rose's random rambly writings

- Knock knock!
I look up from the amazingly high pile of paperwork I need to finish reading before tomorrow. It's already late in the afternoon and I really don't want to be disturbed.
A colleague stands in the doorway to my office. And not one of the ones I particularly enjoy interacting with.
- What?
Jeez. Even I could hear how annoyed that sounded.
A sting of bad conscience demands me to say "sorry", but as I open my mouth the words sort of stuck. My throat is all locked up, and not a single word will come out.
Instead I try to look like I'm sorry. I'm not sure that worked either, judging by my colleague's wide eyes.
- I was wondering if you aren't goi...
That's how far she gets before I abruptly cut her short.
- No.
Wow. Is that really me talking? Or rather - is that really my angry voice? Well, at least my throat is unblocked.
My colleague looks at me with... is that fear?
- Er... I can see you are busy at the moment. I'll come back later.
I grunt while I stand up and shut the door behind her.
Damn it, my arms itch. It started a few days ago, but it's getting worse and worse.
I examine them closely. Something is different, but I can't put my finger on what it is. Whatever it is, it itches like hell, and scratching doesn't help much. And it's not just the arms either... It's like I have an invisible rash all over my body.
I make a mental note to buy some itch relief at the pharmacy on my way home.
Right, back to the papers then.

I pick up the compendium I'm supposed to have read by now, but I don't recognize anything on the page. I skim through a couple of pages without seeing anything I can recall having seen before. I check the cover to make sure it's the right one and funnily enough the title does seem familiar.
How strange.
I start reading page one again. Halfway down I realize I'm scratching my legs. It's the weirdest thing. I shaved them just this morning, and I'm already getting stubbles. And I'm sure I shaved yesterday too! It's a good thing it's autumn so I can cover them up with trousers...
Wait a second. Was that an ironic thought? These last days have been filled with mostly dark, annoying thoughts so irony is highly appreciated! I have to chuckle a little. In the midst of a chuckle, I almost choke as I see something in the corner of my eye. Suddenly I realize what's wrong with my arms. It's hair! I swear to God I can see arm hair growing as I watch! What the hell?
I reach out a trembling hand to touch my arm and it stops.

This is getting too weird. Am I going insane? Is this the first sign of some sort of severe mental illness?
I tell myself that it's all imagination, nothing to even think of. If I think about it, it will have won and that's the last thing I need right now.
Instead, I get back to page one without even reflecting over the fact that I have to start from the beginning again. This time, I don't even get halfway before my legs once more remind me of their existence.
I reach down to scratch and my heart stops. The stubbles are gone. Instead, there's at least two weeks worth of hair!
Ok... This is getting too crazy. I decide it's probably best if I go home and finish my reading there.
I pack my bag and step out to the open-plan office. It seems so dark and quiet and I realize that everybody has gone. Even the continuous humming from the copy machine has stopped. I look out through a window and notice it's dark outside too. My wristwatch says it's only half an hour until midnight... That means I've been sitting in my office for more than 15 hours without anything to drink or eat! How did that happen?

Speaking of eat... there's a serious rumble in my stomach now. It's almost as it's roaring at me. Angrily.
I lock up everywhere and decide to take the elevator down for once. As I step in, I automatically look in the mirror.
Oh. My. God! I have sideburns, a moustache and beard! In fact, my whole face seems to be covered in hair! And I'm sure I'm a woman!
Forcing myself to look down, I notice the hair on my arms have grown long now. I don't even have to look at my legs to know it has grown there too. I can feel it.

The elevator door opens and I step out into the night.
My stomach roars again, this time louder, as I look up and see the full moon.
That is the exact moment something inside me surrenders.
And I howl.