FSE

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Changes We Make

Chapter Ten

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

1st October, 2021

All Rights Reserved.

Nicole screamed, collapsing to the ground as her fur began to ripple and muscles twitched helplessly. Bones began to crack and reshape, as Jasmine screamed and backed away, watching in horror. Fur began to melt like wax from Nicoles feet that turned pale. In agony, Nicole writhed and screamed until she was out of breath and just screamed silently.

Long feet bones snapped and reformed, forming pale human like feet, leg muscles twisted and reshaped themselves, fur melted away like hot wax, revealing the milk white human skin. Quicker and quicker, the transformation spread across Nicole's body, as she writhed helplessly.

As quickly as it could, the Therian pushed the transformation from feral-like body to human, fearing that Nicole wouldn't survive, as the process was horrific and agonising.

Nicole was caught between half human and half feral-like appearance, as the Therian struggled within her to complete the change. This was the hardest and most feared part, being trapped between one form and another. A body was caught between the two forms, something that was unnatural and incredibly stressful. Even some Therian's died from the shock and stress induced by the forced change, more so if it was their first...

Fight, please! Come the terrified voice of the Therian in Nicole's mind. I need your strength to push through this.

Nicole convulsed and shrieked, her body neither human nor kangaroo, the agony building and tearing at her physically and mentally.

Fight, you useless human, fight like you fought me! Now, do it, or we'll both die here and now...

Nicole screamed until it felt her throat was torn to shreds, but she lashed out at the Therian, fuelling all her hate and fear and anger into its presence.

As Jessica watched, sickened and horrified, the transformation abruptly accelerated and in ten minutes, Nicole's naked and sweat soaked body lay curled up in the fetal position on the floor as she sobbed and shuddered.

“Nicole...” Come Jennifer's weak moan, as she stared from across the room. “How...”

Nicole struggled, barely able to move a single finger, as the searing pain still shot through muscles, tendons and even down to her very cells, or so it thought.

I'm sorry, Come the thoughts of the Therian. I know how much that hurt, believe me, I feel what you feel, but I had to do it. Now, I know you are in a terrible condition, but I got to get us to safety...get up...

Nicole felt her arms twitch, then move as they slid across the carpet and pushed against it, forcing her upper body up off the carpet. It was excruciating, as muscles twitched and twisted, still aching from the pain of the forced transformation.

I need a... a phone, something, I know people who can help us, they will get us to safety!

“Ph...phone...” Nicole's tight vocal cords gurgled.

“You...” Jennifer stared.

NOW, I don't have time to argue with her, tell her to get it now!

Nicole gingerly touched her throat, then looked intently at Jennifer.

“Alright, alright, I'm going...”

“Hur...” Nicole rasped. “Hurry...please.”

Impatiently, the Therian's presence tried to remain calm, until at last Jennifer returned. Taking semi-control over Nicole, it snatched the phone from her hand and stared at it, before punching in a number.

What are you doing? Who are you... Nicole demanded of it.

Trust me...please?

A very brief conversation ensued between the Therian and someone on the other end, before it clicked off the call and promptly tore the sim card from the phone and snapped the phone in half, throwing the pieces either side of the room.

“Hey! That was an expensive...” Jennifer moaned.

I don't care, now! Tell her, we got to get out of here, now! Let me...I know where to go, they will meet us there and...

Frustrated, the Therian exerted its control over Nicole's weak, exhausted and aching body and stumbled towards the front door.

“Wait...where, what's going on...”

“No...time, take joey...” Come Nicole's voice, as she slapped a palm against the wall to try and support herself. “Got to...leave now!”

“I can't just...”

“You...stay... they will kill you, now, go!”

Tearfully, Jennifer grabbed the frightened joey, shoving her into the makeshift pouch and ran after Nicole, who obviously, wasn't in full control anymore.

*

Weakly, the Therian who controlled Nicole, gestured which road to take, where to turn, and so on. Within an hour, they were hopelessly lost – or so Jennifer thought as at last, the Therian held up Nicole's hand and told her to stop.

“Where...”

“No... talk to them...” Come the Therian's voice, as it opened the door and slipped out.

“What the hell is going on...” Jennifer murmured.

Stepping from the car, the makeshift pouch slung over a shoulder, Jennifer barely closed the door when she heard the clicks of rifle bolts being racked. Ten humans, armed with bolt action rifles, seemingly materialised out of the woods and every one of them held their rifles trained on both Nicole and Jessica.

“Don't even twitch - “ One spoke.

Nervously, Jennifer raised her hands above her head, her face going as white as the car she stood next too.

Stepping forwards, he kept a wary eye on the two humans, his gaze flicking to the pouch then back at them.

“You are she?” He asked, addressing Nicole.

Nicole nodded. “I am she.”

Turning to Jennifer, the human walked closer, but stayed out of range – even though he could see Jennifer was unarmed.

“Human...” Nicole spoke to him. “I...”

I'm not going to survive... Jennifer's mind reeled. They must be Therian's, the ones it called and...

