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Sanctuary Secrets

Part Two

Chapter Eight

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

May, 19th, 2024

All Rights Reserved.

Patron reward story for Vincent Van Horne

Dr. Mercer was moved into a recovery room, and carefully placed on a low, soft bed. Rachel had administered a powerful sedative to keep him under, ensuring the residual pain and muscle spasms of his forced transformation had truly ended.

Before dawn on the second day, he twitched and moaned softly.

“Easy now, you've had quite an experience," came a quiet, feminine voice, his addled mind struggling to recall.

His eyelids fluttered and opened, his vision doubling, then tripling, as he squeezed them tightly closed and moaned again. He fought against the lingering sedation, slowly returning to consciousness, feeling the light blanket on him and the embracing softness of the mattress on which he lay.

When he tried to speak, his tongue felt like a block of wood, and his throat was parched.

“Here," that voice murmured, as a stainless steel bowl was held to his lips. “Drink, it's just water – it'll help you."

Dr Mercer tried to drink, then he shook his head and frowned – dribbling the water down his chin as he found his lips didn't work properly – or how he'd always used them. A wet cloth was held to his lips, and he suckled on it, his frown deepening. As his hands lifted, he felt human hands grab his wrists and push them back down.

“Steady, I don't think you're quite capable – just yet. It's me, Rachel – Dr. Mercer? You're alright, you've... I won't lie to you, doctor, I can't lie to you. You're, well, you're not you anymore. You've turned, Dr. Mercer. I must say, you're quite a handsome buck, if I do say so myself!"

“Wha..." Dr. Mercer croaked, then sucked on the wet cloth again, gaining precious few sips of water. "...you mean?"

Rachel sighed quietly, then rose and walked away, picking something up and coming back with it before she held it before his eyes.

“Look for yourself, Dr. Mercer," Rachel answered simply, holding the mirror.

He stared at his reflection, turning his head from left to right, then back again, before his eyes widened, and his mouth fell open. "... roo - "

Rachel nodded, then set the mirror aside and lifted away the blanket. Dr. Mercer, with her help, struggled into a half-sitting position, holding his paws up and flexing his fingers, shaking his head in disbelief.

In those moments of realization, Dr. Mercer's mind grappled with the enormity of the change. He felt the weight of unfamiliar limbs, the awkwardness of a body that was no longer wholly human. Disbelief warred with comprehension, and silent questions echoed through his consciousness. How could this be? What did this mean for his life, his identity?

The sedation lingered, creating a haze that blurred the lines between reality and a surreal nightmare. As Rachel held the mirror, revealing the transformed reflection, Dr. Mercer's eyes widened, and his mouth formed words that struggled to escape his numbed throat. "... roo - "

Rachel's gaze held a mix of sympathy and acknowledgement. She set the mirror aside, exposing the russet fur that now adorned his body. With her support, Dr. Mercer attempted to sit up, his eyes darting over the distinct kangaroo features that marked his new form. The realization settled like a heavy fog, and questions lingered in the silent spaces between breaths. How does one come to terms with such a profound metamorphosis?

As the dim light of the recovery room cast shadows on the bewildered figure, the journey of acceptance had just begun for Dr. Mercer.

“There will be a period of readjustment," Rachel nervously laughed. “Even though you're an adult, you've never used your muscles before. So I recommend you go carefully and listen to me closely. We'll start with learning to crawl on all fours to start. You weren't born a Therian, so you don't have our ancestral instincts to guide you. Especially when you learn to hop – your tendons and leg muscles are like powerful springs, so we'll have to be careful."

“Is... I never - “ He weakly moaned. “Did not expect..."

Rachel nodded and wet the cloth again, then handed it to him. “Yes, when you've recovered enough, well – we will be holding a meeting, to determine Misty's fate. What happened between you and her? We found you both in a very compromising position... did she, I mean, did she break our rules and force herself upon you?"

Dr. Mercer's eyes widened and he shook his head, his pale furred ears slapping from side to side.

“No... was me – I asked her, months ago, to turn me, to be her mate... to consummate our love and..."

Rachel sat on the edge of the bed, gently stroking his chest as she listened. “So... when you both made love..."

Dr. Mercer shuddered, trying to force the nightmare out of his mind, as to what happened next, his words quiet and fearful. “I wanted it to be kind, to be gentle. I administered a strong sedative, knowing she was a maiden doe – I am... I was a human. I knew it'd hurt her, frighten her even -"

Rachel nodded the sighed quietly. “You took precautions, to protect her – admirable, thank you, Dr. Mercer, I think I understand now. Misty's fear and nervousness would have weakened her self-control over her darker nature. It happens to us, fear is a powerful lure to that which we fight against. As Misty didn't understand – about lovemaking, with a human or a Therian..."

