Beeping echoed through Gaz's room, waking up the soon to be she-beast. Gaz's eyes opened and she let out a tired groan. Trying to get up she moved her arm towards the source of the beeping, an alarm clock perched on a desk. Groping the desk she eventually hit a button that caused it to stop. Stretching her arms Gaz went over the past few days. Since Gaz talked to John she had displayed more wolf-like behavior while Dib most of the time just tried not to get eaten. Finally getting out of bed Gaz realized just what the second week meant, John's words coming back to her.
"Even the slightest annoyance could trigger a brutal meltdown."
Gaz let out a loud groan.
"Great, this is gonna be just great" Gaz said in a low voice.
Looking through her wardrobe Gaz found her signature black clothing and put it on. Admiring her clothing Gaz began to move downstairs. Once she got downstairs she went to the fridge. Opening the fridge she saw something that immediately made her mouth water: uncooked meat. Grabbing several pounds of the red goodness and plopped them onto the table. Hunger in the her face Gaz looked at the meat, only to see Dib sitting across from her, worry on his face.
"So uh, how have your dreams been?" asked Dib.
"Nothing new. I turn into a monster and eat you, you realize I can't be saved and kill me, Torque calls me a bitch. You know, the usual" Gaz replied casually.
Dib just stared, not sure how to reply. He felt like slinking into his chair and letting himself fall into it, but instead just stood completely still. Gaz noticed Dib´s worried expression and sighed.
"Ok you can't hide your fear from me. A, I can literally smell it. B, you and I both know what's going to happen in two weeks. No matter what we do, somebody is going to die. I don't want it to be me, but the way its looking there's a disturbingly huge chance it will. In two weeks I'm gonna turn into a monster unless we find out which stranger in a heavily populated town bit me. I'm gonna go through all these changes and its not going to stop until someone's dead. Life has always been a cruel game and it continues to be. Now let me eat my meat."
Dib just stared, feeling lost and hopeless. As he slinked into his chair Gaz sighed.
"Look, this is hard for me ok. I'm turning into something entirely different. My anger is going to be even worse and that... scares me. I just want to get this over with and you cowering doesn't help" said Gaz.
After that the two just stood there, both unsure of what to say. Dib looked at Gaz, who glared at him back. Dib went back in his chair nervously, not sure how to respond. Beginning to feel bored Dib drummed his fingers on the table, which earned a growl from Gaz. Dib gulped and slinked back in his chair. Gaz noticed Dib's fear and sighed.
"Any leads about who bit me?" asked Gaz.
Dib looked down, not wanting to give the answer. This earned a glare from Gaz.
"You haven't even started have you?" Gaz asked, coldness in her voice.
Dib felt like his heart had been stabbed. He knew the answer, but feared the reaction.
"...No" Dib admitted.
Gaz's expression darkened, her eyes burning like red coals. Dib noticed this and backed away, more scared than he had ever been.
"You do realize what happens in two weeks right? For fuck's sake you could die. How do you think it makes me to feel to know that I'm the one who will kill you, huh? Its pretty stressful DIB" Gaz said, teeth gritted to emphasize the final word. "You have no idea what this is like for me. There's something inside me and it wants to kill everyone within a touchable radius. And you haven't even bothered to even attempt to stop it."
Dib looked hopeless.
"There's... there's a lot going on" said Dib.
"Yeah, no shit. You want to help people, then get off your ass and help me find the fucker who bit me" replied Gaz.
Dib looked up at Gaz, seeing her fury. Dib had a hurt expression and tried to find any mercy in his sister but found nothing.
"I'll... I'll get Zim to look for the guy who did this. He has this whole town on map, he should be able to find him" Dib replied.
Dib looked at Gaz, hoping for a positive response, only to receive a growl.
"Great, now can I just eat my meat already?" asked Gaz.
"Uh, sure" said Dib.
