Chapter 2: You Need To Trust Yourself.
Four months. Four freakin months is how long it'll be until Simon and Jeanette can give Dave the antidote. It's already been developed, but for it to be strong enough to turn him back into a fully grown human, it needs to mature like a fine wine or scotch. In the meantime, Dave was subjected to being tested on just how well a human can adapt to a chipmunks body.
The first test began after only two hours of his change, in the shed out in the backyard that had been converted into a gym. Dave had no idea what was expected of him and he didn't really know why he was agreeing to it. Perhaps it was just plainly because it was a lot more productive than standing around and marvelling at how weird this whole thing was.
Everyone walked slowly into the gym through the cat flap, Dave still struggling to balance on his hind legs. It annoyed him that the one thing that he'd been doing all his life had suddenly become a challenge.
Eleanor could see Dave's frustration and tried to encourage him, "Don't worry Dave, you'll get used to it. Besides, you're doing a pretty good job for someone whose never had to control a tail before."
"That's true. It'll get easier when you get used to running on all fours. It helps you to learn how to have complete control over your body," Jeanette added. Simon, who had his paw entwined with hers, nodded in agreement.
"I just hope I can get used to it before I have another stupid accident," said Dave wearily, rubbing the sore part of his head from where he hit the floor. His tail suddenly gave a subconscious flick when a fly tried to land on it. 'How did I do that?,' he thought curiously.
"You won't have an accident, because we'll stay around until you can move on your own," chirped Theodore happily. The shock had obviously worn off and Theodore was more than happy to help his adoptive father adapt. As long as Dave was safe and healthy, Theo didn't care what animal he was. "Isn't that right, guys?" Everyone else nodded and Dave couldn't help but give a small smile.
"Alrighty then, let's get this over and done with before dinner. Theo, Ellie, why don't you go and get started with whatever your cooking tonight?" Alvin half-ordered. His new personality didn't allow him to bark commands at anyone.
The green-clads nodded and bounded back out of the gym and onto the lawn. Brittany turned to Alvin, "I think I'll go help them. I'm not gonna be much use in here." And with that, she bounded after her little sister.
Jeanette and the boys watched her go before turning back to the first test. Simon led Dave over to the chipmunk sized treadmill, which was the perfect size for running on two legs or all fours. There's only a certain speed a chipmunk can go before they have to get down low and add more power, so this was the perfect machine for Dave to improve his skills.
"Okay, this should be easy enough to start with. Hop on," Simon instructed. Dave stepped on nervously and faced forward. "Now, we'll start you off slowly at a walk and gradually into a run. Alvin will control the speed and elevation. Just remember, that if you feel that you can't keep up on your legs, drop onto your front paws and you should start bounding automatically. You'll be fine as long as you trust your instincts, okay?"
"Not really. My instincts are telling me to bail out!" Dave exclaimed.
Alvin sighed, "Your listening to the human instincts. It's important that you get in touch with the chipmunk instincts. What are they telling you?"
Dave thought, 'What's the difference? Okay, okay, focus...ummmm...How can you tell? Seriously?...Okay, so I'm not a human anymore...Supposed to use the tail for balance...Gotta relax and let the instincts do their thing...What are they telling me? Oh my god, I'm even thinking in a high pitched voice! You think this would be easier...'
Dave's eyes glazed over and became glassy as the train of thought continued. Alvin, Jeanette and Simon watched closely, before Alvin stepped forward and clicked his fingers in Dave's face. The black furred chipmunk didn't even blink. Alvin turned back to Jeanette.
"That was a good idea to distract him Jean," He complimented.
Jeanette giggled, "Do you think he's ready?"
"He's completely zoned out. Just look at him," Simon observed. Alvin walked slowly forward again and this time pressed the 'instant run' button on the treadmill.
Dave gave a loud yelp as he was jolted back into reality, stumbling about, trying desperately to keep up with the treadmill. He found his footing and his feet pounded against the base, "ALVIN! What was that for? I wasn't ready yet!"
"You shouldn't need to be!" Alvin replied over all the noise Dave was making, "Dave your struggling too much!"
"Oh, struggling am I?" Dave snarled between pants, "I never would've realised that. THANK YOU!"
"Dave, remember what I told you! Drop onto your front paws!" cried Simon.
"What? No! I'll crash and burn!" Dave yelled. He wasn't coping and was nearly falling off the back of the treadmill as he spoke.
"Just trust us!" cried Jeanette.
Dave knew he had no other choice but to try, either way, he was going to trip over. He took a deep breath, grit his teeth and nervously dropped down. He waited for the sensation of flying backwards...But it never came! He was doing it! It wasn't exactly with a graceful stride, but he was keeping up nevertheless. He felt the muscles in his legs relax as the work was spread out along his body. His paws hit the tread lightly and his body stayed centred, his ears flat against his head and his tail stuck high in the air.
Alvin whooped and Simon and Jeanette cheered for their father figure, all relieved that he didn't get injured. A confident grin spread on Dave's face. His breathing had eased up. There was this determination to keep going. This was so easy! He had never felt so comfortable in his own body before as he added little more power in his legs.
After a few minutes, Alvin walked over and started to steadily slow the treadmill down. Eventually, Dave was back on his hind paws, exhaustion creeping in as the adrenaline left his body. He stepped off the treadmill with a goofy smile, half laughing, half out of breath, "That was awesome! From now on, I'm just going to go ahead and do what I need to!"
The others laughed along with him. Dave's legs felt like jelly, but surprisingly, his balance problem seemed to be a thing of the past. Alvin clapped Dave on the shoulder as Simon quickly wrote down a few notes on a clipboard in regard to Dave's results.
"Well done Dave!" congratulated Jeanette. Dave smiled in appreciation.
For another half an hour, Alvin put Dave through his paces while the bespectacled couple observed. Soon enough, Dave got over his nerves and dropping to all fours became automatic. He had to admit that being a chipmunk was easy as long as you trusted in yourself as well as others. It was amazing how he had learned all this after only a few hours of changing.
Together, the four chipmunks head back inside to the dining room, Dave now feeling comfortable as a chipmunk. As they walked in, the other three got a running start and leapt onto the table with ease. Theodore, Eleanor and Brittany were waiting patiently with the table already set up and the food served. It took a few tries, but Dave made it onto the table too, the reward being the overwhelming scent of pumpkin fettuccini.
Dave inhaled and nearly drooled. His sense of smell was so much stronger than before and almost tripled his appetite. 'No wonder the kids are never full, everything smells so good," He thought to himself as Theodore placed a bowl in front of him. Instead of taking his time, Dave was wolfing down his dinner with the Chipmunks, leaving the girls to be the ones with manners. Everything tasted as good as it smelt.
After such a big meal and a bit of TV, Dave was exhausted beyond belief. At 9.00, everyone got ready for bed. Dave bid everyone good night, then headed off to his room for a well earned sleep. His room had seemed enormous from a human point of view, so now it was like a mansion within a mansion. He leapt onto his bed and got under the silk covers. He couldn't help but feel like an ant in a king-sized bed, but tried to ignore it as best as he could.
This topped the list of the oddest days he had ever had. Little did he know, it was going to get a lot stranger...