Something is different....

When I opened my eyes again, it was no longer night. I was flat on my back and the bright sun was shining down on me through the leaves. Things looked different. It was as if I was seeing the light in a different way. I tried to close my inner eyelid, but nothing happened.

I wasn’t in pain, but when I turned my head, my neck felt unusually tight. I raised my wing to my beak and was shocked at how soft it was. What were these even softer things under it and around my mouth? Lips. I had lips. For that matter, what were these wiggly worms at the ends of my wings? Fingers?

I started to sit up, but was pushed back by two big paws that pressed down on my chest. A large head thrust itself into view, mouth open, long sharp teeth exposed.

Then a tongue came out and lapped my face.

Are you you? Malsumsis whined.

I lifted my legs, as an owl would do, and pushed against my wolf friend with my feet.

“Get off me,” I said.

My voice sounded strange, but it seemed to please Malsumsis.