Black Fox: The Awakening - 6. Chapter 6 - The Place

I was laying in my bed motionless, staring at the ceiling. I was awake for a while and my bladder was full, but the thought of getting out of bed was scaring me. I didn’t want to start the day. I didn’t want to move a finger. I was afraid anything I do or think will turn me into a red-eyed monster. I wanted to call Owen but my phone was at Ryan’s house. I decided to go there as soon as possible.

I finally dared to uncover myself and see my wounds. Before I went to sleep, I had dozens of nasty red scratches but now they were almost completely healed. Did I get some sort of superhero flesh regeneration? At least I didn’t really have to worry about hiding my body from everybody.

Regardless, I chose to wear my pyjamas for the first time in months before sneaking out of the room.

“Alex!” Chris hollered. “Looking cute in those PJs, like you’re eleven again.”

“Shut up,” I said, not even looking at him. Of course, he had to be in the hall when I needed to pee.

“Jeez, I’m sorry. So anyway, get yourself ready, we’re leaving for the gym in twenty minutes”

Oh crap, the gym. “Go without me, Chris, I don’t feel very well,” I just said, looking down.

“Excuses, excuses!” Chris gave me a strong pat on the back. “You won’t get results running on excuses. I’ll see you downstairs,” he said and left for his room. I was about to protest but then I remembered Ryan’s words. Act like nothing happened. Don’t cancel any plans. That thought alone was dreadful but before I could consider it or argue, Chris was gone.

The gym was not that bad even though I couldn’t focus on the workout. I’d seen a dead person. A person who died before my eyes. Because of me. I was a monster. The people in the gym. Did they know? Did they suspect? What if I turn into a red-eyed beast right here? They will kill me. I quickly tried to steer my thoughts away but it wasn’t easy.

Then, I noticed the dark-haired boy from two days ago. He was on the other side of the gym, doing lifting with his blond friend assisting him. With his spiky hair and sinewy, muscular body he was looking like a young wolf. Will I keep seeing wild beasts on every corner now? I knew I needed to talk to Ryan before I became paranoid. Just then, Wolf Boy looked directly at me and smiled. I blushed and looked away, wondering what else would go wrong today.

Chris convinced me to go to the sauna today. I remember the feeling of lightness and freshness from before and that’s exactly what I could use today. The first breath of the hot sauna air really put me at ease. They added some fragrance oils that made me feel like I was in my mother's womb. Thankfully, we were alone and I didn’t have to withstand any curious stares.

At least until the door opened and Wolf Boy and his Beach Boy friend came in, a few minutes later. Beach Boy had a towel decently wrapped around his groin but guess what, Wolf Boy had his towel cast over his arm and was proudly exposing his fat cock for everyone to see. I couldn’t believe the thin but coarse hair growing up from his pubes all the way to his chest, which was evenly covered by a blackish carpet. Judging by his face he was about my age but had more body hair than Chris. Behave yourself, Alex, you’re in a relationship! Okay, I was just curious, nothing else. This was just a different body type and I wanted to compare… uh oh, my dick got hard. Who am I kidding? He was wildly hot! To make things worse, when I looked up at his face, he was staring right back at me. Shit, now he knows.

I spent the next few minutes admiring the wall in the opposite direction of where Wolf Boy was sitting. Even then, I couldn’t help but notice that he was sitting with his legs shamelessly spread at a 90-degree angle.

Then I heard a rumbling sound I thought was coming from my stomach. But then came another and another and I realised it’s coming from Chris! I heard it almost as clear as if I stuck my ear to his belly. I looked around but no one else was looking. Are they politely ignoring it or is it just me?

“Fuck, bro,” Chris said, “I shouldn’t have eaten those sardines at breakfast. Gotta go and empty my bowels,” he said and stood up, wrapping himself in the towel again.

Now that wasn’t good news. Of course, I was concerned about his well-being but at the moment I was more worried about mine. I was nervous, aroused and traumatized. It wouldn’t take much to make me break down, I swear. Not to mention that I lived in constant fear that something would trigger my transformation and get me killed.

