October 15th, 1870 — Day Two

Morning Examination

I shall endeavor to maintain a clinical tone in this account, though I confess the events of this morning have shaken my professional composure to its very foundation. I am a nurse, trained in the rigors of empirical observation and the careful documentation of physiological phenomena. I have dressed suppurating wounds and assisted in amputations. I have watched patients die of consumption and cholera, their bodies betraying them in ways both grotesque and pitiable. I tell myself I am not easily disturbed.

But this. Dear God, this.

Let me begin with the facts.

I woke shortly after dawn, disoriented to find my door already unlocked and standing slightly ajar—silently opened while I slept, though I am a light sleeper and would swear no one entered. The seawater and the seaweed had vanished as if they had never been, though the elderberry perfume still saturates everything, and beneath it now lurks a new scent: salt and something organic and faintly sweet, like kelp rotting on a beach.

I examined my ribs in the cold morning light filtering through the narrow window. The marks had faded considerably, now appearing as faint pink lines rather than the inflamed incisions of the night before. When I pressed my fingers to them, however, I felt the structures beneath—ridges of something that felt disturbingly like cartilage, regular and purposeful in their arrangement. They shifted slightly under my touch, as though they possessed some rudimentary capacity for movement.

I will not think about what this means. Not yet. I must focus on my duties.

After a cold wash (there was, again, no hot water provided), I dressed and made my way through the labyrinthine corridors to the Professor's quarters. The house seems different in daylight—no less oppressive, but the shadows lie differently, revealing details I had not noticed in last night's gloom. The paintings that line the corridor to the library are even more disturbing when properly illuminated. I counted fourteen of them, all executed in the same hand (presumably the Professor's), each depicting scenes of submarine horror that would not be out of place in a fevered opium dream.

One showed a great temple of some black stone, its columns carved with figures that hurt the eye to examine too closely. Another depicted what appeared to be a wedding procession, but the bride's face was turned away, and the guests were shapes that suggested human form without quite achieving it. A third—and this one made me look away sharply—showed an embrace between a woman and something that rose from dark water, its form obscured by shadows but its eyes clearly visible: vertical pupils, luminous and vast.

Patient Assessment - Professor Avery Soames

Lady Soames was not present when I arrived at the library. The patient sat in his wheelchair in precisely the position I had left him the night before, dangerously close to the fire. I noted his eyes tracking my movement with unusual intensity and deliberation, suggesting some level of conscious awareness despite his cataleptic presentation.

I announced my intention to conduct an examination, maintaining a calm, professional tone as trained for agitated or confused patients. The patient responded with a single, clear blink—an encouraging sign of potential communication capacity.

Physical Examination Findings:

Cardiovascular:

Pulse: 62 bpm, steady and regular

Quality: notably viscous, as though blood composition has altered

Peripheral circulation: adequate but unusual

Integumentary:

Skin texture: waterlogged appearance without actual edema

Extremities: slightly shrunken, bones more prominent than expected

Overall presentation: consistent with prolonged immersion, though patient has not been submerged

Temperature:

Oral reading: 93.7°F

Dangerously hypothermic by standard measures

However: no shivering, confusion (beyond baseline), or cyanosis observed

Patient appears to have adapted to subnormal temperature range

Neurological:

Pupils: responsive to light, appropriate constriction

Shape: round and human (brief moment of ambiguity when flame light caught them, likely optical illusion)

Tongue: bears unusual grooves—shallow parallel lines running laterally across muscle tissue

Purpose/origin: undetermined, not consistent with any pathology in my training

Examination Interruption:

When I attempted to examine the patient's chest, Lady Soames entered and questioned the necessity of removing his clothing, noting that Dr. Rimbaud had already conducted extensive examinations. I explained that daily monitoring of a patient's condition requires direct physical assessment and that adequate care depends on understanding the full extent of presenting symptoms.

After initial resistance to the procedure, Lady Soames granted permission but stipulated the patient must receive his medication at precisely 9:00 AM. She withdrew to the far end of the library but remained present throughout the examination. Notably, she maintained apparent focus on her book but did not turn a single page during the ten-minute procedure.

Thoracic Examination:

The patient had been dressed in multiple layers—waistcoat, shirt, undershirt—all buttoned to the throat despite dangerous proximity to heat source. Beneath the final layer, I discovered his chest was bound with wide strips of linen, wrapped with sufficient tightness to potentially restrict respiration.

