“You’re going a little too slow,” Maya says, shooting me a glare. “Walk a little faster. She might be dead by the time we even get there.”

“That’s not something you should be joking about,” I frown, looking up the cobblestone pathway to the Wayward Clinic. “And you should calm down. There’s no rush,” I open my arms wide, showing Maya to the green trees and the lush grass. “It’s a beautiful day, she’d want us to enjoy it.”

“I guess you’re right,” Maya smiles then shrugs. “No point in getting frustrated.”

“See?” If she knows there isn’t a rush, then it’s fine. “We don’t want to be wasting our youth.”

Maya sighs, “‘Wasting our youth’? What does that even mean?”

“I don’t know, I just felt like saying it,” if Maya was thinking I had some deeper meaning behind that, I’m not sorry I disappointed her.

She throws a black strand of hair out of her face as she walks in front of me, “Maybe you should give it some thought.”

“Huh?”

“What does it mean to waste your youth?”

“Uh,” I place a hand to my chin. “Never going after opportunities?” If people never chase after what’s in front of them, they’re never going to get where they want to be. When people are young, they’re in a better position to take advantage of those kinds of choices. When I apply that to myself, what does it mean? I chuckle. “It probably isn’t so bad.”

“What isn’t?”

“Just wasting away. I’m content with how things are now,” I overtake Maya’s brisk pace, turning back with a smile. “Don’t you think?”

“Things are fine now, but what about the future?” she says, trying to match my speed. “Don’t you have anything you want to do?”

Do I? I’m fine with school, I don’t really need to study. The school’s promise of a ‘lifelong career’ isn’t really something I’m sold on either. If all they do is raise people to fight in some far off war, then that’s not something I’m interested in doing. I’m through with that. “No, I’m content just living and doing what I do now.”

“Until the day you die?”

“Of course. I’m a man of simple pleasure,” I place my hands on my head and turn to Maya.

“I’m not even sure you know what that word means,” she shrugs.

“Simple or pleasure?” I quirk a brow.

“I’ll let you figure it out,” she says with a grin.  

“Oh, I got it!” I snap my fingers. “It’s ‘man’, right?” Maya leaves me behind, circling around to the front of the clinic. I follow behind her, looking down the path we just walked. The natural view is nice, but the walk itself might be the reason this clinic isn’t particularly popular. For people like Maya and myself, it’s some nice exercise. For people with physical disabilities, getting up this hill just isn't feasible.You could use a wheelchair, but again that’s going to run into its own difficulties. “I could probably do something about it,” I mumble under my breath.

“Hiroshi?”

I perk up, “Yeah?”

“You coming?” Maya keeps the screen door to the clinic open.

“Right,” I take her invitation and step into the building.

I’d like to say that I smell the ocean’s breeze when I walk into the room, but the only thing I’m getting is cheap off-brand air freshener. I hold my nose on instinct and turn to Maya. She stares at me like I’m an idiot. Her opinion of me is noted, but I still can’t stand the scent. There really isn’t a need for this since we live right on the coast. “Just open the windows, Doc.” I step over the creaky floorboards to the main desk.

I’m half-tempted to just burst into the patient’s room, but even I have enough knowledge to act with restraint in a clinic. “We’re here,” I give the serving bell a ring.

A thud sounds from the next room over. “Are you alright?” I approach the wall while calling out.

“I’m fine,” a disgruntled voice sounds from the other side. “You can come in.”

“Save yourself the trouble and stop leaning on your chair,” I hold the door open as Maya walks into the doctor’s office. “You’re going to end up hurting yourself.”

“Nothing I couldn’t fix,” the doctor looks up at me from her comfy seat on the floor. I extend my hand down to help her up, but she dismisses me with a flick of the wrist. She stands up and brushes herself off. Her long, pink hair is tangled up around itself. I have to resist the urge to reach out and straighten it. I wouldn’t even have to if this woman actually took care of herself.

“How’s Aishi?” Maya asks while moving toward the patient’s room. “Is she eating at all?”

“No,” Alonso gives a straight answer with her typical monotone. “I can’t force her to either.”

“You’re not trying hard enough,” I say, pinching the bridge of my nose.

“I’m doing what I can,” Alonso bites her lip.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.” I place a hand on her shoulder. “Is she choosing not to eat, or is it because she can’t?”

“She’s shown signs of nausea,” the doctor grabs her clipboard from the floor and starts flipping through it. “I haven’t done anything to her that might’ve caused it.”

