The next things I knew I was standing on a fake rock under a sprawling tree. Not fifty feet away I could see the deep ditch that separatede the area from the sheer wall on the other side. On the top of the wall was a thick set of bars with people leaning on them and pointing in this way, or aiming cameras. Behind me I could see the wall of stone-styled concrete that was the walls of the rest of the enclosure.
Darn it! I said, or tried to. The only thing that came out was an angry growl, though. I realized I couldn't speak any more. I immediately tried to change that, or change at all, but found I didn't want to. Yawning, I stretched impressively in the shade of the tree, hearing the sounds of cameras going off as I did, and tried to figure it out. I mean, being a leopard was pretty neat, but shouldn't I want to be myself? Or to be able to talk? After a few moments I realized that the wishes couldn't counteract act each other -- I could still become what I wanted to be, so Karyn's wish couldn't change that. However, it could change what I wanted, so for the next two hours, I couldn't want to be anything than a leopard. I flicked my tail in faint irritation at being stuck here, but I could not really manage to get upset. I mean, I liked being a leopard. It was nice being able to stretch out here on the ground and not have to go to class. This was kind of fun.
I could smell the scent of other leopards and if I turned my head I could see a couple others. We each seemed to have our own corner of the exhibit that we were all staying too. They did not seem at all bothered by my presence which was a good thing. I certainly didn't want to spend the next two hours fighting.
After another yawn, I stretched out slowly on my side, enjoying the feel of muscles under fur and the warmth of the air. Not much for me to do but enjoy this time off from school, though I did worry a bit about what else Karyn might do with the rock. I also thought about what I might do to her in revenge to get her back for this. I mean, I enjoyed being a leopard, but being in the zoo was a bit dull so far.
