Thirteen became twelve by morning tea time.

Soph was still quiet, but you could tell something was happening. Rich was definitely responding to her, which was a good sign for a potential bond. He always wanted to be near her and would jump up onto the bed. He often let us know she was struggling by letting out a whimper or going up and licking her face. He was more and more reluctant to leave her.

Buck couldn’t seem to careless about Soph. He did join Rich in barking to alert us of something serious but he barked more anyway. We had no idea if he was just following Rich’s lead.

The vet came after lunch and examined both dogs. She took samples of everything away to be analysed and couldn’t tell us much except that they seemed healthy and gave us an approximation of their ages. As we suspected, Buck was probably only a year old. Rich was maybe four or five years old.

By the time the vet left, twelve had become eleven. Keep it up, you uncaring anomalies. This is all going on your tab, and we will be coming around to collect with interest.

Then came the news that the first successful mutation had happened, and they were awake. It was one of the Army people, but I don’t know which one.

There was now a spare room for Carla and me to use if we wanted. We moved the cot, and they provided a second one.

I decided to take Buck out for a walk. I needed a new mindset for the war on the anomalies, so I started with Buck. Where he sniffed, I sniffed. What was he sniffing for? I had no idea, but he lived with a super nose permanently. I now have to do the same.

Some of those smells were disgusting, but quite a few were only interesting. I had no idea what I was smelling, but that would come with time. It would take effort as well.

I need to do the same with my hearing. I sat on the grass as Buck roamed and let my ears take in as much as possible. This would take time as well. I think I can hear more low-pitched sounds than I used to.

Then we heard Rich barking again. We went in, and Soph was definitely struggling. Something was wrong with her skin. She was sweating, but it was more than just sweat. I collected the dogs and left the professionals to work. Rich really didn’t want to leave. In the end, I gave him to Carla to hold, and I took Buck out.

This time, it didn’t end in half an hour like all the others. After an hour, eleven became ten, and I was worried Soph would be next. However, another successful mutation woke up, so there was progress.

As the second hour rolled around, the professionals had done all they could, keeping her hydrated and full of nutrients and monitoring her. Carla and Rich were in there constantly. Buck and I would pop in every now and then with food and water as the dinner hour came and went.

The evening wore on, with Soph sweating and struggling and whimpering sounds coming from her and Rich.

Ten became nine as the sixth hour ticked by, but Soph held in there. Then, another awakening.

Still, Soph held on as midnight came and went. Rich was asleep on the bed next to her, and Carla had fallen asleep in the chair. I sat in the chair next to her, and Buck fell asleep on my lap.

Rich woke us up with his yipping and bouncing, and his rear end was wagging. I think it would still have been wagging if he had a tail. He was up by Soph's face, and he licked it. I saw her respond and reached out to the dog. Carla was up by her bed in an instant, blocking my view. I didn’t need to see, but Buck wanted to get in on the excitement.

“So glad you are awake,” Carla said, pushing Rich out of the way and giving her a hug.

There was a mumbled reply, and then I heard, “I need a shower… Oh shit.”

Carla laughed, “Oh shit indeed.”

I moved to where I could see. I could only see her head, shoulder and arms, but she was completely covered in fur. It was short fur, but it covered everywhere, including her face. It was tan-coloured, and her hair had changed to match, although the length was still the same as I remembered.

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Carla ran her hand over Soph’s arm. “It is short and thick,” she said. “I wish I didn’t have these scales so I can feel in properly. You are going to give fantastic hugs.” They both burst out laughing at that.

Soph was running her hands up and down her arm, feeling it herself. “It is thick, and I am pretty sure it is labrador fur. It is the same colour as the lab on the barge, and, “she reached up to touch her ears. They were still human-shaped ears but covered in fur. “Oooh, that is nice,” she said as she stroked her ear. She looked at Carla, “remember that spot.”

“Well, at least you won’t need to shave anymore,” Carla said. They both laughed at that as well.

Soph poked a furry leg out from under the blankets. “I am definitely not shaving that,” she said.

I noticed her feet were human. No claws or anything. No dog ears, no dog teeth. “Do you have a tail, but any chance?” I asked.

She actually felt behind her to check before answering, “Nope, but definitely a furry butt.”

“Really?” Carla asked. “I hope you like being petted because you are becoming more irresistible all the time.”

“Before we get carried away, is there anything besides the fur? What about a bond or senses, etc?” I asked.

“Come here, Rich,” she said, “Yes, and you too, Buck,” she grabbed the dogs in a hug, and they sniffed and licked her excitedly. Yes, there is a bond, two bonds, actually. They are different from each other and different from what you described with your essence link. The bond isn’t from my essence pool. Oh, hello, essence pool.” She stopped for a few minutes, obviously exploring the changes.

Carla and I gave her time. We both remember what that is like.

Soph continued, “So the bond is not centred from the essence pool, but it is based in my mind, or that is what it seems like. Essence does not flow down it, but feelings and maybe some of what they are sensing. It has the feeling it will grow as we grow, but for now, I can sense how they are feeling.” She paused a bit, testing what she could do.

“Rich, here, is actually quite intelligent and is very sensitive to emotions … actually, essence and emotions around him. I think that might be his mutation, sensing essence and emotions, which gives more evidence to the theory that this anomaly links essence and emotion.”

“That might explain why Rich was so sensitive to the changes you were going through while you were mutating,” Carla said, “He would react first, and then you would do something.”

“That's because he is a good lad and very loyal,” she said, giving him a rough, affectionate rub. “Buck here.. Come here, Buck,”

Buck had wandered off sniffing something but returned when she called. That must be the bond, as he doesn’t come when I call.

“Buck here is a totally different dog. He wants to hunt and find things. He can use essence as well, but I really don’t know how. He uses it in hunting. We will have to figure it out.”

“So they both have their own essence core?” I asked.

“Yes. Rich’s one is bigger, I think, but Buck’s is more active, harder? I'm not sure how to explain it.”

“Don’t worry about it for now,” Carla said. We will figure it out. The important thing is that you are alive. You made it, and it worked. Two bonds! And fur! Jackpot for you!”

“The fur is going to be interesting…,” she said uncertainly.

“Fur is going to be great,” Carla said, “especially if I can get skin again. I will be coming for so many hugs.”

Soph smiled. “I need some food and a shower.”

“Ooh, we need to get you some brushes. You will like being brushed.” Carla said.

“I think I might,” Soph said, “I am glad it is short fur.”

I will grab some food from the kitchen,” I said and popped out, leaving them to chat and explore. When I got back, Amanda had been summoned and was examining Soph. Amanda looked exhausted. I passed the food and stepped back out of the way.

I backed out of the room altogether as it was too crowded. Soph never made it to the shower. She was exhausted and fell asleep with the two dogs curled up beside her. Carla came and crashed on the other cot.

I lay awake thinking for a while. Step one was done. Soph had succeeded. I don’t know how she succeeded. Was it the emotional response when the labrador was killed? I don’t know, but it was a factor. Emotional bloody Essence. I bet other anomalies are not like that one.

We are going to have to do a lot of testing. All of us. Step two will be to see if we can get Carla back into human skin and what it actually takes for her to change form.

What I need now, though, is space. I need some time out. The Navy will want to get us into testing straight away, but I need a break.

I hear a scratching at the door. I get up and open it, and Buck is there. I let him in, and he climbs onto my cot and curls up to sleep.

Shift over you, mangy mutt. That is my bed.