The Hunter's Shop

Withdrawls

Thomas's POV:

As I wake up for the next morning, I feel that my mouth is dry. Not just my mouth, but my throat feels just as dry and even feels all sharp and scratchy. As I get out of bed, I go downstairs, planning on getting breakfast. However, I see Maria by the counter. She looks up from her cleaning, looking at me while smiling.

Maria: "Seems you've finally awaken from your slumber, Thomas. Don't worry about breakfast, I went to the store and got us something to eat."

As she says that, my stomach growls loudly.

Thomas: "Thank you, Maria. I'm starving."

As I grab the biscuit wrapper, I open it and begin eating. However, I feel a pang of pain in my stomach. I figured it was because I was hungry, but as I kept eating, that pain never went away. Before I could realize, I had eaten my entire biscuit. However...

I was still hungry.

As I tried to resist the pain, Maria noticed that I was in pain.

Maria: "Are you alright, Thomas? Come, let me take you to bed."

Then, the Moon Presence appeared, noticing that I was in pain.

Moon Presence: "What's going on?"

Maria: "I don't know. Thomas was fine a few seconds ago, but now..."

I'm on the ground, clutching my stomach. What is this pain? It's searing, making me feel like a fire is under my skin!

Just then, my fingers started to become more like claws, and my skin was becoming darker, covered in fur. What is happening? I shouldn't be becoming a beast. I haven't used the beast claw yet, nor did I take a beast pellet.

Maria's POV:

As I watched Thomas's transformation, it seemed the Moon Presence realized something.

Moon Presence: "Oh no. Maria, hold him down! He's going feral!"

Maria: "W-What!?"

Moon Presence: "He hasn't used any blood vials for a while now Maria, which means he's suffering from the withdrawal!"

Just then, Thomas leaped up, his appearance resembling a beast that could only be found in the hell known as Yharnam. I then moved forward, grabbing his arm as he tried to escape.

Maria: "Thomas! No, you need to rest!"

Just then, Thomas had tried to scratch me with his claw. Before I could react, I unconsciously grabbed his arm, throwing him down to the ground and restraining him.

Maria: "T-Thomas! Calm down!"

He tried to wiggle out of my grasp, trying to bite or scratch me, trying to make me let go of him.

Moon Presence: "Knock him out! We need to contain him properly!"

I hesitated at first, but seeing Thomas in this state was not something I wanted roaming around, hurting others. I then.... Punched him, hitting the back of his head which unfortunately made him hit his head against the ground.

He was out cold. I then checked his pulse, making sure I hadn't killed him. As I did, I found that his pulse was still beating, which meant he wasn't dead. Thank goodness, however, the Moon Presence spoke up again.