Mary's entire backside burned. It felt like someone was rubbing hot coals across it. The man bent over to help Mary stand back up, and instantly regretted it. Hundreds of sharp quills shot out from the back of her shirt, cutting the man's arms. He jumped back in surprise, and the crowd that had gathered at the wreck was beginning to gasp and mutter to themselves.
Mary's eyes were pressed shut. The pain in her back had subsided, but now her face was aching. She heard her bones shifting and popping. A loud scream from a girl caught her attention; her ears seemed to be more sensitive than usual. Mary turned to the girl, exposing her long muzzled face to the crowd. Her eyes were larger now, the irises a deep brown. The girl shrieked again and watched Mary's large furry ears perk up at the sound.
Horrified by the pain and her changes--which she was barely aware of at this point--Mary stumbled back up her front steps and retreated into her house. She slammed the door and locked the dead bolt, feeling more pains in her feet. She kicked off her slippers and watched as her feet lengthened, forming thin claws. Her entire body grew coarse brown hair. After a while, the pain subsided all over her body and she panted in exhaustion, leaning against a wall. She hesitantly moved into the bathroom, scared of what she might see in the mirror...