SICK AS A DOG

IN NEED OF HELP, A COUPLE SEEKS OUT A PSYCHIATRIST TO HELP THEIR SON.

“Well, Dr. Mann,” Stephen Gills adjusted in his seat, thought a minute. He and his wife Lila had come to the psychiatrist for help before the law became involved. “Leonard is not behaving correctly.”

Dr. Mann was sitting at his desk, leaning in with his face propped up on his hand. He was wearing tinted glasses, which made it hard for anyone to see his eyes. He liked it no one could read his expressions, of course with a stone face, it was not easy.

They waited for him to say something. He said nothing, just staring at them.

“He bit me!” Lila shouted holding up a bandaged hand.

Stephen put a hand on Lila's leg. She said no more, looked away. “Our son has behavioral problems. Please...can you help us? You were recommended to us by Dr. Colby, before his unfortunate murder....my wife still has nightmares the same could happen in our home. We are at the ends of ropes, Dr. Mann.”

Dr. Mann sniffed, tapped his pencil on his desk. “Where is he? Your son?” A fly buzzed around Dr. Mann. He waited for it to land on his desk. He caught it in his hand, chucked it in his parted lips, chewed the fly impetuously.

“Leonard is locked in a room at our house, Doctor,” Lila whispered, almost breaking off in tears. “We adopted Leonard,” She bit her lower lip. He was always a strange child. We took him in when he was seven. He was horribly abused by his father, which turned out to be his kidnapper.”

“But everything was turned upside down last year. He hit puberty,” Stephen continued for his wife, who by now had tears streaming down her cheeks. “Leonard attacked a woman at the playground last year. He tore into her throat, had drank a lot of her blood when a stranger pulled him off of her. He attacked the man, scarring him for life,I'm afraid. Using just his fingernails.”

“Before all of that,” Lila interjected. “He killed our German Shepard. Tore out her throat...drank her blood....” Lila wept harshly. “We had that dog for ten years!” Lila shook her fist at the air. Stephen leaned in, whispered to her. Lila calmed down, spoke no more.

“We heard you have dealt with this sort of psychosis before, Dr. Mann,” Stephen said. “Those exhibiting vampire like abilities?”

Dr. Mann stood quickly. He put his jacket on. “Take me to your son,” He said.

They arrived at the couples house in less than an hour weaving in and out of traffic in break neck speed. Stephen and Lila took Dr. Mann upstairs, past the bedrooms, to the attic. A small hatch barred by chains. Stephen unlocked the chains, opened the hatch for Dr. Mann. A whiff of body odor and bodily fluids quickly overtook their senses.

“I need to see Leonard alone,” Dr. Mann said. Stephen and Lila nodded their heads in unison.

Dr. Mann entered the dark attic by squeezing through the hole . Landing on his face, knocking over junk that Stephen and Lila had obviously collected over the years.

He picked himself up, heard movement by a boarded up window. “Leonard?” He called out. “Leonard? No one is going to hurt you. Come out. I only wish to talk to you.”

There was more movement by the window. Out of the darkness a pair of red glowing eyes appeared. There was a low growl from those glowing eyes.

Dr. Mann knelt, hung his head. “Master,” He said. “I heard you were here to bring eternity to everyone. I am at your disposal.....”

Reviews

[roarke]

Not the ending I expected. Since the doctor snatches and eats flies like someone else lights cigarettes, I figured he wasn't what he appeared to be, knowing you I figured he had some supernatural abilities. Perfect for a possible vampire hunter or something.

Mark, you set up stories to uniquely, but I think this one went a bit too fast, maybe a little more background on the parents, the reason's for adoption, etc.
Then a tad more on the doctor like the fly eating thing. Weaving them in subtly.
The son is a vampire locked in an attic. Pretty straight forward stuff, actually he, the vampire seems the only normal one in the piece.

Lots of potential here, you are unequaled in setting up original scenes and stories.

[Raven Starhawk]

The title of this really made me want to take a peak at the contents of your story. Dr. Mann...reminds me of someone I once knew which is sad, but anyways...your darkness and red glowing eyes...always a freak out moment. I am getting side tracked but when my cat was alive I woke up one night and saw her eyes glowing in the dark, I almost had a heart attack. XD