FionaDoyle-ChangingStripes1

Changing Stripes
by
Jamie Ryder
“Hey, Jamie. At least you're alive. Look at it that way.”
The loud beeps of the machines wanted to disagree with
the masculine voice. So too did the voice on the television,
giving the latest news about the attack that caused all of
these changes. Jamie just groaned in response. Sometimes her
friend, Brad, could be an ass.
“You're healthy too. Can't forget that.”
“Am I, Brad?” My life just changed. My body changed too.
Both quite dramatically. Am I still me? And healthy? For all
we know, I could have cancer.”
“I agree.”
The two turned to stare at the voice, not expecting
anyone else for the time being. Fumbling through the various
documents stood a tall, proud looking and older rhino. As a
nurse passed and gave him another folder, he sighed. The
doctor turned his attention back to the two in the room with a
sheepish smile.
“Sorry. I meant I agree with your friend. You are as
healthy and alive as any female skunk can be. You should be
lucky. “
“Um, that's great and all Doc. But I wasn't born female
or a skunk.”
Today's terrorist attack reminds us that­­
The only other source of speaking, the speech by the
governor and then the president, was shut off by Brad. Other
than the beeps of the heart monitor the only noise was
shuffling of papers and the faint opening then closing of
folders as the doctor tried to figure out where things went
wrong. Brad moved closer to Jamie, holding one of her hands.
Her chests heaved in anxiety, worried that the paperwork was
fudged and that her life was over.
“Doc, she did rescue a little girl today. The EMTs
musta­”
“I see. Yes. Yes. They did. My mistake. I see now that
you were a victim of today's attack. Yes, saved a little girl
from being near the blast. Got most of it. That definitely
explains the transformation, Miss er Mister Ryder.”
Jamie nodded, finally letting go of her breathe. Though
she'd have to get used to Miss soon, hearing Mister at least
one last time melted her eyes into a reassuring
half­liddedness. The doctor patted her shoulder gently as he
checked her vitals one more time, to confirm the readouts from
the machine.
“I wish I could say I'd seen worse given the Gene War,
but I haven't. What they did was deplorable. Still, Miss
Ryder—get used to it—you ARE indeed healthy. The machines and
I both cannot find a single thing wrong with you despite your
mutations.”
“It's all good. Does this mean I can go home? My puppy
needs me.”
The doctor chuckled. Even in this day and age, people
were more concerned with their pets and children than
themselves he noticed. "Nothing has changed," Dr. Jeffries
muttered to himself. As he checked her heartbeat, the doctor
shook his head.
“Oh no. I'm afraid not. The state and federal government,
out of concern for your safety,” the way he said it indicated
sarcasm to her upright ears, “ordered us to keep you at least
overnight if not longer. To make sure you're healthy of
course.”
Jamie gave an exasperated noise as she crossed her four
arms under her four breasts and huffed, eliciting a laugh from
Brad.