John was surrounded by animals now, a very strange mix that included predators and prey alike. A huge wolf walked alongside a slender doe, while a massive Siberian tiger padded along with a miniature donkey trotting beside it. Birds flitted about, some landing momentarily on the tangled mat of his hair to snatch up tiny insects. His features were changing now, not only due to his slow regression towards puberty. The wiry fourteen year-old bore little if any resemblance to the boy John had been at that age, his hair and eyes both near black, and skin no longer just tanned. He looked more Asian or Indian now, golden-brown skin made even darker by a shadow of encrusted dirt.
They reached a still pond and John stooped to drink, only to gasp when he saw his face. The shock of the now-13 year-old reflection startled him out of the easy acceptance, and he looked at himself with a mix of wonder and apprehension. Old scars and scabs were scattered over his body, and his feet were so deeply ingrained with dirt they looked black. He was obviously healthy - he felt great. Light and full of energy, ready to run for miles. Though scummy, his teeth were strong and straight, and his vision, hearing, and sense of smell seemed magnified.
Several of the animals pressed close, and he felt the rumbling purr of the tiger. Having such a huge and dangerous beast against his back should have terrified him, but John had no sense of threat. It was more than acceptance by the various animals - he was becoming part of their family. But there was a price involved - his past was fading. He remembered being a father, his marriage and his kids. But as for his job? there were only vague recollections of older men and women struggling daily inside some huge, featureless box walled off from nature. If he went back now, would he change back to his grown-up, 'normal' self? Did he want to go back? He loved his family, but this was such a unique chance. Then again, this was probably only going to last for the two weeks of their vacation. Something about that did not feel right - there was a sense of permanence, of choice. He did not think he would change back unless he really wanted to, and even then he was pretty sure he would never quite be the man he had been before.
Other paths seemed to be opening for him as well. The rumbling tiger behind him seemed to be a growing presence, though he felt strong bonds to the deer, the wolf, the donkey, even the squirrels and rabbits he now saw peering a him through the tall grass. What would happen if he pressed back against the tiger, sitting down between the powerful forelegs? Or joined the deer for a run through the woods? Looking back at his reflection, John realized if he made no other decision, whatever was happening to him would keep regressing him into a wild boy. In just the few minutes he had been here he had dropped another year at least, and there was no trace of his old face left.
He had to struggle to keep all of his options in mind, but finally he decided that he would