Partially to escape the heat and partially from curiosity, Michael ducked into a local pawn shop, panting from the relief of the air conditioner. He had no idea what to expect, though he was happy that the wares were varied, paintings, decorations, and antiques that had him wandering the aisles with excitement. Without a goal in mind, he was happy to browse for the next ten to fifteen minutes or so until he properly cooled down. Hell, he figured he probably wouldn’t buy anything, just happy to be out of the heat for a bit before making it back home.

Yet, his eyes soon settled on something intriguing, catching his interest enough that he figured it was worth purchasing. A fan of animal documentaries in his youth, it looked like he had found the carving of a prehistoric rhinoceros, a Paraceratherium, if he recalled the name correctly. Michael was a little surprised that there was a plaque with it, indicating it was carved out of the bones of an unearthed specimen. Assuming such would be rather expensive, Michael was shocked to take it to the front and find it was being sold for next to nothing. 

Looking it over once more at home, Michael was alarmed to feel a pinprick of pain as his finger accidentally brushed over a crack in the bone. While it hadn’t made a deep cut, it was enough to draw a drop of blood. Putting a Band-Aid on it, Michael was somewhat annoyed that the ache in his finger did not go away. The chance of infection might have worried him, but it seemed so far-fetched to catch something from an antique that he ended up putting the notion out of his mind. Regardless, the carving looked rather fetching on his nightstand, and Michael felt compelled to take a few moments to admire it before heading onto his computer. While not much was known about that particular species of extinct rhino, Michael was interested in how recent studies had provided a more nuanced idea of what their lives were like. It was hard to really explain his fascination, though researching it gave him a sense of purpose even after he’d finished for the night and put his purchase out of his mind. 

Sleep came difficult for him that night, for no small reason, due to the heat. Dreams were vivid, drawing on what he had researched about the animals. Rather than what he had learned, his mind had put it all into practice by helping him imagine he was one of them. Viewing the world as a massive beast, feeling the weight of his body as he walked, grazing with flexible lips…it was amazing how well his mind was able to fill in the gaps, almost as though he had become one in real life. A fulfillment of a childhood fantasy, something he had often thought about but not something he had recalled for many years. And the idea was oddly appealing enough that he had sported a rather sizable boner in his sleep, something he did not tend to directly. 

Waking up, a hardy belch caused him alarm, creating a rank, sour taste in his mouth that left him feeling unwell. Unable to trace the source, Michael was hit all at once with a gnawing hunger, belly rumbling beyond anything he could recall. It was all he could do to get up, shivering, to make his way downstairs and eat. Putting on his clothes, Michael was a little surprised to struggle, as though they were a size too small. Yet, upon closer inspection, there was no denying his frame was a bit larger and heavier, and Michael was left to wonder if he was imagining things. It had to be the heat making him sluggish, but why did the sensation feel so off?

Moving into the kitchen, Michael was hit with the need to consume everything in sight without even cooking. Soon, everything veggie was devoured, though the frozen meats in his fridge were largely unappealing. It seemed he had gone through his entire food stores in the span of half an hour, yet, much to his chagrin, the hunger had not fully abated. And rubbing his belly, Michael was slightly disturbed to discover it was noticeably distended. So much so that his shirt was pulled up, exposing a stomach expanded with fat and muscle. It should have alarmed him, yet it was so hard to focus beyond the knawing in his gullet. 

All he could think to do was get in his car, needing to head to the grocery store. Thoughts of the produce department were literally making him drool, though Michael could hardly think of why that might be. Sitting down, he yelped out as his ass seemed to crush something sticking from above his spine. Reaching back was harder with his proportions out of alignment, though the nub that met his touch sent a shiver of concern through him. Still, as hungry as he was, it was almost impossible to focus on it as he drove, singular goal in mind. 

