The Transformation

  October 25, 2023 - Tonight I had dinner with Jenna at our favorite Chinese restaurant. After indulging in too many glasses of wine, I nearly divulged my secret. It’s hard to disguise my conflicting emotions from my best friend. We have been through so much together. Jenna visited the hospital every day when I was in a car accident. I share everything with my best friend. Well, almost everything. 

  Halloween is in six days, and my transformation has begun. My ears are now pointed, fur lined, and sensitive to even the slightest of sounds. While my hair is long enough to hide this change, I am worried it won’t be so easy to conceal other changes in my appearance. Money is tight and I need to continue working as long as possible before I take my leave of absence.  

  October 26, 2023 - I had coffee with Will this morning. He greeted me with a bouquet of daisies! Each time we are together, I fall deeper in love. We never run out of things to discuss, since we have so much in common. He walked me to work and when we said goodbye, my chest tightened. Would Will accept me if he found out about my yearly transformation? Does he love me unconditionally?

  Halloween is in five days, and today I woke up with a fine layer of fur covering both my chest and back. It is downy soft and I can’t stop running my fingers over it. 

  I am worried about all the changes that will occur in the upcoming days. My parents have assured me the transformation will be painless, but I am apprehensive. How can a total body transformation not involve discomfort? 

  October 27, 2023 - Today was awful. I met my parents for lunch, and the restaurant was so busy it took forty-five minutes for our food to arrive. I had to get a to-go box and head back to work. At 3:00 p.m. I finally took a bite of food, only to be interrupted by my boss with a new assignment. I reminded him I was taking a leave of absence and he walked away, red faced, and mumbling something unintelligible under his breath. 

  Halloween is in four days. Today I woke to find my nails growing long and sharp. I filed the ends down before I left for work, but by mid-morning, I had to do it again. Tomorrow I start my leave of absence. I can no longer hide my changing form. 

  Sometimes I wish I didn’t have to disguise my transformation. It would be nice to be accepted for who I am. 

  October 28, 2023 - My parents stopped by to check on me today. This is my first transformation, and they want to make sure everything is going smoothly. In our family, these changes begin at age twenty-one. I will complete my transition on Halloween day and revert to human form on November 1, 2023. In celebration, I received my family insignia ring. I am thrilled!

  Halloween is in three days. Today I woke to find my arms and legs covered in a layer of thick black fur. I keep admiring all the changes in my full-length mirror. I wish I could share my secret with Jenna and Will.

  October 29, 2023 - Jenna stopped by my apartment this afternoon. I forgot I gave her a key! Although I tried to hide, she saw me immediately. At first, my sharp claws and black fur shocked her. Eyes wide and hands trembling, she tried to run back out the door. When I called after her, she stopped. I told her everything, including my family history and all that my transition entails. Jenna took a shaky breath. “I am here for you and I love you.”

  My tears fell instantly. How did I get so lucky? 

  Halloween is in two days. Overnight, my physique has become well defined and muscular. My strength is astounding. I ran through the field near my apartment before dawn this morning and my speed was shocking. The hunt on Halloween should be a success. Long ago, our family hunted humans. This caused a lot of conflict and sorrow. Many of us were friends with or even married to a human. We have found deer to be the perfect replacement. 

  October 30, 2023 - Will called early this morning and insisted we needed to speak in person. I told him I was not feeling well, but he was adamant. Although I was uneasy, I agreed. If we were going to continue our relationship, he needed to know the truth about my identity.

  At 10 a.m. Will arrived. I took a deep breath and opened the door. Gray fur covered his muscular frame, his ears were pointed, and his nails were razor sharp! I was stunned! This was his second transformation, and he sensed we were similar. We agreed to hunt together on Halloween. I can’t wait!

  Halloween is tomorrow. My fingers and toes have lengthened and grown thicker. The changes in my body are almost complete and I am fortunate to have family and friends who love me for who I am.

  October 31, 2023 - The moon still hung in the sky when I woke this morning. I stared at myself in the mirror. Black fur covered my face and head, while my arms and legs had grown in length. I had completed my transformation, and I was ready for tonight.    

  Jenna stopped by my apartment to wish me a Happy Halloween. She was in awe of my long muzzle and enormous pointed teeth. At seven feet tall, I towered over her. But she sat by my side and we visited for over an hour. 

  As the evening approached, my parents and Will arrived. After sunset, we made our way deep into the forest. The night air was brisk and dry leaves rustled under our long claws. Dark clouds drifted overhead and a heavy mist blanketed the ground. I let out a guttural howl and sped into the black night.