I don't know why it took me so long to write this (clearly, I kept writing after the 15 minute required time limit). I think because I kept getting nostalgic and depressed thinking about the Enchanted Forest.

The Enchanted Forest is, or was, a real place, and it was closed down and vandalized. Elioak Farm (http://www.clarklandfarm.com/2006%20ENCHANTED%20FOREST.htm) is working to restore the attractions, and more power to them. I got the idea to use the Forest for the Ruins prompt from browsing the excellent Hours of Darkness Modern Ruins photo gallery (http://www.hoursofdarkness.com/Modern_Ruins_Photography.htm) and Opacity's terrific gallery (http://www.opacity.us/gallery70_through_the_fog.htm).

The links are great! I never got to go to the Enchanted Forest, but on vacation every year we'd drive past the billboards, and I'd think "Maybe next year...".

By the way, your links have accidentally captured a few extra characters, so a little editing of the address bar is necessary to get to the sites after clicking on them. But still, great links. And a great story too! :)

Beast Wishes,
Norse Horse

Very nicely written, and I like your take on the genetics involved. (Wouldn't they wind up looking more like either apes or shrews, though?)

Well, there are all kind of crazy critters besides apes and shrews in the mammal line of descent, and I figured there are many we don't even know about. Something like gorgonops looks like a cross between a wolf and a crocodile, for example, and the dimetrodon (that lizardy looking fellow with the fin on his back that you always see as part of a set of dinosaur toys) was our ancestor. Galen says they're all mutts and mongrels, so I figure they all look generally like the same sort of furry, vaguely carnivrous creature.

OK... got it on the list hun... I am so far behind in my reading.

V.

Hee... I love it~! You've done a good job of juggling a lot of different things in one story too! From the theory stuff to drawing out the characters, I'd say you did a great job! And... yeah. I'm at a loss for words >.< High five either way! n.n

I liked it very much... very well written. I must admit I was very worried for Galem when the confrontation with the boys took place and was very happy they ran. It was good for him... yes... very much. It is a shame you can't go home again isn't it?

*gives him a hug...

V.

Absolutely brilliant! Of all the short stories I've ever read, this has to be one of my favorites. The descriptions and the emotions are just fantastic!

I'm actually working on a transformation stor of my own, though I don't think it could hold a candle to this.

It took me a wile to get to this but I am glad I did. Nice work.

Sorry I passed this by on the first run-through. Excellent weaving of the present, past and future in this. In other words, you pull together the stories of the characters, their predicament, Galen's past, and this furry-inhabited world marvelously. :D

Great short story. The beginning and the middle are somewhat sad, although the details are great. Interesting concepts also. The ending is just hilarious, it is a great lightening after the sad parts. It put smile onto my face.

Excellant work - very atmospheric.

I liked the mix of nostalgia trip and sci-fi genetic changes.

Is there more set in this world?

Thank you :)
No, I haven't really thought about more short stories, it's a fairly generic near-future world. I'm concentrating on longer works.