Sweating and heavy, Michael got out of the car, nearly running into the store. The cool air washed over him, carrying scents from the produce aisle that made him salivate. It was all he had not to shove everything in his mouth as he filled his cart, stomach rumbling all the while. Without caring about the price, Michael paid, wondering last minute if he was missing anything. Salad dressings, seasonings, and the like didn’t seem appealing, and the moment he was in the car, Michael tore into the food like a man possessed. 

It wasn’t until some time later, as a bout of gas rose up his throat, that Michael let out a rather loud belch, startling him from his reverie. The same acrid taste from before was there, causing him to pause for a moment to try and place it. He was soon shocked as his intestines groaned, and he let loose a bit of gas from the other end that had him rolling down the window for relief. His guts still hurt, though not simply from the internal discomfort as a surge of growth played over him. All Michael could do was sit back, his head hitting the ceiling of the car. Clothing was being pulled precariously tight, as though all that plant matter he had consumed was being instantly converted to mass. He let out a deep grunt, annoyed with what was happening. And worse, he was soon hungry all over again, as though he hadn’t eaten at all!

Drool ran down his chin, though Michael took a moment to rub down his body. He was not sweating, at least, though he was overheated nonetheless. The AC did little but was better than nothing as he explored his body. His shirt was well pulled up over his distended belly, his pants were wrapped around an expanded waist, and even his shoes felt as though they were a size too small. Worse, he seemed to weigh more as well, shaking the car a little as he adjusted himself. How did eating make him put on so much weight so rapidly? What the hell was wrong with him?! 

Above all was the annoyance that he was still hungry, as though he hadn’t eaten anything all day. There were still some leftover leafy greens in the bags, though Michael was hesitant in case he outgrew the car. It was clear he could not head back into the store in his disheveled state, even if he could resist the urge to eat everything in sight. Still, he had to get out of the car, figuring there was no point in starving himself. As he adjusted himself in the seat before standing, the sensation of his anus rubbing against his underwear was powerfully uncomfortable, and that lump in the back twitched in reflex. It was evidently much larger, and as Michael focused on it, another twitch in response left him to shudder. 

All at once, he was hit with a wave of heat, and Michael was left panting heavily. As he did, an alluring scent caught his nose, prompting him to pull his lips back. It took him a few moments to realize what he was smelling, eyes gazing over at the shrubs along the sidewalk. As much as his human self couldn’t envision eating such, he was soon on them, tearing at a few branches and lifting them to his mouth. Curious lips pulled at them, far more mobile than he was expecting. Yet, his concern was not enough to stop him as Michael took a huge bite and chewed with enthusiasm. Bracing himself for the horrid taste, Michael was surprised and delighted to discover they were actually quite palatable. It wasn’t much, not as good as the human standard fare he had just eaten. But there was plenty of it, and no one around to judge him for the bizarre behavior. There was a part of him shocked that he was really eating shoots and branches off the sidewalk, yet there was no denying his desire. And it was easy to get lost in the act, anything to satiate the ache in his belly. 

It was some time later before Michael finally felt satisfied, belching once more as though a sign he was finished. He had been steadily growing all the while, in particular around his belly, which had distended far enough that he could barely see his feet. With as massive as it had grown, Michael had to wonder if he needed the added room for his leafy meals to ferment. Yet, the changes were hardly to stop there as he rubbed his belly, feeling it bloat far more rapidly than he was expecting. Soon, his shirt had ridden up around his pecs and added some surprising height. It was more than just fat, mostly firm-packed muscle as it continued to expand. Heavy on his frame, it was a wonder Michael could move at all until the rest of his body caught up. 

The force of his waist expanding caused his pants to give way, tearing at the back and allowing his new growth freedom. The sensation of it twitching caused him some alarm, though his body was too awkward for him to reach back and touch it. Worse, perhaps, was how large his anus was, pressing against his underwear and threatening to tear them. Once more, a gurgling in his guts caused an unwanted bout of flatulence, causing his cheeks to flush red despite himself. Thankfully, there was no one around, the stench getting to him despite his other bodily odors. A persistent, almost bestial stink wafted from him, as though his skin had altered and left him unable to sweat. Seeking fingers played over patches that were bizarre to the touch, rough and wrinkled like leather. A cursory glance revealed an ashen gray shade that did not exist on human skin was spreading, as though working to encompass any bare patches until nothing was left. 

