Wild

The sharp, high calls of coquis and thousands of other hidden nocturnal creatures began to fill the air as the sun slipped lower in the sky. Darkness fell quickly in the rainforest, the trees blocking what little light remained of the red and pink and orange sunset. The sound of laughing tourists joined the small animals calling for their mates as locals moved silently around a large clearing, re-lighting special torches used to keep mosquitos and other biting insects away.

A small bus wound silently along the beaten path to a large building at the center of the clearing. The little electric vehicle squeaked to a stop and the doors hissed opened. Employees of the large "eco hotel" exited the vehicle, talking animatedly with each other. They broke off into groups and made their way to different parts of the complex.

Lorena smiled at the driver as she walked down the few steps of the bus. Her shy smile betrayed brilliant white teeth and dimples that made more than one young boy profess their love to her. The old driver smiled fondly in return and wished her a good evening as he closed the door. Lorena straightened her crisp uniform when a tour bus full of rowdy tourists pulled up behind her.

"And here we are, ladies and gentlemen," the tour guide said with a flourish. The young man spoke with a slight accent but, having given the speech hundreds of times, it was barely noticeable. "We end the first day's tour at Posada Ecológica. We hope you've enjoyed the small tour of Amaqui but we promise that there's much more to see in our beautiful country. Guides are waiting to show you to your assigned bungalow. We have entertainment planned for the evening - dancing and singing and delicious food await you!"

Standing to the side, Lorena adjusted the tight, intricate braid her grandmother had made for her earlier. She watched the tourists leave the bus, eyeing each of them in turn with sharp, black eyes. Several of the women were attractive and a few of the men were quite handsome. She loved her country and her village but she couldn't help the twinge of jealousy she felt from these travelers. She was blessed with a loving family and a well-paying job but she'd never travel; she'd never experience life beyond the ordinary daily routine she'd made for herself.

Her eyes tracked one man while her mind wandered. He was tall and slim with a short beard. His loose white shirt was soaked from the armpits and chest like the rest of the Americanos and his brown hair was short but curly. He had a relaxed way about himself and stood apart from the group. She watched the young man follow the other tourists and wondered why, despite the beauty around him, he looked so sad.

The young girl shook herself and walked to the main office, away from where the tourists were being led. She spoke briefly to her manager to get the list of bungalows she'd be cleaning while the guests enjoyed their entertainment. Music and shouting greeted her as she stepped outside into the humid air and she watched the dancers for a moment. Her tanned cheeks blushed red as she watched the girls move their hips and found herself moving in return.

Maybe I can get Juan to go dancing with me this weekend, Lorena thought as she stepped lightly from one foot to the other, matching the steps of the girls on stage. He seems sweet to me.

Humming, Lorena went to work and time passed. She greeted the other women and listened to them gossip while they busied themselves with cleaning. She was new and not yet confident in herself to join in their conversations - especially since the rest of them were from other villages. She saw the man from earlier a few times and felt her eyes drawn to him whenever she passed. He reminded her of Rafael from her village. But older and more mature and she wondered if he was a good dancer.

Lorena worked late into the night. The rainforest sang to her and made her feel safe and at home. The hotel was unique - an "Eco Friendly" place where guests could enjoy a natural environment away from the stress and rush of the city. The rainforest surrounded them for kilometers and the Basate River was less than half a day's ride away. The young girl lived at the hotel during the week and the sounds kept her from feeling homesick.

With a sigh, Lorena lowered herself to a bench near one of the cabana's she'd just cleaned. There was only three more to go but her feet and back were sore and she needed a moment to rest. A single guest, an older man, stumbled at the far end of the clearing. The young girl watched him stop at the edge of the forest and then step between two mossy trees.

It wasn't illegal for guests to explore but, at the beginning of their stay, each tourist sat through a lecture on the dangers of the natural rainforest. Wandering without a guide was highly discouraged.

Lorena frowned, squinting to see the man through the silvery moonlight filtering through the canopy.

"He'll be back," she whispered to herself as she stood. Carrying her bucket of cleaning supplies, the young girl went to the next cabana and scrubbed while glancing at the trees. She grew more nervous with each passing moment until, finally, she set her supplies down. She walked to where the old man had been and stopped, peering through the darkness.

