Something in My Eye

By Terri Hamill

Christina and Jacqui, best friends since university, face an increasingly terrifying situation—either madness or something far beyond their comprehension—as Christina battles against something only she can see through her damaged eye.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Black Hare Press
• Release date: May 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223533221

Book preview

image-placeholder

Chapter One

According to her diploma, her new job, and her student loans, Jacqui Porter was a doctor of ophthalmology. But at present she was the very junior partner, getting all the crap paperwork, staying after hours to complete the necessary but tedious duty. When her cell went off, showing a call from her best friend, Christina Anderson, she was grateful for the break.

Hey, Chrissie, what’s—

Jacqui! Something’s wrong with my eye—I can’t see!

She sat up straight. What? What’s wrong? Can you see with the other? When did it start? Where are you?

Chrissie made a sound a little like a sobbing gulp. I’m on my way home, but I pulled over. I was driving, and suddenly it looked like…like a huge bug was crawling across my eye, blocking my vision. It’s scared me half to death. It doesn’t hurt, there’s nothing in it, but…

Jacqui grimaced. Is it beginning to thin out?

I don’t know. Maybe?

Okay, how fast can you get here? She glanced out of her office to see if any of the staff were still there and saw Karen at reception.

You’re closed!

Just get here, Chrissie. It sounds like you’ve got a hole in your retina and if so, I need to look at it now. How close are you?

I’m not far, most of the way home. I’ll be there in maybe ten?

If you don’t see me, knock. The door will be locked. I’ll wait for you.

Okay.

Jacqui put her phone down and called out, Karen! Are you leaving soon?

Karen turned and craned her neck around the pillar attached to the reception desk. I’ve got about half an hour more. Why? Do you need me to stay?

No, but Chrissie’s on her way here with an emergency. Who else is here? Is Dr. Matheson still here?

No, she left. You’re the last—as usual.

Rolling her eyes, Jacqui said, Insubordination; five points from Hufflepuff. Chrissie will knock. Can you let her in?

Grinning, Karen said, Sure.

Jacqui rubbed her forehead. Karen was right. She usually was the last one in the office. She guessed it was good practice for the day—someday—when she had her own business. But it still grated to be stuck with the worst patients and the nastiest insurance and government paperwork their part-time practice manager couldn’t handle.

Jacqui heard the knock as she was finishing up the reports. She came out of her office as Karen was letting Chrissie in. C’mon back, I need to check your eye.

Her friend looked terrible, her face red and blotchy. She was keeping her right eye closed. Thank you, this is driving me crazy!

It didn’t take long