Fever Dream is a short story written by Ray Bradbury in 1948. It deals with the issues and anxieties suffered by teenagers that result from bodily change, in a somewhat Gothic light. Plot Summary The story concerns Charles, a thirteen year old boy who is suffering from a severe illness. The local doctor diagnoses it as scarlet fever, but Charles protests that his hand has "changed" and is no longer under his control. He claims that he has been infected by microbes that are not only causing illness, but literally taking over his body and forming a new being. The doctor, however, assures Charles's parents that this is all in his imagination - a fever dream brought on by his illness. Charles continues to lose control of his body - first other hand, then his legs - but the doctor continues to assure him otherwise, and gives him antibiotics to deal with his problems. After Charles tries to choke himself, he is restrained to