“...in order for my plan to succeed,” Nat continued whilst eyeing you intensely, “I’m afraid I will require some more of your precious help.”
“Anything,” you blurted out without really thinking, “if it helps to save my family then I’ll do whatever it takes!”
“That’s good to hear,” Nat said with a slight smile, “however, I must warn you that what I have planned for you and Jessica may bring back some painful memories. In order for us to succeed, the two of you must become animals again…”
Hearing this suddenly made your heart stop as you looked at Nat with a mix of shock, fear and betrayal. “Like fuck that’s happening,” you said as you backed away, “we’ve only just changed back to normal and now you want to put us through that nightmare again? Why on earth would anyone in their right mind agree to that!?”
“To save your family,” Nat replied bluntly, “as well as your girlfriend’s parents; and hopefully everyone who has fallen victim to the Zoo’s curse. The change needn’t be for long, but we need to convince the Zoo that you two have been caught; which will then allow me to claim my reward…”
“Ah I see,” you said as you backed away even further, “I might have known that you’re only trying to help yourself…”
“Listen,” Nat interrupted with an annoyed hiss, “like I said before, if I wanted to harm you or your precious girlfriend I could easily have done so already. Your transformations will only be temporary because I will make sure you never get the chance to mate. We just need to convince the Zoo that you have been captured for good, after which I will let you return to normal.”
“And how do you plan to do that?” you asked suspiciously, “and more importantly, why should I trust you?”
“It’s quite simple really,” Nat replied, seemingly unimpressed that you still had your doubts, “I will film you and Jessica transforming, whilst making sure that you never get the chance to mate fully. This means that your changes will be reversible, while I will be able to claim the Zoo’s reward and join the board of directors. This should give me the power and influence necessary to end this evil curse and bring the whole organisation crashing down. Can’t you see, this is the best shot you have of rescuing your loved ones. So tell me, are you in?”
Nat’s words made you pause as you stopped to consider everything she had said. On the one hand, she could simply be lying through her teeth about wanting to take down the Zoo; hell she could easily have been sent to capture you and Jessica. Despite this though, you got the sense that there was more to this mysterious woman than met the eye, but was this really enough to bet your humanity on?
“Well?” Nat said as she tapped her foot impatiently, “what will it be? Are you in or out?”