(restructuring the link to the first branch so that a focus can be maintained on different characters.)
Things were not going quite so well for subject number 6. Doctor Grey looked over his notes, clearly bewildered by the event... he never thought he would have to deal with magical transformations like this. They have had to toss the rule book on physiology though the psychological book was still in play. He was considered an expert on trauma and has had to use that knowledge to help these people. A nurse was with him, a softly spoken women also checking some notes.
“How long until she’s awake?” Dr Grey asked.
The nurse glanced at her watch. “One of… her snakes seem to be aware and awake… I imagine the rest of her will follow.”
“Uh huh… well, if I turn to stone… ” The isolation ward required a simple key to enter… the ward had a bed, a heart machine beeping away, a food tray and a small window showing a bit of daylight… though no apparent way to open it. He glanced again at the patient’s name. “Clarissa Stone… heh, let’s hope that surname isn’t indicative of some new ability,” he chuckled nervously. So far, people who had interacted with her had not turned to stone so… hopefully that wouldn’t happen. The girl unfortunately was so upset that they were forced to sedate her. He carefully approached her bed.
There was a single snake on the top of her head moving, wiggling on the pillow then started staring at the doctor with a little lisp of its tongue. This was soon followed by another snake, its beady eyes joining in the staring. Dr Grey inwardly shuddered but tried not to let it show. “Ahem.. can you hear me?” he asked.
The snakes started to poke and prod at the head they were attached to.
Clarissa groaned as she slowly woke up. Sensations of.. things- and not just that but thoughts… they were like echoes of her own thoughts, all sort of thinking to her. “Oh please no- get them off me.. please get them off me!” despite her weak body she was still distressed.
“Calm down Clarissa,” Dr Grey advised. “I know this is… a little difficult. We have been trying to study your condition. You appear to be a… medusa.” He seemed the most surprised of all to say it.
“Medusa…” Clarissa started to cry. She had snakes for hair. It was awful! She was otherwise more or less completely normal except for the snakes.
“While you slept, some of your snakes turned back into hair.. er.. green hair, but hair nonetheless Your emotional state is probably key... to that. I suspect you can lead a perfectly normal life if you can control it.. you might not even need to see your snakes. Compared to others you are actually very lucky.”
She groaned clearly not happy. “I can’t handle this… just…” she gasped slightly with tears in her eyes.
“I know… it’s hard… but the snakes are part of you… just try… ”
“No… no no-“ she could hear them whispering… sticking their tongues out- gross! What the heck were these things… how can they be part of her? She lashed out her arms, causing her snakes to move wildly around her. “Stop it- Get off!”
“They are -part- of you,” The doctor stressed. “As much as your hand… your feet… they won’t do anything without your consent. Please try to stay calm.” Dr Grey continued to try and help but was ready to sedate her again if required. He didn’t want to… that brought its own risks. If she tires herself out hopefully…. Yes… she was tiring… He had to do something to show she could trust this part of herself. This was a little unorthodox but… He carefully reached out and touched one of the snakes gently, petting it in his hand.
“No-“ The girl cringed in fear... though all the snakes suddenly stopped moving.
Dr Grey continued the gentle touch, like feeling the tail of a cat. “It’s okay… see? They won’t hurt me because I know you won’t hurt people… they are part of you.”
Clarissa started to calm down… some of her snakes turning back to green hair. She wiped her eyes of tears.
“You’re doing well.. let’s get you something to eat okay? You might need to use the bathroom too.. its over there. I’ll see you later.”
This would take time, but he felt confident she would be able to handle this in a few weeks.
“How did the one-to-one go?” Asked the nurse as the doctor came out of the ward.
“It went well,” Dr Grey replied. “I think she’s learning to control it.. she just needs time. Let’s not sedate her any further unless she tries to harm herself.”
She nodded. “Clarissa is certainly one we need to keep a closer eye on then most. Unsettling for a medusa,” she chuckled. “Any idea why this has happened?”
“I’m here to heal, not investigate… I’m sure someone somewhere is trying to work that out.”
