THE DAMNEDEST THING

The full moon was up the sky. 

Like a tag, hole-punched, it said fill your belly boy.

I loped along the edge of the field to a steaming manure pile. 
I sniffed in admiration.

On all fours I made for the point where the tracks formed a crossroads. 

A sign stood there, its pointing fingers seem panicked.

I reached the sign and I stared at the words through wild eyes: 

'Have your fill', 'Stay Here', 'Don't Change'.

A dog approached and whimpered. Its master called him from a distant wood. "Bluuuuue!".

Fortunately I wasn't hungry.

I made my way to the local Space Base and hid in the waiting shuttle. 

It was stuffed with young souls embarking on a new life.

At six am it launched - with me - inside the deep hold.

The millionth Christmas ship since 2030. 

Its destination: 

Mars.

I peered through the port and let the dead dark shrink my body back.

I was tired of changing.

I was hungry again.

Phobos and Deimos came into view as the shuttle screamed towards Mars and its bloated cities.

I changed for the very last time and gently growled.

My full howl could wait.

'Two moons', I gloated, 

'Two full moons!'

*

This short tale was inspired by Creepy and dedicated to my two Creepy-loving brothers.