What a Hyde! a Flash Fiction Story
John has many years of writing experience in poetry, short fiction and text for children's books. Basically, he just loves to write.
Ruby's Request
In a comment on my latest Poems From the Porch article, Ruby Jean Richert (AlwaysExploring) asked the following:
"Can I ask you to write a short fiction story that is really scary? ... Thanks in advance."
Normally, I use the requests in comments as prompts to write future poems for the Poems From the Porch, but as Ruby requested a short fiction story it didn't really fit. However, as Halloween is approaching I decided to try writing a story in time for that and publishing it as a separate hub. This is the result. Ruby, thank you for the request, and I hope you enjoy "What a Hyde!"
Everybody, soon or late, sits down to a banquet of consequences.
— Robert Louis Stevenson
What a Hyde!
The clinic's waiting room was full to overflowing. There was either an awful lot of sickness around at the moment or this doctor was very popular. Being a new patient here, I hoped it was the latter.
My appointment time was ten minutes ago but considering how many others were ahead of me I sat back with an outdated magazine and braced myself for quite a wait. Luckily I had no other appointments or commitments today.
In time, the waiting room began to thin out as a new patient was called into the surgery every 20 minutes or so. I had been dozing a little, but looking at my watch I saw I had been waiting over an hour. It was almost my turn when, suddenly, a weird thought struck me. I hadn't seen anyone come out of the surgery.
Normally, you see the last patient approach the counter and then leave as the next name is being called. But, I was sure no one had left! I admit I was tired, so maybe I'd slept more than I thought and missed some leaving. But, surely not all.
When I had phoned the clinic to make an appointment I hadn't asked the doctor's name. I had just been happy to get an appointment with anyone at short notice. I was still feeling uneasy when, just then, I heard my name being called, "Mr Hansen? Doctor Jekyll will see you now."
I stood up, and gazing at the nurse I noticed her name badge, "Louise Stevenson," but instead of following her into the doctor's surgery, I turned my back on her and ran out the front door.
Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others.
— Robert Louis Stevenson

By Unknown, published by the National Printing & Engraving Company, ChicagoModifications by Papa Lima Whiskey Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10048960
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