Being the gentleman - well, the gentle minotaur - that you are, you allow Sam to sleep in your bed, after she’s had a shower and shared a meal with you. In the meantime, you try to get some rest on the lounge floor, after your own stint in the bathroom. Wrapping a spare blanket over your larger frame, and resting your head on the gathered pile of cushions, you try to nod off.
Sleep comes, but before long you are dreaming of the labyrinth. In your mind, as you enter the minotaur’s lair, a shimmering of magical light emerges from the very walls and slams into you. In the dream, your cries of pain gradually deepen as your jeans disappear and your body suddenly grows taller - your skinny frame fills out with swelling muscles, before your enlarged pecs and beefed-up limbs sprout their thin coating of fur…
You’re remembering your transformation! You now recall briefly blacking out in the treasure chamber - which accounts for you forgetting the metamorphosis.
Meanwhile, in the dream, your head changes shape, becomes coated with fur, and your bovine muzzle forms - at the same time as your horns erupt from your temples and curl round. As you bellow, overcome by the power that has reshaped you, the dream ends…
“Miles! Miles - wake up!” A pair of hands shake you.
“Uhh? Sa-Sam?” you rasp. Your vision clears, to see your house guest looking down at you with an anxious expression, illuminated by the glow from the lounge light.
“Are you all right, Miles? You were crying out in your sleep!”
“Ahh… Nightmare.” You tell Sam about it.
She looks thoughtful as she rubs first your shoulder, then your head. Her soft touch relaxes you, and you sigh. Sam points to the mantelpiece. “The man in the picture on there… Is that you - with a woman laughing at your side?”
“Ah yes - that skinny-looking guy was me. And the lady… Well, she’s my ex-girlfriend. She left me for a more exiting, hunky bloke,” you grumble.
“Bet you’re more hunky than him now,” Sam mutters, with a smile hovering around her lips. “So, you live alone. Any family who can help you deal…with this?“
You shake your head slightly - not wanting to hit Sam with your new horns. “I moved to this area because it was Bianca’s - my ex’s - wish to be here. Now she’s left town. I’m not good at making friends - too shy. So, it’s just me.”
Sam gives you a look of sympathy. “Wait here,” she implores you, and walks off. In a minute, she returns with the blanket from your bed. Then the pillows. She passes them to you.
“Hey! They’re for you to sleep comfortably,” you protest.
“That’s okay. I’m not parting from them yet.” Sam winks at you, before switching off the light. Smiling, she joins you on the floor and dives underneath the blankets, before snuggling up against you.
“Sa-Sam?” You give her a look of disbelief.
“Don’t get me wrong - I’m no easy woman,” she explains. “But I sense you’re a good person, Miles. Despite what’s happened to you. You saved my life - now I want to show my gratitude.” Her lips kiss your furry cheek. “Maybe I can help you rest more easily.”
“Maybe you can,” you concede, smiling. Glad for the presence of this amazing, and brave, young lady, you soon fall asleep - one muscular arm wrapped protectively around Sam as she dozes off.