The Bitch - 4

The hot water streamed over Jill’s body as she stood in the shower, her gaze locked on her right leg. No matter how much she tried to focus on something else—the warmth of the water, the scent of the soap—her eyes kept drifting back.

The limb was undeniably canine, the muscles taut and powerful beneath its furred surface. Her paw flexed instinctively, the rough pads on the bottom pressing against the slick tile. She crouched slightly, watching how the leg bent perfectly at the new joint, the movement smooth and natural. It was alien and familiar all at once, as though her body had always known how to use it.

She crouched lower, balancing on her left leg, and lifted her right paw to clean between her toes. The sensation was strange—her claws clicked lightly against each other as her fingers worked between them. The pads were thick and leathery, rough against her fingertips. When she pressed on them, the sensation was muted but responsive, as though the limb belonged to someone else yet was undeniably hers.

Jill reached for the razor, hesitating only a moment before trying to shave the fur away. She dragged the blade carefully over the surface, but the thick, soft hair was stubborn, growing back almost immediately. With a frustrated sigh, she set the razor down. The fur wasn’t going anywhere, and she wasn’t sure she wanted it to.

After the shower, she stepped out carefully, toweling herself off. The fur held water like a sponge, soaking through the towel until it was nearly useless. She grabbed the blow dryer instead, sitting on the edge of the tub as the warm air rushed over her leg and paw. She worked the fur dry, watching it fluff slightly as it regained its softness.

When her leg was completely dry, she reached into the cabinet and pulled out a medical brace she’d kept from an old injury. She strapped it tightly around her lower leg and foot, covering the canine features as best she could. It wasn’t perfect, but it would do. If anyone asked, she’d tell them she twisted her ankle while running. It wasn’t entirely a lie.

Satisfied, she slipped on a loose pair of pajama pants and turned off the bathroom light. She tiptoed into the bedroom, where Stephen was already fast asleep, his breath slow and steady. She slid under the covers beside him, careful not to jostle her leg too much.

Lying there in the dark, she stared at the ceiling, her mind racing. The transformation was accelerating—there was no denying it now. She should have been terrified. She should have woken Stephen and told him everything.

But she didn’t. Instead, she reached down, resting her hand lightly on her brace, feeling the strength of the leg beneath it. She smiled faintly, a thrill of something dangerous and exhilarating curling in her chest.

As sleep claimed her, one thought echoed in her mind: This isn’t so bad.

Jill had barely managed to limp through the day. The Christmas fundraiser was bustling with cheerful chaos—kids laughing, parents chatting, the smell of sugar cookies and cinnamon wafting through the air. She manned her booth, passing out ornaments and candy canes, doing her best to ignore the strange sensations in her body. Her muscles felt taut, her skin tingling as if something was pressing to break through.

By the time the recital began, her ankle was throbbing, and her pajama pants and brace felt like they were barely containing the truth. She kept tugging at the hem of her pants, ensuring her new limb was hidden from view. Ian was backstage, his little face flushed with excitement as he adjusted his elf hat. Jill had forced a smile and kissed his forehead, promising she’d be in the audience.

The room was packed with parents holding cameras and chatting in low murmurs. Jill tried to focus on the stage, but her attention kept wandering. Her ears twitched beneath her hair—literally twitched—picking up snippets of conversations from across the room. She gritted her teeth, pressing her hands into her lap to stop them from trembling.

“Jill,” a familiar voice said, pulling her from her thoughts. One of the PTA moms was standing beside her, smiling brightly. “You’ve got a little something right here.” She tapped her own nose, then gently touched Jill’s.

Jill froze, her heart skipping a beat. “Oh,” she stammered, forcing a laugh. “Thanks.”

She made her way to the restroom as casually as she could, her limp barely noticeable among the sea of bustling parents. Once inside, she locked the door and hurried to the mirror. Her reflection made her stomach drop.

Her nose had darkened, the skin almost black around her nostrils. But that wasn’t the worst of it—the nostrils had split, widening slightly, their shape taking on an animalistic curve. Her breath came fast and shallow as she rubbed at it, trying to erase what couldn’t be erased.

