sit fat and heavy in the sky. I rolled onto my back and stared up at stars that were at once brighter and duller.
Light pollution. I can see light pollution.
That was nearly as depressing as inexplicably being turned into an animal with no hope of turning back.
Hours later, the only thing that had changed was the stars gave way to a cloudless day. The hollowness of my stomach emphasized a hunger I’d never experienced before. I eyed the geese warily, but before I could decide if I was up to the task, a branch snapped. I tilted my head, ears swiveling to inspect the source of the noise.
People?
It was possible, though I was torn whether that was a good thing or not. I took a deep whiff of the late morning air as the breeze shifted and adrenaline rocketed through every nerve ending. I scrambled to my feet while I scoured the tree line for the source of my sudden, inexplicable anxiety. Details leapt into focus, clear as if seen through binoculars, but nothing out of the ordinary stood out. Then my gaze caught on movement and I froze.
A massive wolf strode towards the pond from the edge of the wood. The mottled gray and brown of his coat helped him to blend in as he slunk closer, intently sniffing the ground.
I fought the primal impulse to bolt while crippling fear clawed at my insides. Shaking overtook my body as I stood rooted to the spot. The wolf was lean and distinctly larger than myself. It glided across the lawn towards the water’s edge with a grace that contradicted its size. The geese panicked when they finally noticed the wolf’s approach and took flight in a cacophony of wings and honks. The wolf snapped at one that flew too close. The sharp clack of its teeth as it missed ricocheted in the small oasis.
No amount of logic could hold back the tide of liquid fear that instantly fueled my limbs. Instinct took over with a vengeance and propelled me forward. In a heartbeat, I’d crossed the clearing and was crashing haphazardly through the underbrush with little care to how much noise I was making.
A growl sounded behind me and my panic took on new heights. I surged forward. Scattered trees merged into a crowded forest. Low-hanging branches whipped across my face. Thorns snagged on my fur. Dried leaves and twigs crunched beneath my feet while the echoing crash of the wolf behind me urged me on faster.
Time slipped by in a haze until I blinked to find that the sky was bleeding magenta and orange. I slowed, my sides heaving as I panted for breath, the sounds of pursuit having faded at some point.
A sharp howl rose up over the trees. My body instinctively lurched forward. In defiance of my overwhelming exhaustion, I picked up speed and resumed crashing through the underbrush once again. Abruptly, the trees gave way and the leaf-riddled ground morphed into unforgiving asphalt. My nails scraped across the black tar, carrying me further onto the road despite my desperate attempts to turn around.
My body obeyed the command to stop just in time to be bathed in the twin yellow glow of headlights. The blare of a horn accompanied an ungodly screech of tires.
Stars burst behind my eyes as the bright yellow jeep slammed into my frozen body and sent me skidding across the asphalt. Despite the nauseating pain radiating across my left side, I attempted to stand. A whimper of hopelessness escaped me as I crashed back to the unforgiving ground.
Not safe. Have to keep moving.
My ears strained to hear the howl of inevitable pursuit, but there was only ringing. I shook my head and groaned. With a level of determination I didn’t know I possessed, I attempted to stand again. I pulled my front right leg in to take the weight and pushed up, but my paw found no purchase on the slick ground and I crumpl
ed back down with an agonized whine.
“Oh shit,” a deep voice said above me.
I rolled my eyes in pursuit of its owner, but couldn’t make out much more than a dark silhouette against the backdrop of lights.
“Okay. I can fix this. Sweet moon, you came out of nowhere. What are you doing all the way up here?”
My eyelids fluttered and gray encroached on the yellow. The ringing in my ears faded to be replaced with a rushing sound that muffled the man’s footsteps as he approached me. A paw twitched as my body tried unsuccessfully to run once more. But I had nothing left. My entire left side was officially numb and whatever strength had powered me before had fled.
The man crouched down making soft shushing noises that blended with the ringing. He reached out a hand and I whimpered again. “Shh, shh, you’re going to be alright.”