Gaz licked her lips as she immediately began devouring the meat. Like an animal starved of food she went through the meat quickly, bits of food covering both the room and Dib. Gaz never felt satisfied, a voice in her head always telling her to eat more. Dib just stared, both fascinated and horrified at his sister's eating habits. Gaz paid no attention and continued scarfing down the meat, hunger in her eyes. As soon as she finished her face was covered with sauce and bits of meat and her expression calmed down from the fury and hunger it was earlier. Dib just stared, happy that it was over. Wiping her face Gaz got up, her phone buzzing. Pulling the phone up and looking at who was calling Gaz groaned.
"Great, its John. Look, get Zim and actually do something about this. I just want this over with."
Gaz left, leaving Dib alone to process what she had just said. As he stood there Gaz was already gone, causing him to realize that there was some truth to what she had said. His sister was going through a transformation and he was just watching. Dib sat down, a hopeless look on his face.
"What am I doing?" asked Dib.
Gaz had once again gone into her room, teeth gritted as she answered John's call.
"WHAT?" Gaz yelled.
"Exactly why I wanted to call. Second stage" John replied.
"Yeah yeah yeah my anger increases, and things are going pretty shitty by the way. Dib hasn't even bothered to track down the bastard that bit me. Its like he doesn't care about this" said Gaz.
John sighed from the other end.
"Just give it time, he obviously cares about you" John replied.
"I don't have time! I just want this to end before there's a body count" Gaz countered.
"Look, I know that you're stressed, that's what this thing does, but you need to be stronger than it if you want it to end. I have an idea for how you can manage this. Jess and I do this thing that helps us with our problems and I can squeeze you into one of our sessions" said John.
Gaz groaned in response.
"Look, I am not doing therapy" said Gaz.
Although he wasn't in the room Gaz's could feel John's awkwardness.
"Its not therapy. Ok, this may not seem appealing to you at first but trust me, it'll help. Its..."
"No" Gaz said coldly, face to face with Dib.
"Come on Gaz, this could be helpful" Dib replied.
"Yeah, and you've been soooo helpful" Gaz countered.
Dib rolled his eyes and sighed.
"I told you, I'm sorry. But seriously, I don't see the big deal. Its just..."
"Yoga. One hour of meditating in a gym with a bunch of soccer mom and a werewolf's possibly psycho girlfriend. I'm dripping with joy" said Gaz.
"Look, I know this isn't ideal, but you could use it, just for today. You said it yourself, you're going through changes. Try it for today and maybe it won't be so bad" Dib said, trying to ease her in.
Gaz glared at Dib.
"What do I get out of it?" asked Gaz.
Dib sighed.
"Gaz, the last time we made a deal started this whole thing" said Dib.
"Just do it" said Gaz.
"Fine, you do yoga, I'll go to the gym and get him to search for who bit you."
Gaz smirked.
"Deal" said Gaz.
Dib began eyeing Gaz's clothes, which got him an angry stare.
"What?" Gaz asked darkly.
"Its just... are you sure those are the clothes you want to do for yoga?" Dib asked.
Gaz looked down at her clothes, her usual black attire. Glancing back up at Dib she scowled.
"Dib, I'm willing to commit. But I will die in these clothes and I'm not taking them off" said Gaz.
Dib sighed.
"Fine. But can you at least try not to attack anyone there?"
"Maybe."
"Gaz..."
"Ok fine. But if we don't find this guy and both of us live after the full moon then the deal's off."
As Gaz left Dib just stood there, sighing.
"God I hope this works."
==xx==
Taking Dib's car Gaz stopped, parking in front of the gym. Getting out of the car Gaz crossed her arms, not happy with the situation. She had indeed not changed her outfit and thus stood out. Looking at the gym and seeing people work out weirded her out, their athleticism a bizarre show for her. Looking at the guys working out she thought about whether or not she should actually go in. The very idea of yoga clashed with who she was and a thought popped into her mind of just going somewhere else and saying she had done yoga. Before she could reach her conclusion a familiar blonde woman walked up to her.
"Gaz, so good to see you! Sorry about the whole 'don't kill John' thing, just don't want to lose him. Its weird, you know. I work with people all the time and there's this whole world of people like you and John that nobody else knows about. I wonder if vampires are real" said Jess.