I got more of the bad feelings when in the corner of my eye I noticed Wolf Boy whispering something to his friend and pointing at me. Awesome. I haven’t been bullied for a few years now and I was good like this. He must’ve seen me looking at him and now he knows I’m a fag. Can’t I have some peace when I most need it?

To my surprise, the blond boy stood up, adjusted his towel and left the sauna room. Should I leave, too? I didn’t want to be alone with Wolf Boy. I mean, he was sexy but I was not exactly available anymore and he was probably more interested in beating the crap out of me than…

“Hey,” he said and I jumped. How was he suddenly standing right in front of me? He was standing there with his hands on his hips, his nakedness impossible to ignore.

“Don’t be shy,” he said. “I noticed you were looking.”

“I… I wasn’t… I just…”

“It’s fine,” he said. His voice was raspy but still not fully mature. It was somehow soothing but I wouldn’t be tricked by this wolf in sheep’s skin. “I’ve been checking you out too,” he added.

For the first time, I dared to look him in the eyes. He was standing like, right in front of me now. He was smiling gently but somehow I didn’t find it comforting at all.

I was completely paralysed when he reached with his hand under my towel and I inhaled abruptly when he touched my balls and then my stiff dick. I was completely unable to move and the pleasure coming from his touch was almost impossible to resist. Then just like that, he started slowly wanking me. His touch was surprisingly gentle and sensual.

A few strokes later, I realised his fat dick is also getting hard. I wasn’t able to fake it anymore. I was staring right at it as it swelled and got more and more rigid with his every heartbeat.

“Grab it,” he said and before I could think, I did. It was a masterpiece. Fat, straight and hot. I could barely wrap my fingers around it. His bush was thick but not too long, looking like he trimmed it recently. I felt his heartbeat pulsating through his skin and I could literally feel his excitement.

“Don’t look at it, jerk it,” he commanded.

These words finally sobered me. I let go of his boyhood and pushed his hand away. He gave me a questioning and disappointed look. I looked away and cleared my throat.

“I… I have a boyfriend. Sorry,” I said, wondering what I was being sorry for exactly.

“Do you?” he asked. “Shame. You’re one little hottie. I can sense a wild sex beast hiding behind this shy pose.”

I looked up at him. I couldn’t help but smile mischievously. That made him laugh.

“I knew it! Your boyfriend is a lucky guy.”

“We’re both lucky,” I answered with a fresh surge of confidence.

“I’m Sean.”

“Alex,” I said, feeling pretty comfortable around the guy who just felt me up without my permission.

“See you around, Alex. Say hi to your boyfriend.”

“I will,” I said and couldn’t help but smile. I didn’t think I could cheat on Owen in a million years but it was flattering to get attention from hot guys like Wolf Boy… I mean, Sean. I was sure Owen wouldn’t ever agree to a threesome, but it was nice to dream. And fuck, Sean made me forget about how fucked up my life was for a while.

Sean didn’t care that he was still hard. He took his towel and smiled at me once more before exiting the sauna. Like that, he left me alone. I didn't know what to think of it all. I didn't lack weird encounters in the past week but it didn't seem any less crazy. It kind of bugged me how I was going to explain it to Owen but at least I didn’t give in to my desires.

***

After dinner, I rang Ryan's doorbell. There was a weird rattling sound and Koby stormed out through the pet door at my feet that I didn't notice at first. Shortly after, Ryan opened and let me in without a word. His sisters were sitting on the couch watching TV. The youngest one was probably Owen's age and the gum-chewing oldest one could be around 20.

"Hey," I said meekly.

"Hey Alex," they said in unison and actually smiled at me. That startled me but thankfully Ryan took my hand and led me straight to his room.

"Sit down," he said, pointing at his bed. I sat down and expected him to do the same but instead, he knelt in front of me, putting his hands on my knees. I twitched. This boy was quick to decrease the social distance! He looked at me intently, like a teacher looking at a dull kid, about to explain a very basic concept.

