“What a real bad time to break down” the late 30s partial-Asian man wearing brown slacks with black shoes under a gray shirt complained as he and his equally aged brown-haired Caucasian wife wearing a green T-shirt under a white puffer-jacket about black trousers and white shoes. “I’d more blame that stupid pair of girl racers we narrowly avoided Hideo” the wife assured she they both did what they could to find what was wrong.
“Mum. Dad. Why not ask at that store?” The couple’s 9 year old son wearing baggy jean with gray trainers, brown jacket over a white top, called from the back passage seat. “*sigh* Liam’s right Chloe. Beside the road number we don’t know any landmarks on this route” Hideo confessed. “He’s only saying that as it’s a petshop and you know how Liam is about pet animals” Chloe returned. “Something we shared in our early youth” Hideo returned “Plus it’s a few miles from the last possible landmark we can call about”. “Oh alright” Chloe accepted, if anything she was thinking now that if anything they might get a pet for their new home they not long moved into back in town.
Though once the family was inside things weren’t looking up. All that they could see inside the building that was thankfully unlocked was shelves of various Pet foods and toys, care equipment and behind this counter for checkouts an obviously locked medical cabinet for medication. That said there were collection of pet bowls with many filled with water setup in lines in a corner by the counter while opposite several layers of newspapers littered the floor with a sigh marked ‘Experience Visitor Bathroom’ nearby. Otherwise the only thing of note was that the counter till was practically an antique from the 80s or 90s.
“OK this is creepy. Where are the staff?” Chloe asked. “Forget that. Where are the pets?” Liam returned. “I don’t know...” Hideo responded calmly “let’s look around a bit. Might find someone distracted in shocking while lessoning to music on headphones about”. “Might as well” Chloe accepted as they got to looking.
As it happened Liam’s search lead him to another store-style door leading out to the back and through its windows saw that the pets were kept in fenced areas out the back. What’s more going down the path was some guy walking down the central path outside the doors to this cabin alongside a Balinese cat. “Mum, Dad. Over here” Liam called. “What is it Liam?” Hideo asked and he and Chloe ran up to Liam. “I saw someone heading into that cabin” Liam answered as he opened the doors. “Hope it’s an employee” Chloe pleaded as the parents followed their son.
Before long the family was walking through the fields housing the animals, most oddly adults which was very rare but looked to be proof somewhat this business was legitimate. Plus none showed signs of abuse and the fields while fenced still allowed enough space for exercise. All this was enough so far too briefly distract the parents while Liam made it to the cabin and looked inside.
As it happened inside the man from before was just standing there as this older man in plead clothing and apron stood within some small circle with wired symbols within it linked by a line to a much bigger circle that the cat was seated in with the man speaking in some wired tongue while making wired hand movements. “Liam what are you-” Chloe started as she and Hideo caught up but then all three witnessed it as right before their eyes the cat morphed into a crouching naked woman wearing a green cat collar.
“So how was it Gloria?” the old man asked the naked woman who was stretching her arms a bit. “Very relaxing. It’s a wonder you don’t-” the woman started while slowly getting up. “WOW! How’s you do that?” Liam asked as he made himself and his family known while running up to the woman like he was in a magic show. “EEEKKKK” Gloria cried in shock while trying to cover herself. “What on earth are you doing? Letting a kid in just like this?” the man that had accompanied the cat that had become Gloria demanded as he quickly handed a sheet to Gloria. “I’m really sorry but our car broke down just outside and we came in for help but couldn’t find anyone until Liam saw someone enter here” Hideo insisted while bowing in apology. “What...did we even just witness?” Chloe questioned Gloria “I...I mean you were...just a cat”. “Why don’t you take your wife to the back to get dressed while I explain things Matthew” the old man suggested.
Once Gloria and Matthew were out of sight “Guess I should introduce myself. Thomas Goodwill and I am the owner of this store” the old man greeted while shaking hands with Hideo. “Hideo Owens. My wife Chloe and son Liam” Hideo returned “Now as my wife asked what exactly happened here?”. “A hidden part of my business. Main one but secretive owing to its nature you must understand” Thomas answered kindly “See I help fulfil dreams of those who like to experience being animals. Limited to domestic I must confess”. “And the reverse I gather” Chloe noted. “Nope. Gloria just returned from an experience run as outside of select cases I refute one-way changes nor can turn natural animals into humans or other animals” Thomas insisted “I do believe though you passed if not interacted with some of those that did choose so who were all legal adults at the time”.
“Care to...go into detail?” Chloe asked. “Over other aspects, sure” Thomas started “I don’t make permanent changes on children even at parental demands. I do reviews which require reverting clients like Gloria every now and then. The collars are a required part-”. “Collars?” Hideo interrupted. “They help ID those who are transformed humans and keep track of them in emergencies. Also regardless they retain human lifespan which pass on- Well that I believe you might understand but isn’t exactly appropriate with certain ears without the whole ‘birds and bees’ talk” Thomas continued.
Just then Matthew and Gloria returned with Gloria now dressed “Again Our apologises for intruding” Hideo insisted. “It’s alright. We understand with the car and the lack of added staff here” Gloria assured before turning to Thomas “And thanks for the reprieve Mt Goodwill”. “But of course Gloria” Thomas returned as Gloria and Matthew left “So are any of you pondering over this?” Thomas then asked. “Didn’t you-” Chloe started. “I meant becoming animals yourselves after learning this?” Thomas corrected. “Now hang on-” Hideo started. “Besides those who signed away humanity the only animal I have adopted out of here are the offspring of such choices. Experience takers like Gloria instead make arrangements with family or friends to be their caretakers like her husband Matthew” Thomas insisted. “Sorry” Hideo apologized. “Might find it relaxing to get away from humanity for awhile which many look for really” Thomas continued: