"Why are you still standing there! Run!" Barth screams at Mela.

Something about this possessed mob, something Mela noticed within them. She can't put her finger on it, but it seems to be familiar. Two of the sick people break away and charge Mela, looking out and feels something different. An energy surge, when she opens her eyes, the two people that attacked her are on the ground with no evidence of being ill at all. Mela looks around, and each of the rabid people has stopped, and they too have no erupting pustules. Everyone is standing around stunned, not understanding what happened.

Mela tries to find her voice, but it fails. So again, she attempts, and a little whisper comes out. "What happened, Barth?"

"We don't know. All I saw was a flash of green. Then, the light washed over us, and everyone was healed. There must be a medical reason for this happening. I will find out how this occurred."

Freaked out a little by the situation, Mela says. "Let's move back to the main triage area. Bring this group; we have more instrument there to know what just happened."

Barth standing there, breathing heavy. "Why didn't you run, Mother Mela! There was a real danger, and I for certain do not want to tell Jara that you lost your life."

Mela has a nervous laugh while each assistant is looping arms under their previous attackers' shoulders. "Jara would be upset, but he understands the circle of l. In death, there is new life. There will be sadness but nothing more."

Barth shakes his head, thinking Mela is blind to Jara's over-protective nature. He would possibly hurt or, even worse, anyone who brings harm to his beloved. "Come, Mother, let's get back to the camp." He looks sadly around at the other board buildings, knowing that there could be more people alive. Still, the risk on Mela's life is too significant. "These are the only living people here."

Mela gives a radiant smile, like life itself is smiling upon you or the touch of the sun rising in the east. Always a beautiful sight. "I am curious what happened here; yes, Brother-Healer, let us head back."

As she helps another person move, she can tell that the sickness robs them of much more than their sanity. The body itself seems to be massively undernourished like it was more akin to a parasite than a disease.

As they around the corner, there again is the barricade. Corporal Higgins sees the group approaching and motions to his other guard. Furthermore, they take up the same stance as before. He calls out. "Return to your homes. If you continue to come forward, you will have to use lethal force."

Mela moves slightly closer to Higgins. "Corporal Higgins, what is your first name?"

"Robert."

Mela smiled at her new friend, Robert. "Please, Robert, we have stabilised these people, but they require more treatment. Therefore, as a Master Doctor, I implore you to step aside and allow me to save this town."

Even if he wanted to, he has his orders, and his worry is his family. If this sickness moves beyond this area, dire straits will happen. "I'm sorry, but please return to your homes. But, doctor, I can't let you through either. The chance of spread of the illness is too great."

Barth has been watching this exchange. His anger has hit its boiling point. Not only did Mela's life was in jeopardy before, this town yokels think that they can boss them around and threaten Mother's life again.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

He moves forward in a surprisingly loud, deep voice. "You will let us through! The town is already contaminated because you are stupid! Look." He points to the open sewage. "That is why your deaths are certain. If you let us through, we could save your loved one, here we will be healthy, and you would be dead."

Robert was taken back by Barth's candour. The healer of this town told them this would save them. "Enough, this is your last warning. Return or be fired upon."

All the militia raise their repeater crossbows, each with their finger on the trigger. Barth scoffs at this. He turns and shakes his head at Mela. "They won't fire; we are their best chance."

Mela could see what is about to happen as Barth moves a little more forward. All four crossbows let loose their bolts, each striking Barth in his chest. He is thrown several metres from the impact, a vast amount of blood is expelled from his mouth.

In his last word. "I guess I was wr…." His head slumps, with no life in his eyes anymore.

Each guard pumps their crossbow to reload. Corporal Higgins says. "Please, no more. Return to your homes."

His voice is cracked; Mela can tell this is the first time he had killed someone. Finally, Mela mealy says to Robert. "I am disappointed in you, Robert."

She then turns to her long-time friend, tears streaming down her face. She moves over and looks sadly at Barth. Each tear that falls seems to be hitting each of the bolts. Mela's eyes are now a-washed with tears and grief. Her entire vision is filled with the blurriness of the weeping. More tears splash onto Barth's corpse.

A noise of a popping sound followed by another and again another. Four in total, Mela wipes her eyes and looks down at her friend. The crossbow bolts have been expelled from his wounds, the blood has stopped flowing, and suddenly Barth takes in a substantial wet sounding breath.

As he sits up, each of the assistants does the sign of greeting to Mela. This time it means more, like the respect of old faith-healing. The healed people stunned all bow down in front of Mela. The men behind the barricade drop their crossbows and stand there astonished.

Barth coughs, and some clotted blood comes up. He looks wearily at Mela. "You save my life, I saw just darkness, and then a light, a pure white light, with a mixture of orange, blue and green on its edges, came to me and beckoned me to return to life. As I opened my eyes, you were enveloped in green light."

Mela stands there speechless as Corporal Higgins kicks open the barrier and says. "All of you can move to the healer's camp." He comes over and takes a knee. "And I apologise to you both for my rash actions. To make up this, my life is yours!"

Each one of his men kneels and mutter the exact words. Finally, Mela looks up and smiles. "Be kind and thoughtful. What you did was due to fear of your families. I forgive you, and Barth here does as well. Your service is not needed, but if you could help us take these fragile survivors, the help will be most welcome."

Barth grumbles at Mela's statement but stays quiet. Robert turns and says. "Your will be done."