Water's Reflection or Hero's Guilt

Chapter Twenty-Eight

          June lived in Hell.

          Unable to interact with the world, she couldn’t but watch helplessly as Maldafa controlled her body, lived her life. The Hell Mr. Evangely had prepared for Terrance had come true to June. She had long stopped pleading with the demon, knowing that it helped her none. Maldafa liked it even—she enjoyed making June suffer. She was defenseless against the creature’s torment.

          At night, June could not sleep. No longer the master of her own body, sleep would not come to her. Maldafa did; she drifted off with a smile on her face. June watched from a reflection. She could not feel, nor smell or taste. She could not close her eyes, but had to see. When she finally did close them, she was sucked into the dream.

          She saw her from all around: her own body, drifting, floating in water. Swimming, though not knowing where. In the middle of the sea. She did not look scared, but rather happy. As if she knew this was a dream. Did she know June was watching?

          The scene changed suddenly, the water washed away and June’s body sank down on a bed. She was soaking wet. But it was her own body—her old body. No fox legs or fur. Not even a tail. No ring to hide it all. She was naked, her eyes closed. June watched her from all sides in this room of mirrors. She stirred, got up and opened her eyes to see Terrance standing with her. Her hand rested on his bare chest. She looked up at his face, then down at his body. She touched him. He found her.

          June watched in frightful awe and amazement. Her body engulfed Terrance, and he engulfed her. They were one in passion, and she felt nothing, not a touch. All for her was to see. Her body glanced away from him for a split second, just a flash. Barely enough to find June’s gaze and stare right into her eyes. Her body smiled.

          June’s anger grew, but there was little she could do, for Maldafa controlled this dream. She heaved and sighed, grabbed Terrance and held him tight. June growled, cussed and cursed. And suddenly, her fingers punctured Terrance and tore him apart. He made not a sound, but the fibers and slivers of his skin dissolved, until he was gone. June stared at Maldafa, who carried her surprised expression.

          A shudder passed through her, a ripple that caused her to transform. She stared at her hand, now covered in fur. Her arms and legs too. Her body. She stared at it in dismay, but her expression changed to a smile. She liked it. June stared daggers at her.

          It did not last long; for a second ripple followed, and her hands had become claws. Her fur darker than it had been. She said something, but June could not hear. A third followed, and a fourth. The fur became thicker, blacker. Swallowing her. She mauled with her claws, but to no avail. She cried out, but only beastly sounds made it out of her throat. The world around her grew empty, while her fur constricted her. It formed a husk around her, a strange shape that resembled nothing June had ever seen. Her arms and legs grew, twisting, boneless, as sheets in the wind. Her face tore away in agony—she disappeared.

          June suddenly found herself back watching the bedroom. She saw how Maldafa awoke, gasping. She sat upright, looking around the room to convince herself that it was a dream and that she was safe. Her hands went over her body quickly. Maya looked at her in surprise.

          “Are you alright?” The little girl stood next to her bed. “I tried to wake you...”