Howl-A-Ween
- Chaptire 3 -
A couple of weeks later-
Halloween afternoon: 5:55 p.m.
"Okay… Time to test whether this stone gift really works…" I said to myself.
My cute green Kougra, who was called Paws-wid-Claws, was listening…
He was so curious I had to let him see the gift...
The stone sparkled and gleamed like the stars above.
"It's so pretty," Paws noted as he purred, "Is it really going to work?"
"Of course, my dear Paws. If it didn't work, then Mum wouldn't try it, would I?" I winked just to make him feel reassured.
"What are you going to wish for, Mum?" asked Mysteria quietly. "It's not going to be anything?"
"If I told you, it wouldn't be a secret anymore will it?" I patted her head, my Lupe's fur felt warm and soft.
"Anyway, it's only going to be for one single night..." I told her confidently.
Later on, I would lament what I said...
But I did not know what would happen afterwards (about five minutes later)…
I went to the back of my Neo-home and waited, feeling the stone cupped in my hand.
The stone felt like it was… The stone was… Pulsing?
It was time to shout out my one and only desire loud and clear among the Woods…
The words rang throughout the secluded neighbourhood, making the other Neopets look up from their Trick-O-Treating.
Halloween Night – 6 p.m.
"I wish to be a Neopet for only one night…! Grant my desire to run free like my Neopets on Hallows Eve…!"
It was a big - and costly - mistake...!
As soon as the words passed my lips, I then realised…
I did not say what kind of Neopet I wanted to be, I should have said it but I didn't...
This stone could now transform me into any Neopet!
I now understood the full meaning of the old English proverb:
Be careful what you wish for… For it might just come true.
A dense chill ran through my body.
- Chaptire 4 -
It was nerve-wracking, just like when I transformed under the influence of the Darigan Paint-brush… And yet it was different.
It was very painful but gradual, my form shifting smoothly. When it finished, I looked at myself in absolute horror...!
This wasn't me… Shaggy grey fur was covering my entire body? Ripped clothes?
A Lupe-like muzzle, don't tell me…!
I denied logic, it sounded so… Unlike me. I mean…
I would never deny any sort of logic, yet here I was denying sense.
I turned towards the Neo-home I left.
I still had a shred of my old human mind, but it was charged up with the Neopet's thoughts.
But… What Neopet, what am I? I growled tersely.
I wished I had a mirror of some sort.
Now that I thought about it…
Great. Here I was with one wish and I totally messed it up...! I could have slapped myself for it.
And worse, I was stuck with it for one Halloween night.
This was very similar to a friend of mine's experience about a couple of years back…
Oh, why didn't I listen to her last time? This Hallow Eve's night keeps getting better and better!
I sniffed the air, it smelled fresh and cool. A hint of sulphur in the air as well, I decided.
My senses were sharper than ever, even more than last time I transformed (see The Cursed Paint-Brush).
It occurred to me that I should have hidden.
But what a waste of a night it would be. I would rather run free, just like what my wish said.
Just then a green Aisha passed by, he was wearing a slightly ripped version of a Stick-and-Stones band T-shirt and was humming a well-known tune.
"Trick-All-Treats, trick-o-treat, lots of yummy candy to eat!"
He did not seem to notice me, a dark hulking shadow beneath the covered moonlight. It was then decided that I should run towards safety. And run, I did.
The Aisha screeched as I leapt out of the shadows, not minding where or what I was doing. His yells sounded panicked in my Lupine ears.
"AHHRRR!!! A Lupe monster, it's here!" I turned around…
Did that Neopet call me a MONSTER…?
Primal instincts raged, welling up underneath human logic.
The shine of rough claws intercepted the ground as the Were-Lupe snarled, showing long sharpened fangs… No mercy. With a long drawn-out shriek the Neopet fled, screaming something as he exited. He even forgot to pick up his bag full of candies, which spilled on the ground like lima beans...
When the instinctive anger subsided, I couldn't believe it…
Did that dark side just came out, the feral nature of the actual Neopet? I whimpered.
How could I last through this long night – it seemed like a true nightmare. That Neopet side frightened me to no ends, what else could happen on this spellbound night of mischief and mayhem?
But still, I like the candy… I lapped some up with my drooling tongue. This was delicious!
I crunched my way through the rock-hard lollies, careful not to damage my fangs on the gritty glucose. I did not eat too much, but it sustained the manic energy I had as a Were-Lupe.
The smooth, nutty and warm flavour of the melted chocolate made my mind swoon.
Ahhh, the joys of foods…
I ran throughout the Neopian woods for at least one hour of the night, careful not to attract the attention of Halloween passer-bys or their Neopets. Hearing was phenomenal. Feeling the rushing wind between my ears, my shown reflection in the river waters was there, staring back at me.
I was a dark grey Were-Lupe with shaggy hair and molten golden eyes, it was no doubt. The Were-Lupe was vicious, I was strong. Nothing else could stop me, human or Neopet. I was the wild and the feral side of Neopia.
I tried to smile with delight, but it was though my mouth was aching from all that chewing that I did earlier. I shrugged with huge and broad shoulders.
Oh well, I've had my taste of freedom anyway. Time to go back… That exact moment was when all of my troubles began this Halloween!