Sam and Jake watch as the men take the donkeys into a large warehouse by the water. The ferry has moved from the main to an area behind the warehouse. “We’ll have to go through the warehouse to get to the boat,” Sam whispers. “We’ll get caught if we go in there,” Jake says back. “Well, do you have a better idea,” Sam fires back, but Jake just sighs.
The boys creep up to the side of the warehouse. There is a lot of braying coming from inside. The main door is unguarded so the boys walk quietly up to it and push it open slightly. Inside, they can see a large corral filled with donkeys, each one being inspected one at a time and then moved into an individual crate.
The inspection process is fairly quick, they shine a small light into the donkey’s eye and then remove any remnants of humanity. Clothing, watches, earrings, hats, etc… Sam can see that the corral wraps around the side of the warehouse, almost to a large open door to the ferry. “Jake, if we sneak into the corral, we can hide among the donkeys and just make our way to the other end of the warehouse.”
Jake nods and the boys slide in the front door. They dash to the fence of the corral and squeeze through. Sam and Jake cringe from the smell of the confined donkeys. “Just stay low,” Sam says. “I was afraid you’d say that,” Jake says covering his mouth.
They are well hidden from the donkey’s height as they slink along the wall of the warehouse. They pass several donkeys with pieces of clothing stuck around their legs, but as they get toward the corner of the corral, they start to find boys who aren’t completely changed, but soon will be.
They boys are on the ground groaning with a smile as their bodies betray them to their new form still unaware that anything is wrong. On the wall, is a small trough with faucets dripping beer. The changing boys still give in to their lust for the brew and pull themselves up for a few drops.
Sam moves quietly passed as the boys laugh and bray, but one grabs Jake by the leg. “Hey maaaawww HEE HAW. You have to have a drink WEEEE MEEEE,” the boy slurs. Jake just shakes his head, but the boy persists. “It’s so good,” he moans and then sticks his elongated face under the dripping faucet, his tongue lapping up the drops.
Jake starts to feel how dry his throat is and swallows hard. He looks up, but Sam has already moved out of site. “Sam?” Jake looks and then looks back to the beer and licks his lips.
Sam looks behind him and sees that he’s lost Jake. “Jake,” he calls quietly, but there’s no answer. Sam starts back along the wall, checking to see if anyone’s spotted them in the herd. He pushes through some of the donkeys and sees Jake by the trough. His eyes go wide as he looks at his friend.
Jake’s face has gotten longer and hairy. He has his face angled under one of the faucets. He laps up the drops and swallows, each time gritting his teeth. Jake’s shoes have tore open and his hooved feet are stretched out behind him. Sam can see that Jake’s shirt is starting to tear in the back and that a long thick mane of hair has grown down his neck. Same races to Jake and pulls him from the trough. “Jake, what are you doing! Stop.” Sam pleads. Jake just looks up to him. “Saaaaamm,” Jake laughs, his voice deeper, “this place is so gree… greeeeaaaa….” Jake grits his teeth hard as they thicken in his mouth. His lips swell up to cover them. He paws at Sam’s shirt with his hands, but they’ve started to harden into fists. “Sam… I want… my… mommy…” Jake sobs. Sam’s eyes well up with tears as his friend fades. “Mommy…” Jake cries, “mommy pleeeaaaswww HEE HAW HEE HAW.” Jake’s hands fold up into hooves and his shirt rips off his back.
Sam pulls away as Jake starts to kick his hind legs and swell into a full donkey. Jake’s pants rip, but cling to his form as he buck and brays with fury.