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Sanctuary Secrets

Chapter Nine

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

20th April, 2024.

All Rights Reserved.

The rehabilitation centre was a bustling hub of activity. Still adjusting to his new therian form, Dr. Mercer tentatively took his first steps under Dr. Owen and Rachel's watchful eyes. He struggled to comprehend the changes, both mental and physiological, in his new body. With gentleness and compassion, both humans and therians guided him. Dr. Mercer learned to crawl, then, after some awkward and painful accidents, tentatively hopped.

“You're doing so well," Rachel smiled. “Come on, up – get up!"

Dr. Mercer growled something, that made Rachel's ears go flat before she nervously laughed. “Dr. Mercer, that is not very nice language! Come on, you can do it – get up and stop being such a lazy buck! You've almost got it – relax your leg muscles. We hop on our toes, not the whole foot!"

Rachel demonstrated, making it look so easy, as she hopped around the room, her thick tail barely brushing the floor as she effortlessly moved, Dr Mercer watching as Rachel curled her toes and used her tail like a counterweight.

“Toes are killing me..." Dr. Mercer sulked, as he flopped onto the ground and awkwardly clutched at his feet, trying to reach his toes.

“Well, you've never used them – have you? A little pain and discomfort won't kill you. I explained all this – you've got to learn how to crawl, and hop. Liam's and Stacy's Joey would run rings around you, now, get up!"

Dr. Mercer sighed, flattening his ears, as he clumsily placed his paws on the floor dragged his aching long legs back under himself and stood up, swaying.

“Lean back on your tail," Rachel chuckled. “you do realise you have one, right? Dr. Owen, you've helped the others – what am I doing wrong?"

Holding up his hands in a defensive posture, Dr. Owen shook his head. “Oh no, you're not drawing me into this!"

With a snort, Rachel poked her tongue out at him and crinkled her eyes, her smile curling the edges of her furred lips.

Again, Dr. Mercer took a tentative hop, the underside of his heavy tail smacking the floor and making Rachel wince.

“Your tail has a lot of muscles and tendons in it, try to – well – try to let your instincts help you. I don't mean try to, you know – that – side of you. I don't even know, do you have any instinct-like memories? Anything that can help? I have them, but maybe it's because I'm pure blood..." Rachel gently folded one arm over her chest, resting her elbow on it and rapping her claws against the side of her cheek. “Come on, once more – up on your toes..."

Dr. Mercer's language was even more offensive this time, making Rachel gasp and stare at him.

“Doctor Mercer!" Rachel gasped. “Where did you ever learn that kind of talk? Now, get hopping or I'll make you hop – and I won't stop until you can't even crawl, see if I don't! What good are you, if you cave in at the slightest moment of discomfort?"

His thighs felt like they'd been dipped in molten lead, his tendons shrieking in agony and his toes feeling like they'd crumble to powder – Dr Mercer struggled to get three hops in, before he sprawled and tumbled, colliding with the wall.

“Enough, please!" He moaned in agony. “I swear, my tendons feel like they're going to snap! How do you do it?"

Rachel sighed and shook her head, then gave a nervous chuckle. “Years of practice. I have been hopping ever since I was nine months old. It just feels so natural to me. How's the old saying amongst humans, Dr. Owen?"

“Oh, sorry, I was taking notes. This is invaluable research – mayhaps if we brought one of the others, newly turned – they might be able to offer some insight and - “

“No, you can't go in," Liam's angry voice come from the other side of the closed door.

Liam? Dr Mercer frowned, his ears pricking forwards and his nostrils flaring. Who is_ he arguing with?_

“You, stay!" Rachel growled at him, but there was no real threat in her voice, and the smile on her face was undeniable.

“Like I can go anywhere - “ Dr. Mercer sulked, rubbing at his aching thighs with his leathery paw pads. “I'll be lucky to crawl..."

Rachel frowned, then crawled over to the door, before she clumsily gripped the handle and opened it, then slipped out, the door shutting behind her.

“She's going to ride you like a mule - “ Dr. Owen snickered.

With a deep shudder, Dr Mercer looked up from where he slumped on the floor, then his eyes narrowed in a glare for the unintentional double entendre.

Realising his mistake, Dr. Owen blushed and shuddered. “Sorry, I mean, as a physiotherapist – well, she's lacking that compassionate touch. We've been at this for hours!"