Dr Mercer shuddered, instinctively reaching towards his throat, his eyes wide – but Rachel gently gripped his wrist and pulled his paw away.

“Yes, it explains a lot now. Misty, when you mated with her – it snapped her control, through fear and pain – and caused her inner therian to gain ascendancy. It lashed out – and... it wasn't her Dr Mercer, please, understand and take this to heart. It wasn't Misty, who hurt you – who bit your throat and so cruelly turned you. It was her dark self! If anything, I'm surprised that Misty could wrest back control – then realising what it had done – Misty acted instinctively, biting her wrist and then forcing her wound against yours to forcibly shift you, with a direct blood transference. It is I am certain, one of the fastest ways for us to turn a human – or an animal." Rachel murmured, as she shook her head in disbelief. “Please, do not be angry with Misty – truly, it wasn't her in control when you and her – shared yourselves."

Dr. Mercer sucked on the wet cloth, his eyes hesitant and afraid.

“Our darker selves care nothing for the host – us!" Rachel admitted as she gestured at herself. “Now, I regret – what we done. We acted out of fear and foolishness – we heard your terrified screams – and when we came in, Misty was straddling you – and it looked from where we stood like her paws were on your throat. Liam and Jackson pulled her off and threw her to the ground – whilst I administered... oh my gods – how much anaesthetic did you inject into her?"

Dr. Mercer blinked and sucked the cloth a moment longer. “Forty-five..." He managed to croak.

Rachel's eyes widened in sickened horror. “I hit her with over forty CC's myself... How in the hell did her heart not – just give out? I know she's different to us, a different species of Therian – but that much sedative should have killed her!"

Dr. Mercer cried out in fright, as he struggled but Rachel slapped his chest and pushed him back down.

“No, stop it – you can't help her! Misty is alright, we're keeping a check on her, I promise! Besides, you would barely be able to crawl – let alone be of any help to her – or yourself! I will get an update on Misty – but I think it best that both of you stay away for a few more days. You need to fully recover, and Misty's stress and fear will be through the roof. There's no guarantee that the sight of you won't trigger a relapse in her. I know she would never, have wanted to hurt you – turn you the way it happened..."

“I need to - “ Dr. Mercer struggled to articulate, then sighed and shuddered. “Misty's probably scared half to death and..."

“Stay put!" Rachel growled, tapping him lightly on the nose. “I will go myself, and check on her – you're in no fit state to leave this bed! I'll have Dr. Owen come and examine you, and make sure there are no residual complications... I won't be long, I promise."

*

Within Misty's troubled mind, a delicate victory unfolded, a fleeting triumph over the dark forces that sought to consume her. Her grip on her ears tightened, and in that moment of pain, a surge of her true self fought back, as if pushing against the suffocating darkness.

A sigh escaped Misty's lips, and the violent tremors that had wracked her body began to subside. The eucalyptus-scented air in the room felt less oppressive, and for an instant, the chaotic storm within her seemed to quieten.

Just as Misty found a moment of respite, the door burst open with a forceful swing. Rachel, her face etched with concern, rushed into the room. Her presence was a sudden burst of energy, a stark contrast to Misty's internal struggle.

“MISTY – STOP IT!" Rachel's voice thundered, cutting through the air like a sharp blade. Without hesitation, she moved towards Misty, her hand meeting the doe's muzzle with a sharp slap. The sound echoed in the room, and Misty's eyes widened, the pain pulling her back from the torturous trance.

Rachel's immediate action disrupted the struggle within Misty. She dragged Misty off the cold floor and laid her on the bed, holding her gently. The room felt charged with the aftermath of the internal turmoil Misty had endured.

"I'm... I shouldn't have slapped you, I'm sorry!" Rachel's apology, spoken with genuine regret, hung in the air. Misty clutched Rachel tightly, her trembling form finding solace in the warmth of the embrace.

In the quiet aftermath, Misty's mind still echoed with the battle cries of her internal struggle, but the room, now touched by Rachel's presence, became a sanctuary in which the young therian could begin to piece herself back together. Misty clung to Rachel, her breathing slowly steadying as the calming rhythm of Rachel's embrace enveloped her. The room, once a battleground between the light and darkness within Misty, began to transform into a haven of solace.

Rachel cuddled her close, whispering soothingly into Misty's quivering ears, a melodic reassurance that slowly drained away the last of Misty's lingering fears and terrors.

“It's alright, Misty," Rachel murmured. “You're stronger than you think you are. We'll get through this, together – I promise."

