You lay in bed, lost in thought as new memories formed in your mind. Memories of living in a small, cozy flat in the East End of London with your hardworking parents who did everything they could to give you and your sisters a happy life despite their struggles. You noticed a small flat cap nearby and it seemed so familiar to you. You had worn it all the time as a cub, and it brought back more memories of playing football in the park with your mates and getting ice cream from an ice cream van that made rounds in your old neighbourhood. It all felt happy and warm in your head.
Suddenly, you snapped out of it when you heard your mother calling for you. "Benji, love, you forgot your dinner from earlier. We saved it for you." You shook your head, realizing that you were about to have dinner before the fateful moment where Asher and Felix arrived. Asides, all this thinking had made you hungry. You made your way back down the stairs as your stomach growled, feeling disoriented and confused. You couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that things weren't as they should be.
Your claws clanged on the dining room floor and you took a seat at the table, looking down at the plate of shepherd's pie, staring blankly at the beef, corn, and mashed potatoes before you. The food reminded you of home, and you couldn't help but think of how the Yanks loved to mock British cooking, but you could never speak lowly of your sweet mother's cooking.
Your mother's brow furrowed in concern. "You need to eat, love. You've seemed to have had a rough day with that posh neighbour of yours."
"Mum, I'm just having a bad day," you said as you began to dig into your supper, hoping to avoid any further questions.
But your older sister Zoe, always one to push, spoke up. "What's wrong with you, Benji? You're acting really off."
You sighed, knowing that you were struggling to grapple with your memories clashing with one another. "I'm just… going through some stuff right now, Zoe. It's nothing to worry about."
But your mother wasn't convinced. "Is there something else bothering you?"
You frown across your dark, badger lips, feeling a lump form in your throat. "No, Mum. It's just… I don't know. I don't feel like myself."
"Maybe you should get therapy," your sister suggested, her concern growing.
Your nose began to twitch, feeling a sudden surge of panic. "No, I don't need therapy. I just need some time to figure things out."
You wondered how long you would have to live as a badger and how you could possibly get your old life back. You couldn't bear the thought of losing your mind and being trapped like this forever. You pushed your chair back from the table, feeling like you needed to get away. You needed a break from this charade. You needed to find a way to reverse what Asher had done to you and your family and get back to your old life.
"Where are you going?" your mother asked as you made your way toward the door.
"I just need some fresh air," you said, not wanting to lie to her but not wanting to explain the truth either.
"Be careful out there," your mother called after you as you stepped outside into the cool night air.
You walked down the street, feeling lost and alone. You couldn't help but think about your old life as a human and wonder if it would end up being completely erased and replaced by some badger bloke…