The Creeping Flesh

In 1894, Emmanuel Hildern returns from an expedition to New Guinea with a remarkably large and advanced humanoid skeleton. The discovery excites him as he hopes it will earn him the prestigious Richter Prize. Soon after, he learns of his wife’s death, which adds personal stakes to his ongoing research.

While in the midst of his research, Emmanuel receives news that his wife has died after being institutionalized for years. He is deeply affected, especially as her death coincides with his pursuit of scientific recognition. His half-brother James is involved in her treatment and plans to publish findings on her mental state.

Back at his laboratory, Emmanuel discovers that the skeleton reacts to water by growing flesh, linking it to regional myths of giants awakened by rain. He hypothesizes that the skeleton could be one of these beings and develops a serum from its tissues to combat what he perceives as an evil organism.

Emmanuel tests his developed serum on a monkey, which initially shows positive effects, supporting his theory that evil could be biologically contained. This early success encourages him to continue his experiments, despite moral and scientific uncertainties.

Emmanuel's daughter, Penelope, is devastated upon discovering her mother was alive all along and has been institutionalized. Her emotional reaction leads Emmanuel to inject her with the serum, believing it might help her inherited insanity or evil.

Following the serum injection, the monkey escapes its cage with increased strength and causes chaos in the lab. This incident highlights the dangerous side effects of Emmanuel’s experiments and raises questions about the serum's safety.

Penelope leaves her home, attacks men at a tavern, and kills another man when chased, revealing her dangerous behavioral changes. The perpetrators are linked to the asylum, prompting authorities to send James’s men to apprehend her.

James’s men arrest Penelope and discover the serum in her blood. James considers using her case to discredit Emmanuel’s experiments and plans to steal Emmanuel’s research and the skeleton to prevent Emmanuel’s findings from interfering with his own ambitions.

James’s thief steals the skeleton and unintentionally exposes it to the rain. The skeleton reanimates as a living creature and escapes after the carriage overturns, marking the beginning of its dangerous existence outside the laboratory.

Back at the lab, Emmanuel notices the skeleton’s finger moving and, terrified, throws it into the fire. Despite his efforts, the creature later reappears, with flesh and a humanoid form, but is ultimately spared after removing Emmanuel’s finger, revealing the creature's survival.

The story is retold from Emmanuel’s perspective while he is imprisoned in an asylum cell. It is revealed that he has lost a finger matching the one he removed from the skeleton, indicating ongoing contact with the creature he created.

James dismisses Emmanuel’s claims about his identity and the existence of the creature, showing a lack of concern and asserting his authority. Emmanuel pleads for help, emphasizing his belief that the evil organism must be contained or destroyed.