"What was that just now?"

Abruptly I sat up on my bed. Lungs heaving for air and heart quickening its pace, realizing my body was covered in sweat as far as I could feel on my forehead. What a relief, I think. Instead of bloodstains on my hands, they are nothing but water. For a brief moment, the surroundings greet me. The usual room has been used for years. An average one to be exact, with a single bed next to the large window, a desk full of medical records and books on afar. Simple as that, yet this place is what I have called "home" for all those times.

Groggily forcing myself to move toward the window, hoping some fresh air would bring some relief from that disturbing dream. Instead, the wind of the night harshly dragged me back to reality. Being someone who has spent years in the military as a doctor, I understand more than anyone the string-thin line between life and death. Witnessing who comes and goes countless times, soon, all the grief and pain could no longer haunt me. I thought this kind of distant memory would cease to return. Such a lame joke, I told my weak self. What has happened doesn't matter anymore. I'm not allowed to be left behind in this merciless game...

....

"Are you okay? You look kind of bad this morning." The voice of a little girl pulled Theodore back from his own world of thoughts.

"Oh... sorry, I got distracted. Is there anything wrong?" He gently pats Cecil's hair in assurance.

"Nothing..., the patients are resting." Cecil holds the records tightly to her chest while looking down, whispering, " It's just... I am worried... You were working restlessly recently.... What if something bad happens to you too?"

"I am standing right here in front of you as strong as ever, am I not?" Theodore smiles coyly "I will join you and the rest later after this elixir is finished, alright? Nolan needed this for his fever."

Knowing the doctor would likely keep insisting on this, Cecil eventually gave up. Nodding at the concentrated man, Cecil rushed back to the hallway, heading toward the patient's rooms to continue her usual work as a nurse/ Theodore's apprentice. Theodore, you workaholic maniac! Cecil scolds herself while organizing all the equipment as well as herbs and medicines gathered from the shelves. She quietly sighs, the hands then adjust her big pair of glasses. I sometimes really do wish Theodore wouldn't be this stubborn...

Theodore, who is now alone in his office, thrown himself onto the armchair. The faint scent of herbs dancing in the air, all coming from his desk. Cecil's appearance suddenly came to his mind, reminding him of the many lives out here, awaiting salvation. To be able to have such a talent to save people must be a gift, right? The old office, formally the principal's room with a dusty look, full of containers filled with different kinds of liquid, freshly grounded medicinal plants, and piles of vegetal books, strongly announced its owner's personality. The only sound that can be heard is more or less the bubbly of a round flask boiling its content. Theodore carefully picks fresh plants and then adds them to the steaming container. ⅓ tulsi, a pinch of cinnamon, then a little bit of lavender... that should be it. His slim fingers would casually pour the mixture into small iron cups.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

The emergency room lies in the center of the building, occupied by dozens of patients who just a few days ago, were all fearless soldiers. If they have that much courage, will they also not be afraid of death? Theodore thought. Indeed, it's not that hard for Theodore to find Nolan, his recent patient that suffered from influenza. Simply a cold that will strike down even the strongest man if not treated properly. Nolan is now covered in sweat, whimpering in pain. His hands grab the bed rails so tense that even veins can easily be seen.

Without any hesitation, he immediately approaches Nolan. Then, handling the orange-hue liquid to a nurse, Theodore patiently waits for a miracle. In the end, the dedication of a doctor surely is a blessing from God. The weight on his shoulder finally lifts when he sees Nolan's body starting to calm down, drifting off into a peaceful sleep. After making sure his patient was in better condition, he decides to take a break to stroll around the mansion.

This place, where Theodore spent most of his life, used to be a century-old mansion, owned by a noble lord, lying on the outskirts. The once red bricks have now turned dark brown under the flow of time, resting upon the layers of ivy. The windows, though stained decently, still fulfilled their duty to bathe the whole building in warm rays. Embraced by woods, is giving this mansion a quiet feel. Though all those years have cast an ancient look on the mansion, yet to Theodore, this place is the most serene, the home for his lost soul.

Follow along the rocky trail, a small glass greenhouse, comprising all kinds of plants and flowers, welcomes him from afar. There's no doubt this is his favorite place to spend most of his idle time here. As usual, he lightly touches the leaves of the narcissus, feeling its soft surface on his fingertip. Being able to be here, enjoying such a gift, perhaps a privilege not many can have. Bearing that thought, Theodore takes a deep breath, hoping to clear his tangled mind... The navy eyes silently observed the yellow petals blend with the sunlight, dancing on his skin. As Theodore watches them slowly fall into a puddle just next to his threadbare shoes, he catches a glimpse of his now-mature appearance through the reflection. The familiar face, the auburn long hair, barely tightened by a thin ribbon, making a few hairpieces incidentally fall down to his cheeks. Theodore was never a person dedicated to his appearance. An olive sweater with a white-collar goes along with the doctor's blouse is his casual outfit, always full of medical instruments in its pockets. He laughed off how he had changed for all those years, since the day he was rescued.

About to continue his walk, once again interrupted by the plangent sound of the bell, calling for action.

"Rang... Rang... Rang...." The sound of death has once again awakened.

Theodore knows that sound more than anyone else, the sound he has grown accustomed to, the sound he has grown sick of, a sign of a new battle awaiting...

Just to find out fate is not keen on letting him go that easily...