Regardless of whether anyone was around, Michael was sure he couldn’t stay here. His body was much heavier, every step threatening to tear at his clothes and making it nearly impossible to move fast. He was still growing, changing faster from his last meal and further condemning him to whatever horrific fate had befallen him. Shoulders were hunched, and protrusions of skin formed heavy rings that further pulled at his shirt sleeves. More of that gray wrinkled skin gradually worked its way down his arms, and Michael was somewhat alarmed by the state of his fingers. Middle digits were swollen to the point of pushing the others to the sides, and flexing them made Michael aware of how stiff they had become. Most disturbing of all, rubbing his itching scalp removed clump after clump of hair, falling to the ground as Michael looked on in shock. 

Even as he made his way back to his car, Michael could not figure out for the life of him what was happening. He was clearly changing, though he had no idea into what or why. It was far removed from any disease or illness, and save for the discomfort, Michael felt fine, at least not like he was dying. Eating seemed to be fueling the process, Michael growing in bouts that left him more and more inhuman. Worse, the gnawing hunger seemed to be returning with a vengeance, soon to force him to devour whatever leafy greens might satisfy it. And then what? How long before he was turned into a…what?

Of all the events over the last couple of days, all Michael could think of was the totem and the cut on his finger. It made zero sense that such could cause such bizarre alterations to his form, though nothing else came close to being out of the ordinary. His conclusion made him wonder if he was turning into a Paraceratherium, though none existed in the world for him to compare. Regardless, he figured his best move was to retrieve the totem, maybe researching it online or even taking it back to the shop.

His first hurdle was to get back into his car, something that seemed nearly impossible with his new girth. He was already far too tall, hunched over even with the seat pulled all the way back. Altered fingers could barely grip the steering wheel, and his longer legs barely fit in to push the pedals. The numbness within his toes almost caused him to accelerate nearly to the point of crashing, though he managed to stop abruptly, thankful that only a few angry honks were a consequence of his actions. Worse, even with the windows down, the stench of his bestial musk burned into his nose, making it hard to think. Every twinge of growth caused him to shiver with fear, thinking he wouldn’t be able to get out of the car, or worse, damage it beyond his ability to drive. Yet, somehow, he was able to make it to his building, weight straining the door enough to bend the metal. Just how big was he going to get?

Legs were trembling as he made his way into his apartment, causing the floor to shake from his weight. Dishes and paintings shook violently as he walked, some crashing to the floor with a troubling smash. Michael had no time to worry about them, careful of his size as his head scraped the wall. The totem was still sitting on his nightstand, and Michael struggled to hold it with his altered hands, though he didn’t know what else to put it in. He was careful not to scrape his fingers on it, though with how thick his skin was becoming, that was unlikely. Yet, that had to be the reason he was changing, right?

Stomping past the bathroom, Michael was suddenly overcome with an intense need to empty his bladder. While the physical mass he had consumed was likely converted to fuel his growth, the water from his meals was likely building up. Michael barely had time to get his pants down before his penis hung out, needing relief. And what he stared down at caused him to scream in terror. Having been caught up in the variety of changes, Michael had been ignorant of what had happened to his cock, now far removed from anything a human could possess. The head was all wrong, moist, and split into five distinct crowns as the urethra throbbed in the center. Even flaccid, it was far longer than he was expecting, almost flopping out of his pants and causing him to groan from the tension. And the color was all wrong, mostly gray to match the shade of his altered skin. 

