Growing A Shell

by bluemoon1996

When you got an amigo in need

As I drove to Dalton's house, I learned two things about my new eyes. I could now see in low light extremely well now. Hell, I didn't even need to have the headlights on to see! The second thing was just as cool but somewhat disturbing: my eyes now glow. It was only as bright as a glow stick but my eyes were glowing! How cool is that! I have to look so flipping creepy right now!

I drove the thoughts from my mind as I drew closer to his home. Now wasn't the time for those kinda thoughts when Dalton needs my help...possibly. Damn, why did he have to send such a vague text! Seriously, he could be in some deep shit and all he sent was 'come quick'!?

For once, I agree with you brain.

Rounding the last corner, I spotted dalton as my headlights washed over him and I couldn't help but gawk. He was sitting shirtless at the foot of his driveway, head in his hands as he leaned against the mailbox; but that wasn't why my jaw was on the floor boards, no siree Bob! It was because the large leathery bat wings sticking out from his back!

I let out a groan as I stopped my truck and cut the engine. That explains why he needed me to come. His mom and dad were uber religious folks and probably screamed heresy the moment they saw the wings.

I quietly got and out and made my way over to my now winged best friend. Without the rumble of my truck's engine, I could hear the rather pitiful sound of crying coming from Dalton. What the hell happened?

I glanced up at his house, about 25 yards away, and saw the distinctive pot-bellied silhouette of his dad standing on the porch. The bastard was watching his son cry his eyes out like a vulture circling it's next meal!

Kneeling down, I placed a hand on my friends shoulder. "Dalton, it's me," I said in the most soothing voice I could muster, "I'm here, we can go now."

His sniffling stopped and he looked up at me. I let out a surprised gasp and fell flat on my ass. Blood and fangs! There was dried blood caked around his mouth and a pair of fangs poking out from under his top lip! I couldn't help but stare in a mixture of surprise and horror.

He took one look at me and laughed dryly, "Jeeze, and I thought I got hit by the short end of the stick."

"D-Dalton... What happened?" I finally managed to say, "who's blood is that!?"

"What the hell do you think," he spat on the ground, "my dad lost his shit. I was trying to explain to them what happened with my eyes when..." He looked back his wings, "those showed up and the next thing I knew Pop had me by the shoulder demanding what I had done with his boy."

"I tried telling him that it was me and not some daemon bodysnatcher but he wouldn't believe me and... and he got violent," he began to cry again.

"Dalton," I put my hand back on his shoulder, "who's blood is that? Did he hurt you?" By Celestia's fat flank, I don't care if Mr. Riley was my god damn elder, I would kick his ass to the moon! I could already feel my blood begin to boil.

"Just some bruises," he said, rubbing his stomach. I couldn't help but growl. What kind of man hits his children when they're obviously scared out of their damn minds! My blood was most definitely boiling now.

"The blood is his."

"His?" I raised an eyebrow, a hint of happiness in my voice. At least the bastard lost some blood from this.

He nodded, "I-I don't know what came over me, I clamped my teeth into his arm," he looked absolutely disgusted with himself, "It just felt natural. I-I fucking enjoyed it!" And with that he broke down again.

The sadness radiating off of him tripled and I couldn't help but hug him. As he cried into my shoulder, I glared up at the figure of Dalton's dad on the porch with a seething passion. If looks could kill, I'm sure mine was the czar bomb.

Why couldn't we have gotten laser eyes instead of night vision!

Once again I agree with you brain.

Quietly, I got Dalton to his feet and helped him over to my truck, sitting him down in the passenger seat. I let out a sigh; I had never seen Dalton like this before. He was probably the most happy go lucky guy I know and absolutely nothing bummed him out. What the hell must be going through his mind?

I made my way over my side and opened the do-

"That's right! You freaks get off my property!"

All right, that's it! Slamming the door shut, I stormed up the driveway, my fists shaking in rage. Stopping about halfway up the drive, I just glared up at him.