"I'll start with good news," he said. "While this condition is permanent, we can teach you to control it. With a little bit of training, you can get it under control and live a normal life like it never happened."

"What's it?" I asked.

"You can refer to it as a condition. Or shapeshifting. Or chicken wings. It's up to you."

"What do you call it?"

Ryan shrugged. "We don't call it anything. If you don't want anyone talking about it, it's best if you don't give it a name at all."

I paused for a second, trying to make sense out of it.

"Okay, so what's the bad news?" I asked.

Ryan was still kneeling with his hands on my knees and smiled at me. "Hey, slow down, I'm not done with the good news yet. There are some… boons. You may notice that with time, your senses will sharpen. Your sight and hearing and reflexes will improve even when you're in your… human form. Now easy, you're not turning into an avenger, but you might start seeing some small improvements here and there."

I recalled clearly hearing Chris’s rumbling stomach this morning.

"Yes… that's nice but I can't stop thinking about what the bad news is," I said with a trembling voice. I wished Owen was here to comfort me but I didn't complain out loud.

"Okay, okay, jeez. So the worst news is that until you learn to control it… you won't. It can happen anytime - eating dinner with your family, at the gym, during sex, you name it. And it won't be pretty, trust me. That's why we need to find out what's triggering you before it happens beyond our control. Okay?"

"Wait… What did I turn into?"

Ryan gave me a weird look; then his eyes opened wide. "Oh, right, you didn't see yourself, did you. I'm not sure you're gonna like it Alex but here it is. Your animal form is a young and charming warthog."

"A warthog???"

"Yes, a black warthog, Alex. I know, you probably wished for something sexier, like, I don't know, a fox. But as I said, once you learn to control it - and you will - it will never happen again.

Once more, the world spun before my eyes. A fucking mutant and a warthog. Why did this happen to me?

"Alex, easy, I'm with you," Ryan said.

"If this… cat thing… bit me…" I stuttered, "why didn't I turn into a cat, too?"

"No, Alex,” Ryan shook his head, “it doesn't work like that. I guess I should've explained it earlier. There's no way to afflict someone with this. You were merely awakened. It's in your blood, Alex. It's always been there."

I felt my head spin. I looked away from Ryan to try and process it but it was just too much. Just too much. A month ago, my life was normal…

"So…" I hesitated. "My family…"

"Maybe but maybe not," Ryan interrupted. "The gene is usually weak and what's happening to you is extremely rare. But just in case, I would try to avoid them coming in contact with your blood, now that you're awakened. That wouldn't be pretty at all!"

"What about your family?" I asked.

"Yeah, we're pretty unusual. My sisters, my parents, my grandparents… everyone, I think"

"But where are your parents?" I insisted. "And how did you become… awakened?"

Ryan's smile faded and it was his turn to look away.

"Actually," he said, weighing every word, "these two questions have one answer. Me and my sisters were awakened on the same day. The day our parents died. None of us remembers what's happened. Jessica only remembers the four of us waking up in the forest in the middle of the night, naked and crying. She was maybe seven and I was just a toddler.”

"Oh my god…" I whispered. "What happened then?"

"Well, someone took care of us. But that’s another story,” Ryan added, forcing a smile. “Today is about you. We need to get going."

"Where?"

"To the Place."

***

Fifteen minutes later, we were in the car. I felt fear, mixed with confusion and curiosity. Jessica, the oldest sister, was driving. I learned that the middle sister was called Naomi and the youngest was Olivia. From our first meeting and Owen's stories, I expected them to be grumpy and scary. It turned out to be quite the opposite - the four siblings were chatting and laughing, commenting on the TV shows and stupid stuff their friends did last weekend. In no time, I started feeling like we were going camping, not to perform a shape-shifting ritual. Maybe now that I was one of them, they were more eager to include me… a baby warthog. I still couldn't believe it.