“I see,” I sigh, scratching the back of my head. “So it’s her emotional state?” At times like this I wish I had more power. I can protect people, I can fight… but what good is that if people are still dying? Shields can only do so much. I’m envious of people like the doctor here who can at least attempt to save someone. “Then I guess we have to cheer her up,” I work up a smile and drift on over to Maya. “Want to go in?”

Maya stares at the door. She reaches for the handle. Her fingers curl around it, but her grip slips. Her arm dangles limply at her side. “I don’t know now.”

“Then what do you know?” I place a hand on Maya’s shoulder

“I know she’s in pain,” Maya tries to fight back tears. “I know she’s alone.”

“Then let’s fix that,” I crack a smile.

She shakes her head and closes her eyes. “Anyone would be scared in her position,” she balls her hand into a fist. “So that means we have to be there for her.”

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Yeah,” I move my hand from Maya’s shoulder to her wrist. When I do, her hand uncurls. “But that doesn’t mean you can show her a face like that,” I guide Maya’s grip to the door handle. “Try to smile, okay?”

The door creaks open. “Could you be any louder?” Aishi says, staring at me with a wrinkled brow.

“I can be if you want, but that wouldn’t be very courteous of me,” I look to her bedside to see a fallen chair. I stroll over to pick it up, but stop midway. There are cracks running up and down the legs, and claw marks on the seat. I sigh and pick it up. “How are you feeling today?” I say as I sit down.

“Worse with you here,” she tosses her sketchbook onto the nightstand next to her bed. “What do you want?”

“We came to see you,” I motion for Maya to come over with a hand. “She won’t bite,” I glance at Aishi then slowly back to Maya. “I hope,” I speak in a hushed whisper.

“What was that?” our patient moves her head forward. “I can’t really hear you.”

“Nothing,” I throw my hands up in surrender. “Nothing at all. So Maya, you wanted to talk to Aishi?” I don’t want to make her worry more than she has to. I’m fine if she hates me for it later.

Maya blinks in confusion, trying to figure out what I just said and why Aishi reacted that way. “Well, yes, I did. I just wanted to see how you were doing.”

“You do this everyday,” Aishi says, taking a deep breath. “Why? I’m not worth it.” She timidly crumples the bedsheet in her hands. “You’re better off studying.”

“I don’t really need to study,” I correct her with a grin. “I’m the type to just get good grades!”

“I’m not talking to you,” Aishi reprimands me. “Why do you hang out with him, Maya?”

“You already know the answer to that.”

“That you have terrible taste in men?”

I laugh a little bit. I want to say something, but I don’t want to ruin their fun.

Maya shakes her head, “No, it isn’t that.” She places a hand on her chin and starts sizing me up. “No, it definitely isn’t.”

I’m wondering if I should take that as an insult or a compliment? Regardless, this is probably payback for the walk up here. It makes sense that if I keep spouting bullshit, karma is going to kick in. “And here I thought I was just being a good boy,” I say while looking out the window over Aishi’s bed. “You have a pretty nice view here.”

“Then maybe you’d like to be the one in the bed?” she turns to me with an angry glare. I consider my options.  

“Aishi,” I run a hand through her disheveled brown locks. “You shouldn’t really take after the doc here when it comes to taking care of your hair. Maya, go get me a sponge and some water.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Maya steps forward. “If you’re going to have someone do that for her, then let me do it.”

“I’m fine, just go get me a sponge. Oh, and a comb,” I look over to the far side of the room. “I think there’s one in that cabinet.” Maya nods to me before heading to the bathroom to fetch the water.

“What are you doing?” Aishi throws more venom. “Let go!” she tries to pull my hand off. Her touch is light as a feather. There’s hardly any strength in the tug. It’s almost like nothing is there. If I could do anything, I would. If I could end her suffering, I would - but I can’t. This is all I can do for her. “Let go of me!”

“It’s alright,” I pat Aishi’s head. “Just let me clean you up, okay? It won’t hurt. I’ll be gentle.” If I put too much pressure on her, I’ll probably leave bruises. She’s already in enough pain as it is. I get up from the bed and grab the comb from the cabinet. “Do you have what I asked for?” I look to Maya as she heads back into the room.

“Yes, here you go,” Maya hands me the bucket and sponge.

“Thanks,” I sit on the edge of the bed. “Aishi, can you scoot up? I know it’s probably hard, but I need some room.” She moves forward without a word. Her head hangs down, and her hair falls around her like a veil. Of course, it’s tangled here and there on the scalp and close to her shoulders. I dip the sponge into the warm water and start washing her hair.

“Hiroshi, are you sure you don’t want me to do it?” Maya reaches for the comb sitting on the nightstand.

“No, I got this. I do your hair all the time. This isn’t so hard,” I don’t look at her. I stay focused on Aishi. “Her hair is a little thicker than yours, but I can work with it.”

