I slowly rolled out of bed, fighting to open my eyes. It felt like the fifth time I had tried to awaken and I was unsure if I am actually getting up or if it yet another dream. I kept envisioning myself walking around and trying to exercise or get on the computer only to wind up fast asleep once more.

I am awake this time.  I tried to pinch my arm just to make sure. The pain that rushed through me helped to reassure that I wasn’t trapped in my mind anymore. Wearily I rubbed my eyes, adjusting to the dim light and moving my ragged black hair from my eyes.  What day is it?   My mind felt like a blank slate still.

              I pushed myself off the bed and headed for the bathroom. When I found the mirror I saw was a mess, my dark hair a tangled set of vines. My blue and grey night skirt was a wrinkled mess letting my pale skin.

              I turned on the water and started to wash my face, soaking my hair as I did so. With my left arm, I reached for a comb and started to work on my mess of a hairdo, winching with each pull of the comb. As I fought with my hair I tried to remember what I had to do today or even what day it was.  I need to work on getting better sleeping habits.

I quickly used my right hand to activate my phone. After flipping through a few screens I thankfully found that I didn’t have much to do today as it was Saturday.  No work, thank you.  I did have one thing though.  “Pick up a gift for your nephew's birthday.”

I pulled another tangle out of my hair. “A gift? Who is it for?” I couldn’t think this early in the morning. I needed to get some coffee in me and fast. I gave up with my hair, for the time being, it looking slightly less like jungle child but still uncivilized and headed for the kitchen for some much-needed caffeine.

              I rubbed my weary eyes as I walked into the kitchen.

The tile floor was icy cold but I didn’t mind it. I reached the coffee maker and started my wake up call, then slumping down in the adjacent chair.

              The next few minutes, while the coffee brewed was brutal, the smell intoxicating. Time seemed to slow to a crawl, each drip of the coffee taking longer than the last. After three minutes though my brew was ready to save me. Without hesitation I picked it up and slurped it down, almost burning my mouth in the process.  Hmm, coffee tastes a bit funny today.

I looked at the label for the coffee beans.  A Fredrick’s Fancy sponsored product. 

I groaned knowing full well that I was about to experience some strange adventure. Fredrick seemed to have found a way to make products that could defy reality and change’s one’s body.

              “Well, it’s too late now. I do wonder though on how I keep finding this weirdo’s products.

It is getting to the point that I am getting used to changing size.”

              I yawned as I waited for the caffeine to take effect.

Hopefully, I didn’t change size too much and I could get my relative his gift still.  I still need to figure out who it is still.

I headed back into my bedroom where I had left my phone, slipping on my slippers as I went, no longer able to tolerate the cold tiles on my floor.

They were warm and fuzzy. I had gotten them as a thank you gift for saving the elderly man when I had been a giant about a week ago. I had tried to tell him I didn’t want anything and it was merely a coincidence but he had insisted telling me I was an angle.

              After returning to my bedroom I moved back to the bathroom, now with more energy to finish getting ready for my day. I picked up the phone and took a second look at my note.  Get a gift for Alex. His birthday is in… hmm, let’s see. Today!? Crap this was a reminder for last week.

I could just see it now. My sister chastising me for either not getting her kid a gift or just getting him some dollar store knock off. If it wasn’t for Alex being a nice seven-year-old joy to be around I wouldn’t even tolerate Bernice.  She is not going to let me live this down.

I went back to my task of untangling my hair, wetting down my comb first.

I might as well pick something up on the way to the party. Alex loves Pokémon so I can get him something from the store. 

There is a comic shop on the way that I can stop at.

Once I finished with my hair I went into the other room and quickly got dressed. I put on a blue and red mini skirt and black dress pants. I also grabbed myself a hair ribbon. After I had finished putting on my clothing I looked at myself in the mirror. I was a bit more self-conscious about how I looked today than usual due to having to deal with my sister. I adjusted my skirt so it looked just right before heading out the door.

              It was then I remember that I was probably going to change size soon. I rolled my eyes as I stepped into the living room.  Why does this have to happen to me? 

It was too late now. I would rather go to the party being too small or tall then have Brucine hold it over that I didn’t show up for Alex’s big day.

              I grabbed my purse and car keys and headed for my new car. I had kind of destroyed my last one by growing out of it a week ago. I was still working the payments off as the insurance doesn’t cover growth destruction. In the meantime, I was bowering a vehicle from my neighbor. He was a nice man, a bit old and not always there upstairs but willing to help out. At least he wasn’t’ going to remember the reason why I lost my SUV in the first place.

