Modern Monsters

Bo the Dryhn

Male Main Character x Male Monster

I've been working in Amber Hollow for years now. The children's clinic here is in desperate need of someone who could treat children with unusual origins. I had made it my specialty in school since most of my siblings were unusual, and I saw them get mistreated by the family doctor in childhood. It made me angry, so I wanted to do something to ensure other children never received such treatment.

I love my job, as tough as it is some days. The Amber Hollow children's hospital has made leaps and bounds in treating children of all kinds. It's been the best place I've worked so far, and has become the only place I want to work.

Recently I've become the primary care physician for a young boy named Bucky. He's a chimera, and is recovering from neglect and malnutrition. From what his father has told me, Bucky was kidnapped at birth and raised in a traveling circus. Since chimeras are rare, due to overhunting, it's hard to treat them, but Bucky has been a trooper. It's thanks to his father's care that he's doing so well.

His father, Bo, didn't give a great first impression with his oversized, scrawny scarecrow appearance. But his face is what really gave me pause in our first meeting. It doesn't move - not like he's had too much Botox, but like a mask. It stays fixed in the same stern, hollow expression. He is handsome, I will say that, but the mask-like quality of his face is still unnerving. But he cares very deeply for his son, and has done everything in his power to assure the boy is healthy, loved, and tended to.

One day I have to give Bucky quite a few shots, and for the first time I notice a change in Bo's expression. He looks queasy in the eyes.

"Da doesn't like needles," Bucky says.

"It's fine," Bo says staunchly. "I'm here for you."

Bucky tilts his head up to look up at him. "I'm not afraid, Da."

Bo places his long fingers over Bucky's eyes. "I'm not leaving you. I need to be here for this."

"If it helps," I offer as I prepare the syringes, "when I'm administering them, just look at me and we can talk. It'll distract Bucky, as well as you."

Bo grimaces. "But I know they're in the room. It's like spiders or cockroaches."

Bucky is just smiling. "Da doesn't care for those either."

"Don't give away all of your Da's secrets now," I chuckle. "Tell me, Bo, what's your job? We've met so often now, and I know so little about you. I know everything about Bucky."

Bo clears his throat. His impassive expression and queasy eyes remain. "We're in similar professions," he says, his voice slipping into nonchalance. "Although I tend to treat familiars and pets, and magical creatures."

I smile, rubbing Bucky's arm with an alcohol wipe. His arms are furred, with scales along the backs. "Oh really? That's amazing. We've been so close all this time and have never talked about it."

"Da makes medicine," Bucky says excitedly. "I help him in his garden, and he lets me help him in his lab sometimes too."

"Sit still, Bucky." Bo and I say at the same time.

Bucky settles, a big smile still on his face. "You'd like it there, Dr. Winter."

"So you're an herbalist too?" I administer the first shot. Bucky doesn't seem to notice, but Bo's expression grows a little more uneasy.

"Yes," he says with a curt nod.

"I saw someone is opening an apothecary downtown," I murmur as I prepare the second shot. "Have you seen it?"