“Can we trust you? You'll be tested human, watched constantly, and may the Gods grant your spirit mercy, if you try anything...”

Another one approached and stepped behind her, quickly binding Jennifer's wrists and slipping a black bag over her head, blinding her. Jennifer bravely kept her fears suppressed, but she couldn't help but feel the icy cold tremble that ran down her spine.

“Move...” Come the other voice, as Jennifer was pushed forwards.

Blind, bound and confused, Jennifer found herself pushed and pulled until they dragged her to a halt and turned her around.

“Back three paces, then sit down. You'll have to slide yourself in...now.”

Obediently, Jennifer did as she was told, feeling cold metal beneath her, then the clunk thud of what sounded like van doors being closed. Quietly, the Joey cried out in fright, but there was nothing Jennifer could do to ease the little ones fears.

*

After an indeterminate time, the van finally come to a stop and the doors were opened.

“Slide yourself forward...” Come the masculine voice.

Fearing for her life, Jennifer did as she was told, then felt hands grab her by the upper arms and march her into a...a shed? A large barn? Jennifer couldn't tell.

“Halt here.”

Jennifer stumbled as she was abruptly brought to a stand.

“Please, I don't want to die, I just...”

Jennifer squealed, as the hood was pulled off her head and she took in the scene before her.

Six people, male and female, sat before her in a semi-circle behind a rough wooden table.

“We would have words with you,” Spoke an old woman, seemingly in charge. “I am...my name is unimportant, you need not know that, at this stage. Now, you are human...”

Oh my god...are they... Jennifer's mind reeled.

Raising an eyebrow, the old woman nodded, almost as if she was reading Jennifer's thoughts.

“Your assumption is correct child, we are indeed Therian's – I regret the circumstances that brought you before us, yet you understand, our secrecy and natures are our closest guarded secrets. You have met those who wish our kind harm... and you have faced off against the - “

Her voice trailed off and she shook her head.

“Be thankful, your friend was strong, cunning and held no malice or ill intent within her. We can not apologise for that which happened to you, as we ourselves did not do it. As Therian's, we are taught when we first reach adolescence, how to fight the darkness within us – how to suppress it and overcome it. Your friend surprised us – as many who are either intentionally, or accidentally turned... you've seen that which they become.”

Nicole was brought forwards, her hands bound with thick leather straps behind her and her ankles likewise fettered.

“This is your friend, the one who through – some misfortune – was turned, yes?”

“Yes, she is my employer, my friend, Nicole.” Jennifer whispered.

“We can sense the beast within her – yet it... interesting, she has somehow forced its submission and...”

Nicole trembled, her eyes narrowing as the Therian become anxious and angry.

“Calm yourself beast,” Snapped the old woman. “We know what you are, you know what we are – and we are more than capable of ending your existence before you even think about trying to fight...”

“Calm yourself - “ Come the savage growl from Nicole, the anger of the Therian threatening to boil over.

With a strange voice, the elder snarled something in a language Jennifer had never heard and rose to her feet, placing her splayed fingers on the table.

“Be silent beast, we would converse with your host, not you!”

As the Therian tried to speak, it suddenly found itself incapable, almost as if somehow, the Elder had somehow squelched its ability to speak.

“I address the host, known as Nicole,” Spoke the Elder. “Child, speak of the incident that caused your unfortunate encounter and speak truth, for we will know if you try to lie to us.”

Nicole felt tears welling in her eyes, as she hung her head and told them everything that had happened that fateful night. They listened silently, their faces impassive and watchful, as Nicole explained everything. When she was finished, Nicole was in tears and shaking.

“Wish we could undo that which was done child,” Spoke the Elder sadly and with remorse. “Alas, we can not – once a human has been turned, there is but two options available to them. One, they take their own life, or someone does it for them – as if they do not, then often, they will fall to the darkness and then one of us will hunt that beast down and end its suffering. Otherwise, if intentionally turned – as some are at a special ritual, once a year... We guide and help the new one to learn to adapt and embrace their new identity, forming a bond of sorts between their human selves and the Therian that co-exists within them.”

“I was careless, I did not know that which I operated upon – in part, through my own foolish actions, I become contaminated with the Therian blood. I tried so hard to save her life, thinking she was a feral kangaroo...”

“Indeed, it was an accident, for which you openly admit your own negligence – but also, it shows strength and compassion, to try to save a life is a noble thing, for which we commend you.”

Nicole sniffled and shuddered.

“What will happen to me? I've lost everything! My home, my work, everything has been taken from me... I've been hunted by those I did not ever cause harm...”

Angry murmurs come from many of the others behind the table, the Elder holding up a liver spotted hand until they silenced.

“We know of those – those who hunt and murder our kind, and have done such for time immemorial. Be at peace child, they know not of this location, which in and of itself, is a temporary thing. It is here, your fate and that of your human friend will be decided this night.”

Nicole trembled again, fearing their judgement upon her, and worse, the judgement that'd be handed down upon Nicole.

To Be Continued...