Chapter 4
The First Night
"Open your eyes and wake up. Wake up Hilda*
Hearing these words, Hilda went and did what the unknown voice had said but once she did so, the girl realized that she was somewhere rather...different.
"Who said that, where am I?" She questioned upon waking up.
The girl had realized that she was in some sort of blackish void and that she was resting on a pool of water that some way or another wasn't causing her to sink. After looking around for a few minutes a click was heard causing her to see that the random sound showcased a mirror nearby. After heading towards the object, something strange happened because once Hilda went and put her hand towards it, her reflection did the same thing. But the reflection's appearance was rather different as it showed Hilda, but with white fur, antlers, and a tail...
Both gasped before staying silent for a few seconds until one of them decided to speak.
"W-who are you? Why am I here?" The regular Hilda had questioned.
"First of all, I am you but different. Second of all, I'm not exactly sure as to why we're here. All I can tell is that this is a dream." Replied the furry version of the girl.
"What do you mean by different?" The normal one asked.
"By different, I mean that this is how you'll look like once you transform..." the animalistic one responded.
A sudden shock was soon felt within Hilda's heart. That was what she'll look like, surely that wasn't true but alas it may be true.
"Look, I know you're unsure about this. Trust me, I am as well but both of us can get through this. We've come across trolls, elves, and so many other creatures so who's to say that a simple change can bring us down." Said the furry version.
"That is true. Hopefully we can find a cure." Hilda responded.
"I hope so. We'll talk later because for now you must wake up." Her animalistic self-replied back.
"Wait what?"
And then with a puff of smoke, the transformed version of Hilda disappeared. Just mere seconds later, the girl herself soon felt pushed as a hole formed by the water took shape which ended up pulling her in. And then, reality took shape.
*Gasp* "So it was a dream after all. What am I going to tell the others about th- *grumble*
A sudden grumble had come out of her stomach, after a few seconds nothing seemed to happen but then it returned leaving her in a bit of pain which caught Twig's attention.
"Hilda, what's wrong? Did another side effect happen?" The pet asked.
*Grunt* "Y-yeah, I'm fine Twig. Just felt a bit pain in my stomach." To Hilda's surprise, the shocked both Twig and Alfur who was just waking up from a night's rest.
"Wait, did you say pain in your stomach?" The elf asked with a worried look.
Hilda nodded in response.
In just ten seconds, the tiny elf quickly went to his books looking for the page regarding the Saffrander. After finding the page, everything soon became quiet.
"Alfur, is everything alright?" The deerfox asked with concern.
"Hilda, that pain you felt in your stomach? It was the final side effect…" the elf responded.
Both Twig and his owner left shocked looks on their faces as this was something neither of them were expecting to hear.
"Oh no, this can only mean…"
"That she'll transform and given that tonight is another full moon, I'm afraid the effects will take place." the elf said with a sad look on his face
Silence was soon felt across the room as no one knew exactly what to say. Things would quickly get interrupted by a certain mother.
"Hilda, your friends are here. You're free to hang out with them but please be back before sunset." She said from across the hall.
"We'll try to find a solution while you're gone…" said Twig
"I hope so. Don't really want to keep thinking about this and I have a feeling my stomach is going to feel pain throughout the day. I'll see you two later." Said Hilda
"Bye Hilda." Both Twig and Alfur responded as the girl began heading out the door.
After a quick breakfast along with a short talk with her mother, the three needed to figure out on what to do. Especially after being informed about what was to happen later that night.
"So, are you ready for all of this?" Frida asked
"Not quite. I'm really worried about all of this cause what if I lost control or went crazy? Or...or-" the blue haired girl responded nervously.
"Hilda." Her good friend said with a finger on her lip. "Just calm down. You'll get through this and you've got two of your friends with you."
"I believe we got a book earlier explaining how to prepare for a situation like this." Said David before opening Frida's bag and taking a book out of it.
'Situations for Different Curses' (Includes Werewolves, Snakes, and many others) titled the book.
"According to the book, it says that in order to prepare for a transformation it suggests tying the victim up onto a chair in case they go crazy. Make sure that you use a chain because victims can tear through rope easily." Frida explained to her worried friend
Hilda could only respond with a gulp.
"I'm sure you'll be fine Hilda. Although we're not sure what will exactly happen once the moon is up but we'll be there." The boy responded
"Thanks guys." The girl said before continuing with "Guess we should get the supplies before the sun sets."
Eventually, the three make it to a nearby store. Getting the required supplies didn't exactly seem to take very long as each item that was required was easy to locate. But then, the group got to the cash register.