              The small black bug was thankfully in better working order then my old SUV. That mess was almost begging me to break it apart.  At least this time I will make sure to get out fast if I feel any growth spurts coming on.

              I turned the car on and drove out on the street, tuning the radio in for some light-hearted jazz music. I sped a bit over the speed limit, still a bit wary about having a Fredrick’s product in my system and wanting to get to my destination quickly. Though as the minutes went by it seemed that nothing was occurring.  Maybe for once, it was a defective product.

After a seven-minute car ride in the unbearable ninety-degree heat, I arrived at Al’s Nerdium Emporium. It was the only place in town that sold anything related to comics, anime, and of course Pokémon. I pulled into the parking lot, not sure of what I was going in to find. A game, a plushy. Anything affordable.  And I have to think fast so I can make in time for the party.

I walked inside and thankfully the shop wasn’t too crowded. Sadly though there wasn’t a hint of air conditioning.

I pulled at the collar of my neckline as the heat started to get to me.  Why is it so hot today? I feel like I am burring up.

I walked to the back of the store where the Pokémon section was. To my dismay, I found that the area was sold out except for a few trading card packs. “You have got to be kidding me.” I went and picked up one of the few packs that were available and the packaging was ripped and torn. The others for sale didn’t look much better. I wasn’t even sure if it would be worth it to buy.

              I didn’t have much choice though. I picked up the ripped package and headed for the checkout counter. Waiting for me was Al’s young son Jason who ran the shop on the weekends. He seemed more interested in thumbing away on his phone than paying attention to the shop around him, his pale bald head lit up by his small I-phone. He didn’t even look up to me as I approached.

              I slammed the pack of cards onto the counter.

“I want to purchase this please.”

              He looked at me with an irritated glare, then the cards. “You are going to have to pay extra for ripping them.”

              “I did no such thing. They came this way. In fact, you should check the rest of your merchandise.”

              He sighed. “Righttt. That will be five dollars.”

              I held my tongue. There wasn’t much use getting overly frustrated now when I had to endure a meeting with my sister later. Besides, I felt hot enough as it was. Beads of sweat were starting to drip down my neck.

              Reaching into my purse I pulled out a five-dollar bill.

“Here.”

              Jason leisurely took the five out of my hand. “Thank you for your business.” He sounded like he wanted to be anywhere but here and had already gone back to his phone. He didn’t even bother to hand me a receipt.

              I sighed and walked out of the store, scratching at my neck. I was starting to itch due to the intolerable heat.  I am going to turn the car’s air conditioning on to full blast.

I checked the time as I started the car. 11:45 a. m. The party wasn’t for another half hour and it would take me twenty minutes to drive there.  I will get there on time so I don’t have to hear Bernice tell me off.

I started for my sisters, the air chilling my body. Even then it didn’t’ seem to help much. Something was wrong and it seemed to be slowly getting worse.

Maybe I should go home? No even if I am getting sick I can drop off Alex’s present.

I lowered the window to try and cool myself down as I drove. When I did I was overwhelmed by a rush of fragrant and prudent smells from outside. It was as if my nose’s senses had been dilled up to eleven.  Dear god, what is happening to me?

As I came upon Titan Ave, the small suburban street where Bernice lived, the itching had reached a point where I couldn’t stand it anymore. I parked my car on the side of the street a few houses down from the party and held my head in my lap.

              “Ugh what in the world is going on? I…” My throat started to feel weird and just forming words felt hard. It wasn’t that my mind felt fuzzy but when I tried to speak something was wrong with my mouth. Try after try I tried to form some sort of sound until finally, I said, “Evvv… Eevee.”

              I held my hands over my lips.  I hadn’t meant to say that.  I tried to speak once more. “Eevee.”

Why is that the only thing I can say?

The itching on my hands turned into a maddening prickling sensation.

I started to scratch at the back of them feverously. As I did so thick brown hair started to grow out of the back of my knuckles. My eyes winded.  What in the world?

The hair spread all across my hands. My hands were starting to shrink as well, but it wasn’t like when I normally changed size. My hands were in pain as I felt the bones morphing inside them. I kept trying to crack my fingers but my bones quickly vanished as they became more and more chubby. In fact, the more I looked at my hands the more they looked like small little paws.

This isn’t good. I should get out of here before this gets any worse.  I looked around the semi desolate street as fur crept up my arms.  But where am I going to hide when this is happening to me?

