Chapter 4

Communication in Full

I woke up to voices and bright lights. I looked over to find Elliott talking emotionless to the doctor. When he noticed me awake his smile grew, and he ran over and embraced me in a warm hug. I hugged him back and smiled. It felt good to be awake.

"Welcome back man. Have a good nap?" I chuckled, he always knew how to cheer me up. We released the hug and he sat down on the bed. The doctor left smiling.

"Yeah, how have you been, and how long have I been out?"

"I've been good, and 4 days."

"4 DAYS?!"

"Yeah" I looked at him in awe, the first time I was injected and had my first transformation that totaled 6 and a half days. This must have not been as much on my system.

"Hey, lets not think about that let's focus on other things."

"So is there anything new that I should know?" I asked.

"Hmmmm...Well your on the news. A big story about you and how you fainted in the Qdoba parking lot," I blushed and looked away. That's embarrassing.

"And other than that, no." I stared in space for a minute thinking. I'm on the news. That's a lot to think about.

"Ok, how about I call Jerry, he might want to know about my new ability." Elliott nodded his head and handed me my cell phone sitting on the bedside table. I smiled grabbing it from him. I pressed a couple buttons and waited for Jerry to pick up.

"Hello?" Said a groggy voice.

"Hey Jerry." He perked up immediatly.

"Hey buddy how's it goin?"

"It's uh.......Going ok but um, I had another transformation." There was a long pause, for a minute I thought the call broke off.

"Whats new?"

"This transformation was on the inside, I uh learned a new language...I can speak to animals."

"That's, interesting."I heard him pacing through the phone. He seemed nervous and I was right there with them.

"Ok well. I will need to do some research, but for now just practice, it may come in handy."

"Ok, cool talk to you later."

"Bye."

"Bye." I hung up the phone and sat in silence.

"What did he say?" Elliott started rubbing my back sensing something was troubling me.

"He said he needs to do more research, and to practice, it may come in handy." Suddenly Luna jumped up on the bed and started wagging her tail excitedly.

"You can practice with me!" Luna Exclaimed excitedly. I smiled and rubbed her head.

"Ok Luna, what do you want to talk about?"

"Luna went crazy talking about random subjects like what food she likes to where she likes to be scratched the most. She talked for about 10 minutes before Elliott butted in.

"Hey I can't understand any of this, whats going on?" I just laughed at how excited Luna was and at how annoyed Elliott was that he couldn't understand it.

"Nothing important, but let's not worry about that let's worry about how hungry I am." Luna barked agreeing and Elliott just smiled.

"Ok how about Italian, and dog food for her." he said pointing to Luna. I nodded and Luna agreed too. Elliott handed me a pair of clothes and I changed in the bathroom next to the bed and stopped at mirror. I stared at myself and all my features. I'm five foot 10 with brown thick hair starting to turn black from the fur on my ears. I had blue eyes and was pretty toned even for being asleep for 8 and a half day's. I smiled at myself and waged my tail. I walked out of the bathroom to be greeted by Luna jumping up at me and yelling random things.

"Luna calm down."

"Ok" I smiled and patted her head. Elliott had my stuff packed and was ready to go. We walked down to the front desk and checked out. Me and Elliott went to the car and put away our stuff. Elliott got in the drivers seat and I sat down in the passenger's seat with Luna in my lap. I listened to music on my phone while Elliott listened to the radio. Suddenly Elliott started tapping me on my shoulder rapidly.

"What?"

"Listen!" Elliott turned up the radio and what I heard made my mouth fly wide open.

"In Earlier news the strange dog huminiod hybred that was spotted and seen being transported via ambulance at a local mexican restaurant was seen being released from the hospital this morning. Is he a danger, or a super hero? Find out tomorrow on LLA news."

The little news jingle played and then Elliott turned the radio off and looked at me with a worried look. I was just in shock, who told the news? Or was it on youtube? I don't know but I could not believe it.

"I-I don't know what to do about that." I said with worry.

"We don't do anything, we just enjoy the fact that you are famous."

"Whatever" We both laughed and just went back to ourselves. About 1 minute later we stopped at a Fazoli's and got out of the car and each gave Luna a little pat. As we stepped inside the restaurant all the talking stopped and all eyes darted to us. I quickly got very anxious as I walked up to the counter.

"Hey, Arn't you that dog-man on the news?" I froze up, I didn't know what to say.

"Uh...Um...." I was about to answer when I suddenly felt the most relaxed I have felt in a long time, I can't put into words how relaxing it was. It was bliss on a silver platter. But I soon figured out what it was, Elliott was scratching my ear! I took the last bit of resistance I had and swatted his hand away.

"WHAT WAS THAT?!" I said louder than I intended.

"I thought I would calm you, you looked anxious and Luna likes it so I thought you would too."

