Deirdre had noticed that Ronald's behavior had become a bit rougher as the evening had worn on. While at first he had been rather quiet and a gentleman, as the night had worn on, he'd become louder, and slightly more forceful.
Deirdre was pretty sure it was the alcohol that was causing him to be this way, but it also seemed like he'd grown a five o'clock shadow over the course of a couple of hours. Then again, she had a bit of a buzz as well, and she simply could have been misremembering, though she didn't think she was THAT drunk.
Ronald also seemed to zone out, completely losing himself staring up into the night sky at the moon. More than once he would be talking, then stare off into space, his words gradually trailing off. After a moment or two, Becky would nudge him, and he'd snap back to reality, but soon enough it would happen again.
After what seemed like the hundredth time, Becky finally said, "I think it's time we left. Ronald's getting a bit tired." It was a feeble excuse, one that Deirdre took to mean, "Ronald's completely wasted."
Ronald walked up to Deirdre, opening his arms for a hug goodbye. As Ronald hugged her tightly, Deirdre felt him inhale sharply through his nose. "Blood..." he muttered.
"Excuse me?" Deirdre asked, sure she had heard him wrong.
"I smell blood....blood...heat...heat..." Ronald said, turning away, stepping out into the backyard. Deirdre glanced at Becky, and was surprised to see a look of horror on her face.
"Oh no....not now!" whispered Becky.
Ronald turned away from the moon, now walking back to Deirdre, tugging at the collar of the polo shirt he wore. "Blood...heat....moonlight..." he muttered, stalking up to Deirdre, who was paralyzed with fear. Ronald's eyes had taken on a menacing, mesmerizing quality.
"Becky...Becky help ME!" cried Deirdre.
"Ronald, Ronald NOT NOW! FIGHT IT!" Becky said, distracting him. Ronald stared at her, puzzled, turning away from Deirdre. Deirdre took the opportunity to run past him, escaping inside the house. She grabbed Becky's wrist, dragging her inside as well.
"What the fuck is WRONG with him?" screamed Deirdre at Becky. Becky didn't say anything, just shaking her head in reply.
Ronald slapped ineffectually on the sliding glass door that led inside. Deirdre had locked it, and was quite thankful that the glass was reinforced. Deirdre began to walk to the phone to call the police, but was distracted by a loud ripping sound on the patio, and couldn't help but turn around and stare.
Ronald was still staring through the glass, but was no longer attempting to get in. Instead, he was smiling broadly at her, with teeth that elongated into fangs sliding over his lips. He had torn open his shirt, with taloned fingers blossoming claws, and tufts of brown fur seemed to be exploding from it.
His eyes were glowing a luminescent yellow, and his ears were growing longer and pointed. His feet exploded from his shoes, taloned as his hands were, and his nose had taken on a leathery quality. His whole body was covered in a thick coat of brown fur, at least as much of it as she could see. His forehead began to recede as his jaw jutted foreward. A large tail popped out from the top of his slacks, and the creature howled, though Deirdre had realized what Ronald was long before his change was complete.
"Holy shit!" whispered Deirdre. The werewolf made no attempt to get in, instead simply staring at her. "Becky, we need to get out of here! Quick, out the front, we'll take my car!"
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