THE QUEER MOON SETS

'THE QUEER MOON SETS' BY MATTHEW LUCAS BECKETT Joshua could feel the early urges of his other nature as the afternoon wore on towards evening. He knew it would, it always did in the hours leading up to a full moon, and he always made sure that he knew when all of the full moons were. Monica was not expecting him home tonight, she understood about his condition, and while she didn't like it, she accepted it and loved him anyway. “For which I am very grateful,” he said aloud. “Not all women would be so understanding.” So now, of course, the question was where to go for tonight's transformation? He decided on his usual bar and headed there at once, wanting to be sure that he was in a safe place before the full moon rose and he transformed. The Queer Star was packed, as it always was on these nighs. “The usual I presume, Joshua,” called Daniel, his best friend and the Bar Tender, from looking around, the only “normal” one in the place. “Yes, thank you, Daniel,” he answered with a half smile, sitting down at the counter. He was happy to see his friend, but these nights were never sources of happiness. He preferred coming with Monica under other circumstances. “MR. Pearly Gates's usual,” Daniel called over his shoulder. Five minutes later Joshua Pearly Gates was drinking a large and steaming cup of ale and starting to look around. “Take your pick,,” said Daniel, noticing this. “Everyone here tonight is either a Normal Gay like me or a Were gay like you, and we're all here for the same one thing,” he said. “And it ain't the ale,” he added with a wink. Outside the sun set fully and the full moon rose, and Joshua Pearly Gates felt The Gay awaken inside him and in less than five minutes totally take him over. Joshua started looking around harder, having yet to close the deal in his mind and knowing what might happen if he did not do so soon. If we do not consummate before moon set, he thought. I will die. “I'm off in ten minutes,” offered Daniel. Joshua started to decline, then looked his friend over. He had never really looked at Daniel as a Gay before, since as a Straight Daniel was his best friend and he didn't want to mess that up. But, as he looked at him now, he realized that Daniel was extremely attractive. Bu there was still their friendship. “What happens on Gay Moons,” said Daniel, seeming to read his thoughts, as his friend often did. “Stays on Gay Moons.” Joshua nodded, sitting back to nurse his drink for the next ten minutes. But then, a rough hand grabbed his arm. “I'm not waiting for seconds,” said a very big and VERY attractive man. “You and me, upstairs, now!” “Go,” said Daniel with a smile. “I'll catch you next month.” The other man practically dragged Joshua up to the second floor and into a room, then closed, locked and bolted the heavy door. “You get undressed out here,” the man said. “I need to use the bathroom and then I'll be right with you.” Considering how anxious the man had seemed downstairs, any delay surprised Joshua, but he didn't see any harm in a short wait, and in any case he had no choice since he knew that the bolt was far too heavy for him. “OK,” he said, not knowing what else to say. “I'll be ready when you are.” His other self always dreaded these nights, but once he became a Gay he always enjoyed it. “No strings attached to these nights does have its benefits,” he mused. The stranger's quick stop in the bathroom turned into an hour, then two. “Hey,” Joshua called through the door,” I might need to use that too sometime, and I need to do it before moon set or I'll die.” “Sorry,” came a strangely muffled voice from the other side. “I just. . .” Then came a click from what sounded like the far side of the bathroom, followed a few moments later by a thud that sounded like feet hitting concrete, and then there was silence. Joshua waited a few more moments, then forced the door and entered the bathroom to find it empty. Running to the only window, he found it closed and locked from the outside. Then he saw the note on the mirror, written in red. “Die like the dog you are, Were Queer. You can not have sex with anyone in here, nor can you get out to meet your bar tending friend before moon set. I am with The Secret Sacred Conservative Police, and I have defeated you. Burn in Hell.” Joshua looked desperately around for something to break the window with, but his treacherous companion had thought of everything. Suddenly, as he saw the sky darkening with the setting of the moon, he felt a familiar sensation between his legs. But, this time, rather than ejaculating, his penis caught fire and soon his entire body was aflame. He gave one last, anguished scream, then exploded in a giant fireball. A pile of smoldering ash was all that remained when the hotel staff at last got in to clean the room.