I wanted so much to believe that, but if the last couple days had taught me anything, it was that I was far from alright. I was lost, injured, being chased by a nightmare. Despair threatened to crush what was left of me into dust, then his voice came again.
“I want to check you for injuries before I pick you up,” he said as he reached out. “Please don’t bite me.”
I closed my eyes in anticipation of the pain that would likely erupt the moment pressure was put on my ribs. Yet when his hand came down, it was on my head and it was so gentle, I almost didn’t feel it.
“I’m so sorry. If you’ll let me, I’d like to help,” he said, his voice soft and sincere as he brushed a thumb across my cheek.
I wanted to respond, to agree, to desperately accept the help so kindly being offered. All that came out though was a whimper followed by another and another until my aching side was heaving with them. My mind was numb with over-saturation of fear, body beaten and abused past its limits.
An extreme sense of deja vu pierced the fog dulling my senses as I was lifted straight into the air. I blinked my eyes back open, not sure when they’d closed. Where I expected to see flashing red and blue lights however, there was only a steady yellow getting brighter with each jolting step. My head rolled to the side and immediately met resistance. The deep smell of the woods wrapped around me like a cloak. I drank up the scent of home and let it carry my mind away from the pain.
My dad led me through the woods, pointing out maples and magpies as we ventured deeper into the forest. School had let out early and I’d gotten almost perfect grades. As a reward, we were headed to his favorite place: the lake at the heart of the forest. There, Tom would be waiting for us, probably with a picnic basket full of treats. And if I was lucky, we’d stay out late, swimming until I was so tired I had to be carried home.
The sound of an engine roaring to life shattered the peaceful image. I opened my eyes once more to find myself in a car wrapped in a jacket. A cautious glance over showed my rescuer in the seat beside me. From my current angle it was nearly impossible to discern his features. I gave up trying and settled back down. Outside my bubble, the world rushed by unconcerned. Lights blurred past in streaks of red, green, and yellow.
I sighed heavily, regaining the attention of the driver.
“We’re almost there, I promise.”
True to his word, mere minutes later the soft squeak of brakes filled the air and we came to a stop. He unbuckled and walked around to my side of the car. For a brief moment, the headlights illuminated him, but they dimmed before I could make out much more than wide shoulders and dark hair. Then he was standing by my door, once again backlit by another light and reaching towards me through the open cabin.
I flinched away from the touch and let out a small whine.
“Okay,” he said, taking a step back, both of his hands raised so I could clearly see them. “In your own time.” He took another step backwards and the glow from the porch touched him. Even in the dim light, I could make out brown eyes to match equally dark hair, a square jaw and an open face.
I know you...
Michael?
I sat upright, not sure if I trusted what my eyes were telling me. Given my last thirty-six hours and the fact that I’d been hit by a truck, it wouldn’t be wholly outside the realm of possibility that they were starting to play tricks on me.
“No need to rush. I’m not going anywhere.”
Contrary to his words, he stepped towards the house and didn’t stop until he reached the door. The key clicked in the lock, then the red door swung open. He leaned inside and flicked a switch all while remaining in view. Instantly, a warm glow emanated from the previously dark recesses of the home. Then he calmly walked back to his previous position in the middle of the front yard, leaving me a clear path to the door.
I glanced from him to the standard Craftsman and back again.
“You must be tired and we really should get you cleaned up. Maybe something to eat?”
At the mention of food, my ears perked up.
Do I trust this?
Given my recent misfortunes, that was a decided no. But could I afford not to? I was bone-weary, hopelessly lost, and couldn’t even remember the last thing I’d eaten. Another glance at the open door and the safety it promised decided me.
The coat fell to the floorboards as I stood up. I looked over the door to gauge the distance to the ground. While standing had barely triggered a twinge in my side, I seriously doubted that a four-foot leap would be as forgiving. A glance up at Michael showed that he’d yet to move. I shifted from foot to foot as I considered the drop again.
I can do this.