They were all wearing baggy sweatpants and loose t-shirts. It occurred to me that it was probably for practical reasons.

Less than an hour later, we stopped at the end of a dirt road just next to the wall of trees. I've never been to that forest and it didn't look like a popular destination. Ryan and the sisters took their backpacks and we started walking.

“Do your parents know you won’t be coming home for a while?" Jessica asked.

“No,” I said and felt a cold grip around my throat.

“Ryan?” Jessica turned to her brother.

“I know, I know, I forgot to tell him. He’ll be fine,” the boy said. His oldest sister just sighed and shook her head.

"Uhm guys, do you have my phone?" I asked. I completely forgot about it. Owen was probably worried sick. My parents were about to be, too.

"It's back at home," Ryan said. "We'll give it to you later.”

The thought that there will be some kind of "later" in which I'll be able to use a phone was strangely comforting. I had a constant feeling of my life hanging in the balance.

I couldn't tell how long we were walking but the siblings seemed to be leading in a specific direction. The trees here were not very tall but were getting thicker on each side of the road until there was no more road. Only trees, growing so close to each other it seemed impossible.

"Here," Ryan said and went right into the thicket, ducking under the low-hanging branches and bushes. The younger sisters went after him but Jessica stayed. She gestured at me when it was only me and her left on the road.

"I'll go after you," she said.

I hesitated. If I knew, I would have put on other clothes rather than my regular shorts and a black t-shirt. I lowered my head and went after them, feeling the sticks stabbing me all over my body. At one point, I felt a cobweb stick to my face and struggled to get it off me with disgust. Naomi was just a few steps ahead of me and I did my best to keep up.

I had to walk with my knees bent and they became sore very quickly. Fortunately, the thicket became less dense and after a while, we entered a very small clearing that looked like a place from a fairy tale. The clearing wasn't much bigger than my room. Gnarled, thick roots were creeping like sea monsters sticking out from the dirt just to dive back underground a few feet later. A single shaft of sunlight was able to get through the leaves and branches lighting up the place in an eerie way. The only sound was the singing of birds and leaves rustling in the wind.

"Wow," I said in awe.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Ryan smiled at me. "No one ever comes here. We don't have to worry about getting interrupted."

I was worried, though. This was not how a teen British boy should be spending his vacation. And in a few minutes, I might not even be a boy anymore.

"We need to change," Jessica told me. "And I don't mean change our clothes so you may want to turn away if you're still not used to the sight."

I blushed. I would be more tempted to turn away if they were getting naked. I was curious about the transformation and wanted to know what's going to happen to me. If not as graciously.

"It's fine, I'll watch," I said and gulped.

"Some of us will be in the fox form in case you do something stupid and we have to chase you," Ryan explained.

"You shouldn't have any problems catching up with a warthog, right?" I asked.

"What warthog?" Naomi asked, raising her left eyebrow. I looked at her and then back at Ryan who was covering his mouth with both hands and laughing hysterically.

"You really fell for it!" He squealed. "You should have seen your face, it was priceless. Priceless! A warthog, oh my god!"

I went purple on my face and felt the sudden desire to kill him. "Do you think it's funny?"

"I'm sorry gay boy, I mean, Alex, I was holding onto this joke my whole life and I thought an opportunity would never come! I'm sorry."

“So what am I? Can you tell me already?” I begged. My voice was breaking. Suddenly, Ryan got serious but there was still a slight smirk on his face.

“Why tell you, when we can show you,” he said.

Then, without any extra warning, Jessica and Naomi started changing. I expected it would take longer. In fact, it only took a few seconds and I could barely keep my eyes on them. Their features started changing violently and black fur started growing from their skin. Their bodies shrunk and before I could start panicking, there were two red-eyed black foxes, slowly getting out of their sweatsuits.

Ryan placed his hand on my shoulder and I jumped. "See? It's nothing bad. It doesn't hurt at all." If he only knew I was barely managing not to puke all over myself. On another note, I didn't like how touchy he was. I made a mental note to mention this at some point if I live long enough.