I saw that Berenices’s neighbor had left for some vacation, their house was dark and boarded up.  I can hide in there.  I used both my paws to push the door leaver and open the car door. Once outside I shoved them into my skit pockets.  I have to get out of sight before this fur travels to far up my arm and people can see it.

I didn’t bother to lock the car door, it wasn’t a concern at the moment.

I just bolted for my sister’s neighbor’s house. Sadly I only made it to their lawn before I tripped, my feet on fire. I shook my head, a bit dazed. I took a moment to look around to make sure no one could see me.

Thankfully I was alone for a moment.

I then pulled my paws out and tried to get back on my feet. I found that I could no longer balance. “Evee”

Screw it. 

I ran on all fours behind the house, losing my shoes as I went. Once I was out of sight I flipped onto my back and looked at my feet. They were almost done morphing into paws.  Why couldn’t this just be a normal shrinking episode?

The fur had now spread all the way up my arms and almost up the length of my legs.

Taking in deep breaths I tried to calm myself. But when the bones in my arms and legs started to morph my breathing started to escalate. My chest started to lower towards the ground as my limbs shorted. I found that I couldn’t’ support the weight of my torso much longer. “Eeveee.”

I slumped down in exhausted onto my belly, my tiny limbs spread out around me barley filling the sleeves of my clothing.

              I suddenly felt a new poking sensation.

This was different from the feeling of fur growing out of me, which I could feel starting to poke out of my torso.

This was coming from my rear end.

I turned my head as my pants started to budge.  Oww, I can feel something growing back there.

Suddenly my pants ripped and a huge fluffy brown tail with a white end flung itself out. I cried out in surprise, “Eevee!” twitching my tail in response.  I have a tail now? What am I becoming?

I continued to shrink down, my skirt and pants no longer able to fit me.

I slipped out of them, thankfully my fur now covering most of my small body. Just below my neck, I had a white-colored patch of hair that covered what used to be my chest.

              All that was left of my human self was my head and that wasn’t going to last long. Fur was growing out of my face and my hair was extending across my head. My nose started to itch and shrink as my eyes grew to a massive size. My ears though had the most drastic change. Fur covered them and they became long and floppy.

              Finally, the pain had ended and I took a few deep breaths. I no longer felt overheated, in fact, I felt better than I had when I had woken up.

I need to see what has become of me.

I walked over to a sliding glass door and looked at myself. I looked like some cute little fox creature that was from one of Alex’s Pokémon games. I wasn’t too fluent with all of it myself so I wasn’t exactly sure.  Maybe that phrase I keep saying has something to do with it. Eevee?

I heard some shouts from behind me. Scared of being seen I ran behind one of the nearby lawn chairs, laying down trying not to be seen. Poking my head around I saw some of the kids from next door wander into the yard chasing after a soccer ball. Immediately I recognized Alex and his short red hair and blue eyes. I was happy to see a smile on his face.

              The kids caught up to the ball and kicked it back and forth for a bit before a young girl with long blond hair managed to kick it right over to where I was hiding. I went limp as Alex and a kid with glasses and a short brown hair cut who looked at the edge of puberty came running over in my direction.

              “I got it,” Alex called out.

              The older boy shoved him playfully. “You mean I do.”

              When they reached the ball that was only a few feet from me, Alex looked up at me. “Hey who left this out here?”

              The other kid looked at me. “I don’t know but Jenny found a pack of Pokémon cards by the road. Maybe that stuffed doll has something to do with it?”

              I held myself perfectly still, scared to move as Alex walked over. He brought his hand down on my head. “Wow, it feels so real.”

              His friend from behind said, “Really?”

              Alex looked behind him and as he did so his hand pushed one of my ears down in an odd direction. In pain, I cried out, “Eevvee!”

              The kids all jumped out of their skins.

Alex’s friend with the glasses pointed at me. “It… spoke.”

              Alex walked up to me as is shook my head, knowing that the rouse was over. He said, “Are you real?”

              There wasn’t much of a reason to hide now so I took a few steps forward, but still a bit wary. Alex reached out gently and said, “It's ok.” He gently put his hand on my head. “Where did you come from?”

              I didn’t say anything. How could I? I just closed my eyes and enjoyed it as he slowly scratched my head.

              “Do you want to come and play with us? I have never seen a real Pokémon before. It is my birthday and you would make it extra special.”

              I wanted nothing more than to make my nephew’s day a good one so I nodded my head and said, “Eevee,” hoping he would understand me.

              Alex’s face brightened. “Awesome. Follow us.”

