Werehouse
Part 1
by Randy McSporran
I jumped slightly as my friends slammed the door shut
behind me and turned on my torch. Flashing it around I see what you would expect
to see in an abandoned warehouse....nothing except dust and rubbish. Over in a
corner I find a half-eaten mattress and drag it out to sit on. I sit down, put
my head in my hands and reflect on how I ended up in this dumb situation.....
"Go on Danni, it'll be fun" said James, "for us anyways".
"You know if you don't we won't ever let you live it down" someone I can't see says, probably Gaz.
"But why that place?" I asked "Why not the old house on the hill?"
"Because Jenny did that last time, besides the old warehouse is meant to be haunted as well" James replied.
"Oh for Gods sake, every run down shack in this town is meant to be haunted".
"Yeah, but not everywhere in this town has only one door to which I have the key". Definitely Gaz that time. Bastard.
"So what's the story? Factory line worker returned from the dead to make one last car? The spirit of the manager slaughtered by underpaid staff?" Jenny laughed at that.
James answers. "My Dad says that the military used to own this place, apparently they did some sort of experiments on soldiers......or something".
I laughed out loud at that.
"Whatever Danielle. I don't care. The bet is, you
spend the night in there and you get the money". Clive waves the notes in
front of my face to emphasize his point.
So here I am, stuck in a cold dark room with only (I glance at my watch) another seven hours to go. Damn but it is cold, if I had hairs on my arms they would definitely be standing on end. Should've bought a coat, but then I never expected to be spending the night here. If I had I'd have brought a book too, and a flask of coffee. Shit, I'd have brought a sleeping bag and portable TV. A noise near the back of the room grabs my attention, I wasn't scared , just curious. I get up slowly and wander over. The noise comes again, like claws
scratching on wood. Ok, so now I'm a bit scared. I clear
away some of the crap that's covering the floor and a piece of the skirting
board comes away in my hand. Suddenly something ran out the hole I'd just made
making me scream out loud. Laughter from outside. Yeah, very funny, thanks a lot
guys. I look at the piece of wood I was still clutching tightly, it had been
sawn off, some great joke. Just out of curiosity I look into the small hole in
the wall, it's dark so I shine my torch in there. I make out a small red button.
Another trick? Or perhaps it'll get the power back on so I don't have to sit
here in the dark. Bracing myself for whatever Gaz's childish mind could think of
I press the button. Nothing. Probably just as well. I was just making my way
back over to my mattress when I hear another noise, but this is no scratching,
it's a deeper rumbling noise. Like thunder in the distance you know? I'd always
been a bit of a goth chick (Dyed black hair, New Rock boots and all that) so I
loved a good storm. But something about that sound scared the crap outta me. It
got louder and the floor started to vibrate gently. I yell out to my so-called
friends outside but the only answer I get is the sound of running feet. A small
section of the floor breaks open and starts rising upwards exposing something
metallic. By this point I was up against the door banging my fists against it
and damn near pissing myself. The noise reached a crescendo which must have been
heard from miles away, and then stopped suddenly. I turned around slowly and saw
that out of the floor had risen a metal tube, like one of those things out of a
cheap sci-fi flick. And yes, there was a door in it. I was guessing this was no
joke. I jumped again as the tube noisily vented gas from either side and watched
with fascination as the door slid open with a metallic hiss. I think about all
those times that I've watched dumb bimbos wander down to the basement in horror
films only to get messily cut up by some weirdo in a mask with a chainsaw. But
this was different, I could tell there was no one down there. No one had been
down there for a long time. At least that's what I told myself as I went in with
my torch held out in front of me.
The lift (for that was what it was) took me a long way
down. And I mean a long way, whoever built this place didn't want it found.
Finally it shuddered to a halt and the door opened. I turned my torch off
because the corridor in front of me was very brightly lit although I couldn't
see where the light was coming from. Walking down the strange corridor I came to
a series of doors on the right hand side. Each door had a name and number
engraved above it. I stopped in front of one and looked at the name 'Dante, Joe.
172'. It sounded familiar but I couldn't think why. I looked in the door's small
viewing window, thinking to myself how much this place was starting to look like
some sort of high-tech mental hospital. The room was empty save for a few claw
marks on the walls, and they were big claw marks - like a bear or something, and
a few bloodstains that some one had only made a half hearted attempt at
cleaning. This was giving me some serious willies. I decided not to look into
any of the other doors and instead just went straight to the end of the
corridor. It led into a large room that definitely looked like a hospital. There
was a row of beds down one side with some nasty looking medical equipment next
to each one It made me wonder about James' bullshit story, maybe there was some
truth in it after all. That's when something hit me hard round the back of my
head and everything went dark...
I came too slowly and found myself strapped tightly onto one of the beds, and naked. I screamed as loud as I could not really expecting anyone to hear me, but a dark figure came out of the corner at the far end of the room.