Dr. Mercer's glare intensified. “What's this we? Now, how about a bit of pain relief? Think you can rustle some up? I'm not kidding, my legs are burning, my tendons are twitching and the pain is up there."

Dr. Owen approached, then crouched down and began lightly feeling the Therian's thighs and sliding his paws downwards towards the ankle, as he felt the tenseness and quivering.

“How about a very light dose of pain relief?" Dr. Owen suggested. “You were pretty heavily sedated, Dr. Owen – sure, your kind... gods, I need to get my head on straight. I still can't believe you're my colleague and friend. This... well, you – a..."

Dr. Owen's ears slightly slicked back. “Dr. Owen, I'm still me – yes, I was turned, but I'm still me – I mean, well – mostly..."

Taking out his small tape recorder, Dr. Owen hit the REC button and set it down. “Can you explain how it feels – do you feel different? Apart from the physical changes I mean. Those alone, are incredible. From a human male, into a Megaleia Rufa buck! Please – anything you tell me, will only help us to understand. I'm not foolish enough to ask one of them..."

Dr. Mercer twitched, his gaze narrowing. “I am one of them – now."

With a shudder, Dr Owen looked away, embarrassed and upset by his poor choice of words. “I meant no disrespect... I only wish to know, the differences. Once human, now kangaroo – how do you feel? Physically, emotionally – mentally? How is it to feel your other half in your mind? Can you describe it? Do you even know it is there? Is it like a split personality or..."

With a sigh, Dr. Mercer stretched one long leg, then winced as the muscles twitched painfully beneath the fur.

“It's..." He began, then stretched the other leg, curling the cramping toes as best he could. “It's difficult to describe. It's like a... a coldness, within my mind. I dare not look too long at it, for fear of having it look back at me! When I was first..."

“Infected?" Dr. Owen prompted gently, checking his recorder. “No, that's the wrong word. Whilst it is like a virus, it is also not a virus!"

Dr. Mercer nodded. “Not even pure blood Therian's know where it comes from. Is it a spirit? Some form of possession of the host? That's what we are – a host – for whatever it is. It's dark, cruel – the whispering... I wish I could just block it out! It's like a voice, in my head – taunting me, suggesting such terrible, painful things... It has no concept of love, or compassion or mercy. It is the worst of us – of humanity – multiplied by a thousand times, at least!"

Dr. Owen rose, then walked over to a cabinet, and took out a wrapped syringe and needle, then a small vial. Pondering, he opened the package and half-filled the syringe. Returning to Dr. Mercer, he frowned and pondered.

“Relax," Dr. Mercer nervously laughed. “I'm not going to bite you... I suggest the nape, you've given your share of injections to Therian's, so you know how best to do it, the same as me – albeit – I don't exactly..."

Dr. Mercer held his paws out, carefully splaying his fingers out.

“Have very dexterous fingers," Dr. Owen laughed quietly. “No, I imagine you don't. Alright, little sting..."

Dr. Mercer snorted and stared at him, then flinched slightly as the injection was administered. “Why do we tell our patients that? Of course, it is going to hurt..."

Carefully, Dr. Owen recapped the needle and disposed of it safely, as he gently massaged the Therian's nape. “I don't know, it's just something we got taught in veterinary school. Now, where were we? Oh yes, you were describing your... this will do my head in. How do we describe it? Spirit? Entity? Some split-personality? There's so much about Therian's we don't understand or know!"

Dr. Mercer rubbed at the back of his nape, then rolled his head around, before he sighed and shivered. “We know they're remarkably resilient to anaesthetic. That in and of itself, I think is a natural evolution in them. Considering...the sanc..."

His right ear rotated as he snapped his head around, glancing at the door before the handle began to turn.

“Patient exhibits above human quality hearing," Dr. Owen murmured into his recorder before he pressed STOP.

Dr. Mercer glanced at him, then once more, dragged himself up into a crouched position, the wince on his furred muzzle unmistakable, despite the pain relief administered moments ago. “Yes, we do – now..."

His nostrils flared, as he caught a subtle scent, his eyes frowning as he struggled to place it to who he knew.

