The Pill Ch. 02

Out in the woods of Colorado, there was nestled in a small valley the town of Dursk. The town itself was made up of only two main streets. Most people who lived here had their homes in the woods. It was the kind of place that one would wake up to cool mountain air, the chirping of squirrels (which many in the town referred to as tree-rats) and serenity. Everyone practically knew each other, but there was one woman who struggled with being apart of the society.

You can see her, sitting on the porch of her two-room cabin, tucked in a patch of wood at the north of the town. She had neighbors. One was a family who lived at the mouth of the road that she lived on. They were quiet and often the children could be heard playing in the woods, their peels of laughter echoing off of birch and pine trees. At the end of the road was the other neighbor, a mountain man who was currently chopping wood. The sound of logs splitting could be heard through the trees.

She sat in her wicker chair, reading a book and enjoying nature. Steam lazily rolled off a cup tea that she was sipping. A blend of orange, cinnamon and sage helped her relax while reading. She put her book down to imagine the woodcutter.

His beard was dark and long, hiding a strong chin. He was wearing jeans supported by suspenders and a red wool cap. Chiseled arms that flexed with each swing of the ax. It was an embarrassing cliche' that she couldn't help but love. How she wished she could talk to him. The few times they had interacted, had only been a wave at her. It was made worse with her shy nature and blundering speech.

X watched the woman through binoculars. He had talked to her once. Even got her name, which was Melissa Geimhread, during an interaction while at the town's small grocery story named Sunflower Groceries. She had ginger-colored hair and a freckled face. She could often be seen wearing a dress and in the few days that he had observed her, he learned that she wore a dress for easy removal. She spent a lot of time naked and would spend many nights, unbeknownst to her in front of X, sitting on the porch of her home, under the glow of a light, nude and reading. The night was the time where she took her chances the most. X watched her pleasure herself more than a few times in the light of the moon through his NVG's. How she kept the mosquitos off herself was something he would have to find out. Damn things were relentless in feeding.

She went back to reading her book and X saw that it was an old book with Moon written in golden letters on its spine. He had never heard of the book, but it was something just to know about her. Right now, he was debating on how to approach the reason why he was out in the woods stalking the reclusive woman and being a feast for swarms on insects. Chosen and cemented in his mind that she was someone who would benefit tremendously from the pill. He noted to himself to come up with a name for the round shimmering blue tablet. So X stayed in his roost, which was a tree stand until the night had fallen.

When night did finally fall, X left his post and headed to town. There, he got a much-needed shower and a change of clothes before going to the local bar for some food. There, he was surprised actually to see Melissa. She was in a black dress and sitting in a corner by herself. He bought himself a beer and got her a virgin fruit drink.

"Hey, Melissa right?"

Her gaze shot up in a panic for a second before she recognized him. 
 "You're the guy from Sunflower," she said. Her gaze quickly turned away.

"Hey, gotcha you a drink," he said holding it out to her. She looked up at him, a puzzled look on her face.

"Its virgin, and I'm gay."

The confessions elicited an awkward laugh from her.

"That's inadvisable information to put out here."

"Eh, here checking out the scenery. Anyone worth looking at?"

X couldn't think of a time he had ever seen a woman blush so hard, but he did notice her gaze was past him. He quickly moved out of the way and leaned on the wall next to her. Her neighbor who lived at the end of the street was playing pool with another man.

"Pretty good looking I'd say."

"I uh, um,"

"Don't worry. Not my type. I like the business man look more."

He held the drink out to her again, and she took it. They both stood in silence watching her interest for a few minutes.

"Why are you here?"

"Hmmm?"

"I mean, uh, what brings you to-Dursk?"

"Oh, I am here for business. I work for a pharmaceutical firm that's trying out a new drug."

"Is it a good one?"

"I think so. It helps people."

"With what?"

The breaking of the balls on the pool table sounded with a smack through the bar. X took a sip of his beer and enjoyed the hopsy taste of the local brew.

"Well, it tough to explain. It does something different for each person. Like a miracle drug."

"Oh, so you can't talk about it?"

He laughed. It never occurred to him how spy-like he conducted his experiments.