As the minutes passed, Misty's tense muscles gradually relaxed, and the grip of the sedative-induced paralysis began to ease. Rachel continued to hold her, providing a steady anchor in Misty's troubled, confused mind.

“Misty, listen to me," Rachel asked, as she leaned back, placing her hands on Misty's shoulders and staring into her eyes. “I don't blame you, Misty. What happened was not your fault. It's the darkness within you! You were hurt and frightened and you lost your control. I swear, we'll find a way to help you fight it – all of us will help you!"

Misty, still trembling but with a glimmer of renewed determination, nodded weakly and sniffled.

“It's not your fault - “ Rachel reaffirmed. “I remember my first time... with Leonard – my mate. Yes, it hurt, it hurt terribly – like you, I lost my control and I hurt him, terribly. Thankfully, he was a Therian, so..."

Misty whimpered, then nervously began gesturing with her paws. “I hurt Dr. Mercer – I could have killed him! I had no control when I..."

Rachel cupped Misty's cheeks between her paws. “Misty? Listen to me – you did lose control, the dark one within you forced itself upon him – knowing it would hurt you which is what it wants! It doesn't care about you, the sweet, kind, gentle creature you truly are. If it can hurt the host – or another – that is what it craves. Yes, it took you, forced you into hurting your mate... but you know what?"

Misty stared wide-eyed at Rachel.

“You," Rachel spoke quietly, gently tapping Misty's nose. “You had the strength to wrest back control! What you have done – was nothing short of miraculous! Instinctively, you bit your wrist, knowing your blood would save Dr. Mercer – I regret my actions, in what I did to you. We were afraid, and scared and thought you'd turned dark. We didn't know then – that it was you, the kind, gentle-spirited creature that is the real you – was trying to save your mate's life, by what you have done! Do you have any idea of the strength you've shown – despite being in such pain and scarred? You fought your dark one Misty, you fought because you love your mate, you fought for him – and yourself – and you did it, Misty, you understand? You did it... you saved his life and turned him! He's a beautiful red kangaroo – just... like... you!"

Misty stared, her eyes wide and mouth falling open in shock.

“Yes, my dear, sweet doe – he's recovering, but he hasn't turned and he's beautiful – I can't wait until he's well enough to come see you..." Rachel's words suddenly faltered, as Misty's eyes grew from confused to upset.

“He'll hate me," Misty began gesturing, tears welling in her eyes. “I tried to kill him – how can he be my mate if I tried to do that!"

“Misty? No, no my sweet doe – I told you, it wasn't you! Do not cling to the pain and suffering, it wasn't you who hurt him! Believe me, I know what it is like, to lose yourself to the darkness – truly I do – once... Once, I was hurt, terribly – I was out on my own, and I was..." Rachel shuddered, then lifted her shirt, showing Misty the scarred, puckered flesh just above her hips. “I was shot – Misty..."

Misty's eyes widened in horror, as she stared down at the wound before she started to gesture, then her paws fell onto the floor as she couldn't find the words.

“I was young, newly mated – I was in my feral form, like you. I was shot, and the pain of that – I can not begin to describe how much it hurt! Two humans... they... they took me – as I screamed and bled out..."

Misty's eyes widened even further, as she smelt and heard the painful emotions that Rachel's story was bringing her.

“What they did to me – both of them – no human should ever do to another – or an animal. It – it broke me, Misty! After they were done... they were going to just leave me to die – they didn't care that they'd done such an unspeakable and vile act to what they thought was a stupid animal... They cared only for their sexual lusts and desires..." Rachel's face turned pale, as she began to cry, the painful memories resurfacing.

“What..." Misty gestured, fearing to hear what Rachel would say next, but inexplicably unable to not hear it.

“They broke me... my dark side not only came out – it devastated me. I... butchered them, Misty – with my talons, my fangs and my claws. What was left, wasn't even recognisable as once being human. I nearly died from shock and blood loss – only barely making it back to the sanctuary – where I was immediately operated on to save my life... and to help me turn back from the creature I'd become... now – because of where I was shot, and what was done to me – I can never bear a joey... they took from me, not only my innocence – but my ability to give my mate our offspring. Through love, trust and time – I was brought back Misty, but it took many of our kind to pull me back from the darkness... you did it, yourself – there's a strength within you, Misty, you need to believe in yourself, as I do – and Dr. Mercer does."

Misty stared, unblinking, before she burst into tears, clutching Rachel tightly. Rachel in turn, reciprocated, the two does holding each other and commiserating together in shared grief and suffering.

TO BE CONTINUED...