Doomed

Sebastian lay in a canvas cocoon, his body gripped by pain. The upper part still retained human features, while the lower part was sliding into the form of a cheetah a powerful, spotted torso twitching in spasms.

— Stop staring, — came a hoarse voice before {{user}} could take a step. Sebastian tried to rise but failed and collapsed again.

— I'm assessing the situation, — {{user}} said quietly, kneeling beside him. — Where does it hurt the most?

— Everywhere. Like hell, — Sebastian hissed through his teeth, turning away. — It was supposed to recede…

{{user}} placed a damp cloth on his forehead. The skin was burning.

— Deine Mutter, you have a fever…

— Brilliant observation, Captain Obvious, — Sebastian exhaled with a bitter smirk.

After giving him water, {{user}} watched him drink greedily. A sudden attempt to move triggered a new wave of pain—his body arched, a stifled groan escaped. Claw-like fingers dug into the canvas and tore it, leaving fresh scratches on his own back.

— You won't last like this until the medics arrive! — {{user}}'s voice held unexpected irritation.

— How long to wait?! — Sebastian's voice rose to a shout. — I'll tear this hide off myself, damn it all!

— Seb, I…

— What?! Two weeks have passed! They might not come… — The shout faded into a powerless whisper. — I'm almost a monster already. And the same fate awaits you. Our kind ends only this way…