They headed back the way they had come from. I followed them, trying to get used to my new legs.  I guess I can try and give him a good present after all. Even if it is me.

Thankfully when we went into his back yard there were no adults. I felt they wouldn’t be as understanding, especially my sister Brucine. She despised animals and would probably try and chase me out with a broom if I was lucky.

              They lead me to the edge of a pool where there were a few more kids soaking in the sun. No one seemed to be actually swimming yet and I guessed that was due to my sister’s draconian rules about when people could do what activity. Alex waved to the others. “We got the ball and found a friend.”

              The others all looked in my direction. “Is that?”

              “It is a living breathing Eevee. I don’t know how it came to be there but we are so very lucky.”

              A kid with snot hangout out of his nose came up to me. He wiped his nose and shoved the excess into his blue and grey baseball cap.

“Real? Hah, it is probably someone’s lost robot. You know how well made these things are?”

              Alex responded back. “This is real I tell you, Jeff.”

              The kid with the cap walked over to me, using his hands to feel my body. “I will find the wires just you wait.”

              I wasn’t happy with him this close to me.

Alex could see the uncomfortable look on my face and push the other kid away, putting his arms around me.

              “Eevee doesn’t like you doing that.”

              “Hey don’t push me.” He to get back at me. “Let me show you.”

              “I said don’t”

              Alex threw himself on top of the other boy and they started fighting. Everyone started to chant around them while I watched on helplessly, horrified at what had happed.  I hadn’t wanted this.  

              I tried to get in between them and pull Alex away, but I only took a foot to the face. Only then did Alex stop. “Eevee?”

Right as a fist hit him smack in the jaw.

              I curled up in pain as I heard one of the girls call out, “Aunt Brucine.”   Great. Now my sister was going to get involved. I ruined Alex’s party.

I felt a hand press onto my shoulder, I instinctively tried to curl up more.

Alex’s voice was gentle. “It’s ok. I am sorry. Please don’t be scared.”

              I relaxed, feeling safe and nuzzled up against his arms. He slowly ran his hand down my back. “I am sorry I hurt you. I won’t do it again.”

              A high shrill voice pierced the air.

“Alex! What is that you are holding?”

              He stood up, alarmed as Bernice towered over us.

For the first time in my life, she looked as menacing as I imagined her, wearing her black dress suit and her short dark hair in a ponytail looking down at me. “What is this some weird looking fox? Get away from it at once?”

              Alex held his arms around me. “It is a Pokémon. It’s mine.”

              She reached down for me. “It probably has rabies. Now get away from it.”

              Alex threw himself over me. “No!”

              I heard a familiar voice speak up from behind Brucine.

“Why don’t you let the kid have some fun?”

              I looked up through Alex’s arms to see Fredrick, the weird salesman who’s product had transformed me.  What is he doing here?

“But Fred.”

              “It is the boy’s birthday. Let him have some wonder for a bit. Now come back inside and continue your story.”

              Berenice looked down at me, back at Fredrick and down at me again. “Fine.

But we are taking that thing to the pound the moment this party is over with.”

              “I am sure you won’t have to worry about a thing,” said Fredrick as he walked away. “Just let the kids have their special day will you.”

              I started walking after him until Alex grabbed onto me. “Eevee what has gotten into you?”

              I tried to pull free.  Did he do this to me intentionally? 

Does he know his products are doing this? Who else has been transformed by a Fredrick’s Fancy product and what is going on in there?

“Eevee!”

              I stopped. I didn’t want to make Alex worry any more than he had already.  I will figure that out later. For now, I just need to be here for Alex.  I turned around and went to play with my nephew. We played soccer together, the other kids hesitant to join in at first. Most of them were still a bit wary of me. But after a while, everyone eased up.

              I found I was enjoying myself as well. At first, I found my transformation a bit jarring but now I wasn’t too disappointed with how things turned out. It was oddly calming being in this body, feeling the wind blow through my fur. I didn’t know how to explain it but I felt happy. Well, I knew part of it was seeing Alex smile.

              The snot-nosed kid came back up to me after the soccer game had ended. “Hey, Alex I was thinking.”

              “What Jeff?”

              “If this is a real Pokémon, can it use any moves?”

              I crocked my head. “Eevee?” I had no idea what they were talking about.

              Alex though seemed to and brightened to the idea.

“Hey, I didn’t think of that.

Eevee show us what you can do.”

              Everyone suddenly was staring at me like I was supposed to magically do something.  I transformed into this little creature for you today what else do you kids want?

