I Wish...

16

I started the process of imagining what I wanted to become. Owls... big eyes, rotating head, talons, large wings, and a beak. My body began the metamorphosis; reconstructing my entire body to become what I had visualized only moments ago. Once again, the pain spread throughout my entire body and stopped just as suddenly as it had started.

I could see much better instantly, but my vision was now in black and white. I didn't know owl legs were this long, but it doesn't matter much, I won't be using them. I gathered my clothes that were now draped haphazardly upon the branches with one foot. Then... I jumped and my wings caught the air as I spread them. Flapping my wings, I drifted down towards the window of my room.

Unexpectedly, I heard a screech from behind me. "You owl vermin, what are ye doin' near Little Red's home?!" Turot's voice screeched. I whipped around to face him, "Turot... It's me, not some random owl!" He swooped down towards me and glared, inspecting me again. "Yer right, ye don't have that dangerous glint in yer gaze and that narcissistic attitude," he concluded. I replied with silence and opened the window with my beak.

As we hopped inside I flew to my door and pushed it closed, then I flew to my bed and dropped my clothes onto the pillow. It was time to transform back into my original shape. I wiggled under the blanket and started the usual process. It seemed each time I transformed it got less and less painful. I snatched the clothes on the pillow and quickly dressed beneath the covers. Turot perched atop my dresser seemingly amazed by the transformation.

"Does it hurt? What's it like?" he questioned as he cocked his head to one side and hopped curiously on the dresser. I stared back, "Yeah, it hurts. It's like... getting wrapped with a blanket of something... or more like becoming one with something?" He stared back confused, "Sounds a bit complicated, Red." I grinned at him, "It does, doesn't it?" It was... a strange feeling whenever I changed. It was like merging with something deep within me.

It always urged me to do something like eat worms or rats. Ew. It was probably the instincts of the animals, but that's gross. I don't want to eat rats and worms or dog kibble. Turot scampered over and got comfortable on the bed. "Nice place you have here...," he started. I glanced at him, "Uh-huh." "Surely you wouldn't mind if I... maybe... stayed with you?"

...what? "Turot, I love you and all, but why do you want to stay here? Don't you have a family and a flock to return to?" I sighed. He shifted uncomfortably, "I do, but none of 'em like me cause I'm too comfortable with humans and I always try to eat everythin'."