"I can. It's just super secretive. We specifically chose people to try the drug."

"Is that why you're here?"

X laughed again. This woman was super perceptive, and he liked it. It wasn't often that he got to chat with a potential taker of the pill. Granted, if Melissa did take the pill, she would be the seventh person so far. He needed a success, so stepping out like this was making him nervous. The last three pill users had been mistakes, and one of his assistants was still cleaning up one of the messes.

"Yes, it is. I am looking for a taker."

"So what's it do?"

"Do you know what an anthromorph is?" he asked taking a sip of beer.

"Like a werewolf?"

The comment made him snort, which in turn made him foam beer out of his nose. She was laughing, and X struggled to find a napkin to save himself from his predicament. Her laugh was melodious, and X remembered his wife fondly. This woman was dangerous. Someone who could make him break his vows. Nose wiped clean, he gathered himself for an explanation.

"You read a lot huh?"

She looked down at the floor again.

"Yeah," she said.

"That's great. Difficult to come by someone I won't have to explain every bit too."

He laughed again and took another sip of beer. His comment worked in building her confidence back up, and she looked at him.

"So what's you name?"

"You know, I hate giving it out and so normally I have people call me X. You seem to be someone I can trust. My name is Theodore Johann-Lee Schrodinger."

"You know how to peek a women's interest Theodore. "

"Please, really, call me X."

She took a sip of her drink, the first time she had the entire conversation.

"Okay X, so anthromorph?"

"Oh, well see my product is something that allows that to happen. It makes a person take on the characteristics of an animal. It also boosts confidence and has some weird side effects that we are testing out."

"So the secrecy?"

"It's enough to cause a major issue in the free world."

"Are you wanting me to take it?"

"I was thinking of it yes. My issue is the side-effects."

"What happens?"

"A person does take on physical attributes of an animal, but it's also true if they chose an animal that is aggressive, that becomes a part of the equation too."

"So if someone were to pick wolf, they would become more predator like."

"Yes, and the second issue is that it increases the sexual drive to almost an unfathomable level. The longer a subject remains aroused, the more and more it takes on the appearance of an animal. We have one person who became a mouse and had even reverted to the size. It also can reverse the aging process."

"So there are dangers to it, but you are right about one thing."

"What's that?"

"It is a help, and it is super dangerous to allow public knowledge of."

They both sipped their drink, and X enabled her to process all he has told her.

"You're not really gay are you?"

He again laughed but let the question remain unanswered. Even if he affirmed it, he doubted she would believe him, and he wanted her trust. If he denied it, she would most certainly make a move on him, and X would not have denied her. The pair went back to silence, sipping their drinks and watching the pool game across the bar unfold.

"He's good," X said.

She remained silent. He hoped he hadn't blown the whole thing with his refusal to answer her question.

"It can't be real, your pill."

"It is. You want to try it?"

"What animal would I think of?"

"I tell people to choose their favorite."

"Mine's a squirrel."

"That's perfect."

Again back to silence and observing the pool game. The man that was Carol's neighbor made a final shot and ended the game. He left the bar after paying his tab.

"Looks like the game is over."

Again, no reply from her. The woman was lost in thought, and so X finished his beer and went to walk to the bar.

"Are you coming back?"

"Should I?"

Her gaze fell to the floor yet again. X wished she had more confidence. He was one of the few people had paid attention to the reclusive girl. So he went and got another beer. His intention was to go and play a game of pool, but as he headed that way, she met him before got to the playing area.

"I'll take it," she said holding her hand out.

X smiled at her.

"Not here Melissa, I have to give it to you somewhere else."

It sounded worse than it did, but she walked with him outside and out to her Jeep. The thing was old and rusted, but it was one of her pride and joys.

"So here it is," he said. The blue tablet was in a single dime bag. She reached up and took it from him.

"I will warn you, take it when you get home. As soon as you swallow the pill, think of a single animal. When that is done, do not leave your place for a whole day. Afterward, contact me at this number," he said, holding up his card.

"Will it hurt?"

"I don't know. I have never witnessed the change being that I have always felt that it's too intimate to watch."

