FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Repost from my furaffinity account:

Fear's a State of Mind, Or is it Body?

The trees whisked by in the limo's windows as Alan was driven to his destination. The estate that the hospital sat on was enormous. Much bigger than even his employers had anticipated. As the chauffeur rounded the corner Alan could see the building clearly. A gleaming white pillar amongst the green foliage of the estate. Alan briefly thought that the chauffeur had made a wrong turn as the "hospital" looked more like a high-class bed and breakfast joint. The limo slowed to a stop in front of the main entrance to the building and the chauffeur stepped out to open Alan's door for him.

"Right this way, sir".

"Why thank you, my good man. Here's a little something for your..."

Alan had planned on tipping the chauffeur when he exited the limo but he was taken aback by the sight before him. His chauffeur was a leopard. At least, a leopard in appearance. He still walked upright and talked just fine, but his head was decidedly feline. As Alan stared wide-mouthed at him his tail began to swish behind him impatiently.

"I believe you had something you wanted to give me? Hmm?" pointing a white gloved hand towards the money.

"Ah yes! Here you go."

"Thank you, sir. The doctor is expecting you. Just through these doors, down the hall, first left."

And with that the chauffeur got back into the limo and drove away. Alan had heard of anthropomorphic hybrids before, but he had never had the chance to see one. It was surreal to see one first hand and Alan wondered if the rumors about the hospital really were true. Of course, rumors tend to get exaggerated, especially when a rich doctor builds a lavish homestead so close to a small town. But that was Alan's job after all. He was sent as a journalist from the small town's paper to dispel any rumors that were cropping up. He looked up at the sign above the building. Dr. Zetton's Healing Inn. Odd choice for a name, Alan thought. He opened up the front doors and walked inside. The doors closing behind him effortlessly.

The interior looked like any other hospital waiting room. Stiff chairs set up in small groups clustered around four month old issues of People and National Geographic. There were a few people sitting in the chairs waiting for their appointments. Alan walked over to the reception desk and found a rather nonplussed hyena girl working on filing her nails. She looked up for a moment to point Alan in the direction of the main hallway.

Alan walked down the hall and took the first left as he was instructed. This section of the hospital had large doors that swung open in both directions. Alan pushed the doors open and stepped inside. The hallway was lined with various hospital rooms along each side and there was a distinct chemical smell in the air. As he walked by the rooms he caught a glimpse of something horrible.

It was a man lying prone on his back in the hospital bed, but something was terribly wrong with his face. His skin was a sickly combination of pink and green hues, though the green seemed to be slowly creeping down his neck. He was craning his neck as if to look for someone. His neck started to lengthen and thin a bit as his face reshaped into a clamping beak. This had startled him enough to sit up in bed and call hysterically for the nurse. Now that he was upright, Alan could see that his chest was covered with a hard and shiny brown shell. If he wasn't mistaken, the man was looking more and more like a turtle. But that was impossible! It wasn't long before the turtle man received assistance. A zebra hybrid ran out from an adjoining office, his hooves clacking on the polished floor. Once in the room, the turtle man calmed down considerably. The zebra hybrid turned around and smiled at Alan.

"Oh, there you are! I was looking all over for you earlier."

He senses your confusion and quickly adds "My apologies! I should have properly introduced myself. I am Dr. Zetton. The head doctor at this hospital. I assume you are Alan?"

Alan tries not to stare as he replies. The zebra hybrid was fairly tall, about 5'10'' and he stood on his hooves. His hands were a curious mixture of hoof and fingers. Three smaller hooves forming what could be considered fingers. His coat was a mixture of white and black stripes, but his mane was entirely white, with shocks of grey throughout. He wore a large lab coat, half buttoned up, and his right ear was pierced.

"I take it you haven't seen many hybrids in your time, huh?"

"No, I haven't. I usually report on matters that deal with humans."

"Understandable. Well, I have a busy schedule today so I can make the interview last..."