Yet, there was little time to focus on it before his bladder let loose, and a torrent of piss hit the seat. Shamefully, Michael barely had control over himself as he gripped his penis frantically in an effort to stem the mess. The relief was instant, even as embarrassed as he was over the act. Not wanting to get his mess over him, Michael balanced his arms against the toilet tank to hoist himself up. Yet, it seemed his weight was well beyond what it was designed to hold, and the porcelain broke at the top, causing him to topple over. The force was enough to send a crack through his hips and belly, and Michael reached out to grab the sink to balance himself. The muscle in his shoulders had grown so much that his grip was enough to pull it out of the wall, streams of water spraying all over. All he could do was stumble out of the bathroom, unable to fix things, though somewhat amused that it was one way to clean up after himself. 

Gripping the totem on his way out, Michael was hit with a sudden wave of heat, something that caused him to stop and pant. It seemed to center in his loins, Michael’s penis coming to bear once more. It was soon to push out of his pants, painfully getting caught against the zipper. Vestigial fingers could barely get them down, though such was hardly an issue with how turgid it was becoming. The heat seemed to rise rapidly, and Michael had to wonder if touching the totem had an effect similar to eating that was causing him to change. But it was getting so much harder to think already, and the needs in his altered cock could not be ignored. It had become so long now, and an added crack through his chest and torso caused him to bend down with some curiosity. Almost as though he could…

Moving as though in a dream, Michael made his way to the bedroom, ducking from the increase in height. Sitting down on his bed, the sound of it creaking should have alarmed him. But he could hardly bring himself to care; rather curious at how far he could bend. It seemed his penis was more than long enough to reach his mouth, but that wasn’t his primary goal. Something else begged for attention, and with a series of stiff cracks, Michael was able to bend back even further, seeking his rear. The added length in his neck was welcome, bringing a curious nose to sniff at the offering his backside was giving off. While it was a foreign ache, there was no denying the need in his asshole, one that his altered fingers couldn’t quite deal with. But maybe he was flexible enough to use his tongue…

While bending over wasn’t enough to quite reach his backside, it seemed his body was determined to match his desires. His torso and even neck were stretching at an alarming pace, though Michael was happy to allow it as he inched closer and closer to his goal. Forcing his tongue from his mouth, he was able to reach the back of his underwear, knowing his puckered anus was underneath. Grunting from the pressure, a surge of growth in his ass forced a loud tear to expose his privates. A sweaty, musky scent hit his nose, something that would have made him ill before today. But to his changed sensibilities, it was the most alluring thing he could imagine, and he sniffed with enthusiasm, feeling his anus clench at the prospect of direct stimulation.

Before he realized what he was doing, Michael’s tongue was reaching out to tease the blackened flesh. There was little taste, thankfully, though the texture was rather intriguing, wrinkled, and thick as much as he could perceive. It was the pleasure that drew him in, Michael moaning as he moved to properly lick his anus. Having forgotten about its presence, the sensation of his tail hitting him in the face almost caused him to stop. As strange as it was, Michael could hardly bring himself to care even as it stretched down his backside. The pleasure from rimming himself took priority, and it was all he could do not to moan his enjoyment!

Cock thrashing all the while, Michael was steadily becoming aware he would not last much longer. Nor did he want to, mind clouded with lust as it was. Without thinking, his mouth moved toward his cock, strings of drool trailing from his anus as he did so. It was awkward with how turgid his dick was, though he was able to manage. Worst was the taste, almost rancid as he leaked over his tongue. Yet, the pleasure pounding through his body was almost more than he could bear, and Michael forced his body into position to suck himself off properly. The size of his cock head should have been too much for him to take, though a numbness in his lips steadily eased the ache. And with that, he was free to suck himself off, reveling in the sensations of pleasure and change. 

While it was nearly impossible for him to focus on his changes over the orgasmic sensations, his genitals seemed to be altering as well, expanding even more from his actions. His testicles, in particular, sent a bizarre wave of pressure through his body as they seemed to meld with the skin of his groin. It almost ached him to feel them being reoriented, the flesh of his sack turning wrinkled and gray. The stimulation was almost enough to make him cum as they worked their way into a protected position. And as Michael worked to suck himself off, the tension quickly grew past the point he could hold back against. He needed to cum, changes be damned!