"Awake are we?" He asked.
The man was at least a hundred years old and as ugly as anything I'd ever seen, but that didn't worry me so much as the syringe he was holding in one hand.
I bit back a sarcastic retort and said, "Please, just let me go".
"I don't think so, I've been waiting years for them to send me some new subjects. I'm not going to let you go now" he replied. There was a line of spittle coming out of his mouth. He looked like he belonged in a hospital not working for one.
"Subject's? What are you talking about? Just let me go" I didn't really think he would let me go, it just seemed like the right thing to say.
"Subjects for the procedure of course, that is why you're here isn't it? They've finally decided to let me work again".
"NO! I don't know what you're talking about. I'm only here on a dare. I...I.....please just..."
"Oh well, no matter. Even if you're not an official subject I could still do with the practice. It's been so long since I've been able to try out my ideas on an actual person. And a girl too...hmm, I wonder if that would make any difference. Young and pretty also".
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have come. It's just that I was told this place was derelict and...." I wasn't taking this too well as you might expect.
He smiled, showing off his two remaining teeth "Officially the project was closed down 'too dangerous` they said 'too inhuman' but I hung around. I knew they'd change their minds". This last he said with a sneer.
He stepped forward and raised the syringe, putting it's needle to my left arm. I struggled as hard as I could against my bonds but to no avail. The needle stung as it went in and I could fell him injecting something into me.
"There we go, all done", he said as he dabbed my small wound with a cotton ball.
I passed out again, probably in fear this time.
This time I came to on the floor, a section of the metal
ceiling on the floor beside me. My head hurt, a lot. I touched it with my hand
and found it sticky with blood. I sit up and look around at the dust strewn
floor, the light streaming in from the high windows. I was back in the
warehouse. Scrabbling to my feet and turning around I see no door - not even a sign
that there ever was a door. I laughed, only a dream. The sound of voices makes
me turn.
"Jesus Danni what did you do to yourself?" James asked when he saw my head.
"Oh.. um....nothing. I just hit my head on the door or something".
"Her head probably burst from under use" said Gaz with his stupid laugh. His stupid annoying laugh.
I turn around and punch him full in the face. Hard. That wasn't like me at all.
"You OK Danni?".
"Yeah Jen, I'm fine. Just need a little more sleep is all".
"Fuck her. What about me? I'm bleeding dammit"
"Shut up Gaz. Maybe it'll make you prettier, you sure couldn't get any uglier".
The funny thing was I really was tired. Despite the fact that I'd apparently only woken up five minutes ago.
"I'll see you guys. I'm gonna go home and freshen up and stuff". And get a few hours sleep I say to myself.
"I'll come by later".
"Thanks Jen".
It wasn't until I'd gotten halfway home that I remembered about my money.
"Danni! Jennifer's here to see you, are you up yet?".
"Yes I'm up. Hey Jenny come on up".
I leant out over the railings at the top of the stairs to
watch Jenny come in, strangely curious as to how she looks today. Damn she looks
hot, long blonde hair plastered to her head (must have been raining out) and
generous chest rising and falling as……..where the hell had that come from? I
shake my head free of the last vestiges of sleep and whatever other dirty
thoughts were there.
"Hi Danni, you look better than you did yesterday".
"Thanks, a good nights sleep helped".
"Look, I'm sorry about that stupid dare. It was James` idea but I could have tried too…"
"Don't worry about it, it wasn't too bad anyway. I just wish I'd remembered to get the bloody money".
"I thought you would probably be regretting that, so I brought it with me"
Jenny smiled slightly, and I couldn't help myself watching her slide her hand over her ass and into her pocket as she took out the cash. "Excellent, thanks Jen"
I reached out and took the money from her outstretched hand. A thrill of pleasure ran through me as my fingertips brushed hers. What the hell was happening to me? Whatever it was Jenny must've noticed it too since she seemed to shrink back slightly at the brief contact.
"Um ….Ok, since you seem to feeling better and all I'll leave you for a while to get dressed and stuff. See you later?".
"Sure Jen, but there's no rush for you to go if you don't want".
What was I saying? I'd never been that obvious with a guy, and I didn't even like girls. At least not in the way I seemed to be liking Jen.
"No, I think it would probably be best if I just…"
Something inside of me snapped. I suddenly wanted, needed, Jenny more than anyone. I stepped forward and put my arms around her neck. Ignoring her struggles I forced my lips onto hers and my tongue into her waiting mouth, my body pressing up against hers. For just a second I thought Jenny was going to give in as she moved her hands onto my chest, but then she pushed me back hard enough to force me onto the floor.
"Jenny I…"
"Don't say anything, just…..Jesus you bit me!".
Jenny pulled back the hand that was covering her mouth to show me the tiny drop of blood there.
"No I……I didn't mean to….."
Still too shocked at my sudden outburst to care that much about a tiny cut.