"Okay, now it's your turn," Ryan said as the foxes were sniffing the ground around us.

"Why aren't you two changing?" I asked Olivia and Ryan.

"I need to be directing you, Alex. And Olivia will be recording."

"Recording? Why?"

"So you can see what a beauty you are."

I wasn't sure if I wanted to see it but I didn't argue.

"Sit down with me now," Ryan said when I didn't answer.

"Here on the ground?"

"Sorry, we ran out of armchairs," he said, reminding me how annoying he could be.

We sat on the ground facing each other and Ryan took my hands.

"Why are you always touching me?" I asked but didn't pull out.

"Trust me, it will be easier that way. I just want you to feel that I'm close and you're not alone."

"...okay," I said without conviction.

"Okay, Alex, warthog with me. I mean, bear with me. Not funny? Oh well. Now seriously. What's the earliest memory you can remember?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Alex," he said, "if you're going to question everything I say we'll be here all day and achieve nothing. Today, you need to trust me and do what I tell you."

We stared at each other for a while and I was getting used to the heat coming from his hands. I didn't want to give up so fast and blindly follow all his orders. But his reasoning made sense; this wasn't a good time to play a tough guy.

I sighed. "I remember the wallpaper in my old room just before we moved out. I think I was three."

"What was that wallpaper?"

"It was a pattern with Toy Story characters."

"Good, what else about the wallpaper and the room?"

I went on to describe the room, telling him how I used to draw over the characters on the wallpaper. I told him about my toys and how my brother was stealing them from me. The more I talked, the more clearly I could see my old room but the less I knew where it was all going.

"So, from your entire family, do you love your mum the most?" Ryan asked after I mentioned her.

"What does that have to do with…” I started but stopped when Ryan snorted with frustration. “Yes," I blurted impatiently.

"Okay, try to focus on your best memories with her. Tell me about them."

It was really weird but I started telling Ryan about Mum taking me to events and playgrounds, getting me nice presents. Everything I could remember.

"Okay, I get it Alex, but is that it? Is there no stronger memory?" he asked.

I focused on remembering something even more intense but just couldn't. There was no single event that made me love my mum. It was everything…

I sighed with frustration.

"Okay Alex, let's not go that route. Maybe that’s not it. Don't worry, you're doing great. Let's keep looking."

Then he went on to ask me about my relationships with other people and Owen. He asked me about my phobias. He took a small flashlight and aimed it at each of my eyes.

"I don't even know what we're looking for," I complained. I didn't feel even close to turning into an animal.

"I know, I know. It's never easy the first time. Let's try something else. Just before you saw the cat, you talked to Owen, right?"

"Yes."

"And if I'm not wrong you were talking about…"

"Yes, you're not wrong," I said and the feeling of that day returned to me. "We were talking about him lying to me about never doing anything sexual with you."

"How did it make you feel? Did it make you feel jealous?" Ryan looked me right in the eyes.

"Of course it made me jealous!" I exclaimed. "Isn't that rather obvious?"

"Absolutely, Alex. It's only natural that you felt jealous. After all, we shared some amazing blowjobs, me and him."

"Shut up! I know what happened and I want to forget about it."

"I know I won't forget about it anytime soon," he said with a nasty smirk I hadn’t seen in a while. "Watching Owen suck my dick for the first time was something else. And when I shot into his mouth…"

“Shut up! I’m serious!” I shouted and jerked off my hands from his clutch.

“I bet he thinks about me when he fucks you,” he added.

"Shut your ugly face!!!" I yelled at him and went for his throat. He didn't resist and the grin didn't leave his face even when I started strangling him.

Then I felt it. It was a funny feeling. Like if my body was a guitar string and someone plucked it, making a resonating sound that sent shivers down my spine. I let go of Ryan's neck and the world swivelled before my eyes. All sounds melted into a cacophony of disharmonious, high-pitched noises. They were so loud I was sure my eardrums would pop. All colours melted into a shapeless whirl of plasma. Then all went black.