He checks his watch for a moment, "about 3 minutes. You're lucky! You caught me on a slow day."

Alan couldn't believe it! This Dr. Zetton must be trying to give him the slip. He had to be quick and decisive with his questions. He took out his notepad and readied himself.

"Is it true that you're torturing people here at the hospital?"

"I wouldn't say so. Though I suppose the therapy process can be painful at times."

Alright so that's a yes.

"How did you obtain the wealth needed to build this facility?"

"Why, by treating patients of course! I started out of the country, but transferred my business once we had grown too big for our old cottage."

Mysterious foreigner with out of country connections.

"Alright one last question. What did you do to calm that man in the room down?"

"I talked to him. Made sure that his fluids were up. Gave him a little something extra to help with the discomfort."

Uses heavy sedation on patients. Wonderful! He had a full story for his newspaper. And with a couple seconds to spare.

"Thank you for your time, Dr. Zetton. I won't keep you any longer." Alan turned to leave but Dr. Zetton put his hand on his shoulder.

"Alan, I'm hurt. In all of your questions you never once asked what it is we do here at The Healing Inn. Aren't you at all curious?"

"I think I have enough for my story. I appreciate the offer though."

"Pity. I could show you a story that would get your name on the map. But if notoriety and accolades mean nothing to you then..."

"I'm listening."

"Splendid! Walk with me, I have much to show you!"

Alan walked behind Dr. Zetton as he talked about the facility.

"Currently we house at least 300 unique cases and fifty or so that are somewhat similar to other patients. Everyone that comes to my Healing Inn has a unique problem to solve though. No two people are alike after all. And although our treatments here are unconventional, they have been proven to be effective."

"So, then what are you treating people for?"

"Aha! The million dollar question!" Dr. Zetton spins around to face Alan and leans in very close to his face.

"We treat people's phobias. Cure them of their harshest fears and then send them on their way!"

"But how can you cure someone's fear? Fear isn't a medical condition. It's a state of mind."

"Very accurate, Alan. However, my life's research has been working towards a way to make fears treatable. Using a combination of therapy techniques and scientific genius I think I've gotten close to making a real revolution in psychology!"

He turns into the room to the immediate right which contained a massive red and black scaled dragon perched upon a mass of coins, jewelry, and shiny bobbles. He walked in and checked a small chart resting at the bottom of the treasure pile.

"How are you feeling today Frank?"

"Much better Doc. I was able to stay on the pile for about five hours before I had to leave."

"That's great progress! Open wide, say 'Ahhhh'"

Alan was flabbergasted that he was seeing a real-life dragon right in front of him.

"Everything checks out, Frank. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Hey Doc?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I, maybe have that earring you're wearing?"

"Of course!" Dr. Zetton removes the earring and places it on top of the pile.

As they leave the room, Dr. Zetton pulls Alan aside.

"Do you see what I mean now when I say our treatments are a little 'peculiar'?"

"You mean to tell me that you turned that man into a real-life fire-breathing dragon?"

"Yes, it was part of his rehabilitation. You see, Frank got into a really bad accident back when he was a welder and ever since he has had a crippling fear of metal. He came to me to get better. Come on, I'm not done making my rounds yet."

The next room had a wrestling style arena and a bull man waiting impatiently in the center.

"You're late!"

Dr. Zetton unbuttoned his coat, revealing a wrestling singlet underneath.

"I know, I know. Let's get to it then"

The bull charged at Dr. Zetton and he caught his horns with his hooves. The bull continued to charge forward until Dr. Zetton was on the ropes of the ring. Then Dr. Zetton started pushing back and there was a momentary hesitation from the bull. The doctor took this opportunity to flip the bull onto his back. He came down with a mighty THUD!

"Not bad, Clarence. Still a little hesitation though. You'll get there soon, don't worry."

Dr. Zetton grabbed his lab coat and put it back on, this time buttoning it all the way up.

"Clarence had a horrible fear of confrontation, but I think he's dealing with it much better now. Wouldn't you agree Alan?"

