The Haunted Traveler Vol 1 Issue 2

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protect Susan, he tried to talk me out of the thing I had
become, said I was telling stories. Lots of policemen
that day, and no one seemed to believe me. And, since
I was eighteen, Daddy sent me here. Said I was sick.
Said men like you needed to help me.”
Jen swallowed, and her throat felt dry. She
wanted some water, but she knew this session was
nearly over. Doctor Ryans had finished his cigarette,
and now he only sat back and watched me, his face
impassive. “I think that’s it Doctor. I came here and I
met you.”
Doctor Ryans remained motionless, and, after
a moment, slowly leaned forward. He adjusted the
glasses on his face. “So that night, you transformed
into a creature?” Jen nodded. “Have you done it
since?”
“I have Doctor. I’ve gotten better with it. I
can transform at will now.” She said, and she saw
the doubt in the doctor’s eyes. He had a right to not
believe her. It sounded crazy, but the transformation,
the tearing of her skin, the claws, it felt natural. It felt
like her, what true self, the thing beneath her skin.
Maybe if she changed. In this room. Then he would
see, and maybe they would send her home, out of this
hospital, and she could see Daddy, and see Susan,
and they wouldn’t be scared of her. It was nature, and
as Jen closed her eyes, she focused. The doctor was
speaking, saying something, but she tuned him out. He
needed to see. She wasn’t insane, not like the others in
the hospital called her; she knew exactly what she was
meant to be. She thought of the farm, thought of her
sister, screaming even as her eyes were ripped from