Then the light blinded me. I was entangled in the fabric that probably used to be my clothes. I heard laughter as some disembodied arms helped me free myself. I stumbled on my legs… all four of them… I looked up. The boy was towering over me, grinning like a maniac and then just a second later he started changing, too.

Here we were. Three foxes, a human girl and me. I started trying my limbs. Small, shy steps at first, then, some bolder jumps and trots. Then I felt it. I took a run-up and attacked the nearest fox. Not with anger - playfully but relentlessly. It retaliated, snapping its teeth just in front of my eyes. I did the same. Within seconds, we were a tangled web of black creatures, play-fighting and chasing each other. I felt immense joy and purpose in this chase. That was the way. Minutes or hours passed but I wasn't getting tired. After a while, I noticed that the foxes weren't as eager as before but it didn't discourage me.

Time didn’t matter anymore but a conscious part of me sensed that it got dark. I saw one of the foxes transform back into a boy. He stood there, naked, his eyes slowly losing their red colour. His fur quickly retracted. I was about to attack him when the biggest fox flayed her paw and pinned me to the ground. I wriggled and wrestled and struggled but to no avail. The fox was stronger and I couldn't move.

The boy knelt down and lowered his face to my level. He was making sounds with his mouth but they weren't making any sense. I knew they used to make sense. I still wanted to fight, to run but I couldn't move. Finally, I collapsed and couldn't even try to free myself anymore.

"Alex! Alex!" The boy shouted. These were the words! They had meaning! I knew them! But what did they mean?

"Alex! It's me, Ryan! Alex!"

The words. I remembered them. They were something important… Alex… was that me? It was me, yes! Now I remember! My name is Alex! Alex…

I saw the world spin before my eyes again and I lost consciousness.

When I woke up, I was a human boy again. I was laying on the uneven ground but didn't feel any discomfort. I raised my hands to my eyes. This time I wasn't paralysed like before. My arms were coated with very thin fur, the remainder of my animal form. I looked down at myself. My whole body was like this. The hairs were slowly getting thinner and were retracting back into my skin before my eyes. The other foxes started changing back, too.

"Now, for the last thing," Ryan said with a smile and sat on my knees.

He took my dick in his palm and started stroking it. I was shocked. Too slow to react. The feeling coming from my groin was amazing and I got hard quickly. My penis looked weird - enlarged and covered in thin hair. The sensations were unbelievable. Was this what Ryan was talking about? He mentioned enhanced sight and hearing but not this. This was… ugh, so great.

Ryan's sisters sat naked around me and started gently caressing my arms, chest, legs and face. Ryan was still masturbating me and the feeling was unearthly. I looked at the sky - the stars were shining bright with no light pollution from man-made objects. There was no moon or clouds and I looked at them curiously as the foxes kept giving pleasure to my body. I dared to let out a single moan. Then another. Then another and another and each one was louder than the last one. No one was laughing or mocking me. They were just gently smiling, focusing on stimulating me. I moaned some more and wiggled on the ground, unable to believe what was happening to me. The last few minutes I was doing my best to prolong it. Just one more minute. Just one more second. Please, please, more it's so great it's so…

"Aaaaaah!" I screamed into the night as I launched a string after string of cum right on my chest and belly. Each shot was paired with a strong spasm that jerked my entire body. Tears started trickling down my cheeks and I felt shivers that twisted my nipples without anyone touching them. I cried and moaned and laughed but my orgasm still wasn't over. My cock was still throbbing but my balls were empty and I wasn't shooting anymore. Almost a full minute has passed before I finally relaxed, panting and sweating as if I ran a marathon. The four pairs of hands were still softly caressing me and I let them, feeling ecstatic from my nakedness under the night sky. Then, Ryan licked off my tears and he and his three sisters gently cuddled into me from all sides.

“Sleep tight, little wolf,” Ryan whispered.

Drifting into sleep never felt so right.