Rick was on all fours, happily munching on the open bag of food, when he suddenly heard the door open. He looked up to see his younger sister Dana enter the kitchen.
"Rick! What are you doing?!" she screeched.
Rick quickly jumped up off the floor, carefully hiding his paws behind his back. He didn't realize his sister was going to be back home so soon. He had planned to be completely changed before anyone came home. He wanted to change into a dog and become the family pet. But he wanted to keep his true identity a secret from his family. They would treat him differently if they knew that he had once been a human part of the family, and it would make everyone feel awkward. He just kind of figured his family would adopt him when they came home and found the strange but cute and lovable dog in their house. Rick realized now that was kind of a stupid plan. They just as well might have sent him to the pound.
But it was better than letting them know the truth. He hadn't been too kind to his younger sister, teasing her mercilessly. He didn't like the thought of Dana returning the favor, with him trapped as a weak vulnerable pet at her mercy.
"Nothing, " mumbled Rick. The words felt strange in his mouth. His jaw ached and his long tongue felt too big for his mouth, rubbing against his sharpening teeth. He felt unsteady on his lengthening feet, balancing on the balls of his feet.
"It doesn't look like nothing. It looks like you were eating off the floor like some kind of animal, " she said smugly.
"I was having a snack and dropped the bag. I was just bending over to clean it up when you came in and startled me, " said Rick with difficulty. His words felt slurred and he hoped that Dana didn't notice. His chest tickled, probably from the fur growing in across his body. He silently prayed it wasn't anywhere that was exposed, somewhere Dana might be able to see it. Or that she could see the slowly growing tail nervously wagging behind his back.
"Cleaning up, huh?" said Dana sarcastically, her disbelief evident on her face. "Then what is that shit on your nose? Some of your snack?"
"My nose? What stuff?" said Rick. He noticed that it tickled, but he had the presence of mind to remember that his hands had changed to paws and did not reach up to touch it.
But that didn't stop Dana from stomping over and touching it.
"Gross! It's all wet!" said Dana with disgust, wiping her hand on her shirt.
Now that Dana was right in front of him, Rick noticed that he was no longer taller than his younger sister. In fact, she seemed a little taller. He had planned on becoming a dog. And since dogs were smaller than humans, it was not an unexpected development. But it still made him nervous, reminding him of the many advantages Dana would soon have over him. Rick nervously backed away, hoping that Dana didn't recognize his change in stature.
"Listen, I really need to use the bathroom. I gotta go, " said Rick. He began to sulk out of the kitchen, careful to keep facing Dana and hiding his back from her.
He was almost out the door when Dana stopped him.
"Wait a minute! Aren't you forgetting something? "said Dana, looking towards the open bag of food on the floor.
Rick's face felt warm. Was the fur spreading to his face or was he just embarrassed? Either way it didn't matter. He had to get out of here fast.
"Um, I feel a little sick. I'll clean it up later," said Rick nervously.
"Forget it! I'll do it myself," said Dana, bending over and picking up the bag. She looked at the bag for a second, then a puzzled expression passed over her face.
Rick began to panic, the tingling warmth in his face getting stronger and spreading to his ears. Had Dana noticed the label? He hoped not. If she realized what was going on, he was in trouble.
Big trouble.