Dustin followed the little girl home, feeling exposed with every step he took. It wasnt like he fit in even now with clothes. He was a rat kid, and he stuck out like a sore thumb. Thankfully Lily's home wasn't far. It was in an apartment complex, and they had to climb a few floors before Lily fished out her key and opened the lock. The whole place was a sensory overload for Dustin. His new rat senses heard, saw and distinctly smelled everything. He was relieved to go inside and find a simply furnished apartment.
"Okay, bathroom's down the hall. Just throw that stuff in the hamper, Ill see about getting you some other food. " Lily said.
Dustin nodded. "Thanks Lily, I mean it."
The girl smiled and patted his hand then went about doing her things. Dustin found a small bathroom down the hall. He did as instructed and threw the clothes in the hamper before starting the water. As the water heated he stood and stared in the mirror. A rat boy stared back with dark gray fur, whiskers and pink hands and feet. Even his eyes had changed, larger and rodentlike, but they were still his...somehow, still the same color. Dustin sighed and stepped into the shower.
The hot water felt wonderful. As it seeped into his fur and he lathered up a cloth with disinfectent soap and shampoo, all the grime of the sewers and the streets flowed away like black oil. When he was done, Dustin stepped out of the shower and was startled by what he saw. His fur was almost silver, shimmering silky smooth. He didn't look half bad now, wrapped in a towel.
Then he heard a knock. "Dustin, I left some clothes outside. They're not great but they will do!"