"Okay, so it'll cost you twenty dollars for the chain plus the key, as well as the fake handcuff, and chair. May I have the money please?" said the cashier as he was giving the items to Hilda and David for them to bag.
Responding with a simple nod, Frida quickly went to her bag and pulled out the required payment. After grabbing it, her two friends finished bagging and were ready to head off. While walking, Hilda herself was a bit worried as the sun was slowly beginning to show its signs of setting. It wouldn't be long before the girl closed her eyes and went back to a place she found herself in earlier.
"So, you managed to get the supplies." said a familiar voice from before
Upon opening her eyes, Hilda realized that she had returned to the black void that she was in within her dream from the morning. Her transformed counterpart seemed to have a calm appreciated look on her face.
"Heh, I guess we're ready then. But, will you still be here once the effects take place?" she asked
"That I'm not so sure of. Maybe we'll both find out sooner or later." her transformed self-replied.
After a few seconds, Hilda had begun to worry about something else.
"Wait."
Her other form quickly turned her head with a confused glare.
"What if I go crazy? And most importantly, what will my mum think about all of this?"
"To answer both questions, I'm not exactly sure. But what I am sure of is that your mother will understand once you inform her. I mean, you and your friends are heading to your house to get ready right?" said the changed child
The normal version could only respond with a simple "Yes" to which the other version replied with: "Well, I know for certain that she'll understand about the current situation but I think that may take a while once everything takes effect."
"I don't want her to worry." Hilda said with her face showing a more worried and sad look.
"I think you must get going. Night is soon approaching." Her changed self said before quickly disappearing in a puff of smoke.
After being snapped back into reality, the girl had noticed Frida and David with confused looks. The two then realized that it was best not to question what they had witnessed but the group would continue their walk after noticing that the sun was beginning to set. Fortunately for the three, Hilda's home was closely nearby so time wasn't running out. At least, not yet...
While at home, Johanna was simply thinking about everything that's been happening to her daughter ever since she found her up in the middle of the night. She was certain that there was something wrong but wasn't exactly sure as to what that problem could actually be. Things would soon be answered as a sudden creak was heard coming from the door which only meant one thing. Hilda and her friends had returned.
"Hilda, thank goodness you're here. Listen we need to talk."
"Just a minute mum. Me and the others have to take care of something and-" her daughter was quickly interrupted as when Frida and David had entered, the boy accidentally dropped the items that they purchased earlier.
*I was hoping that didn't happen…* the blue haired whispered quietly
"David, why is there a chain, handcuff, and a chair on the floor?" The mother asked with a confused glare.
"Uh...w-well you see, the thing is uh...we were gonna go try something out." The young boy explained.
Johanna wasn't exactly pleased with David's response.
"You're not falling for this are you." Said Frida
The mother's response was a simple "No". Hilda figured that it was time to come clean. Especially given that it was almost time.
"Look, I can explain. But while we talk, could Frida and David get me ready?"
With an annoyed sigh, her mother decided to let her daughter set everything up. Once she was tied up and everything was in place, the girl soon began explaining to her mother what has been to happening to her ever since she came home with a bite left on her arm. Once finished, a few minutes of silence had passed before Johanna decided to speak after hearing everything that's taken place.
"So let me get this straight. After Twig bit you, some magic from a flower that you three came across entered your body and now you're suppose to transform into a deerfox tonight?" She said completely unaware that Twig entered the scene with Alfur sitting on top of his head.
"Yes unfortunately. Look mum, I didn't want you to worry about all of this." Her daughter responded before putting her head down in shame.
Johanna knew that it wasn't exactly Hilda's fault. Neither she nor her friends knew something like this was going to happen. Waiting for something to be said, she went and spoke.
"No need to worry about me Hilda. I know you're worried but you'll get through this. It's a simple change after all right?"
To Hilda's surprise, her mother was alright with what was happening and wasn't mad or annoyed. Before thinking of what to say, Hilda was soon given a hug by her mother meaning that she'll be there for her. That, and that her friends along with Twig and Alfur were there as well. The only thing now was simply waiting for the moon to rise but all thoughts would soon be interrupted by something loud.
*DING! DONG! DING DONG!*
The local bell of Trollberg had begun to leave a loud bang across the town. While it usually signified when a new hour was approaching, it could signify whenever the sun was setting or rising. Given that it was setting, the bell was signifying that the night was approaching and just in time to as the moon was showing signs of appearing.
Meanwhile inside the house, Hilda felt a grumble in her stomach.
