Just a Scratch

Summary

Ethan, a man who was scratched by a bat, undergoes a transformation into a monstrous creature, leading his partner to confront him at a church.

Abstract

After Ethan frees a bat from window blinds, it scratches him, and a week later, he begins to exhibit strange changes such as fur patches and hands turning into wings, culminating in his transformation into a monstrous bat-like creature. As reports of a monstrous entity terrorizing the area emerge, Ethan's partner, aware of his condition, prepares to face him at an old church, suggesting the need to end his life as a monster.

Opinions

The story implies that supernatural occurrences, like becoming a werebat, can stem from seemingly harmless incidents, such as a scratch from a bat.
Ethan's attempt to hide his transformation indicates a sense of shame or fear of the unknown, as well as the instinct to protect loved ones from the truth.
The narrative suggests that the transformation into a monster can lead to a loss of humanity and the necessity for those affected to isolate themselves to protect others.
Ethan's partner's decision to confront him at the church reflects both a personal connection and the gravity of the situation, implying that love can endure even amidst horrific changes.
The story conveys a sense of inevitability and tragedy, as the scratch leads to a chain of events that forces Ethan's partner to consider ending his life.

What harm could it do?

Image generated with Nightcafe

Written in response to Idea #6 of @JFDanskin’s “6 Spooky Writing Prompts.”

The prompt: Write a double-drabble involving a curse that changes a character’s fate. Perhaps they are cursed never to be restful in death, or with lycanthropy…? Or maybe they just have a really unlucky day one Hallowe’en!

“It scratched me!”

Ethan glared sourly after the bat fluttering off into the night. “That’s the thanks I get for untangling you from the blinds, huh?”

Tiny beads of blood welled up on his hand. Still grumbling, he went off to the bathroom to wash it and apply some antiseptic ointment. Just as well that it wasn’t a bite; no one needed a rabies shot from a scratch.

That being the case, there was no harm in ribbing him a bit.

“Better hope you don’t turn into a werebat or something. A bite or scratch is always how it starts.”

“Very funny, Lydia. I’m going to bed.”

The changes began a week later. Ethan tried to hide them, but there’s only so long you can conceal patches of fur or your hands turning into wings. The breaking point was when I caught him lapping up raw meat juices like a cat.

He was gone before morning. I can only guess he was scared. Scared for himself, and scared for me.

Soon after that, reports of something monstrous started to go around. Something big and batlike. Something that left a trail of dead animals and drained people behind it.

I knew what it was, and what I had to do.

This all started with a scratch. I never thought it’d end with me in front of a dilapidated church, ready to end my monster boyfriend.

I took a breath, and stepped inside.