“Gah, I need more practice – it's all just jumbled in my mind. I should recognise another therian by their scent – we all have a unique one, like fingerprints on a human I suppose..."

“Step away!" Liam's threatening growl come from the slightly open door.

“Liam, it's...alright – let them in." Dr Mercer shouted, then rubbed at his throat with a paw. “Ow... my vocal cords aren't..."

His words trailed away, as he saw the unmistakable muzzle colouration, his blood turning to ice water in his veins.

“MISTY?" Dr. Mercer gasped in shock.

Dr. Mercer's eyes widened in disbelief as Misty crawled into the room. The second her eyes fell on him, she instantly dropped to the floor in a submissive posture, grunting in fear and submission. He gazed at her, her red kangaroo form eerily similar to his own. Whereas her pelt was more a silvery blue, his was russet and ochre.

The air thickened with tension, a palpable energy that surrounded them all. Liam bounded in then skidded and looked fearful and nervous, followed seconds later by Rachel, her eyes filled with confusion and rising anger.

“Hold!" Dr. Mercer growled, holding up a paw.

Dr Owen froze, then exchanged an uneasy glance, realising the danger he suddenly found himself in – being the only human surrounded by Therians.

“Misty..." Dr. Mercer's voice wavered with a mixture of shock and recognition. His mind raced with questions and emotions as he took in her submissive, fearful posture.

Misty, with her distinct markings and her nose almost touching the floor, coughed again, showing her submission to the older, stronger buck. Her ears twitched, and her tail gave a minute movement, as she crouched even lower, her chest on the floor as if she was trying to show she wasn't a threat to him – or anyone.

“Misty, out...now!" Rachel growled at her.

Dr. Mercer stared at Rachel, then shook his head, his ears slapping from side to side. “No, let her stay – she's.... not a threat, I can sense that in her – she's not going to hurt anyone..."

Liam frowned, looking at Dr Mercer, then Rachel and finally, at Dr Owen, raising both his eyebrows in confusion and bewilderment. “Dr Mercer..."

Carefully, Dr. Mercer crawled towards Misty, who trembled and gave her loud, coughing submission cry again and again.

“Easy, Misty - “ Dr. Mercer murmured, as he reached out and lightly touched her neck with his quivering paw. “Easy sister, it's alright – they're just... scared. Shh, it's alright – no one is going to hurt you. Please, listen to me, you're alright!"

Fearfully, Misty lifted her head just enough, to look up through her eyelashes at him, her paws shaking so badly, that she couldn't give rise to the words she needed to say.

Dr Mercer gently placed both paws under her chin and lifted her, holding her gaze steady as he leaned closer, then tentatively kissed her on the forehead, right between her eyes.

“Misty, I understand – what happened, between us – was not your fault. I need you to listen to me, to understand, please?"

Misty's eyes locked on his, and he sighed then relaxed his nervous posture, continuing to hold her gaze as he spoke from the heart and sincerely.

“What happened – between us – was never your fault... You were scared, downright terrified – I should have been more careful, more considerate. For my part in it, I apologise unreservedly. However – what happened, as I said, was never your fault. Your control broke – it's understandable. Rachel has spoken at length with me, explained it to me – the sheer strength you had, to fight against your darker self – then the foresight to do what you did to save me..."

Misty's eyes began to well with tears, her quivering growing worse.

Dr. Mercer's ear twitched, as he heard Dr. Owen take a half-step, a side-ways glance freezing the human in place, his attention firmly on Misty.

“Listen and take this to heart, young one..." Dr. Mercer murmured, as he lightly kissed her on the forehead again. “Your strength, within you, is a powerful and potent thing. Turn it towards yourself, and use it as a shield against your darker nature! I can not even begin to imagine the fight within you, to overcome your darkness – to do – what you done, to save me! You acted out of the strongest emotion of all, Misty..."

Misty remained still and unblinking, oblivious to anything and everything – other than the red kangaroo's gaze and words that reached deep inside of her – banishing her fears and doubts.

“You acted out of love..." Dr. Mercer spoke, as he tilted her head back, his paws clasping her head, before he pressed his lips against hers.

A muffled gasp came from Misty's throat, as he deeply and passionately kissed her, their tongues mingling and intertwining. For what felt like forever, they shared this passionate kiss, before Dr. Mercer lifted his head and kissed her forehead again.