"E- excuse me?" Lorena called out in accented English. She heard a twig crack further in. "Sir? You aren't supposed to be out there. Sir?"

Lorena hesitated. They were trained to offer assistance if needed and especially if it would keep the security detail from getting involved. She told herself he was probably just using the bathroom but she heard nothing beyond the croaks and bird calls and other random sounds.

"Sir?" Lorena called again, stepping into the forest. The girl walked slowly for, despite the moonlight, the trees were thick and her night vision was dulled by the torches kept lit around the hotel. "Can you hear me?"

The girl stepped carefully over fallen trees and exposed roots, occasionally calling out for the lost guest. Her heart hammered in her chest the deeper she went. Her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness and she almost called out again but, instead, froze.

The forest was silent.

Lorena's hand trembled against the the tree she was using for support. She could hear wild calls far in the distance but, around her, a pregnant silence filled the air. She swallowed dry and felt the panic rising in her.

Go back slowly, she told herself as cold sweat slid down her back. Retrace your steps. Don't run. Don't panic. Just start moving.

Lorena turned.

And screamed as a weight slammed into her back. Fire erupted from her side and then darkness swallowed her, blessedly taking the pain with it.

---

"Lorena! Lorena!" a loud voice called.

The young girl gasped and shrieked and sat up, shielding her eyes against the bright overhead lights. Despite her panic and the unfamiliar room, her first thought was that the hotel shouldn't have electric lights.

A strong hand steadied the girl and she looked around, wincing at the soreness in her side. She touched her stomach tentatively and felt smooth, warm skin. She'd been undressed at some point and now only her bra kept her from being topless.

"Careful," the voice said. Lorena turned slowly to see an older woman standing next to her. "You've hit your head and we still need to check you for a concussion. How are you feeling?"

Lorena swallowed and explored her side. She remembered the pain she'd felt and was honestly surprised to find herself whole. Her finger traced a pale white line on her skin, just above her hip.

"What happened?" Lorena asked. The other woman handed her a glass of water and then pulled a small light from a pocket on her shirt. She shined the light in Lorena's eyes one at a time. "I was attacked but I don't remember what happened."

"I wasn't there," The woman answered. "When I've finished, the director will speak with you. I'm sure he'll have more information."

"The- my side," the young girl pressed her fingers against her side. "I thought-"

"Does your head hurt?" the nurse asked. When Lorena shook her head, she continued her examination. "There was some blood but we think it's from whatever attacked you. It must've been wounded in the struggle."

"I could swear," Lorena whispered to herself, trying to remember what happened before she passed out.

"Well," the nurse said firmly. "You're fine. But, if you feel dizzy or have a bad headache you must come back immediately. Someone is waiting for you outside to take you to the director and there's a change of clothes on the table in the corner."

Lorena dressed herself while the nurse put away her gear.

"Who did your appendectomy?" the nurse asked. Lorena paused, her slim fingers on the door handle. "I can recommend a doctor for your village. He's very good and willing to travel. And would never leave a scar like that for such a simple procedure."

"I-" Lorena paused and swallowed the words that followed: I still have my appendix. She felt too shy to correct the nurse. "I'll tell them, thank you."

---

"Do you remember anything that happened?" Gustavo, the hotel's director, asked. He was deeply tanned with a thick, brown mustache and warm eyes.

"No, sir," Lorena said, her eyes downcast.

"Well," the older man said. "We can give you the next night off if you need but the nurse seemed to find nothing. You're a very lucky girl. Tomas watched you and followed soon after. He scared off whatever it was that attacked you. Why did you wander into the forest?"

"I saw a guest, sir," Lorena answered, still staring at the floor. "He was drunk and he went into the forest before me. I waited and when he didn't come out, I went to check on him."

"You should've called security, Lorena," the director chided gently. "They're there for things like that. Tomas was on duty. Do you need tomorrow night off?"

"No, sir," Lorena said, blushing from the attention. "I feel fine. And I'm very sorry. Next time I'll talk to security first. Did- did they find the guest?"

