Blood Related

Chapter 1

 Chapter 1

Believe it or not, but that was the first trail I had to complete to be the person who I am today. By the way, my name is Anemone Thorn. I am a clinical psychologist working at the Rose Fall Clinic for the mentally ill. I mostly work with the pathological disorders, namely split personalities and schizophrenia, as well as more hardcore disorders. I’m also the one who keeps the things that go bump in the night at bay, not everyone is crazy. There are two types of insanity pathological and supernatural. I help clear those wrongly diagnosed and accused while bringing the things that are guilty down.

“Dr. Thorn, I have a patient for you. I know you’re not really into depression however I think you will find this one interesting. His neighbor brought him in last night, he is manic depressed and almost landed himself in the hospital by means of self mutilation. Just have a look” Sara handed over a photo. The photo revealed the reason why Sara would think this case will interest me. The man’s entire chest and torso was mutilated. “Well he probably wasn’t in a rage because all the cutes are neatly organized. The only thing that really interests me is the cutes are spaced evenly. Can you see it?” Sara ripped the photo from my hands and practically jumped over the desk. “Your right! Each one is spaced 5mm and their all a centimeters long. Could it be body scaring?” Sara had a point the spacing and length could indicate that it could be scaring however “Scaring is usually cultural related and most cultures that still continue this tradition are mostly African tribes. With scaring the precipitant has to create their own scaring tool and then the scaring is done by a trained professional. They only cut the skin during scaring, meaning there is no risk of bleeding out if done right.” Sara still wanted to discuss the case however I needed to see this guy right now so I just walked away.

The man looked freighted when I came in and turned his back on me. “Hey I’m Dr. Thorn” I waited for a reply however he remains quite. I took a seat in the corner and read his file in silence. After a few silent hours he started to shift uncomfortably and sneak peeks at me over his shoulder. “Ray Hardly” his voice was shaky and he slowly turned toward me however he never took his eyes from the ground. “Nice to meet you Ray. I hear you’re from California, did you enjoy growing up there?” It was like little fireworks lit up in his eyes. “It was really nice. My dad and I used to go out surfing while my mom crashed on the beach under her umbrella reading. When we were done I use to run toward my mother and jump on her with my wet body, she had the sweetest laugh. Then the three of us went for ice cream and walked back home” the way he talked was like a young child, His face was so pure and innocent. “What is your favorite food Ray?” he turned his seat completely. “I was always a sucker for candy however my mom used to make the yummiest hamburgers” he looked happy like a bunny there is no way he could have been depressed, not to inflict such pain on himself. “I’m a pasta girl, I love experimenting with pasta” my focus is just to keep the conversation going maybe he will let something drop. “Oh do you know what you should try! Take chicken cut it into strips the throw them in a honey and mustard sauce with diced pepper dews. Leave in the sauce for a day and a half. Throw it in a pan and fry, mix it with pasta. Throw over graded cheese and throw it in the oven till the cheese has melted” Ray seemed more relax. “You sound like a real chef” putting away my work I slowly started moving closer to him. “My mom always told me I would be a 5-star chef one day. She even saved all the money she could for me to go to chef school. In the end she bought me my own flat because I received a scholarship to go study”. “So are you a chef now? At what restaurant?” Ray’s happy relax face faded and he turned away again. “Nop, that dream never realized” the silence was brought back and I could even hear my own heart beat.

After a few minute I gave up and walked out. “Sara there is no way this guy suffered any childhood trauma that could cause such extreme depression. Pull any and all records on next of kin, everything” Staring at the clock I realized it is time to go home, not like that is ever fun.

Pulling in by the drive way I already noticed three lost souls knocking on my door. “here we go again” sighing I climbed out the car walking to the door not taking my eyes of the it, pretending not to see one of them. “Anemone! Are you Anemone, please help me” the one begged. “I know you can see me” a young woman spirit hissed at me and punched me in my stomach. “Arg! Stop that you know I hate it! Go to your haunting spot and think about the things that could be holding you here, I am not in the mood to play puzzle okay. I have other work to do. Nickita, go!”. Nickita is one of the spirits that haunted me for a year now, somehow she created a personal connection to me. She bonded to me last year while I was supported a friend in a hospital and she has the funny habit of punching me.

I actually feel bad because she never remembers approaching me, every time she comes to see me she thinks it’s the first time. I could also not figure out anything in this couple of months I researched her. Nickita isn’t even her real name I just gave it to her because it didn’t feel right calling her ghost girl al the time. The only thing I have of her is a blank dog tag she held on to all the time.

Slamming the door in their faces made them float into the night, since they can’t enter my domain. I made sure no ghostly being will ever enter my house again after I was almost chocked to death in my own bed four years ago. Ghost aren’t the only thing I work with I also communicate with angels and fairies even brownies and the angel of death, he really isn’t the best friend to have.

Enough of the flash backs I have a mystery to figure out, lets hit the books and figure out what supernatural beings will do this. After hours of reading and a hundreds of dead ends the only think I could do is give up the search and reach for the phone.

“Bobby! Hey it’s Thorn. I have a case; it is not a psychological thing. This guy came in last night his neighbors claimed he is manically depressed however it does not add up. His entire chest and torso is full of cutes, they are all vertical 1 cm long and 5mm apart. It can’t be self inflicted” Bobby is the guy I could always turn to when I can’t figure anything out.

“Sure baby girl I’ll keep my ears open, you just be careful now”

03:00 that means it is time for bed; I’m working again at 06:00