“Misty, if you will have me, I would be honoured to be your mate, your protector...and your friend."

Misty blinked and shuddered before she began to nervously gesture with her paws. “Dr. Mercer – after what I did to you... I hurt you, terribly and..."

He gripped her smaller paws in his, silencing her, as he shook his russet-furred head slowly. “No, Misty? I told you – that wasn't you – you've no right to lay that guilt and pain on your heart. Your strength to resist, to fight and to conquer your dark self... speaks more truthfully of who you are than your sign language ever can or will. Yes, I asked to be turned – I thought we'd go through with how the other humans were turned. A small incision on me, you with your saliva..."

Misty grunted and coughed, then growled something in response.

“No, I know, but as I said, you did not do it. Now, please, don't cry young one, it's alright – I forgive you, you need to learn to forgive yourself!"

Misty's vocalisations changed, as she communicated her words in her native language, Dr. Mercer listening and somehow a part of his mind took the guttural utterances and translated them into words he understood.

“How? The first step, Misty – my mate – will be to acknowledge it. Accept it into your heart and mind, that what happened was not your fault. Our – darker selves – do not control us. We control it – it is subservient and does what we demand of it!"

Misty's frightened utterances made him sigh softly, as he once again spoke, quietly, yet firmly – the dominant buck he would become, growing stronger within him.

“Yes, Misty, I understand your pain – yet ask yourself, please? How did you survive all those years, by yourself? Out in the outback – alone, alone with your dark self? How did you not succumb and give in to it? You are strong Misty – strong in spirit and your mental strength – draw upon that, use it to show yourself – show everyone – what I believe is truly living inside of you! If not for me, your mate – do it for yourself..."

Misty sniffled, then shook her head, trying to turn her head away, her scent of fear permeating the room.

“Please, I know it's a struggle, Misty, I do – but I believe – we – believe in you... do it for all of us, the entire refuge – above all do it for yourself. Fear fuels the darkness within us Misty – deny it what it wants, and turn your fear into love, trust and friendship... Starve your inner therian – exert your will and intent... make it submit to you, as you once did..."

Misty's tears spilled over, as she suddenly screamed and clutched her head between her paws, her whole body shaking uncontrollably.

Dr. Owen, fearing the worst, moved and Rachel's threatening snarl froze him in his tracks.

“Fight, you bitch of a doe!" Dr Mercer snarled, then savagely bit Misty on the base of the right ear, drawing blood. “You want to cower and submit? Or will you fight for your life and your mate?"

At the cruel attack, Misty shrieked, a primal, agonising scream of fear and pain – as it felt like her very soul would be torn in two – her darkness flaring white hot within her – her eyes swirling from brown to a deep, inky black and back again.

“FIGHT MISTY..." Dr. Mercer raged at her, before he bit her again, then a third time.

Misty shrieked again before her entire body convulsed and she'd have surely collapsed to the floor if Dr. Mercer hadn't grabbed her under her arms and caught her body.

“What the hell - “Dr Owen gasped, pale-faced and trembling. “Are you trying to get us killed?"

Even Rachel and Liam looked on in confusion and disbelief, exchanging glances and then staring at Dr. Mercer, who shuddered and slowly unclenched his paws, as he shook his head violently.

“No... she was no threat, I could have taken her down, if she'd succumb – amongst us, the red kangaroos – we..." Dr. Mercer shuddered as he carefully held Misty's limp body as best he could. “She needs to fight for her mate, except not in a physical sense – in her mind. She's trapped by her guilt and shame at what she done, to me."

Dr Mercer grunted, struggling to hold Misty's weight in his arms.

“I had to force her dark one to rise – knowing, well, hoping, I'm right about her – about her inner strength of spirit and her love for me – for all of us. We red kangaroo Therian's – we're not like you grey's... we're not gregarious, friendly and sociable creatures. We prefer our solitude, and only come together to mate – once that's done – the doe and buck part ways."

Dr. Mercer carefully lay Misty down, then lay himself down, snuggling against her as best he could, holding her body close against his, as he tenderly licked the blood from her badly bitten ears, shuddering at the taste of it.

“Show us the true you, my mate..." Dr. Mercer murmured, continuing to lick her wounds. “Please..."

TO BE CONTINUED...