Another wave of nausea swept through me, and I rushed to the toilet to vomit. Flushing the contents down, I panted, panicking and hyperventilating.

I heard the creature's voice again. It was getting more frequent! “FACE it, things are coming to a HEAD” tittered that hated voice.

My head felt like it was in a vise and being crushed. Rushing over to pick up a piece of broken mirror, I stared in the mirror. Cracking noises echoed through my head, and grabbing my head, I screamed in absolute pain.

Within my hands, I could feel my head shifting like a planet going through geological turmoil. It grew smaller, crunching in on itself, as my eyes moved further apart and cheekbones pushed forward. My hands held a face that was growing longer and longer, each crunch thinning my nose as I felt my jaw broaden and square. Tingling and irritation filled my head as I felt my hair grow out, thick stubble bursting from every pore on my face, joining and overtaking my thin beard that I'd always had.

Then, it was over. I had to see the damage. I picked up the mirror and the face of a stranger stared back.

I had thick, wavy black hair and the angular, ruggedly masculine features of an more masculine male model. My jaw was broad and square, with a cleft. Thick, black stubble covered my jaw and face, a five-o-clock shadow far more substantial than I'd ever had before.

“Shit,” I said, jumping at the rumbling deep voice that came from my throat. As in prior changes, I felt tired and fell into bed and a deep sleep. •