"We checked in with all the guests after the incident and all are safe. Go to the dorms and get some rest, Lorena. Take it easy for the rest of tonight and tomorrow. And don't forget to speak to the nurse if you're not feeling well."

---

Lorena lay in her small bed, listening to the slow, quiet sounds of the morning shift as they prepared for the day. Her blankets lay around her and she fought the urge to pace. She felt tired but oddly restless and no position seemed to make her feel comfortable. She rolled to her side and then her back before sitting up and flipping her thick braid over her shoulder.

Despite the air conditioning, sweat stained her bed and her clothes - light shorts and loose shirt. The young girl rolled her head on her shoulders and yawned, her jaw popping as she flashed her teeth. She raised her tanned arms over her head and arched her back, stretching luxuriously with her firm breasts straining against her shirt.

For the hundredth time she stood and walked around the small room. Her shoulders were hunched and her ears twitched as pots and pans clanged together in the open common area. The girl's eyes flicked around the room and she found herself sniffing as the aroma of food filled the air.

Her stomach growled but she pushed it away - she didn't feel like leaving her den. It was hers and all the people outside were strangers. Outsiders. Her eyes shot to her door and she flashed her perfect white teeth and turned in a quick loop, stalking through her room. Drops of sweat slid down her back, soaking into her shirt until it hung wetly to her curves.

Lorena licked her lips and scented the air.

Slowly, imperceptibly, her canines lengthened. She ground her teeth against the dull ache and they stopped growing, the four teeth overlapping and making her lips bulge slightly, giving her a pronounced pout. The young girl's hand went to her hip and her fingers slid against the smooth, unblemished skin over and over. Her joints were sore from her toes to her neck and she felt feverish. Still, she refused to return to the nurse for fear of losing pay.

The young girl stopped at her desk and bent over it. Gripping the edge she stretched, bowing her back. Trembling from the force of it, she pushed her body to its limits. The skin along her back bulged as muscles grew beneath the surface, pushing her spine out. At the height of her stretch, her hip clicked and cracked as her tailbone unfused.

A fingernail on Lorena's right hand flexed and darkened as a tiny black tip slid from beneath it to scrape at the desk. The small claw carved a thin line in the wood as she stood back and away from the desk. She shivered and held herself as the sweat turned cold and tiredness set in. The small claw pulled back and the fingernail bulged to contain it.

Deep within the girl's hips, a single bone moved as her changing body lashed a non-existent tail.

"Maybe now," the girl told herself, hiding a huge yawn behind her small hand. "Maybe I can sleep now."

Lorena crawled into bed. Her shirt was tight against her body, straining to contain the growth of muscle along her back. She stretched again and then closed her eyes until sleep took her.

---

The battery powered alarm clock by her bed chimed and Lorena jerked upright with a hiss, baring her tiny fangs at the small device. She found herself on her hands and knees, body low against the bed. Blinking, the young girl shook her head and relaxed, quickly tapping the button to turn the alarm off.

Singing and laughing filled the air and Lorena pawed at her ears, annoyed with the sharp sounds assaulting her. Her ears twitched at the attention she gave them and muscles shifted and grew within her skull. The nearby sounds were almost painfully loud.

The young girl sat the edge of her bed with her head bowed, gripping the frame. Tendons stood out sharply in her forearms and the bed creaked. Tiny black and tawny yellow hairs sprouted from the back of her neck and she groaned while rolling her shoulders. She massaged the back of her sore neck for a moment and then felt a tear at the neckline of her shirt. She sighed, wonderful if she could borrow a needle and thread from the girl in the next room.

Standing, Lorena struggling to get out of her tight, wet top. She twisted and growled and turned until she was able to pull the shirt over her head, flinging it into the corner. Her pajama bottoms came off more easily and she stood naked in the middle of her room, staring at a door beside her desk.

Do I shower? she thought to herself. The new muscles within her head moved and her ears shifted, rotating to catch the sounds around her. She could hear the workers moving around their rooms, slowly waking up as she had. They all shared a small bathroom where they often showered together. Lorena raised her arm to her mouth and lapped slowly at the skin along her forearm. Maria is there and I don't want to see her again. I don't like the way she looked at me yesterday. Smirked at me. In my territory like she owns the place. Thinks she's better than me.