Gaz tried to hold in her anger, already having seen what Jess was capable of. Through gritted teeth Gaz tried to get back on the subject at hand.
"Can we do the yoga thing?" asked Gaz.
This seemed to snap Jess out of her thoughts as she looked at Gaz.
"Oh yeah follow me. I got Rebecca to do some beginners stuff for today. She's really good with this stuff."
Gaz visibly cringed at the mention of Rebecca's name but tried to keep it in.
"So let's go. This is going to be helpful, I promise. John says it really helps on the weeks before the full moon" said Jess.
Gaz nodded and began walking with Jess. As they were walking a man looked at Gaz's lower region, causing Gaz to let out a growl and the man to flee. Jess chuckled at this but kept walking. As soon as they got to the gym Jess walked into a room full of women who appeared to be in their thirties lying on mats. Gaz's expression darkened, not happy with what this meant for her. As she continued scowling an older woman with black hair walked up to Jess.
"Jess, so good to see you. And this must be Gaz" said the woman.
Gaz turned around to get a good look and when she did her eyes widened. Standing in front of her was a woman with long black hair and a purple dress. Despite her age she was still undeniably beautiful, with soft cheeks and a calm and loving smile. What really struck Gaz however, was the resemblance. Gaz could see herself in the woman, her eyes like a window into herself. She looked like... her. Gaz backed away, fear on her face due to the realization of what this might mean. Jess noticed this and turned towards Gaz, a sympathetic look on her face.
"Gaz, is everything ok?" asked Jess.
Gaz just stood there, like she was drowning in a pool and unable to call out for help.
"Oh I'm sure she's fine. First day jitters probably. I promise you Gaz, my goal here is to make sure people leave calm and relaxed. If I can someone feel better my day feels completed. And I hope to make you feel better" said the woman.
"I... I believe you" said Gaz.
The woman nodded, a smile on her face.
"Glad to hear it. I'll start soon so you should lie on a mat. We'll start with some beginner's stuff today" said the woman.
The woman walked back to her spot, Gaz still standing there frozen. Jess looked at Gaz.
"Is something wrong?" asked Jess.
"The woman? She's Rebecca right?" asked Gaz.
Jess nodded and Gaz sighed.
"Rebecca was the name of my mom, and she even looks like her. I can't know for sure though because... I lost her a long time ago" Gaz said quietly.
Jess looked at Gaz with a sad expression.
"I understand. You don't have to do this if this is too much for you" said Jess.
"No, I should. It'll be good for me, and besides, if I don't do this Dib will be all over me" said Gaz.
Jess smiled reluctantly and nodded. Jess went over to her mat and Gaz soon followed. Lying down Gaz began to get swept in how comfortable the mat was as calming music soon washed over her.
"Alright everyone its time for our yoga session to begin. We have a newcomer joining us so I'd like you to treat her as you would anyone else here. We are going to start with some calming meditations to get ready. Close your eyes and imagine your favorite place. The one place you'd like to be in the whole world. Take in the sights, the sounds, the smells. Allow everything there to overtake you, and enjoy its presence" said Rebecca.
Gaz did as she was told and found herself in an empty room.
"Hello?"
Hearing an echo around her Gaz was glad to see no one around. She looked back and forth to make sure she was truly alone. Satisfied with her results she leaned back, taking in a deep breath.
"Ah."
Gaz sat back, enjoying the quiet breeze around her. She felt calm and relaxed, something very rare for her. A GameSlave popped in her hand and Gaz smiled. Going to her game Gaz felt genuinely happy and smiled.
Then a loud howl was heard.
Gaz immediately jumped up, the GameSlave seemingly vanishing. Gaz growled and stood up. Looking back and forth she wondered what was going on.
"No, this is your relaxation shit, you will not mess this up" Gaz said to herself.
Gaz sat back down, trying to get back her relaxation. Just as she was getting relaxed another loud howl was heard just as a thud was heard as well. Gaz noticed something close to her lying on the ground and walked over, but stared in pure horror as she saw what it was.