Upon removing the bindings, I discovered extensive dermal abnormalities:

Observations:

Torso covered in patterns resembling writing in unknown alphabet

Characters fluid and organic, flowing into continuous loops and spirals

Not tattoos—no broken skin or ink staining present

Patterns appear formed by superficial veins that have risen and rearranged into symbolic configurations

Patterns exhibit slow movement—continuous rearrangement over time, similar to clock hands

Following individual vein paths for extended periods produces visual discomfort

Patient Response:

Maintained eye contact throughout procedure

Expression: combination of terror and resignation

Appears fully aware of his condition

Demonstrates cognitive function despite motor paralysis

Communication Assessment:

Using simple yes/no protocol (one blink = yes, two blinks = no):

Can you hear me? Yes

Are you in pain? No

Do you know what is happening to you? Yes (after notable pause)

Clinical Note: Patient demonstrates preserved cognitive function trapped within non-responsive motor system. This represents a particularly cruel manifestation of his condition—complete awareness without ability to communicate distress or seek help.

Therapeutic Intervention - Hypnotic Induction:

I informed Lady Soames of my intention to attempt light hypnotic induction, explaining the potential benefits for relaxation and motor function improvement. She provided consent without objection.

I initiated standard breathing exercises as taught by Dr. Braid—verbal cues designed to deepen relaxation and lower conscious resistance. In typical cases, achieving even light trance requires several minutes minimum.

The patient entered trance state in approximately 30 seconds.

Analysis: This abnormally rapid induction suggests either:

Heightened susceptibility to hypnotic suggestion, or

Prior conditioning to such techniques, or

Desperate conscious desire to communicate via this method

Information Obtained Under Hypnosis:

The patient confirmed several disturbing facts:

My rib markings are known to him and Lady Soames

Both patient and myself are undergoing "transformation" process

Lady Soames selected me deliberately for specific purpose

I was "marked" at age seven during drowning incident at Brighton

Process described as preparation for "wedding" and "transformation"

Scheduled completion: December 21st (winter solstice)

High tide and astronomical alignment noted as significant factors

Lady Soames identified as "priestess" and "willing vessel" for unspecified entity

Patient attempted to prevent/expose these activities

His current condition represents punishment and warning to others who might resist

Nocturnal psychological manipulation occurs while I sleep

Suggestions implanted during unconscious states

Body responds to programming despite conscious unawareness

Physiological arousal and water-longing are expected symptoms of the process

Personal Medical Observation: Even while receiving this information, I experienced unwanted physiological response—heat sensation in lower abdomen, genital arousal inconsistent with situational context. This confirms patient's statement that my body has been conditioned to respond to transformation triggers regardless of conscious volition.

Session Termination:

Lady Soames interrupted the hypnotic session without warning. I did not observe her approach despite normally acute spatial awareness. Physical contact occurred (hand on shoulder, notably cold temperature penetrating through fabric). She commanded immediate cessation of the procedure.

Simultaneous with her intervention:

Fire intensity increased dramatically without manual adjustment

Shadow patterns moved in ways inconsistent with flame behavior

Patient's eyes lost animation, returning to cataleptic state

Lady Soames stated that my methods had distressed the patient and cautioned greater care in future procedures. While professionally phrased, the communication carried clear warning regarding my continued employment. Her tone suggested consequences for further attempts to communicate with the patient via hypnosis.

Post-Hypnosis Observations:

During rewrapping of the patient's chest, I observed that the vein-writing had rearranged into new configurations. Though unable to decode the symbols linguistically, I experienced an intuitive comprehension—the patterns conveyed instructions regarding transformation processes. This sensation of understanding without actual translation ability is itself a symptom requiring documentation.

I completed the dressing procedure and exited, experiencing significant psychological distress including trembling, elevated heart rate, and the persistent sense of being evaluated or assessed. Additionally: unwanted physiological arousal continued despite removal from triggering situation.

Professional Assessment:

The examination revealed extensive abnormalities that defy conventional medical explanation:

Subnormal body temperature without hypothermia symptoms

Unusual skin texture suggesting aquatic adaptation

Vein patterns that move and rearrange themselves

Cataleptic presentation with preserved cognitive function

Abnormally rapid hypnotic induction

Evidence of systematic psychological conditioning

Lady Soames' interference prevents adequate assessment or treatment. Her behavior suggests deliberate concealment of the patient's true condition and active resistance to therapeutic intervention. She appears to be maintaining rather than treating his symptoms.