"You son of a bitch," I sounded like a daemon straight out of hell, "that 'thing' is your son you bastard!"

"That ain't my boy!"

"That is your boy and he's scared out of his damn mind!" I wanted to storm up there and beat the living snot out of that man till I either broke my hand or his face.

"Get off my property you glowy eyed bastard!"

"Glowy eyes bastard!?! I screamed in rage, "I'm your son's best friend you fucker!"

"If you do not get off my property I will shoot you!" He picked up what was safe to assume was a gun and with the very distinctive sound of a shotgun cocking aimed it in my direction.

Shotgun cock! Shotgun cock! Redneck has got a gun! Scatter!

Pissed off or not, I'm not a fan of getting shot. Turning about, I high-tailed it back to my truck and we were on our way.

As we were driving off, I looked over at Dalton. He wasn't crying anymore, just staring out the window. The sadness was still coming off of him but now it was far smaller.

"Hey man, you wanna talk?"

Silence. I sighed, I hate quiet car trips.

---

As we pulled back into the driveway, I saw my brother's ugly ass orange Hyundai. Crap, Danny's here! I really hope mom was able to explain this to him.

Sighing, I looked down at the clock in the dashboard and it showed 9 o'clock. I turned off the engine and looked over at my silent riding amigo. "Hey man, just go crash on the couch in my room." He nodded as we got out and made our way inside.

Once inside, I made my way into the living room as Dalton made a beeline to the stairs. Mom was in her chair while Danny was there on the couch, Kylie's head resting in his lap as she quietly slept. Her pony ears occasionally twitching. I couldn't help d'aw at the adorableness.

Both of them watched Dalton as he went up the stairs. Mom looked back at me in confusion, "Who's blood is th-"

I sighed as I flopped down in an empty seat,"it's a long story."

Danny just looked kept on looking at me, "Jeeze, you weren't kidding mom." Okay, this is going a lot better than I thought it would.

He looked down at Kylie and rubbed her hair before looking up at me, "So theres a way to fix this in Chicago?"

I nodded, "as far as I know yes."

"And you and your friends are going up there."

I nodded again

He looked back down at Kylie again, "Johnny, if anything happens to her. I will end you, understand?" I gulped, nodding; Danny would certainly track me to the ends of the earth and beyond.

My six and a half foot tall tank of a brother stood up and walked over to me. I stood up, only reaching his chest, "shake on it?"

He shook his head and grabbed me in a bear hug. I let pained grunt his hug broke my back, "Dan... Hug... Can't breathe!" He released me, "sorry." I took in a gulp of air as he let me go, "it's nothing man."

"Well," he looked back at mom, "I gotta go explain to my wife that our daughter is turning into a cartoon zebra." He sighed, "wish me luck," and gave mom a hug.

"See you later Bugeyes," he smirked as he turned to leave.

"Ha ha very funny," I said, a bemused expression on my face as he walked away.

------

Yawning, I made my way up to my bedroom. It had been an hour since Danny had left and me and mom had just been talking and watching TV. And now that it was 10 o'clock, I decided it was time to hit the sack. Today had been a long day for us all and tomorrow it was off to Chicago.

As I opened the door, I heard the soft sound of Dalton snoring. Quietly, I changed into my usual sleeping attire and climbed into bed and soon drifted off to sleep.

Comments

[Nectarine]

I have experience getting hurt by shotguns.

[Enigma In the Jungle]

It was only as bright as a glow stick but my eyes were glowing! How cool is that! I have to look so flipping creepy right now!

well that reminds me,...

... why do i feel like making a parody of this now...

[Super57]

Interesting indeed my man.

[Lord Of Dorkness]

Guess force of habit would excuse it, but it still seems rather short-sighted to put on sleeping-wear when you're mutating into a tiny horse.

At best it will be really uncomfortable. At worst, it might even harm you.

Still, I could see somebody not thinking about that when they just want a normal night's sleep after a long, stressful day.