"Please don't do that it is embarrassing."

"Ok." Elliott just shrugged and I gave him a dirty look and turned towards the man at the counter. He just looked uncomfortable and just smiled looking at the menu just trying to ignore that awkward situation.

"Ok I'll have the chicken fettuccine. With bread sticks and a large soft drink."

"Anything else for you sir?" I nodded my head no and Elliott stepped up and gave him his order. I grabbed my drink and turned around to find about 3/4 of the restaurant were looking at me with wide eyes. Elliott just pushed me along towards the soda fountain with me still sweating out of anxiety. I got my drink and sat down at a table next to a family of four, a mom, a dad, a girl about 4 years old, and a boy about 10 years old. The girl looked over at me and I smiled back at her. She turned to her mom and with my high-tuned hearing I heard all of it.

"Mommy, is his tail real?"

"I don't know why don't you ask him." The mother pushed her a little and she got out of the booth and walked towards me slowly.

"Um, mister...Is your tail real?" I smiled at her and waved my tail back and forth to show her.

"Yes mam it is, see?"

"*giggle* um can I pet it?" I looked over at her parents for approval and they each gave a nod.

"Sure" I let my tail fall so she could touch it. She slowly lifted her hand up and pet it slowly while giggling. I laughed with her until Elliott sat down with a tray filled with food. I started to eat but still noticed the girl stroking my tail.

"Maggie leave the poor man to his meal." The mom called. Maggie ran back to her mom and I just smiled at the family and continued my meal while making small talk with Elliott.

"So, who's your new friend."

"She just wanted to touch my tail so I let her." We finished up our meal and I looked over at the family again to find the girl named Maggie looking at me smiling. I waved and she just giggled. I stood up and walked over to the table still looking at Maggie.

"Hello, I'm Nick. Just thought I'd introduce myself since your daughter has developed a liking towards me."

"Oh hello I'm Nikki and this is my husband Shawn and my kids Maggie and Daryl."

"Nice to meet all of you, I was just wanting to get to know you all since your daughter is liking my tail so much."

"Oh well there's nothin to really know we moved here 2 years ago from Kentucky and lived here ever since, you?"

"I was born here, my mom died when I was born, and my dad died from a gunshot at age 13. About 2 weeks prior I was injected by a serum that made this happen. That is the reason I had to leave my family because the people who did this to me will come for me some day." All of the family stared at me with wide eyes and sad faces. I just sighed and started back to my table when I felt a firm hand grasp my shoulder. I turned around to see the father Shawn looking at me with tears in his eyes.

"You poor, poor man. You do not deserve anything that has happened to you, and I am sorry for you." I smiled and gave a quiet "Thanks" when I felt a hand tugging my pants. I looked down to see Maggie

"Nick, are you an orphan?"

"No Maggie. I was very fortunate to have a great friend with nice parents who let me stay with them, but be glad you have a family, and don't take them for granted."

"Ok" I smiled patting her head. I stood up and grabbed my jacket when Nikki stopped me this time.

"If you ever need a home for a few days, or support from a friend, just call." We exchanged phone numbers and I waved goodbye to all of them. As we walked out the door a group of 5 teenagers walked in and stopped when they saw me.

"Woah, when did the circus come into town?" Exclaimed a boy in the group. I just ignored it being use to bullying but Elliott thought otherwise.

"WHO SAID THAT?!" He yelled. A boy about 5' 5" with bright red hair and a lip piercing stepped out of the group.

"I did."

"Well I think you owe my friend an apology."

"For what? Calling him what he really is, a freak?" Elliott lost his mind, he started to jump at the boy ready to punch him but I caught him and held him back before he could hit.

"Let me go so I can beat the shit out of this little bastard!"

"Elliott I will handle it." Elliott stopped struggling and I let him go. I then walked up to the boy and stared at him with an evil look.

"If you have something to say, say it to my face."

"Ok, your a freak with no friends that will turn out to be gay or bi in 5 years or less." This sent me off the edge, I grabbed him by the shirt and lifted him up with ease.

"You dare insult me? I will beat you into a pulp, I can do things to you that will make even the strongest man in your family beg for mercy. I have seen and experienced pain that you could never imagine. I can torture you to no end but I could never do that because I know what that feels like, and would never wish the same pain onto someone else because I have felt death without dying, and it breaks you down physically and emotionally. So I suggest you keep your comments to yourself and not judge people for there looks do you understand?!"

He slowly nodded his head and I set him down. I walked out of the restaurant feeling much better than I could ever be because I haven't had the strength to get that of my chest and that kid helped me. We got in the car and this time I was driving. Elliott gave me a worried look and I just looked back with no emotion.

"That was kinda dark man, is that really what you have been feeling?" I nodded my head and started the car.