Lorena continued to clean herself while her mind wandered. She sat, stretching her toned, tanned leg out and ran her small tongue along her thigh. She could smell herself there and felt a blush reach her ears. She recalled a memory of Juan, shirtless and playing fútbol with his friends and a different kind of warmth began to fill her.

More black hairs sprouted slowly down her neck. Dark orange hairs mixed with them before stopping and the girl shivered as her braid brushed against the light fur.

"It's late," she whispered to herself. She shivered again as she lapped at the inside of her thigh for a final time. Her tongue felt rough against her silky smooth skin and it sent small exciting jolts directly to her lower stomach. "I need to get dressed."

Lorena moved around the room, dressing herself. As she had before, she struggled with her shirt, the buttons straining to stay in place. The girl frowned and looked down at her belly, wondering if she was growing fat. Instead, she saw hard flatness. In fact, as she turned, she watched muscles flex on her side and belly. She felt strong.

While she finished buttoning her shirt, a small claw slid forth from her fingernail, poking a tiny hole into the fabric. Finally, she shoved her feet into her shoes, grunting at how tight they felt. She laced them quickly and then stepped outside.

A small growl escaped Lorena's lips as the sound of revelry assaulted her. She pressed herself back against the side of her room and the skin at the base of her spine bulged. New bones formed and connected to her tailbone and they moved within, showing her annoyance. More tiny black hairs pushed forth from the skin along her back, forming small black spots. A few orange and yellow hairs grew among the black.

Breathing deeply, Lorena pushed away and forced a smile, her odd little fangs scraping against each other. A single golden line appeared in her left eye.

"Epa," a passing co-worker (Valeria, Lorena remembered) said. "¿Qué modo?"

"I'm well, thank you," Lorena answered through clenched teeth. Her head throbbed and her joints ached and that warmth was still spreading slowly through her stomach. She shivered and smiled wider and then wondered why Valeria took a quick step back with widened eyes.

"G- good," Valeria answered. The older woman turned away but stopped to glance back before hurrying off.

Lorena rubbed at her mouth and cheek with the back of her hand and gave herself a quick lick before setting off to work. On her way to the storage room, she spotted the man from the day before. The young girl paused and watched him, hidden from his view.

He was young but perhaps older than her by a few years. His curly hair was a mess and he looked like he hadn't showered. Lorena breathed deeply, her mouth slightly open. He smelled of alcohol and- she breathed again and a line of drool formed at the corner of her mouth. A sharp spike of pleasure pierced her lower stomach and she bit back a groan. He smelled of sex. His own. She closed her eyes breathed deeply, feeling the way her shirt slid against her suddenly sensitive sides.

Closing her mouth, the young girl stalked over to the man, a lascivious smile on her lips.

"Oh," Lorena said, feigning surprise. The man turned to her in surprise. "Excuse me, I was so busy that I didn't notice you there. I hope I didn't startle you."

"Oh, no," the man said. "Not at all. I was just watching the sunset."

Lorena smiled, showing her cheekbones. She could feel her heart racing and, this close, the smell of the man was intoxicating. Her eyes flicked to his crotch and his hands. And she swallowed the drool forming in her mouth. Pleasuring himself just a moment ago, she thought.

"Is this your first time here?" Lorena asked. She toyed with the top button of her uniform and didn't notice when it became unbuttoned. The man's eyes dropped for a moment to stare.

"N- I mean yes, it is."

"Mmmm," Lorena said, feeling a tight heat between her legs. Her finger traced a slow circle around the swell of her breast. "It's a lovely place. Very close to nature. Easy to let yourself go, you know? All of this- this wildness around you."

"Y- yeah."

"Well," Lorena told him, smiling brightly. Showing the male her tiny fangs. She glanced down at his crotch. Slowly. Obviously. Her smile widened and her finger went up to her nipple and it stiffened lazily at her touch. "Maybe I'll see you around, Mr...?"

"S- S- Scott," the man stuttered. "I'd- I'd- like. That."