Unprepared for it, Michael was shocked as his cock undulated and a thick stream of semen blew through its girth. The fact that it was so flexible left him unable to hold onto it with his mouth as it went into release. Massive wads of jism flew into his face, coating it in his rank essence. The flavor was repugnant, making him wish to gag. Yet, there was no denying the pleasure it gave him, causing him to writhe in his release. Even the sensation of his testicles relocating within him extended his pleasure, forcing more semen through his sensitive member. Any fear of the changes could not dissuade his enjoyment of the moment, almost as satisfying as the act of eating itself!

His orgasmic reverie was cut short by the creaking bed as his weight increased. Before he had the chance to get up, the bed broke under him, causing him to fall to the floor. The vibration was loud enough that Michael worried he would break through the floor as well, and such was likely to be the case if he didn’t get out of there soon. Trying to stand, Michael instantly hit his head on the ceiling, having grown even taller in the interim. His stance was awkward, and efforts to move caused him to keel over, slamming hard against his desk. A crunch of metal hit his twitching ears as he looked down at the smashed remains of his laptop. Yet, it was hard for him to lament its loss with everything else going on. And as much as he was aware of his actions, his thoughts were still muddied, as though the changes themselves were a distraction from what he really needed. 

The grumbling in his stomach reminded him of his new metabolism, and Michael did his best to get out, tripping over his massive feet. It was all he had to pass through the door with his larger frame, and he was sure his bulk damaged the siding on the way out. The moment his nose breathed in the outside air, his hunger intensified, causing him to lose sight of his goal to find help or change back. Having to leave the totem in the apartment, Michael was worried that his trip to the shop for help would be futile. But it was so hard to think over the rumblings in his gullet, and he moved toward the park beyond his apartment, salivating as he did so. 

A passing glance at his car reminded him of his goal, and Michael turned toward it, trying desperately to get in. He was far too tall at this point, though it was hardly the worst hurdle, as the car started to sag from his weight. As he pushed himself through the door, the full force of his weight was enough that a series of alarming pops hit his ears. There was no way he could be large enough to pop the tires of his car! Yet, the scraping of the metal against the ground was a sign he was far too heavy to drive, even if his stature was small enough to get in the car. 

Panicked now, Michael forced himself to stand, top-heavy with a longer neck and barrelled torso. A heavy footfall sent a shock through his body and a surge of growth from his feet. The pressure pushed at the sides of his shoes to the point that it was obvious he could not get them off. Yet, he found it harder to care, thinking they were far too tight and inefficient for his body. He didn’t want to change, but if he had to, Michael was more curious about how his feet might be altered for him to better walk. With another surge of growth, the side of his shoes burst apart, exposing human-shaded skin before it altered to the wrinkled gray shade matching the rest of his form. 

Large as his feet were becoming, it was still a little shocking to lose the ability to move his toes. They were already numb, a swelling mass of flesh from his feet working to engulf any semblance of them. Two on each foot were entirely subsumed, though even the others were functionally left vestigial. Gnarled nails swelled within the pillars, and a heavy crack forced his heels to stretch and his hulking body to pitch forward. By this point, the tips of his former toes were so thick that they were able to support his weight. With the mass his legs had acquired and the swelling in his hips and thighs, there was little left of his pants, dropping to the ground with a sharp tearing. Much to his chagrin, Michael felt his tail lift and a fart escape against his best efforts to control himself. It really seemed his massive hindgut had its work cut out for it, fermenting his meals to prepare for further change. And such embarrassment was but a drop compared to the loss of his humanity. 

Yet, instead of the panic at losing his feet, Michael was overcome with an intense pang of hunger, enough to override all thoughts. Salivating, he took a step forward, struggling with his massive weight and top-heavy body. Lips pulled back to draw in the succulent scents of greens all around, and before he knew what he was doing, Michael was reaching out to pull some branches toward him. Even fear of further change was thrown by the wayside, hunger winning out. And there was no denying how satisfying it was for him to eat, to fill his belly and complete the change his body clearly wanted to undergo.