In front of her was Dib's body, stomach slashed with entrails pouring out. Gaz backed away in horror.
"No no no. Not here, not now."
As Gaz was caught in the horror of the situation she was alerted by loud buzzing. In front of her in the sky was a large "GAME OVER" in large red lettering. Just when Gaz heard a voice behind her.
"Gazlene, you are a monster."
Gaz turned around to see the one person she never thought she would see again.
"...Mom, please."
Her mother just looked at Gaz, anger in her eyes.
"I always knew you were a rotten child, but now you're a goddamn monster. I thought I raised you better."
Gaz's mother began walking away, leaving Gaz feeling like her heart had been ripped out. As she heard laughter she turned around to see Torque, smiling evilly and laughing at her. Gaz gripped her stomach in pain, having had enough. Wanting to get out Gaz did the only thing she could think of: she screamed as loud as she could. She soon snapped out of her trance, finding herself standing up in the gym. Satisfied she began to smile until she saw everyone was staring at her. Realizing her scream wasn't as silent as she thought she just stood there. After looking at the glares from everyone around her Gaz reached a conclusion: she didn't feel safe here. Determination on her face Gaz began running before she made it to the door that led to outside, not caring on who she stepped on. As she left everyone was angry, except for Jess.
"I am so sorry about this. Can I go..." asked Jess.
Rebecca nodded and Jess began to leave. Like Gaz Jess began to leave but unlike the purple haired girl Jess was more careful, making sure she was slow and didn't step on anyone. Once she was out of the room however she ran as fast as she could until she reached Gaz. In the parking lot she finally saw Gaz, who stood still and looked defeated. Jess began to walk over to her, wanting to see what was wrong.
"Go away" Gaz said in a low voice.
Jess sighed.
"Gaz, I know things are hard but I need to make sure you're ok" said Jess.
"Fuck off" Gaz coldly replied.
Jess just stared.
"Excuse me?"
"Fuck off, ok. Stop acting like you're my friend. I only did this because I thought it might relax but now I feel even worse. You're not like John. I talk to him because he's gone through this. He knows what its like. Sure, you're friends, but you haven't actually gone through it. He probably left the darker aspects out so you wouldn't run. I am literally turning into a monster, and you're not even close to someone I want to talk to about it."
Gaz began to walk away until she heard Jess speak from behind her.
"Ten years."
Gaz turned around and Jess continued.
"Ten years ago John came to me covered in blood. He told me something happened the night before and he didn't remember a thing. Together we looked back at everything and realized he was going through the same thing you're going through now. I was there for him every step of the way until the full moon. He yelled at me, told me to fuck off, but I didn't care. I stood by until the full moon hit and I've been there for him on every full moon since."
Gaz stopped.
"Woah."
"Yeah. I know what this transformation is like, I've seen it countless times. The worst part of all this, he can never be cured. He killed in the first moon so now he's stuck. But that doesn't stop him. He still tries to be the best person he can be. You still have a chance to end this. Either if you kill the guy who bit you or hold in the hunger on the first moon and you have a chance. This thing is a beast, and it takes over who you are. But you can stop that. Fight for who you are. Let that little part of you scream out and fight the control of the wolf. Its not too late."
As Jess finished Gaz stood there, awestruck by what Jess had said.
"I..."
Before Gaz could finish Jess pulled her into a hug, holding her tight. Gaz tried to break free but realized it felt.. nice and stayed. Jess soon let go and Gaz took in a deep breath.
"I'm... I'm not sure if this is the thing for me. I tried to relax, but I thought of all these bad things and..."
"Then you don't have to do this. What works for John might not always work for you. So find what does. What makes you you. That's exactly what you need to overcome this."
Gaz nodded.
"Thanks" said Gaz.
Jess smiled. Gaz looked down.
"I should probably..."
"Go. Find what you want. I'll keep in touch" said Jess.
Gaz nodded and left. Jess stood there, happy to have helped.
"She's gonna be ok."