Tyler began to panic. He wasn't able to leave, and what's worse was that his friends and family were leaving without him. Through the curtain, Tyler could see Stephen addressing the crowd, asking them to return tomorrow for another show, or leave a donation in the box outside. Tyler's big brown eyes finally found what he was looking for. His brothers. They made eye contact with him, and for a second Tyler believed he would be saved. But then, to his horror, they got up and left with the rest of the crowd. None of them seemed the least bit concerned that Tyler had been transformed into a freakish human animal hybrid.
He watched, tears welling up in his eyes as they left the tent. He couldn't run to them, couldn't beg them not to leave him with this witch. One by one everyone in the crowd exited the tent. After ten short minutes, Tyler was alone with Madame Illusia. Had he been able, Tyler would have turned around and skewered the woman with his new horns. Of course they weren't sharp so they wouldn't do much damage. But Tyler just felt so angry, and had no way of expressing it other than snorting in protest every time the Madame came close to him.
"Now, now. Behave yourself. Or I won't give you a treat later." Madame Illusia wagged a finger at her new creation. She exited the stage, Tyler unwillingly following her. Stephen joined his mother and their new companion outside.
Tyler noticed several other men and women walking behind the tents. None were phased by his appearance. In fact, a few waved as they passed by. Tyler couldn't believe this. Had he just been sucked into some kind of cult? Where they turn innocent bystanders into freakish animal creatures? Was he going to remain this way for the rest of his life?
Stephen noticed the tears sliding down Tyler's bull face, and whispered something to his mother. Madame Illusia turned around and looked Tyler straight in the face.
"Dear boy, you have nothing to cry about. I will explain once we are inside. But you shouldn't worry, you'll regain your lost form eventually." she said, patting Tyler's arm. Tyler sniffed, and almost smiled. Perhaps she was making him feel gratitude, but Tyler welcomed it nonetheless. It was better than feeling sorry for himself.
The "inside" Madame Illusia spoke of turned out to be another tent. But this was unlike the other. It was massive inside. Far bigger than it appeared on the outside. Tyler wasn't too surprised. If this woman could make him grow a tail and transform his legs into those of a dog, why couldn't she have one of those weird Harry Potter magic tents.
What did surprise him was the tent's contents. Tyler wasn't sure what he had been expecting to see, but it certainly wasn't this.