"I suppose so."

"Alright only one more stop for today and this is the big one. Name's Harry and he's got an intense fear of physical contact. Now, I'm willing to let you sit in and take notes as long as you promise to write a fair article about us. My methods may be strange but I do take pride in helping these people overcome their demons."

"Deal!" Alan didn't have anything to lose from this. And his curiosity had been peaked.

They both walked in to see a man sitting on the edge of a hospital bed in his boxers.

"Good to see you Harry! Are you all set for the procedure?"

"As much as I can be. Will it hurt?"

The doctor prepared a teal colored solution in a glass before carefully measuring it out into a syringe. He added a clear liquid at the top and swished it around gently before placing it on the table next to Harry.

"There will be some mild discomfort, but I've balanced the solution for your body mass. Think of it like a big stretch in the morning."

"Who's he?" Harry pointed to Alan as the doctor rubbed his arm with alcohol.

"Oh, just a journalist. I thought it rude to turn him away so he'll be sitting in on the treatment today."

Alan readied his notepad for whatever was going to happen next as the doctor injected Harry with the solution. Once it was over, he covered the area with a band-aid and stepped back.

"Now, watch carefully Alan. Since this species is closer to a mammal the transformation happens pretty quickly. Wouldn't want you to blink and miss it!"

True to his words Alan could see Harry start to sweat profusely as large swatches of black and brown fur covered his arm at the injection site. Within seconds the fur had spread down to his hand, which grew out into a larger, and much fluffier paw. The fur seemed to take on a mind of its own as it spread over his shoulder and between his shoulder blades. Harry was panting at this point and the more the fur spread the deeper his breaths became. His torso was covered in about a minute and the changes crept up his neck. Alan could hear the audible pops and snaps as Harry's head reshaped itself. Mouth pulling out into a small muzzle adorned by delicate whiskers. Teeth shaping down to be flat while his front teeth pulled out considerably. Harry's ears pulled up and his skin elongated to big floppy ears. With his head done, Harry's panting slowed down considerably. Once the fur had reached his stomach it turned into a bright creamy white that reached down past his boxers into his crotch. The fur spread to his legs and hindquarters next, giving him ridiculously large rabbit feet. A small pop could be heard as Harry's tail wriggled out from his boxers. The last thing to change was Harry's crotch. It swelled larger, tenting the fabric of his boxers until it peeked out over top of the edge. The color seemed to have taken on a deeper red during the transformation as well. The whole process was over before five minutes had passed. Whatever Dr. Zetton had discovered, it sure as hell worked.

Dr. Zetton walked over to Harry and took his pulse.

"Now of course your new body is going to take some getting used to. New dietary restrictions and the like. How do you feel?"

"A little tingly." He instinctively looked to his crotch.

"Ah yes, you may notice some new urges in this body. But don't worry! I have you covered. Helga! Could you come in here for a moment?"

At this a pudgy saint bernard woman sauntered past Alan into the room.

"This is Helga. She's a certified service dog and she'll be helping you with your therapy. I've directed her to start with cuddling and work up to more intimate activities later. If you need anything don't hesitate to page me."

Dr. Zetton got up and turned to Alan.

"Well I hope you've got your story. I regrettably must say this is where the tour has to end. I look forward to reading your column."

Alan shook Dr. Zetton's hoof hand and said "It's been quite the experience!"

Two weeks later...

Dr. Zetton made his rounds through his hospital while reading the local paper. The headline read "Zebra Hybrid Creates Fearless Animals" not entirely inaccurate, but it was still a little too sensational for his taste. At least the column was good. Alan kept his word and wrote about the patients at his facility truthfully. He had even had a follow-up interview to ensure accuracy.

As Dr. Zetton was reading he heard a curious mixture of grunts and moans coming from Harry's room. Dr. Zetton shouted through the wall at them, "You're doing a fine job Harry! Your therapy is progressing quite nicely!"

Chuckling to himself he left them so he could finish the rest of his daily rounds.