"Oh well, what now?"

"Go home, take it or not, but call me if you do. The pill will break down in twenty-four hours on its own. Part of an insurance policy. If you haven't taken it, there will not be another chance to."

"I understand. Any animal? Even extinct?"

"I haven't seen someone do that, but for safety, I would stick to still around."

"I know just the one," she said.

X smiled and then she did something so unexpected that X was at a loss for words. She hugged him and planted a kiss on his lips.

"Relax. Something spontaneous to thank you, for the trust and opportunity."

He smiled again but gave her no other words as he walked away. She had disturbed feelings in him that he had long crushed. He never got sexually involved with any participant because of his wedding vows. His wife was a monster now, but he still kept faith in restoring her humanity.

Melissa watched X leave her, and she drove home. Thoughts wondered about which animal to choose and if this was wise. She technically had a day to decide, but by the time she pulled up to her cabin, Melissa had decided.

Inside the door to her cabin, Mellisa followed her routine. That meant immediately pulling her black dress over her head and hanging it on a hook by the door. Mellissa preferred to be naked, and if she could, she would be naked in public and all times. It was the native dress of humanity, and she hated that there was such a negative connotation with it. At least she was able to be naked in the woods, but when the family with children moved down the street, it had diminished the opportunities for that. Her heels joined the many that were on a shoe rack, and she headed to the kitchen.

Her cabin wasn't very big. It had a kitchen and a living room which were across from each other and divided by a hallway. At the end of the hall was a small laundry room on the right and on the left was a staircase that led to the second floor. On the second floor was the lone bathroom of the cabin and two bedrooms. On was her sleeping quarters and another was a room with bean bag chairs and filled bookshelves. When Melissa had moved into the cabin, it had been a blessing that she was able to get the internet. That allowed her to order many books online and kept her busy writing when she could.

After filling a glass of water, which always had a tinge of a copper taste, Melissa went to the living room with the glass and pill. On her couch, she considered all of the possibilities of taking the pill and all of them without. What sealed the deal is that not taking the pill would continue the lonely life that she had. That was something she wanted to avoid, and so the shimmering blue tablet was washed down with a gulp of water.

Melissa sat on the couch for a long while, nervous and almost in a panic thinking that she had made the wrong decision. So engrossed in thought that, she ended up passing out on the couch. The room filled with the sounds of cracking and pulsing glows in a hue of bright blue.

Pounding and shouting awoke Melissa. She awoke confused and realized that the pounding was on her front door, and the shouting sounded worried. Groggily, she got up and made herself decent before opening the door. She was greeted by her neighbor whom she had the crush.

"About time. I was about to call the police," he said.

"What? Why?"

Then he just stared at her, like her question was out of left field.

"Well, there was a weird light out of your place almost a night ago, and I saw you with that guy at the bar. I was worried."

"Oh, well I'm all right," she said. The shyness she had still present, but Melissa was taken aback by the fact that the man she was crushing on had even noticed her.

"So we haven't talked before. I'm Randy."

"I'm Melissa. Would like to come in for some coffee Randy?"

"Ma'am, it is almost six. Coffee would be a bad idea this late."

"How about dinner then?"

The request surprised them both. Not that Melissa minded making it. She had plenty of food for two, but when he accepted and told her he'd be back in an hour, she almost leaped for joy when the door closed. It took her nearly half of the time to get ready. Each minute left her with butterflies in her stomach, but she didn't mind.

For dinner, she prepared a walnut caramel apple-glazed salad with feta cheese and many different types of vegetables. She found that as she made the salad, it was almost impossible to keep her hands of off the walnuts, and she found herself consistently eating a handful of the unshelled nuts. The wine was poured, and she looked to figure out what else to make. She decided on some pasta and rosa sauce. No meat, though, being that Melissa was working on being a vegetarian. She hoped that wouldn't be an issue with Randy, but as she ate another handful of walnuts, she notices that her nails were darker. X's words of how pill takers began to anthropomorphize the more they became aroused went through her head. It was cause for panic, but a knock on the door made her push the panic to the side, and she opened the door to a handsome looking Randy.

