fire. I felt like a million needles or stings were pelting my
body. The prickling and tingling are excruciating. It's like a
terrible rash, only of course there's nothing to see, no
visible evidence."
"What triggers these murderous rages?"
Alex sighed. "They're not rages, Doctor. That's
what I'm trying to say. I am not the one who wants to kill.
I don't feel angry at these random people. I don't hate
them or harbour any negative feelings whatsoever towards
them. These episodes are completely arbitrary. I can't
figure out any pattern to them. I tell you it's not me making
these decisions. It's my Skin. Every time I fail to follow Its
commands It punishes me by increasing my discomfort.
More itchiness and tingling, more squeezing and
constricting, until I think I'll go mad!
"Doctor," Alex implored, tears glistening in his
eyes. "I don't know how much longer I can take this
torture. I'm afraid I won't be strong enough to keep
denying what It wants. One of these times It's going to
win and someone’s going to die.”
Dr. Usher forced himself to take a good look at
what lay on the floor before him. He didn't want to. His
first instinct had been to turn away in horror and
revulsion. He felt the policeman's hand on his shoulder.
"Never seen anything like this before, Doc. Seen
some terrible things--car wrecks, jumpers, gun shots--all
sorts of violence that happens to people. But this? "
Usher shook his head wordlessly. He could
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