My front paws landed with a muted thud quickly followed by my rear ones. A minuscule spasm twisted my side, but nothing more. I stood for a minute totally dumbfounded at the lack of body-wracking pain. Then my state of exposure registered. I eyed Michael as I warily made my way past him towards the inviting door. To my surprise, he stayed put, allowing me to pass unhindered.
Once at the threshold, I hesitated. Inside was warmth, food, and safety. But inside, I couldn’t run. If something happened, there would be nowhere to go. And to top it all off, this wasn’t just anyone’s home, it was Michael’s, a man I hardly knew.
Don’t be such a wuss. You have teeth and claws now. You can either go inside and probably be safe or take your chances out here where you’ll definitely starve.
I took a deep breath, picked up my tattered courage, and stepped into the glow.
I can do this. I'm fine.
Lifting a trembling paw, I set one foot inside, then the other. The first thing I noticed about Michael's house was the scent. Strong wafts of pine and ash hit me, followed by the woodsy scent that I’d picked up on before, interwoven with the subtle undertones of musk and body wash.
Taking a deeper step into the house, I glanced around. At the far side, a large glass sliding door offered a view of the backyard. To the left of it, the kitchen opened up, dominated by a large peninsula that was probably great for entertaining. Big windows with views of the side yard covered the wall to my far left, and on the wall immediately to my right was the fireplace and sitting area. Feeling a bit safer, I stepped all the way inside.
That's when Michael shut the door behind me. Every instinct I had rebelled at being confined with nowhere to go. I spun to approach the door and let myself out, then I remembered I had no thumbs to open it anyway. I peered around, my pulse fluttering like a hummingbird’s wings.
I glanced around the room again, only to find the walls were much closer than they’d seemed only a few moments ago. Even the ceiling felt like it might drop on my head at any moment. Everything closed tighter around me. My lungs fought against the pressure, straining through the panic for my next breath.
I stood in the entryway and trembled.
“Whoa there, it’s okay.” He walked closer. “You’re safe here.”
Safe? I didn’t feel safe. Michael reached out as if to restrain me. I wrenched away, my nails clicking and sliding on the hardwood floors as I scrambled to move out of reach. My back pressing against the couch in the middle of the room br
ought me up short. I whined my distress as my eyes continued to roll, searching for an escape that wasn’t there.
Michael let out a sigh and took a step towards me. I stiffened and he stopped. His shoulders slumped and he ran a hand over his face. “I’m not going to hurt you, but I don’t expect you to believe me. Not after what you’ve been through.”
Like hitting me with your car?
The angry thought did its job in grounding me. My claustrophobia took a back seat while I glared at him.
“You have no idea how sorry I am and I’m going to do everything I can to help. But first, I need to get out of these clothes. The blood smell is starting to get to me.” It wasn’t until he pointed it out that I realized that almost the entire front of his blue tee was covered with red blood, there was even some on his jeans.
Is that mine?
“We should probably get you cleaned up too, but one thing at a time. You wait here, I’ll be right back.” Without another word, he turned on his heel and made his way down a short hallway to my left. His form continued to recede until it disappeared into a room at the far end. The moment he was out of sight, I found my footing and booked it to the back door.
Beyond the glass, the sky was stained a deep purple. I made out the shadows of trees looming in the darkness as if the forest itself had declared war on his backyard. I swallowed and took a step back to inspect the handle. Like my own, there was no way to open it without thumbs.
I hung my head and sat heavily on the floor. Inside the house was almost perfectly quiet, but so close to the door, I could hear the soft sounds of night coming to life. An owl hooted, cars passed on the street, the wind whistled softly through the exposed rafters.
A stronger breeze rustled the trees and sent shadows darting around the yard. My heart skipped, convinced that the inky patches belonged to the monster hunting me. Even though my mind knew better, I backed away from the scene and went in search of my other would-be-killer. Along the way, I discovered a guest room and bath to match, then finally the main bedroom. Which was where I found Michael doing exactly as he said he would—changing.