Creature of Unknown Origin

54

I slowed, not sure what to do. I’d wanted to say something to her since we found her and

we’d all tried to cast blame on each other yesterday when we’d gotten back to the cabin, but she

avoided being left alone with me. Spencer told me to leave things be for now and wait until after

the portal was built, but that didn’t sit right in my heart.

I knew Dr. Richards was afraid of me, and I’d hoped I could fix it.

At least I hadn’t shifted for my jog today. That would only serve to make matters worse

between us. I was tired of her looking at me like I was a monster, something to be feared. It was

like she used every ounce of her willpower not to make the sign of the cross and drown me in holy

water every time she saw me. While I knew none of that worked on me and they were only myths,

she didn’t know that.

People did desperate things when they were afraid — especially those who were used to the

illusion of control and being in a position of power.

I walked slowly up to the porch, crunching leaves as I went to announce my presence so I

wouldn’t startle Dr. Richards, and pointed to the spot next to her, half expecting her to scatter like

a mouse. “Can I sit?”

“Like I could stop you,” she huffed, blowing st ray wisps of dirty blonde hair from her face.

For several heartbeats, neither of us said another word. Too busy gathering my thoughts

and the things I’d wanted to say, the sweet chirps of the birds and subtle rustling of pine needles

disturbed by this or that eluded me. Beside me, Dr. Richards had straightened. Rigid yet proud,

she fought off the wave of nervousness that trembled in her blood.

“I… I wanted to apologize for whatever happened when I was forced through your portal,”

I licked my lips and readjusted myself so I could see her better. “I don’t remember what happened

or what I did to make you so afraid of me, but I just want you to know I’m sorry, and whatever

monster you think I am, that isn’t me.”

Dr. Richards didn’t in any way acknowledge what I’d said, not that I’d expected her to. I

started to stand, more than ready to head inside to a different sort of oppressive air, when Dr.

Richards looked up at me, her lips drawn into a thin line. Her eyes were glassy, brimming with

unshed tears.

“How could you not remember?” S he asked accusingly, “You did this! You tore them

apart, like a wild animal, and there was no stopping you, and then —” she hiccupped, her chest

heaving, “and then you turned into this! This human shaped thing .”