Mikey was given the chance to head home, following his diagnosis at the nurses office. His mind was still reeling with the whole idea that he was now infected. He wanted to deny it, he wanted to just wake up from this nightmare. Still he could feel the feathers press around his nether regions and now even his stomach. Mostly they were hidden in his clothes but.. he didn't know how long it would be until people treated him differently. He was also afraid of losing all his friends in school... having to go to a new classroom just because of a 'disease' why did it have to be like that Mikey's bright red feathers were on display behind him as he walked hunched up a bit. He looked absolutely miserable and completely inconsolable.
Jon looked at his little brother, trying to think of something to say.. some kind of comfort... but what could he say? He shared a glance to Karyn, his friend also preoccupied with what was going on in Mike's head. Jon knew though that once he got home... he could wish this away. Everything will be fine.
Karyn held Jon's arm, offering him some support but Jon.. wasn't really receptive to it. He was watching his little brother become some kind of 'monster' due to the virus. He created this with his wish. He probably hurt many children... he.. had committed the worst possible crime. He had created a virus that was 'hurting' kids... Would his little brother look anything like he did now? What if it affected his mind. Worse what if something.. fatal... to.. his... his little brother...
Mikey started to stumble a bit. It looked like he had difficulty walking. "J-Jon-" he whimpered as he stumbled and sat on the pavement.
"Mikey!" Jon was snapped out of his dark thoughts of fear and tried to help Mikey up but his little brother let go, rather being on the ground for some reason. "My feet- they- they hurt-" He cried out in some strange ache. His shoes looked like they were bulging in strange ways.
"Try getting his shoes off!" Karyn was already tugging at the left shoe.
"Ow- Ow!" Mikey cried out once more as both Karyn and Jon each took a shoe but were having the same difficulty. "It hurts!" he cried out.
Jon looked ashen faced at the pain Mikey was going through. His little brother's shirt had come slightly loose and he could see more of those bright red feathers. They looked.. completely out of place on him. He looked with a mix of disgust and guilt at it.. his little brother had parts that were more at home in an animal. Still that didn't compare to what he was about to see, as he finally pried Mikey's right shoe off.
The sock was completely torn. A claw of a nail was sticking out the 'back' of his socks, the whole thing spread as if a hand was spread out inside, finally having room to move. Karyn had to loosen the laces before she eventually got the left shoe off. She stared at the socks. The left sock was even more torn down the front, with three very sharp looking claws spreading at the front.
Mikey took a a few gasps, the pain now gone. He looked at Jon and Karyn confused. "Wh- what's.." then he stared at his feet. "N-No!" he stared as he wasn't quite what had happened. He flexed whatever.. was under there.. closing, then opening- and with a flourish, the socks were completely torn away.
Jon and Karyn both were taken aback by the sight. They looked like odd scales coloured yelowish-gold. The claws on it, a contrasting white with black outlines, the new structure of his nails curled into sharp points. Three of them adorned the front, while one was at the back. There was no denying these were not feet but talons... the talons of a bird.
Jon.. stared in shock.
Karyn was quick to break the silence. "It's okay Mikey," she said with a glance to Jon, who looked too shaken to say anything. "Hey come on, why don't you try standing on them?" Her voice somehow conveying more confidence.
Mikey wiped his tears and looked to Karyn, focusing on that gentle almost maternal voice giving a sliver of instinctual confidence. "O-Okay.." He wasn't sure quite sure... he held onto Karyn, as he slowly set one talon on the pavement. The claw felt like it was standing on the nails themselves for a bit. The odd sensation of a nail 'behind' him though.. he wasn't quite sure how it all worked. Not to mention the tail of feathers behind him.
"Okay.. I'm going to let you go... can you balance on them?" Karyn said still calm. "Jon, you can get his hand in case..."
"Oh- yeah-" Jon quickly grabbed his little brother's hand holding it perhaps a bit too tightly. "Come on bro... try taking a step."
Mikey wasn't even sure how to take a single step let alone walk the rest of the way home. Using his normal experiences with his human feet he simple pressed forward, feeling his back claw rise and somehow his front claws became wider a bit- but- he felt his tail suddenly sway to the left, and he lost his balance.
"Mikey!" Jon held his arm as he took his full weight. Karyn then quickly took his other arm.
"I- I can't walk!" Mikey cried suddenly. "I can't do it!" He wanted to give up.. he wanted to curl up and just ...
"You can Mikey," said Jon. "They are just like feet a bird has. You've seen birds walk all the time right? Just.. try putting more of a hop in your step." Jon tried to remember how he had seen birds- actual birds move around.
Mikey got pulled back upright, and stared at the odd scaled claws. The urgings from those around him made him angry. Why don't they try walking on these things? He looked absolutely disgusted by them, knowing he would have to walk on them.. possibly forever. Though the town was small, they were starting to get a few odd glances in their direction. A passing car slowed down, the driver looking rather pitiably before driving on.. a shopper casting a glance but.. not doing much more as Mikey was just another victim of the Mist virus. Eventually, he made a few steps...
"Good!" Said Karyn excitedly. "see? You can walk." She said with genuine admiration of the young boy's adaption.
Mikey's sadness started to give way to a respite of joy and gave a little smile to Karyn back. Maybe he was a little proud to have impressed Karyn. He glanced to his big brother. "Jon? Can... um.. could you bring my shoes for me please..."
"Huh? Oh- sure." He picked up the shoes. There were a few holes here his claws had broken them. "They... don't look like you can put them on any more."
"I- I just want to keep them." He didn't know why.. what was the point.. he could never wear them again unless he turned back to normal...
