Chapter 12: Rigged Checkup.

(Marinkia’s POV)

Marinkia: “…”

Doctor: “Please come with me. I will look at your wound privately. And don’t worry. At most, if you’re bitten, then we will just make you leave the group. But we will give you some supplies and weapons if needed before you leave.” She said with a reassuring tone.

Do I even have a choice? There were over ten people surrounding me, pointing their sharp makeshift spears in my direction, all circling me.

Marinkia: “Okay…” I agree.

Doctor: “Good girl. Now, please follow me. The rest of you, return to what you were doing.” She ordered, and I followed her.

Along the way, I saw more and more of this camp. It… it didn’t make sense. Even with the cars being lightweight, how did they line them up so easily and well? Something about this place is off, and I stupidly know what it is.

A Short Walk Later.

Now, I was in what appeared to be a doctor’s office. Well, it was a one of those mobile doctor trailers that still ran around from time to time. That is to say, it was a pretty nice and relaxing environment.

Anna: “My name is Anna, what’s yours?” She asked.

I was sitting down on one of those large patient beds, and Anna was sitting on one of those spinning stools in front of me. This felt pretty weird… When was the last time that I went to the doctor? Since I was a kid, I think… No, wait. I did go a few times during the 2070s, now that I think about it.

Marinkia: “Marinkia.” I reply.

Anna: “Cute name. Alright, Marinkia. Do I need to take off your bandage, or will you tell me the truth?” She asked with a warm tone.

Her eyes, which were just a normal dark barely blue color, now glowed and looked red. Ah, so that’s what this is, huh?… Wait, what is this place, then? From what I heard on the walk here, Anna was the leader. Why is a Numen helping humans?

Marinkia: “So… you’re a Numen as well?” I ask.

Anna: “Oh, so you know of us? Tell me, did you consent?” She asked.

Like with those two, Anna could make me tell the truth. Though, unlike before, I didn’t feel that compelled to tell Anna the truth. I still did, anyway.

Marinkia: “I did, both times, in fact. I was marked by two different Numen’s.” I answer.

Anna: “A double mark, huh? How rare. Don’t worry, I have no intentions on marking you at all.” She said with a reassuring tone.

Marinkia: “That’s a relief… I honestly seem to keep running into Numen’s.” I reply with a laugh.

Still, I was oddly calm. Actually, I was more interested in why this place even existed. It wasn’t due to the fact that they humans defended it well. It was because Anna secretly did so herself.

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Anna: “You seem curious about this place… Tell you what, you do something for me, and I will answer your questions about this place.” She proposed.

Marinkia: “Sure. What do you need?” I reply.

Anna: “Your blood.” She answered nonchalantly.

Marinkia: “…”

Anna: “I don’t mean that I want to bite you, silly girl. I just want a sample of your blood.” She said with a laugh.

Marinkia: “For what purpose?” I ask.

Anna: “Hm… how much have those two, the ones that marked you, explained to you?” She replied.

Marinkia: “Until I successfully turn into a Numen, I will be left alone and in the dark by those two.” I answer with a shrug.

Anna: “Then I will not explain anything to do with why they marked you, or really what we are. As for the blood, I am a researcher by heart. In history, there have only been a few double consented marked people before.” She explained.

Double consented? That’s a new one… Does consent matter to Numen’s? Not like I will get an answer out of her, though. It looks like these Numen’s like to keep humans in the dark most of the time.

Marinkia: “Can you answer my questions first?” I propose.

Anna: “For what reason? I don’t think that the order matters? If so, then we should draw your blood first.” She replied, speaking contradictory words that I felt hard to refute.

Marinkia: “…”

These Numen’s… as you would expect, they really treat humans horribly.

Marinkia: “How much blood do you need?” I reply.

Anna: “As much as you’re willing to give.” She answered.

Marinkia: “You won’t just take it from me by force? You surely have the power to do so.” I say with a head tilt.

Anna: “I could, but as there is a decent chance that you will turn into my kind, I should give you the bare minimum of respect that a fellow one of my kind deserves. I won’t force you.” She replied with a warm smile.

Marinkia: “Then, as long as you put me to sleep, I will give you all the blood that you need. That is, not all of it. I don’t wish to die, after all.” I reply.

Anna: “Then, we will leave the blood for later. What is the actual reason for wanting answers first? As you can see, I am greatly limiting my power to make you say the truth. But I can still tell if you’re lying.” She asked.

Marinkia: “…”

Can I really tell her something so embarrassing? I feel like she would lose all respect for me if I did…

Anna: “Just please answer, I won’t be upset or belittle you. I am a doctor, and as you’re almost a Numen, I will treat you with respect. Numen’s, which is a wonderful name that you’ve given us, are people. We aren’t stone.” She said with a warm tone.

Marinkia: “I hate needles, and just drawing a little bit of blood would be make ungodly sleepy. If we did the blood first, I wouldn’t be able to ask you anything at all.” I admit with a blush.

Anna: “That isn’t anything to be embarrassed about. I know someone that had killed an entire army of humans numbering in the thousands, and he is afraid of needles as well.” She said with a laugh.

Marinkia: “…”

When Anna mentioned “someone” she meant another Numen. To them, humans aren’t people. Probably, they all see humans as livestock…

Anna: “Can we compromise?” She replied.

Marinkia: “How so?” I ask.

Anna: “I put you to sleep, and take your blood. When you wake up the next day, you will be in my house, sleeping on the finest bed. I will answer your questions then and there.” She explained.

Marinkia: “I am sorry if I am being difficult, but could you at least explain why you want my blood?” I ask with a curious tone.

Anna: “You’re being very kind and rational, which is rare for a human. So don’t worry, I am not angry with you. Will you agree with my arrangement if I do?” She said with a raised eyebrow.

Marinkia: “I will.” I agree.

Anna: “Numen’s DNA tend to be very similar once they evolve from humans. That is to say, even the double consented marked people that are still alive, I will not get any interesting information from their blood. But you, one who hasn’t evolved yet, I will be able to make a first, or even an amazing discovery.” She said with an excited tone.

Marinkia: “…”

Anna: “Even if you don’t survive in the end, I will credit you. Now then, please let me breathe on you.” She said, getting up from her chair and walking up to me.

Marinkia: “B-breathe?” I say with a shocked tone.

Anna: “If we want to take a human with us rather than just eat them, then we can change our breath to make them fall asleep. It is one of our abilities.” She explained.

What the heck? I feel like these Numen’s are extremely similar to vampires… With a nod, Anna breathed in my face. Like I just took some drug that knocked me out, I quickly fell asleep. At least my head landed on her soft breasts…