This story begins with a young child. The only real interactions the child had in its early years were either superficial and platitudinous or bullying. Their parents were loving to them but fought a lot with each other. Being shunned in social situations they turned to the realm of science fiction and fantasy, especially horror and occult books. They spent their school years trying desperately to fit in. Their grades were poor and they spent much of their time trying to quell depression with different drugs. They made many mistakes and had to suffer the consequences. There were relationships that felt real that suddenly died. Freindships that blossomed and seemed to flourish that withered away. They broke the law on occasion and had to face justice. Eventually when tired enough they made a decision to try to make a change. They volunteered for a stay at a treatment facility to recover. It was terrifying at first. After a while though they managed to start to learn how to live again. They did not like the religious aspect of the program but remained because they were determined to complete at least this one thing. After 7 months they were discharged back to the world. Back to reality. It was slow work trying to rebuild again. They found a job and eventually an apartment. Unfortunately there was still wreckage from their past that they needed to deal with that would crop up from time to time. They managed to remain free of mind augmenting substances through those trials. They finally reached a point where they began to want friends again. Unfortunately all of their previous friends had evaporated with the drugs. They were back to trying to fit in. This time out in the world and not on the sheltered school. They were working as an entrepreneur selling creepy, rare occult books and artifacts to supplement income at this point. They had always been a lover of science and things like paleontology, anthropology. They had at this point their own collection of rare and antique occult items. The person, now in their late 20s decided that, even though they were skeptical of the existence of magic, that they are going to attempt to perform an antient alchemical ritual of summoning. This was in the hopes of gaining the ability to befriend and fit in with all types of creatures, human or otherwise. They had discovered this ritual in an antient grimior they found when scavenging an abandoned library. They had discovered a hidden door leading to a room filled with insane manuscripts and volumes of esoteric books. This book was bound in what looked like stretched animal skin. There in,, penned in what looked like blood was outlined a ritual for summoning a god of the outer cosmic realms.The ritual was difficult as the items that were needed were rare earth elements and cursed eldritch artifacts. Despite this the ritual much to their surprise, yielded success and they received a message directly spoken from within the flaming sigil upon the altar. A disturbingly deep yet strained and whispered voice speaks: "Thou who would dare breach the void to ask us for access to the untamed and abysmal power we have, who are you and what is it you seek?". The person resonds: "I am nobody in the eyes of my kind. I am an outsider who seeks to tap into your infernal power. I wish to use it to change myself. I want to be feared by those who would torment me and accepted by those seek to know me or I them. I crave the ability to become that which can blend into any form I desire. I have made the necessary sacrifice and summoned you, and it is this that I am requesting of you almighty Old One."
The moment they finish their request all the candles lit in the room dim and went out. A green mist issues from within the flaming sigil. Swirling towards and around the person until everything in the room is obscured. They heard a low howling wind pick up outside and heard the boards in the wall creak. Suddenly and violently what looked like tendrils made of barbed wire whipped out from the mist and peirced the person. First by the hands, then the calfs and thighs, then along the spine and the back of the neck, between their ribs and finally into their eyes. They screamed out in pain and went limp. The wires, dripping with hot blood, held them up. As consciousness faded they heard that voice once again from somewhere close behind: "We have given you the powers of the skin-walker, what the antient inhabitants of this land referred to as the Wendigo. Though this comes with a price. You may walk among the humans as you wish taking whatever form you please as it suits your needs. However, when you return home you will revert to that which lies beneath the skin. That of ragged, bloodstained fur and bones. Who you choose to be outwardly will effect the form you take when alone. After some time we may allow you to keep your primal form if you wish. This we bestow upon you. You have stepped through this doorway and there will be no return for you. Now sleep and dream of the nameless city from whence all life began. F'nglui R'lyeh n'gal ftagn Chtulhu n'thro....." and the voice trailed off and they, being drained of much blood, fell into a restless, haunted sleep.