Alternative methodology will be required for further investigation.

Later. Afternoon.

Self-Examination Report

I have confined myself to quarters for remainder of day. Conducted thorough self-assessment of developing symptoms:

Physical Findings:

Rib markings are now fully visible, raised, and inflamed

Count confirmed: 6 per side, each exactly 3 inches in length

Positioned consistent with piscine gill placement

Structures palpable beneath skin: firm, regular, consistent with cartilage formation

Auscultation reveals fluid movement through channels (faint, wet sound audible when ear pressed directly to marks)

No pain associated with structures

Range of motion unaffected

Differential Diagnosis Considered:

Dermatographism (skin condition causing raised welts in response to pressure): Ruled out - marks too organized, too persistent, show internal structural development

Hysterical conversion (psychological distress manifesting as physical symptoms): Ruled out - structures are objectively present and palpable, not psychosomatic

Parasitic infection: Ruled out - no signs of invasion, no immune response, no inflammation consistent with infestation

Unknown physiological transformation: Most likely diagnosis - though mechanism remains unclear and unprecedented in medical literature

Psychological Symptoms:

Persistent unwanted arousal (onset gradual over past 48 hours, now constant)

Intrusive ideation regarding water and darkness

Tactile hypersensitivity (all fabric contact produces inappropriate physical response)

Visual intrusions when eyes closed: submarine imagery, vertical pupils, sensation of being touched

Difficulty distinguishing between genuine emotional responses and implanted compulsions

Analysis:

These symptoms align precisely with patient Soames' statements regarding "preparation" and "transformation." If his claims of nocturnal psychological manipulation are accurate, my informed consent has been systematically violated. My bodily autonomy is being compromised through methods I cannot identify or defend against.

Critical Concern: I cannot distinguish between genuine desire and implanted compulsion. My professional training emphasized the paramount importance of patient autonomy in medical decisions. I am now experiencing the loss of that autonomy firsthand, and I possess no framework for defense against this form of assault.

The marks are not injuries. They are developments. My body is constructing new anatomical structures without my conscious direction or consent. This represents a violation more profound than any physical assault—my very biology is being rewritten.

Attempted Countermeasures:

Will attempt to remain awake tonight (success unlikely—physiological sleep requirements will eventually override willpower)

Have barricaded door with available furniture (likely futile if patient's claims of nocturnal access are accurate, as locks showed no signs of tampering this morning)

Documenting all symptoms in detail (this may be only defensive action available to me)

Tomorrow: will attempt to interview household staff regarding previous nurses

Self-Assessment Conclusion:

My medical objectivity is profoundly compromised. I am simultaneously physician and patient, observer and subject, documenter and specimen. I can record but cannot treat. I can note progression but cannot halt or reverse it.

This represents an unprecedented situation in my professional training. Standard protocols for patient care emphasize:

Informed consent

Patient autonomy

Do no harm

Right to refuse treatment

I am being treated—or transformed—without any of these protections. I do not consent. I do not understand the process. I cannot refuse. And harm is being done to my body and mind systematically.

I have no framework for this. No procedure manual. No supervising physician to consult. I can only document and hope that these records serve some purpose beyond my own comprehension.

Research Plan:

Speak with household staff regarding previous nurses

Investigate village records for patterns

Seek historical documentation of similar cases

Determine if "solstice transformations" have precedent in local folklore or medical literature

Tonight, I will attempt to resist sleep.

I know this is futile.

The body requires rest. When I sleep, she will come. And every night I belong less to myself and more to whatever waits in the water.

But I must try.

I must—

The entry ends here. The handwriting in the final lines has become increasingly erratic, the letters cramped and shaky. There is an ink blot at the bottom of the page, as though the pen had been dropped suddenly.

On the reverse side of the page, written in a different hand—neater, more controlled—are the words:

"She slept anyway. They always sleep. The body requires it, and what we require, we provide. The suggestions take root more deeply each night. By the Solstice, she will come to the water willingly. She will beg for transformation. As they all do."

This passage is unsigned, but the ink matches that used in Lady Soames' correspondence.