I am panting as all the muscles in my body flex with the movement of my running. I know that it is night but everything is as clear as day in my eyes as the full moon shines brightly above my head. There is the fresh green of shrubbery, trees and flowers flickering by as I gain speed. There is no real path laid down on the ground but I find that I know where I am going. I have never felt so alive but I am troubled. I cannot really tell where exactly I am. My surroundings point to the conclusion that I am in some sort of forest park. I realize is that I am running on all fours and as I look down I can see the outline of all 5 of my fingers. But even as I make that conclusion, my body moves in one fluid motion as I continue to pick up speed. My hands and feet have no trouble finding solid ground to rest on as I move swiftly through the trees and brush. I stop running abruptly. My chest heaves in a rhythmic beat as I exhale and inhale. My head inclines. Something on the air catches my attention and I know that I am almost there. Impulse takes over me and I tilt my head back releasing a howl that echoes through area. I couldn’t help but think how un-human it sounded. My jaw snaps shut and I start to sprint once more, and this time with purpose, I charged ahead even faster. I had never felt so out of control of my own body, but I let go and allowed this urge to take a hold of me and let my instincts guide me. I wasn’t running for very long when I noticed that the forest was thinning out. My ears twitched strangely as I heard the racket of a large group of people. In fact, as my ears adjusted, focusing in on the voices, I realized that I knew these people. I stalked forward closer to the source of the noise. In front of me was a large open field with a playground, swings and a slide that were the closest objects to me. I stayed in the dark of the trees because under the light of the moon these people would be able to see me. I was comforted when I realized that they were all people that I knew, my family and my friends. There were friends of mine whom I haven’t seen for years. They were all there enjoying the night, eating and chasing each other around and talking. There was a strange impulse was directing my body to run out and attack but I remained in control of my actions this time. I started to crawl out from the line of trees and make my way towards the group of people. Some of the smaller kids on the slide and swings saw me emerge and ran up to me excitedly. They hung on me and laughed happily and I smiled back. At that moment there was a mass of movement towards me. They said hello and some people hugged me. I saw my mom and she approached, pushing through the crowd that had gathered around me. Before she could say anything I spoke for the first time. My words came out deep but clear. I said, “I am back mom. And you should all see what I can do.” I hadn't really noticed before but I was standing up straight and after I spoke I crouched lower to the ground, on all fours and out of my mouth came a howl. My howl changed from a human voice to the vocals of an animal howl. I looked down to see large black and white paws as I transformed into a wolf . The kids tried to tackle me and I could feel hands all over my fur. They played with my tail and I chased them around playfully. I tried to run up a slide as part of the game but I slide down. On the second attempt, I make it and when my front paws reach the top I let out a loud and long triumphant howl. I awaken with the howl ringing in my head.