"Wow, you look beautiful," he said to her.

"You're good looking too," she replied. He laughed, but as Melissa closed the door to her cabin, she couldn't but stare at his attire. Tight Jeans, Red flannel buttoned shirt and hiking boots. He was hot, and Melissa almost attacked him. There was so much going on with her that as that sat at the table chatting, her thoughts were more of sex.

"So you don't do meat?" he asked.

"I try not too. I love animals."

"Ah, well the salad is exquisite."

"Oh I love walnuts," she told him. Her fork sunk into the flesh of one before she popped the tasty morsel into her mouth.

"So take it that's why you are up here in the woods?"

"The love of nature? Oh, yes. It's so peaceful and allows me plenty of time for my interests."

"I like woods because of the remoteness. Not a big people person."

"Me either."

She giggled behind taking a big bite of salad, and their conversation moved into family, hobbies and work. Though Melissa rarely did work. She did do some editing every week, but that money paid for the little expenses she had. When her parents had died, she had inherited a substantial amount of money and so didn't need to work.

Randy told her that he worked as a mechanic for about ten years before retiring and concentrating on engineering things. They were both around the same age. He was 28 and she 26. They consumed the food and wine and eventually moved to the couch for their conversation.

"So I've seen you around a lot," he said.

"I do try to get out."

"Especially at night."

She blushed. There was once when she was masturbating on the porch she could have sworn she saw someone, but now she knew for sure that someone was Randy.

Melissa wasn't sure who made the first move, but soon they were in each other's arms passionately kissing. His hands made up her dress and her legs spread automatically to allow his fingers to work into her. She rubbed him through his jeans and eventually the two were almost naked.

"What the shit is this?"

There was a tug on something on her. Something that shouldn't have been there. Melissa got off the couch and saw a big bushy red tail poking out right above her behind. The thing was getting bigger, but Randy was already moving away from her.

"What kind of freak are you?"

"What?"

"I'm not doing this. No fucking way."

The door slammed shut, and Melissa collapsed onto the floor crying. The man she wanted, longed for, had turned into someone who now rejected her. Just like when she was a kid and the other school children . When she called X's number, he only told her he was on his way. When X arrived, he found Melissa in a heap on the floor balling her eyes out.

"You said this would help. He hated me."

X was at a loss for words. Instead, he sat next to her on the floor. Eventually, she moved to lean on his shoulder and cry there. He just let her sob and felt terrible that the woman's experience with the pill had been a bad one. When the crying stopped, he looked over to her only to be met with a fierce and passionate kiss. It was against everything he stood for, and X did try to pull away, but Melissa wasn't having a second rejection that night.

X's shirt was torn away from his body by now clawed hands. Her nails had gone completely obsidian. Again, X tried to get away as she worked on undressing him, but her soft bushy tail wrapped around him and kept him within her grasp. Never before had X gotten himself into this situation, but he accepted that they were going to have sex and so became a more willing partner.

As much as Melissa needed the sex, the acceptance that it would bring. X needed it more. Six years he had been celibate. Any thoughts of lust quickly made him feel guilty for betraying his wife. But tonight with Melissa, those thoughts were overwhelmed by her eagerness and aggressiveness. In a surge of strength, he managed to push just far enough way to get his hands to his zipper. No sooner had he managed to get them undone than they were torn away from his body. She sat on his lap and sank down his length.

"You're a lot bigger than I would have guessed."

"And you're a lot tighter."

"Am I? I haven't done this a lot, but I'm not inexperienced in this."

To emphasize that fact she rolled her hips.

"Where did you learn such things?"

"Books can be a lot of help. Now hush. I'm a squirrel, and we alway get our nut."

"Wait-what?"

She slammed X back and began to bounce herself up and down. While she impaled herself over and over again, X got to get a good look at Melissa for the first time since coming over. Before, she was a small woman with good features. But now, her mammaries were swollen big like basketballs. Her nipples were thick and with each bounce, the mammaries bounced off his chest and each time, think nipples poked into it. Having enough, his fingers sunk into the soft flesh to lift at least one of the nipples up to his lips. It was enough to cause her pause, which X needed.