cgbird

4:37 P.M. \ Clear

A certain village in northern Leithanien

*cough*, *cough*...

Oh, what should we do? Luca is in so much pain!

Mama, it hurts... It hurts... My leg... My leg feels like it's on fire.

Shh, Luca. Bear with it, and keep your voice down. Thomas next door will hear you.

You're a strong boy. One of the strongest there is! If you can't bear it, just bite the pillow.

He's almost chewed the cotton down to shreds! Look at how much he's sweating! He has a fever, too. We... we should take him to Dr. Marcos!

No, we can't!

Look. Look at his leg... This black lump.

It's Oripathy...

Shh, don't say it out loud. We need to keep this from Luca.

You know what happened to Ben over at the Janiks. His arms had these lumps, and they took him away. His family hasn't seen him since.

*sob*... Luca... Don't let them take my Luca.

This is how it is... We have to... endure and ride it out.

Mama... Mamaaa...

Here, bite Papa's hand, Luca. Hang in there... You're a big boy. You'll get better.

A miracle will happen... A miracle will heal you up.

We need to have faith.

Hello, is anybody home?

Someone's knocking on our door! They must be here to take Luca away!

Calm down. I'll take a look through the window. You and Luca stay in here. Don't come out.

Hello, sir.

A Kuranta? Dressed up like a knight too. Not something we see in our small village every day.

Sir, please relax. We're just a few wandering doctors passing through. If it's not too much to ask, could you bring us some water?

Water... Right, okay... If you're willing to drink the water here, I won't turn you away.

Here, you go. Leave as soon as you are finished. Take the cup with you.

What's wrong, Liz? The water seems fine to me.

I can feel it... That silent, voiceless pain... It's right here.

Right. It's weak, but still clear as day.

Someone's screaming for help.

If that's what you two say—

Sir... Does someone in your family have Oripathy?

Oripathy?! H-How dare you!

He's in pain, isn't he? But he hasn't given up hope.

I can... heal him.

You... Those horns... That shape! You, and you! You are devils!

Mister, please calm down. Just as I mentioned, we are doctors. If anyone is infected with Oripathy here, we can help alleviate their symptoms, and you don't need to give us anything in return.

I told you—No one's sick here, and we definitely don't need any treatment!

Now leave, Kuranta! You're full of lies! And you, devils, stay far away from my house!

Looks like he made his decision. He doesn't want us to treat his family.

It happens fairly often.

Normally, a doctor needs to earn her patient's trust, and he doesn't trust us.

He seems nervous. It might be our race or status that's agitated him.

If Nearl has to wave the white flag, famous and popular as she is, then Liz and I don't stand a chance. Sarkaz don't have a good reputation here.

We could try persuading him. We've done that many times before.

We can, as long as we don't end up coming across any Gendarmerie.

Right. It's much easier to convince a patient's family than an entire squad of Gendarmerie.

We need to avoid that kind of 'persuasion.'

Yeah, Liz hasn't been doing very well lately... I agree. We shouldn't take any risks.

Unfortunately, if this drags on much longer, the patient's condition will deteriorate.

Feels bad...

Liz, are you okay? Are you feeling sick?

That boy... He's having a really bad time... He's locked in that small room while his Oripathy torments him.

Liz is right. The kid is locked away. They're even stifling his screams.

Are they torturing an Infected?

No, not at all. The father... He didn't show any hatred on his face when he mentioned Oripathy.

There is hatred everywhere else.

Is he protecting the patient, then?

I heard the Leithanians take the Infected away from their families, round them up to live in ghettoes.

If the patient is his child, I suppose he might be trying to hide his Infection, to keep the Gendarmerie from taking his boy away.

He may care for his child, but that's slowly taking his child's life.

He is losing his chance to live, and his energy is slowly draining away in this cage of love.

Hmm...

Liz!

Don't think about that... It'll only worsen your condition if you let that sadness get to you.

We've walked a very long distance today. I can tell you are exhausted. You need rest.

Does it feel better when you lean against me? The tent will be ready soon.

Let's start a fire and get you something to eat.

It's getting dark. The Leithanian Gendarmerie moves quickly, and they might be here by tomorrow. We should leave this place before do, if we want to stay out of trouble.

Right, it's not a good idea to show ourselves to the Gendarmerie.

Liz, lie down here, closer to the fire. It'll warm you up.

Yeah.

You two should get some rest. I'll stand watch.

It's the Gendarmerie. They're here.

Shining, are you awake already? You went to bed not that long ago.

I got enough sleep. We need to leave right now. Liz, can you walk?

Yeah, I can.

Ughh...

You look really pale. Did you get enough rest?

I... I'm okay. I just feel a little dizzy.

The Gendarmerie went straight to the house we visited last night. Shining, should we really just leave like this?

There's a good hiding spot behind the bushes.

They won't spot us there.

Nearl, hold Liz. If it looks like things are getting out of hand, do as you see fit.

Mr. Reiss! Please open the door!

I...

Mr. Reiss!

Officer, look! I told you something's not right with Old Reiss's family!

His boy—his name is Luca—he was playing in the fields a few days ago, and he suddenly got sick after he came back.

For the few days after that, his family kept themselves locked inside, and they wouldn't come out, no matter what!

I-I'm just taking care of Luca...

How am I supposed to believe you?! What kind of disease would keep a strong kid like him bedridden for days on end?

Besides, if your kid really caught a cold, you could've taken him to Dr. Marcos!

Something sounds fishy here.

Right, officer? I am doing this for everyone's safety!

This is a peaceful, quiet village. We can't let Oripathy ruin our lives here!

Right, all Infected must be quarantined at a nearby quarantine zone.

Right? Reiss, did you hear that? Your boy's just going to the quarantine zone! Luca will be in good hands there! Much better than keeping him here!

But...