"Would it be alright if I used the restroom? I think I may have eaten too much from these past few days."
Thinking for a few seconds, her mother gave her permission to do so. But while, Frida and David were busy untying the sitting girl, no one seemed to be aware that the moon had risen and it was shining on top of Hilda. Once inside, she was simply making sure nothing was wrong when all of a sudden she felt something itch.
*My hand is itchy all of a sudden*
After making sure her hand wasn't itchy anymore, the girl went to take a look at herself in the mirror when something showed up that caught her off guard.
Inside the living room, Frida and everyone else was wondering what was taking Hilda so long. However none would have to wait any longer when suddenly.
"Ahhh!"
A sudden scream was heard catching everyone off guard and with a quick rush to the bathroom, the door suddenly opened revealing what was happening. With Hilda coming out of the room, something caught Alfur's attention. Instead of his friend having normal skin, the elf noticed that she was now covered with white fur and then only meant one single thing.
"The change has begun…"
"Alfur, what are we going to do? I don't want my daughter to worry." Johanna whispered
"I'm afraid we can't do anything. We'll sadly have to watch the change take place before our eyes." the elf said with a sad look on his face
With the two looking at what was taking place, along with Frida and David covering each other's eyes, Hilda had begun to feel a slight bit of pain as the transformation took place. Once her body had been covered with white fur, she soon felt something begin to grow. After a few seconds of grunting in pain, a sudden rip was heard. Questioning as to where the rip came from, a shock came onto her face after seeing what happened.
She had grown a tail. One that looked the exact same as Twig's tail.
*Oh no, now I've grown a tail. Hopefully this ends soon cause I don't know how much more pain I can take an-*
"Ow, my head. What's happening!? Ow ow ow!"
With her head now feeling some sort of pain, everyone took a step back as no one was sure as to what could happen next. Hilda herself was grunting in pain but said pain quickly came and went as two antlers began coming out of her head and it was a bit painful for her.
*Oh man. Now she's really taking shape…* Twig thought with a scared look before hiding behind the couch.
After dealing with two different changes forming onto her body, it wouldn't be long before the girl had noticed that her hands had already turned into claws. All that was left were a few more changes
With everyone seeing the change take place, Hilda was beginning to feel a lot more pain as both her face and ears were beginning to go through a process. For her ears, they were beginning to grow a bit allowing her to hear a lot more than usual. As for her head, she was beginning to feel it stretch as it was now taking the form of a muzzle before ending it with her nose turning black. The change had concluded, she was now a humanoid deerfox.
With the change having been complete, silence had entered the room. Once everyone took noticed of the affected child, no one was sure who should speak first.
"So that's what she looks like now that she changed? At least it didn't get any worse." Said Frida, as she and David opened their eyes.
"Mhm. Thank goodness I can still talk. Wait, where's Twig?" asked Hilda
While not saying anything, Alfur quickly pointed towards the nearby couch. When looking behind, Hilda noticed Twig shredding in fear and forming a sad look on his face.
"Twig. It's alright, no need to fear. I may have transformed but I'm still me." The girl said, attempting to calm down her furry friend.
Twig eventually got rid of his sadness and began looking at the girls' new body. Once finished, the deerfox soon began to cuddle next to her signifying that he liked this new change. Noticing this, Hilda began to cuddle alongside her little pet. After cuddling for a few seconds, her mother would soon speak.
"I don't know what to say, are you alright Hilda? You're not feeling any pain or change in mind are you?" She asked
"No, it's still me. As for any pain, I don't feel anything right now." Her daughter replied, with a slight smile on her face.
With both girls about to hug each other, Hilda soon began to smell something that was somewhere nearby. That something turned out to be Raven as he accidentally slammed into a window. Right as he was about to fall off, the girl quickly grabbed the bird and brought it inside.
"Phew, thanks kid. And, what the heck happened to you!?" The bird said, with shocked look
After spending nearly ten minutes of explaining everything that has happened so far, Raven was caught up on the current situation.
"So, what are you going to do now?" He asked
"I'm afraid that's what we're unsure of at the moment. Who knows how long this will last." Hilda replied
"Well I think its best me and David get going. We'll hopefully figure something out by tomorrow." said Frida
And with that, the two left leaving Hilda and the others inside and alone. Seeing as how it was getting late, the girl decided to get some rest. As Alfur and Twig were heading back to Hilda's room and with Raven switching back to his Great Raven form, Johanna decided to rest alongside her daughter. With Hilda resting on her mother's lap, Johanna would quickly say this before heading to sleep.
"Sweet dreams my little deerfox."