It seemed like some time later before control returned, Michael letting out a hearty belch of satisfaction. Unlike before, the flavor on his breath was no longer rank but rather leafy and moist and reminiscent of his delicious meal. Patting his mammoth belly, Michael was aware his shirt had ridden so high on his frame that a simple flex was enough to tear it from his form. The fact that he was naked mattered little as the majority of his skin had been converted to ashen hide. Recalling his testicles had retreated within him, only a rounded surface was a sign of his genitalia. A thick sheath of skin seemed connected to his massive belly, and with some awareness, Michael could feel his penis stirring within. Recalling how much pleasure it had given him, the temptation to masturbate was almost more than he could bear, even though he was outside!

Michael had little time to focus on his pleasure, however, as a surge of growth forced him to topple over. Reaching out with his altered arms, Michael was not expecting to land on a bench, hearing it crunch under his weight. It wasn’t enough to hurt him; Michael’s bulk was well beyond what broken wood could easily pierce. It was still somewhat embarrassing, made worse as his fingers seemed to have entirely stiffened. Lifting one of them up, Michael was made aware of the thickening skin between the digits, the bones within two of them pulled into his palms to be dissolved forever. Two more seemed much smaller in relation to what was happening to his center ones, which had swollen to take over his palms. Efforts to separate them were futile, Michael resisting the urge to bellow out his panic. Yet, the skin between them filled to the edges, so wide that if he rested his weight on them, the spongy flesh managed to hold his weight. All he could do was stand there, feeling his balance settling as his arms expanded and his belly barreled to force his now-front legs before him. 

Grunting, Michael braced himself, trying to get a feel for his new form. He was far larger now, though if he really was turning into a Paraceratherium, he was still minute in comparison to where he might end up. Even at this point, his girth was enough to shake the curb. It was a wonder no one came across him, though Michael had no way to hide if he was spotted. And yet, with how large he was becoming, it was getting harder to think why that mattered. Why did he need to escape if he was so massive that nothing could harm him? And that would leave him free to eat as much as he wanted to…

Nose closer to the trees that made him drool, Michael felt his body moving forward of its own accord. Walking was difficult, balance off-center before his body grew to what he assumed was its proper proportions. But with his longer neck so close to the branches of the nearby trees, he couldn’t help but reach out with insistence. To his relief, his slightly protruding mouth was able to pull in a fair quantity, though with the rumbling of his stomach, it would take some time to fill the ache. Still, he was desperate, and every bite he was able to manage worked toward easing the pain in his belly. Even the risk of further change was worth it, if only Michael could finally feel full once more!

While Michael’s massive frame was hardly satiated, the effects of his feeding were starting to make themselves known at a much more rapid pace. He was sure he was adding hundreds, if not thousands of pounds, though it mattered little with no ability to weigh himself. Muscles were pulsating under his firm skin, even going so far as to form a slight crest along his back. His longer tail wagged eagerly from his larger backside, puckered anus just as sensitive as he had discovered earlier. Best of all was how large his face was stretching, bringing him closer to his leafy meal. Now-rubbery lips were able to pull in branches to chew and swallow at an acceptable pace. Finally, he would be full, and the loss of his humanity was a small price to pay!

What he was not expecting was to feel arousal from the feeding frenzy, massive member unfurling itself from the sheath above his groin. The force of his penis against his gargantuan belly made thinking difficult. He was powerfully aroused, either from the changes or a bizarre fascination with his new form. Without hands or flexibility, Michael was concerned his efforts to slap it against his belly would be futile. Yet, it was powerfully sensitive at the base as it slid from his insides, and the wiggling tip was able to get some pressure from slapping against his belly. Michael could not resist the urge to rock his hips, feeling his swelling mass extending his pleasure and causing him to bellow. Best yet, his new nose remained close enough to the leafy greens that he could eat without hindrance. To be able to graze while masturbating…such simplistic pleasures drew concern for his fate further and further from his mind…

