Josh can only stand there as the duo run off. What's left of his shirt now clings to his back, the remains of his pants hanging off of his legs. They seem to mock him, a reminder of something he can never have again.
Get off of me! Stop mocking me!
He bucks, desperately trying to rid himself of the clothes. The pants go first; he feels them fly off his legs ... his hind legs. They land behind him.
His socks still cling to what's left of his ankles. The hooves that now tip his toes unworthy of any form of footwear.
No, I don't want to be a donkey! I have a life back home! I have dreams, hopes. I don't want to live out my days like this!
The urge to back overwhelms Josh. He does it repeatedly, with no apparent goal. All he knows is, the desire ... the need is there.
No, this can't be it. There has to be more to life then fulfilling only basic desire!
However, such a life, one where one strives to improve themselves, not just as an individual, but as a species through successive generations is a human thing. The life ahead of him will be one of little more then basic needs. There will be no desire to improve or better himself in any way.
I want more to life then that!
Any and all attempts at speech result in a bray. The sound is a reminder of his foolishness; indeed his entire body has become a mark of his indiscretions. He can no longer hide the mistakes he's made; the consequences of them are open for all to see.
How do I be a donkey? I don't know how to be a donkey!
Panic leads to flight. Josh realizes he isn't even thinking about it; he's just doing it. He has no apparent location in mind to run to, all he knows is, he must get away from where he is. He doesen't know why and that frightens him all the more.
I'm not a donkey! It has to be a dream! This can't be how it ends!
All of his education now seems for naught. All of his lessons in grammar and etiquette, wasted. When one can only bray, grammar is meaningless. When one is a donkey, academic matters are irrelevant.
I'm not a dumb animal! I'm a human being!
Knowing he'll never have worry about human concerns or responsibilities does little (if anything) to calm Josh. He also knows he'll lose his hobbies and anything that gives him joy. He'll never know the warm touch of a woman or of getting to know a girlfriend. Any female companionship in his future will be nothing more then lust. The thought sickens him as it only reminds him of the bestial nature of the form he now must live out his days in.
As he runs, he sees other boys changing, crying, begging for mercy. He knows there is no mercy here, no hope, no future. This island is far from one of pleasure; it is one of hopelessness, broken dreams and despair.
He stops running as he grows tired. He feels sweat pouring down all over his body. His ears pick up other brays, his nostrils, scents of donkeys as they grow stronger ... more numerous. He sees two attendants approaching his position. One of them has a harness.
No, I can't let them take me away! I am not property! I am a human being!
He keeps expecting a hero, his proverbial knight in shinning armor to swoop in at any moment and make things right.
I'm not a bad boy; this isn't supposed to happen to me; this only happens to bad boys! I don't want to be this way!
He starts braying wildly, losing all control. The attendants reach his position. The one with the harness puts it on him. Despair drains the fight out of Josh and he goes with them as they lead him through the park.
They eventually come to large boat and lead him into it. He sees a sea of donkeys in stables inside. They lead him into a stable, remove the harness and lock the door behind them. All Josh can do is stand there, contemplating his situation.
He can't help but wonder if the name Josh means anything anymore. Is he no different then all the other jacks there? Is he just another donkey now; destined to live out his life as a beast of burden?
All he can do is hope Jessie and that girl got away; that they someone have avoided this fate.