“I tried to thin it out,” Maya takes a seat on the far edge of the bed.

“You mean my brother tried?” I correct her.

“Well, that’s what I meant,” she sighs. “Point is, it just didn’t turn out well.”

“You’re fine the way you are,” I continue combing Aishi’s hair while trying my best not to bruise her scalp. I’ve got some control over my strength, but I never know if I’ll slip up. It’s best to always be cautious. “Aishi. Are you hungry at all?” There’s no reply. Her eyes are downcast. “I’ll fix you something up after we’re done here. That sound good?”

“I’m not hungry.”

“You’re not?” I rub the wet sponge through Aishi’s hair. “You sure about that? I think I can hear your stomach growling.”

Her arms curl up around her belly and she leans forward. “It hurts,” I hear strain in her delicate voice. “I don’t want to eat. It hurts too much.”

“Why?” I place hand on her shoulder to help her lie upright. “Where’s the pain?”

“It burns. It hurts just to swallow,” she clears her throat. “But if I have to eat, I will. You’ll keep bugging me about it if I don’t.” Aishi takes in a deep breath and pulls herself up. “You can stop now, Hiroshi,” she reaches a hand up to stop me from finishing her hair. I concede since I’m satisfied with what little work I was able to do. “I… appreciate it,” her voice lost what venom was left. “I’ll eat something soft. It’ll just hurt if you give me a full course meal.”

“Does Dr.Alhazred have a blender?” Maya sits up from the bed. “I’ll go check.”

“We don’t need a blender,” I get up and crack my knuckles.

“I know you’re hygienic, but I’d rather we not,” Aishi shuts down the idea with a giggle. “Fruits or vegetables will do.”

“Alright,” Maya says with a nod. “I’ll be right back,” springs up and goes for the door. Just as she puts her hand on the lever, it creaks open. “Oh, Doctor. You have a small kitchen here, right?”

“Down the hall,” Alonso points out the door. “Use whatever you want.”

“Thank you,” Maya bows respectfully then shoots out of the room immediately after. I hope she doesn’t trip on anything on the way there. Actually, I should do something about that.

“Mind if I clean this place up?” I ask Alonso.

“What do you want?” she scowls at me. Where did this vehement voice come from?

“Nothing?” I throw my hands up. “I don’t want anything.”

“No, what do you want?” she draws closer to me, our noses touching. “No one offers that without wanting something.”

“Okay,” I surrender. I did have an ulterior motive after all. “I’d like it if you took care of yourself.”

“No time for that,” she pulls back. “Saving lives.”

“You only have one patient,” I point to Aishi who looks unamused by all of this.

“Studying,” Alonso walks over to Aishi’s bedside.

There’s another excuse. I try to stifle my laughter. “Fine, I guess that’s part of your charm.” I look at Alonso’s finger tips as a blue ethereal energy pours out of them and into Aishi’s body. She didn’t even ask her if she was ready for a check-up yet. “Does she always do this?”

“Yes,” Aishi pushes her covers away and lies down on the bed. This must all be routine. “She never warns me.”

“Pretty irresponsible,” I muse with a sigh. Alonso, of course, doesn’t reply. She puts all of her attention into the magical procedure. The energy hardens into solid blue wires connecting her fingers to the rest of Aishi’s body. Sparks of ‘electricity’ run from Alonso’s finger tips through the lines joining into the patient’s body. After a few seconds, the connection between the two snaps. The wires disappear into nothing.

“Nothing out of the ordinary,” she grabs at an invisible clipboard in her hands. “Ah, it’s in the other room.”

“Do you feel alright?” I slip the discarded covers up to Aishi’s hands. She pulls them back up to her neck. “Can’t be healthy getting injected with all that mana.”

“I trust her,” Aishi manages to speak through a yawn. “I’ve always trusted her.”

“Why are you talking like I’m not here?” Alonso says, finding herself a seat at the end of the bed.

“You were?” Aishi manages a sleepy smile.

“Maybe you should sleep?” I say with a furrowed brow. “Eating is important, but that can wait.”

“I am kind of tired,” Aishi seems like she’s already losing the fight to stay awake.

“I’ll let Maya know,” I pat Aishi on the forehead while I head toward the door. “Sleep well.”

“I’m sorry.”

“What about?” I look over at the bed with my hand on the door.

“About earlier. It’s hard. It’s just--”

I stop Aishi her short. “No reason to apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong,” I sigh. “Just get some sleep, okay? Watch over her, Alonso.”

Maya returns and hands the food in a plastic container to Alonso. We say our farewells as I close the door behind us.