You Are a Werewolf

You can't shake the previous night's dream. You ache all over, from tossing and turning, you couldn't get comfortable. It just felt too real, the heat and excitement, and even the freedom. But the part that was most overwhelming was your hunger. You struggled and fought with this pain, this starvation. It was a feeling unlike any other, it felt like no matter how much food you consume, it still wouldn't satisfy you. No, typical food is not what you need.

The feeling, so strong, takes over. You find yourself scavenging in the wooded area in your own neighborhood, looking for something... fresh. You hear a rabbit to your left, you leap and run, fast as possible as you begin the chase. Much quicker than usual, you notice this is not the body you are use to. Instead of two legs, you have four fur covered ones with padded paws to match. Distracted and confused, you allow the snack to get away, safe and sound in his rabbit hole.

Before you can figure out this new form, your hunger blinds you, attacking all of your senses. The only coherent thought you can manage is, "I must feed." Stalking through the night, whimpering to yourself. You happen upon two human figures, relaxing under the stars. The delicious smell of lilac soap and vanilla sugar tickles your nose, causing your fur to stand straight on end. Dinner has arrived.

You leap from the edge's clearing, out of the bush you were hiding in, going straight for the closest person. It all happens too quick, you hear frantic screams, loud rips, and fast feet on dead leaves. But you can't think. A wild creature has taken over, your instincts are all that's conducting your movements.

You are scratching and clawing at something. Not sure what it is, but you somehow know that in order to survive, you need this. You taste something sweet and salty, and your stomach doesn't complain, you want more. Frantic and hungry you try to devour the meal caught under your sharp claws.

A silver flash catches your eye as you feel something pierce your back. A hot, burning sensation causes you to jump and yelp in pain. You feel the thorn strike your back once more, scared and panicky, you run. With the speed of an injured cheetah, you run out of the clearing, trying to get as far away as possible. You're not sure where you are going, you just know you have to escape. The adrenaline runs out, as you find yourself slowing down and passing out. Somewhere.

You wake up, not sure you even want to get out of bed this morning from what feels like lack of sleep. You decide to watch the local morning news. This will determine if you really want to get out of bed, or you just want to spend the day sleeping. The current story catches your attention as they show a lady in critical condition being rushed to the hospital.

You watch as the news anchor steps in front of the camera, "She was found in critical condition, it appears to be that this was a wild animal attack. Authorities are now combing the woods to find the beast that left this poor woman with broken bones and shredded attire. I am told that a weapon was found in the victim's hand, covered in someone else's blood. We'll know more about this later, and will update you on this evening's news."

You get an eerie familiar feeling as the camera pans out to show the woods behind your house. And you think to yourself, "That could have been me."