The motion triggered something. Her body tensed, and she sneezed violently. A loud, wet crunch echoed through the small bathroom. Jill doubled over, clutching the sink for support, her heart racing. When she looked down, her left leg had joined her right. The same backward-jointed limb, the same thick fur, the same powerful paw.

“Oh no,” she whispered, staring at her legs in the mirror. “No, no, no.”

A knock came at the door. “Jill? Ian’s going onstage now!” someone called.

She glanced back at the mirror, panic clawing at her chest. She couldn’t miss Ian’s recital, but how could she go out there like this? The sight of her pawed legs made her stomach twist, but the thought of disappointing her son hurt even more.

She yanked her pants down as far as they would stretch, adjusted the brace on her right leg, and forced herself to take a steadying breath. You can do this. Just make it through the recital.

With one last look at her distorted reflection, she unlocked the door and stepped back into the buzzing crowd. Every step was a reminder of the transformation creeping over her, but she pushed the fear down. Ian was counting on her. Whatever was happening to her could wait—at least for tonight.

Jill stood in the back of the cafeteria, her hoodie pulled low over her face. The crowd of parents and grandparents chattered and clapped politely as one act finished and the next began. But Jill barely heard them. Her focus was on Ian, standing front and center on the makeshift stage, his elf costume slightly askew but his confidence radiant.

When his solo began, Jill’s heart swelled. His voice was clear and sweet, carrying over the murmur of the audience. She wanted to cheer, to leap to her feet and yell his name, but she clapped softly, keeping her head down. She couldn’t risk drawing attention to herself—not now.

“Wasn’t he great?” Stephen appeared beside her, his face beaming with pride. He clapped her on the back, his grin infectious.

Jill nodded quickly, blinking back tears. “He was aweeeeeooooo…” Her voice cracked, breaking into a pitchy howl that echoed through the cafeteria. She slapped her hands over her mouth, horrified.

Stephen frowned, his cheerfulness fading into concern. “Jill, are you okay?” He looked her up and down. “Why are you walking funny? And what’s with the hood?”

Jill kept trying to cover her darkening nose. It was growing moist, and worse, it was starting to wriggle.

“No reason!” Jill said quickly, her voice trembling as she tugged the hood tighter around her head. “Just a little chilly, that’s all.”

But Stephen wasn’t convinced. Before she could stop him, he reached out and pulled the hood back. Jill gasped as her ears sprang free, their pointed tips twitching involuntarily in the bright cafeteria lights.

A gasp rose from the crowd around them. “I didn’t know this was a costume party!” someone called out with a laugh.

Her ears twitched, and she felt her nose wriggle with the scents in the air. This couldn't be happening!

“Yes, yes!” Jill stammered, forcing a shaky smile. “It’s a costume! You know, for the recital! I thought it would be fun.”

Stephen’s brow furrowed as he took in the sight of her ears. “Jill… what’s going on?” His voice was low, his tone edged with something between confusion and fear.

She grabbed his arm, her grip tight, her nails digging into his sleeve. “Not here,” she hissed. “We’ll talk later.”

Stephen didn’t argue, but his expression darkened. Around them, parents and kids began to drift back into their conversations, the recital continuing as if nothing strange had happened. But Jill could feel their lingering glances, the whispers that followed her as she pulled her hood back up and tried to disappear into the shadows.

Her heart pounded in her chest as Ian bounded off the stage, running toward them with his elf hat askew and a big grin on his face. “Did you see me, Mommy? Did you see?”

Jill crouched awkwardly, her altered legs straining under her weight, and pulled him into a hug. “You were amazing, sweetheart,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “Absolutely amazing.”

"You're wearing a funny costume Momma! Can I be a kitty cat?"

Jill smiled, trying to not let her ears twitch or her nose wiggle. "Sure baby! We'll get one of those just for you!"

But as she held him close, her gaze darted to Stephen. He was watching her intently, his jaw set, his eyes sharp with suspicion. Jill knew she couldn’t hide the truth much longer.