Bodies litter the crater where a massive object once rested. I lay still on my side, trying to remember what happened, but nothing makes any sense. I see a few humans picking their way out of the gaping dip. I try to stand, but my strength is gone. I try calling out, but I cannot. Some of the humans pass by me with pity, most with disgust or blank stares. I notice the sun is still rising, which means I must have been unconscious last night.
After a while of resting, I can finally gather enough strength to roll onto my stomach and tuck both hind legs under me. I am able to stand now, though all four of my legs still tremble. I take a shaky step forward, and then another, my strength slowly returning. As I walk, feeling returns to my limbs. I step through the tatters of my clothes that tore from my transformation. My stomach growls, reminding me that I probably haven't eaten in a while. I trot to the edge of the crater and peer down my snout at the horrific scene. Across the pit, I see a young woman helping her fellow humans climb out.
"Macky!" she calls, and something about her voice sparks a faint memory deep within my subconscious. "Macky, where are you!?" And just like that, the memory fades from recognition, though there's nothing recognizable about her anyway. I slowly turn my long furry head to see more creatures like me. I help a few of them, but most are dead. Some of the monsters look like me, and some—I don't know how to describe them. They are broken and twisted, as if something dark within their souls was awakened. Something evil.
"Macky! Are you okay?" I look around for someone named Macky, as if he would turn to see who's calling him. To be honest, I feel bad for this female human. She looks lost and sad. I want to comfort her, but I'm afraid she will be scared of me, so I just watch.
One hour later, I start walking in a random direction, hoping to find some sort of purpose.
"You're very beautiful," a hand touches my back. I turn my head, startled. The human gasps. She's the same light-brown-haired girl who had been calling Macky's name. Her face calms, and I lower my head, bringing it close to hers. She gingerly rests her hand on my snout, and I lean into her touch. A soft moan of pleasure escapes my muzzle, and she smiles, laying her head against mine. I feel a strangely strong connection forming between us, though we've only just met. Or did we? Maybe the connection is already there and is only now coming back to life.
I drop down to my knees, and the girl lets out a playful scream. She falls onto her back, and I catch her between my two front legs. She is laughing now, and I roll onto my side. She looks up at me from where she is resting.
"You're a curious thing," she says. "A creature that is somewhere between a wolf, a bear, and a moose, but I think you look more like a wolf than a moose." I try to smile, but the restrictions of this body won't let me, so I try to form words instead. "I don't believe I caught your name." I let out a snort. "Right, sorry, my name is Natasha." My eyes open wide, and she gazes back at me, questioningly. I know this name should have no importance, and yet it seems as though it does. She is just a human girl, and I am a powerful beast. I have the power to take her life and the lives of those whom I please. I am quite hungry after all. Even so, the idea of killing my new friend to appease my stomach is unimaginable.
I let out a soft whimper. Natasha's name means something, but I don't know why.
"Hey, what's wrong?" Her voice is somehow different now, and I try to place why, but can't. Natasha strokes my cheek with her thumb, her palm resting just below my jaw. I let out a short cry. "I know, it's okay. I'm guessing you used to be a human. I lost someone." A human? I used to be human? I have to think about this for a long moment before I understand. "All of them used to be humans." Natasha gestures to the other beasts and monsters littering this area of the desert.
After a little while, she grows sleepy, and we fall asleep in each other's embrace.
I wake up with a start. I was dreaming about Natasha, except that I was human. I gently nudge her awake.
"What is it, Macky?" That's it, my name is Macky, but I can't find a way to communicate it to her.
"Is everything ok?" she asks, now fully awake. I look deep into her captivating brown eyes and manage a sound.
"Nnnntt!" She looks up at me, confused. "Nnnnnnitt."
"Are you trying to say something? What is it?"
"Nnnnahht" I say. "Itt'sss yyuuuu." Nat puts both hands to her mouth to hold back a scream.
"Macky?" She brings her face to mine and kisses me on top of my snout. Nat is crying now. "I thought I lost you!" Whining, I press my nose to her chest, and she hugs me tight. She kisses me again and again, on my nose, chops, forehead, and I can't get enough. I lick her face, and she giggles with happiness.
"I—it's" I try to speak again. "I can't even begin to believe. I just don't know."
"It's okay, we're together now." I slowly nod my big furry head, and Nat clings to my neck. We fall asleep like this, and I don't know for how long. There isn't really anything left for us to do.
When we wake up, Nat stretches her arms above her head.
"There's not really anything left to do," Nat says from beside me, looking into the distance. It's daytime again, and we both haven't eaten or had any water in two days. "We need to find civilization."
"No," I say, "I will just be treated as a threat." Nat looks at me with a smug expression. "Ever since you've become this thing, you've had way more feelings, but you seem dumber. I'm kidding, there is no civilization. If anything, the remnants of any nation still alive are probably in hiding. All of the cities would have been destroyed." I nod.
"We need to at least find shelter," I reply.
"Could I ride on your back?" Nat says, hesitantly.
"No, I have never had a passenger before."
"Yeah, I understand." She pauses. "Is this ok?" she asks, laying a hand on my neck as we start to walk. I nod my head up and down to indicate my answer.
After about ten miles of walking, I notice Nat is getting worn out. She is leaning on me now and barely moving along. By the time she can't take another step, we are on top of a large dune, and it has begun getting dark. Nat collapses on my paws. I can't pick her up like I would have been able to as a human. So, instead, I lay down beside her for another night, and we sleep in each other's company.
When it is day again, we set out for another long journey.
"We really need to find water soon, or we might die of thirst," Nat says. I look over at her, and she is barely hanging on.
"If we really need to, we could drink our own urine."
"That's disgusting!" Nat exclaims, at least she has enough energy to be appalled at my suggestion. "I mean—" Nat manages after a few minutes of pondering. "If drinking my pee is going to save me, I may have to."
We stop for a little break.
"Wait," Nat asks. "How are you going to drink your own pee?" I look down at my front paws and frown. That thought hasn't really crossed my mind.
"Gosh, all this talk about peeing. I think I need to go." Nat walks off and disappears behind a small pile of sand. "I need help." Nat sounds like a little girl who is half asleep; maybe she is. All the heat must be getting to her.
"I'm not going over there, even though I'm an animal; I still have a human consciousness." Nat is still trying.
"I can't hold it in forever, help me out! You know we've already made out before."
"That's way different," I call to her, "you sound like you're drunk."
"I can't hold it in anymore."
"Okay, Nat, just cup your hands underneath you and collect as much as you can, then bring it to your mouth and enjoy. Try to hold it while you're drinking so you can recycle as much as possible." A couple of minutes later, Nat staggers from her concealment and lets out a short burst of laughter, spraying the liquid in her mouth on the sand.
"Gosh, that tastes like concentrated salt water! You do not want to try it!"
"Believe me, I do not want to try your pee," I say, amused.
"Don't try yours either!"
"I don't think I can."
"Good, cause I'm not catching your pee!" I let out a bark of laughter.
"What's so funny?!" Nat tries to yell, though it comes out more like a stifled snort. I roar even harder, and Nat lightly punches my shoulder, and I give her the satisfaction of a playful yelp. I nuzzle her neck, then lick her face.
"We should save our energy instead of spending it on playing around," I say after finally letting Nat climb onto my back.
"Well, at least now I don't have to walk." Nat wraps her arms around my neck and nibbles at my ear. "Let's go Tigger."
I trot forward, and Nat lies down the length of my back, falling asleep to the rhythmic march of my stride. I keep her balanced between my shoulder blades and hips.