A few uncomfortable minutes passed until Jeff walked up to my face and said. “You don’t know what you are doing Alex. Hey you, use tackle.”

              I stared at him in confusion.  What?

“I said-“

              I was tired of him thinking he could just boss me around so I gave home what I thought he wanted and head-butted him in his chest. “Ouff.”

I was surprised at my own strength as I send him flying a good three feet. The other kids oohed and ahhed but Jeff stood up snarling.

              “I didn’t mean me you… you.”

              Alex stood between us. “Stop! Eevee probably thought you were going to hurt it.”

              He crossed his arms. “I was just trying to get my point across.”

              I sighed, my ears lowering as I did so.

Before it could go any further I heard my sister cry out, “Ok you kids, come inside for some cake.”

              It was a mad dash for the house. Alex looked at me and said, “Come on. I want to share my cake with you.” I followed after only to have the sliding glass door shut in my face and Brucine staring down at me.

              “Sorry but you are going to have to stay out here.

I don’t want your filth up my house.”

She walked away as Alex protested in vain at her side.

              I slumped down at the edge of the door. I wasn’t too surprised by my sister and was just thankful she hadn’t tried to run me off the property. Whatever Fredrick had said had worked.  I just wish I could get in there and be with Alex for just a bit longer.

Once my sister had left the room to go back to talking with the other parents, Alex slipped back out to join me outside, bringing his piece of cake with him. He was careful to slowly open the sliding glass door so as not to catch the attention of his parents or any of the other adults. The other kids seemed content talking at the table and eating their icy deserts.

              He knelt down beside me and put his meal down so I could nibble on it. “I am sorry for how mom is. She ugh, is scared of animals I think. Not to say you are one. You are special. But she can’t see that.”

              I was half-listening, happily eating away, and enjoying his company.  I am happy that he is finding some good in all of this.

              I started to feel a familiar tingle start to spread throughout my body. I suddenly looked up, scared. Alex looked down at me concerned. “What is wrong? Don’t you like cholate cake? I can bring the ice-cream out for you.”

              I could feel that I was getting ready to start changing back. I had to get away before he that happen.  I can’t let him know.  I stood up and started to run.

              Behind me, I could hear him calling after me.

“Eevee don’t go. Please stay I am sorry. Come back.”

              I ran through a hole in the wooden fence and kept going.

I needed to get away and find a safe place to turn back to myself.  I am so sorry Alex. I wish I could stay but I just can’t.

I found some space between the backsides of houses. They both seemed to be deserted but I didn’t have much more of a choice to find a place to revert back, my ears already shrinking.

              The transformation back to my normal self was a lot smoother. My arms and legs extended out all at once, my tail shrank and my face reverted into a more human shape. The last thing to happen was my fur shrank back into my body. A bit embarrassed I reached out for the first thing abound me before I lost the fur covering my body. Thankfully there was a bed-sheet that had been hung out to dry next to me on a windowsill. I grabbed it and hung it around me.

Now to find where I left my clothing.  I snuck back into Bernice’s neighbor’s yard and put the clothing I had lost during my transformation back on. I then adjusted my hair and walked next door, ringing the doorbell.

              I was greeted by my sister, a frown on her face.

“Sarah. Well better late than never. Come on in. They are about to open their presents. I can see as usual you forgot yours.”

              I scratched my head. “I bought mine online. It will be here in a day or so.”  Great. Good lie Sarah. Now I have to pay extra just to make her happy.

              “Sure. You can say hello but then I want your lazy ass out of here.” She turned her snobby nose and headed in the other direction.

I gave your son a present he won’t forget. Don’t you worry about that Brucine?

I walked in and I could see Alex in a corner of the room. I walked over and sat down next to him.

“Everything ok?”

              “Aunt Sarah? Ugh ya.”

              “Why do you look so glum? I heard it’s your birthday?”

              “I ugh. I thought I made a new friend today but…”

              I held my arm around him. “I am sorry.”

              “Thank you for coming today.”

              “I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. Despite what your mom says.” I loved my head in close. “And despite what you think, your friend Eevee still loves you.”

              He looked up at me in surprise. “How did you-“

              I smiled. “I will tell you about it someday. For now, I should go before your mother throws me out.”

              He managed a smile. “Ok. Love you, Aunt Sarah.”

              I stood up and headed for the door. I might tell him one day but now it was my little secret.

As I walked out I also looked for Fredrick, but my quick scan of the house I was unable to spot him. I didn’t want to look for him and have my sister question me about why I was nosing around.  I will find you yet. You have a lot of explaining to do.