Mouth full of branches, Michael was unable to bellow as his cock shot like a firehose all over his belly and the ground below him. It seemed he was a virile male, more semen gushing from his testicles than even a beast of his stature would be able to handle. The cracks of growth through his neck and torso were largely ignored, Michael awash in the pleasures of his release. It seemed to go on forever, though eventually, it subsided, his mammoth penis coiling on itself as it retreated into a new sheath. Yet, it was not fast enough to once more release his bladder, and Michael allowed it to happen, pissing torrents over the ground. It felt natural, not enough for him to concern himself with, an animal that he clearly was. 

It seemed the changes were reaching their conclusion as Michael ate, though there was no pulling back from his leafy meal now. A surge of growth forced its way into his face this time, Michael welcoming it as he continued to browse. His jaw cracked forward, neck flexing with the muscles needed to hold it in place. He could see his nose in front of his features, his face getting larger with a series of wet cracks. It didn’t hurt, thankfully, though Michael was aware of the discomfort as he continued to eat. What was of more concern was the increasing intercostal space between his incisors and molars, making it harder for him to chew at first. It took him a few moments to feel accustomed to it, but he did so, rather thankful for the wider space as his lips pulled more greens within his mouth. 

A strange numbness in his jaw was the only further distraction as Michael ate, no longer caring that he was damning himself into an animal form. He could still perceive the changes with some curiosity, especially as his incisors began to shift. Parting gums made room as his upper teeth pushed downward, far too large for his muzzle but fitting well into his altered jaw. Stranger still was the sensation of his lower ones pushing out into a semblance of tusks, parting his lips somewhat, and making Michael wonder if they were part of some male display. There were no more of his new species to compete with, but that was hardly a concern. Anything to help him eat was welcome, and Michael was willing to forsake his humanity with the promise of a full stomach. Nothing he knew of could be so deeply fulfilling, especially as the satisfaction of fullness finally settled over him. 

As best he could tell, the changes were done with him, though perhaps with an occasional surge of growth to bring him in line with the stature of the beast he had become. Thoughts of being human again were fleeting, and Michael was filled with an odd sort of contentment. There was plenty of food here, Michael’s massive neck able to reach down and chew as much as he desired. Pausing only a few times to belch, Michael could finally feel the pangs of hunger abating, something he had been desperate for. And with his massive body, Michael enjoyed peace, with nothing else fathomable to concern him.

The sounds of people around him didn’t draw his attention at first, content as he was. Michael was so much larger than they, after all, and his instincts weren’t tuned to the smaller mammals, even those who might have eventually used spears and numbers to take him down. Yet, the scent of something succulent drew his attention, and, lowering his head, Michael was surprised to be offered a rather large leaf the likes of which his human recollection couldn’t place. It seemed to awaken a part of his mind that sought a different world, and Michael couldn’t help but wonder if that, like him, it had been recreated from thousands of years ago. It didn’t matter when the flavor was divine, and the scents from their nearby truck contained more. 

Large as he was, Michael was surprised to discover a trailer with sufficient space for him, as though prepared in advance. Still, nothing within his human or animal instincts could find fault in stepping toward it of his own accord. Their words were clear to his new ears, even if it took him some focus to make sense of them. The humans were taking him to some sort of sanctuary, one for people who had been changed in such a way. Other people had been infected by similar objects crafted from the bones of long-dead phyla, it seemed. As such, a place for them to live and be studied was put in place, and it would possess everything his new life required.

No matter if his human inclinations might have resisted, Michael couldn’t bring himself to find fault with the arrangement. If they had more of those delicious extinct foods, he was more than happy to follow them anywhere! The idea that a herd of his new kind existed out there was exciting all on its own, likely having been changed like him or of natural birth. And even the words about the totem being used to make more of his kind did not deter him, Michael finding he was interested in the prospect…