Chapter 3: Alteration

Fear…………. The figure scowled, watching Brian slink away from the window.  Slowly Brian 
slid into a corner arms crossed his body shaking.  "Not so strong now are we?!" the statue mocked 
laughing.
The light grew stronger forcing Brian to cover his eyes.  A small round stone lifted to the window 
glowing in the same green-yellow light.  Glass shattered as the stone hurtled itself at Brian's chest.  "What 
the-" Brian cried watching the stone fly at him through his fingers.
The door snapped open as his dad jumped into the room.  "BRIAN!!!" his dad yelled as the stone 
rammed into Brian's chest lurching his body back tossing him along the floor like a toy.  "Brian!" his dad 
yelled again lifting his son's head in his arms.
"What's going on?" A confused mother asked stepping into the room.
"Help me put Brian on the bed," her husband strained lifting Brian from under the shoulders.
"Who did this?" the mother asked lifting up her son's legs.
"Mom!  Dad!" a high voice yelled from the hall, "Thestatuelosttheballthatitwasholding!" the 
brother spilled swinging into the room.
"Slow down, what was that?" his mother asked setting the legs on the bed.
Taking a deep breath, "The statue lost the ball that it was holding," he repeated.
"Are you serious?!" his dad questioned.
"Yeah!"
Slowly the dad's eyes went wide, "did you say that the statue lost its ball, Scott?" he asked to 
clarify.
"Yup, why?" Scott answered cocking his head to the side.
"Because I think I just saw that same thing hit your brother in the chest.  Speaking of that stone 
where is it?" his dad asked turning to each side scanning the room.
"There isn't even a bruise on him anywhere," his mom noticed lifting her son's shirt.
"You sure?" the father asked raising an eye brow, "things don't just hit you then leave no marks."
"We should take him for x-rays to see if any bones are broken," the mother suggested lowering the 
shirt and picking up her son's phone off the nightstand next to the bed.
Distinctive beeps rung out as she pushed the buttons for the hospital.


"Doctor how is he?" a worried mother asked in a pleading voice.
"I'm not sure.  His vitals are fine but his body seems to be reacting to something," the doctor 
answered looking up into Brian's mother's eyes.
"How about the x-rays?" Brian's father asked.
"No broken bones.  I suggest letting him stay overnight so go home and get some rest."
"Ok but please call if anything happens to my son," his mother pleaded.
"I will make certain of it," the doctor replied with a smile.
Both parents thanked the doctor and made their way back out to their car.  "You think he'll be 
ok?" his mother asked tentatively.
"Please I don't want to discus this let the doctor's take care of it," his father replied in 
exasperation.


The sun slow dipped below the horizon and the shadow of night enveloped the landscape.  Brian 
lay sleeping next to a window cracked open to let the quiet night breeze flow through the room.  'You must 
come visit me,' a voice in his head beckoned.
'What do you want with me?  Why did you do this?' Brian replied seeking answered to his pain.
'You will see what and why when the time is right but now you must come visit me," the voice 
beckoned again.
'No, I want answers now!" Brian screamed in his mind but whispered out loud.
A passing nurse heard the whisper through the open door.  Slowly she walked over to Brian's side 
watching him with a perplexed look, 'Who is he talking to?'
'I don't need you to move your body for I can do it for you!' the voice screamed in a menacing 
tone.
"No no no…." Brian whimpered tossing his head from side to side.
The nurse jumped, startled by Brian's sudden movements.  She slowly reached her shaking hand 
out and began to lay it on his arm.  When her fingers touched his finger she jerked back, huddling into the 
chair.  'That's it Brian I gave you a fair chance now I do it my way,' the voice snarled.
Brian's torso lifted off the bed moving him into a sitting position.  His eyes snapped open 
revealing ghostly red holes.  Turning his head, he stared at the nurse as she huddled in the chair not making 
any moves to stop him.  The real piece of Brian left in this creature tried to reach out to her to comfort her.  
'No fool we move on.'
Fluid movements lifted Brian from the bed to his feet.  His feet skimmed across the cold tiles 
towards the door passing the nurse.  Standing in the hall two doctors notice Brian in his hospital dress and 
called for anyone to come restrain the loose patient.  Within seconds men came from all directions and 
rushed at Brian with intentions of taking him down.  "Fools!" he screamed in a booming voice freezing 
everyone in their step "You don't stand a chance of taking me back."
"Watch us," one of the men snarled charging at Brian's open back.
His arms stretched out the man reached for Brian grabbing hold of his clothing.  "Gotcha," the 
man smirked looking at Brian's blank face.
"You have nothing," he replied coldly as his body disappeared, leaving the man holding nothing.

A deep fog covered the area, as Brian stood scared, "Where am I?"
"Welcome to my humble abode," the voice roared in laughter, "welcome to my humble abode."

To be continued…