"It's what I've been feeling since my dad died."

"I-I'm sorry. A-are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." I gave a warm smile and he smiled back turning to the WINDOW.

I drove and left the radio off as I collected my thoughts...And laughed thinking about how that kid wet himself.

*****

I woke up to Elliott shaking me on the shoulder.

"Wake up dude we're at the hotel."

I got out of the car groggily and walked towards the main entrance and opened the door. I soon got a rush of warm which felt good on my tail. Elliott walked in behind me carrying his bags and Luna. We walked up to the smiling lady at the front desk.

"Hello, welcome to the Hulu hotel and casino, how may I help you?"

"Could we get a room for two for about...3 nights?" I smiled back at her and she pressed the computer screen a couple times and then handed me a key.

"Your room will be number 127."

"Thank you."

"Hey um, excuse me for asking but...are you that dog-man everyone has been talking about so much?"

"Yes mam."

"Oh, cool! Is it weird?"

"Yeah, but I like that I can hear better and my tail has been something for me to mess with if I'm bored or nervous."

"Well not only that but it makes you look cuter." I blushed and smiled.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome sir, have a nice day."

"You too." I gave her a little wave, picked up my bags and headed to my room with Elliott. I opened the door and was never so glad in my life to see something other than a hospital bed. I ran in and jumped on the bed and sighed in relief, I was tired but I knew I needed a shower, I was dirty and smelled terrible. I walked in to the bathroom, took off my clothes and looked in the mirror. I haven't seen my full body in a while I want to lay eyes on it.

In the mirror I saw my usual self but I looked.....different. I had grown by maybe an inch, my hair was long and messy, and was now almost completely black with just a few brown streaks. My eyes were still the same color but darker, like I wearing contacts. My torso was overall the same except less tone from being asleep for so long. I turned around to look at the back mainly where my tail is. A small patch of black-grayish fur was growing around my tail. I turned around again and stared. I never thought I was that attractive. But the lady was very kind. But I can't get what that kid said out of my mine. Gay? Me? No!...But am I? I turned around and started the shower. I stood under the water and murred with delight. WAIT! Murring? Why? I rolled my eyes and continued. Stupid transformation.

Afterwards I dried off, put on some underwear, cut a hole for my tail, and fell into bed falling to sleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

The next morning I woke up a little early as Elliott hasn't woken up yet. I looked at the clock and saw it was 7:48. I shrugged and grabbed my phone and played some games on it. About an hour later I turned off my phone and decided to go to the nearest gym to get myself into shape. I got dressed and walked over to Elliott shaking him a little.

"Hey Elliott, I'm gonna go to the gym down the road do you wanna come with and eat breakfast too, or stay and sleep a little more?"

"Um, I'll just get ready real quick and we can go, I need to work out some too." He got up and wandered to the bathroom sleepily. About 30 seconds later my phone started buzzing, I looked at the caller ID and it was Nikki!! I answered it with a very manly voice crack.

"Hello?" I turned my head and mouthed "Damnit!"

"Hi Nick."

"Hi, Whatcha callin for?"

"Well I forgot to tell you when we first met but I work with the channel 5 news and I wanted to do an interview with you since we have no other topics and I think everyone would love to hear about the amazing dog-man."

"Ok, I'm going to the gym with Elliott for about 2 hours but after that I'm free and I'm free tomorrow.

"How about 6:00 PM?"

"Sure, sounds great."

"Ok, it's settled."

"See you then."

"Bye"

"Bye" I hung up and looked over as Elliott came over putting on a neon green t-shirt.

"Who was that?"

"Nikki, she works with the news and wanted to interview me."

"OOOOO. REALLY? I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE ON A NEWS SET!!!"

"Well now you can, today at 6." I said placing my hand on his shoulder.

"Alright!" I chuckled at his enthusiasm and waited for him to get dressed. After he got dressed we headed out waving to the lady up front. We started walking down and noticed a lot of attention was directed towards me which triggered my anxiety and I started to play with tail.

"Hey, just ignore them." Elliott whispered to me. I nodded and just continued to walk until we reached the gym. We walked in to the gym being very crowded and almost all the machines were taken. We walked over to the treadmills just as 2 women got off. I plugged in my head phones and put it on high as I listened to "Animals" by Maroon5.

After 30 minutes of treadmills, 30 minutes of bench presses, and 30 minutes of Elliott talking to some of the body builders we left the gym drenched in sweat.

"Ok let's go rest for a bit, shower, eat, then go to the interview, ok Elliott?"

"Sounds good to me." I smiled and continued walking. So who were those guys you were talking to? He blushed and started to sweat.

"N-No one." I should have been investigating that but after about 5 minutes I started getting the feeling someone was watching me. I looked around and saw nothing, so I just shrugged it off and walked in the hotel.