Daniel felt his legs beginning to give way, the realization that Jennifer was telling the truth
-that she had been transformed into a dog girl against her will, and that somehow the
curse had moved on to him- was difficult to bear.
"Psssst. Daniel, quit freaking out! People are starting to look," hissed Jennifer under her
breath, as she quietly guided her friend away from the arcade and down a side street. She
suggested that they make their way back to his house to regroup, as Jennifer knew Daniel
lived with his dad who was usually away on business.
As the two East Hampton high school students walked together down the deserted street,
Jennifer explained again to Daniel how only a few days ago, Kyle Perkins had compelled
her to allow him to attach the cursed collar to her neck, and how even the slightest
mention of the collar had caused her to become more and more of a humanoid golden
retriever. Although Daniel always remembered Jennifer as a dog, he felt he had no choice
but to believe her story given his newly pointed ears.
When Jennifer got to the part about becoming increasingly obedient as she became more
of a dog, Daniel seemed surprised. He mentioned that he'd seen her refuse to do lots of
things she'd been told to do at school this week, and Jennifer agreed. "Maybe," suggested
Daniel, "that part of the curse didn't take, because Kyle had already wished to have you
turn into a dog, and so the second part of his wish was much weaker."
Jennifer agreed that was probably why. As the two continued their conversation, she
noticed Daniel's hand had crept under his shirt and was idly scratching at his belly.
Jennifer guessed it he was itching his newly burgeoning fur, but was intrigued.
Daniel had only worn the collar for a brief time, and Kyle had never mentioned him in his
curse. But the evidence was unmistakable, Daniel was becoming more and more doggish.
And, in a deep recess of her mind, Jennifer realized that she liked it -maybe even wanted
it- and that she was even curious what breed Daniel would be. Maybe, she dared to hope,
even a humanoid golden retriever like herself!
"Whatcha scratching at there?" asked Jennifer coyly, barely able to keep her tongue from
springing out in a light pant. "I dunno if I want to look" answered a terrified Daniel, lifting
his shirt to show...