" I never thought that you were…..I mean…..I gotta go".
And with that she left.
I was about to get up off the floor when I noticed my legs.
They were covered in hair, and I mean covered. Fine dark hairs. In a panic I got
up and rushed to the bathroom but stopped on my way out, one hand gripping the
door frame. I bit Jen? How did I manage that? On a hunch I run my tongue over my
teeth and notice that my canines are much longer and sharper than they normally
feel. On any other day that might seem strange. I get to the bathroom and look
in the mirror above the sink. My entire face is covered in the same dark fur
that sprouted on my legs and my ears have tapered to points which have also
sprouted tufts of fur. My teeth had indeed grown along with my entire face which
now pushed outwards slightly as if it was becoming a muzzle. I close my eyes and
shake my head as if to assure myself that none of this is happening but it was
and……wait……my own reflection stared back at me from the mirror with an
expression of disbelief. My own face, furless and fangless.
I sink down slowly to the floor and breathe a deep sigh of relief.
"Danni!", my mums voice. "Phone for you".
"Ok, coming".
I stand up and with a final look in the mirror (still nothing unusual) leave the bathroom and pick up the phone on the landing. "Danni?"
This isn't what I need right now.
"Yes Gaz".
"Um…Me and Jim, well, we were just wondering if everything was Ok. You know. After yesterday and everything".
That was strange, it wasn't like him to care. Especially after I'd hit him like that.
"I'm fine no thanks to you". Hopefully this won't take too long.
"Good. Well we're gonna go down Maccy Dee's and grab a burger if you want to tag along?"
Tag along? What am I a dog? I was about to tell him where to go when I realized how hungry I was. Again. A burger sounded too good.
"Yeah sure. Meet you there in about ten minutes".
"Where're the others?" I ask James as I take a seat over from him. As I look at him I notice for the first time how attractive he is, and begin imagining the two of us alone. Fortunately his voice breaks the spell.
"Just us three I'm afraid, Jenny came up with some lame excuse and I couldn't get hold of any of the others. Mine's the quarter-pounder thanks Gaz".
Great just me and the guys. For some reason Jenny's absence and Gaz's presence begins to make me angry.
"What did I get?" I ask Gaz sweetly.
"Didn't get you anything. Figured you could stand to lose a few pounds anyway".
Bastard. Sometimes I wish I could just put my hands around his throat and……no I don't, what's happening to me?
"Don't be rude Gareth".
"Whatever James".
"Don't worry, I'll get my own. At least that way I know no ones spat in it".
I didn't get two steps towards the door before Gaz's outstretched leg tangles mine and I fall to the ground. I face him from the floor.
"You stupid prick! What did you do that for!"
"….Danni your eyes…..what's wrong with your eyes".
What was he talking about my eyes for! He should be fucking
apologizing, he… One of my arms was outstretched in front of me to keep my
balance and I could see it clearly. Could see the nails on that hand slowly
lengthen and thicken. It wasn't like some cheap computer effect, I could
actually feel the nails, claws, forcing themselves out of my fingertips. I look
back up at the two guys, but they were just sitting there, burgers held in front
of their faces staring at my face. I drop to my knees so that I can use my hands
to probe my aching mouth and immediately wish I hadn't. My teeth had grown back
into lethal fangs, but not just my canines this time, my entire mouth is full of
sharp monstrous looking teeth. Sweat broke out over my whole body making my thin
dress cling tightly to my body causing a terrible itching
sensation. And I'm hot. In frustration and fear I pull at the neckline of my
dress, which tears easily allowing me to throw it from my body. But the itching
carried on and glancing at my arms confirmed my fears. Downy fur had sprouted
along their lengths ending at my knuckles and my claws had stopped growing at
about two inches long and had become dark brown. I scream, not in pain because
strangely it doesn't hurt, but in fear. My whole body now was covered in the
dark fur, except for the palms of my hands and feet and my face, which was once
again pushing out into an animals muzzle. Standing upright I notice that I've
gained about a foot in height and my muscles begin to develop at an alarming
rate, and without even moving I know that I'm stronger and faster than I could
ever have imagined possible. My senses have all heightened to an incredible
degree and I can hear and smell things that I'd never even noticed before. Then
as suddenly as it started my transformation stopped. And as I stand there and
look down at myself I realize that I'm no longer afraid. More than that,
I'm excited, exhilarated, aroused even. I was just about to lift my muzzle and
howl when I felt a small stabbing pain in my thigh. I look down and see amongst
the thick hairs there a tiny dart sticking out of my leg. I blink and suddenly
it's difficult to stand up so I fall to my knees and growl deeply. I pull the tranquilizer
out of my thigh, but it's too late. My vision becomes fuzzy and I topple to the
soft earth only just hearing Gaz's voice….
"What the fuck happened to her James".
"I'm not certain, but I'd guess the old man used too large a dose…"